God Is Still Stretching Out His Hand!

Today, my spirit is both praising God for the miracle we witnessed on Saturday, July 13th, and sending fervent prayers that He will protect our nation from the onslaught of evil that is trying to destroy this nation. I am sure that many of my fellow citizens are experiencing the same spiritual encouragement. We are truly under extreme physical and spiritual attack from the entities who want to profit from Heaven's blessings that this nation has received since its founding. And perhaps more importantly, they want to destroy any efforts to see this nation exist according to God's will.

This last weekend, I was instantly taken back to my emotions and fears when I was 10 years old and witnessed the evil and chaos of November 22, 1963. I strongly believe that the assassination of President Kennedy symbolized a turning point in this nation. Even at that young age, I sensed the doubt that the adults around me expressed concerning the "official" account of that awful day. For the first time, [and instinctively] I knew the faith in our leaders had experienced a crack in its façade. The trust in them and the media began to erode, and it has been a slow decline until this week -- when I think it has actually shattered. I have never seen or heard so many publicly counter the "approved" narrative and vociferously call out the enormity of the decline in our national relations.

All of which leads to some conflicting thoughts ... Will we ever know the whole truth? Will God continue to expose the evil that is counter to His will for this nation? And perhaps most importantly, what does it look like going forward? Do we, as a nation, have the fortitude and the will to do the hard work of reconciling for our common good? Because, if we don't, then I'm afraid the future of our country is doomed unless God intervenes... again. 

If you watched the opening night of the Republican National Convention, you must have a heart of stone if you weren't moved when former President Trump entered that convention hall. To me, it looked as if he was controlling his emotions, which must have been overwhelming. And why wouldn't he experience those feelings? Having just survived an assassination attempt, and hearing the emotional words sung to "I'm proud to be an American", he must have felt, I'm living this song tonight ... If tomorrow all the things were gone I worked for all my life, and I had to start again with just my children and my wife... I thank my lucky stars to be living here today, 'cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away... And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free and I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me. And I'll gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today. "Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land. God bless the USA! That song, which has kind of become a corny salute to patriotism, suddenly took on enormous significance.

If not for God's hand, the former President would not have been standing there last night. And this respect and recognition is not about whether you agree with his politics or his personality. We need to understand that Evil tried to change the destiny of our Land, and God intervened. Will we be able to thwart its renewed efforts in the days and years to come? I can't help but be reminded of what it must have been like for President Lincoln as he confronted the dire circumstances and division within the nation and contemplated how to keep the Union together. How can one man heal the hatred and vitriol of two sides so committed to their ideology that they are willing to destroy the fabric and foundation of the country, and thereby destroy the whole of it. 

We stand at that crossroads today. Only I fear that the division is even wider and more dangerous. The Spiritual Enemy of this nation doesn't just want to change the form of our government -- it wants to defeat [forever] the guiding Light of our just and righteous God over this land and "our firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence", as is so eloquently expressed in the Declaration of Independence. In addition, this Spiritual Enemy wants to decimate the very Constitutional ideal that "We, the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity". In short, this nation is at the center of a battle for its survival. Do we choose Heaven's guidance ... or Hell's?  

Just as Lincoln addressed the nation in his Second Inaugural Address, "the prayers of both cannot be answered". I strongly believe that this Land exists because God ordained it to represent His form of government -- offering the blessings of Freedom to men to choose how they will live according to His will, which is to prosper them and not harm them; to give them hope and a future. But the Enemy wants to control and obstruct the freedom that comes from our relationship with God, and keep us from gaining that abundant life He offers.

I can't help but feel the weight of Evil that is being brought to bear on this nation -- it is palpable and we have seen its ill effects in the increase in crime, the mayhem of protests and riots, and the death of so many innocent people. The headlines scream at us every day. BUT GOD GIVES US EVIDENCE OF HIS GOODNESS AND FAITHFULNESS, by showing us the difference an inch can make when He intervenes! Let me be clear -- I do not put my Faith in the hands of a mortal man. I understand that we may yet experience more evil acts fomented by our Spiritual Enemy in the hearts of men. But I know in my heart that our Lord is still on His Throne, and I do not doubt that our Mighty God is still for us and He is with us! AND WE WILL REMAIN FAITHFUL TO HIM! 

So, I ask that you join me in praying for our country. We have sinned mightily against Him, and we deserve His righteous judgment, but as Micah 7:9 says, I will bear the indignation of the LORD because I have sinned against Him, until He pleads my cause and executes judgment for me. He will bring me out to the Light; I shall look upon His vindication. Hold on to that certainty of the presence of God that you witnessed a few days ago. He has not given up on us! And never doubt that we will again behold His amazing righteousness and His remarkable deliverance that we are so desperately in need of. May His Glory once more reign down on America!  

1 Peter 2:16     Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover or pretext for evil, but [use it and live] as bond-servants of God.  

What Is To Be Expected When A Nation Abandons the One True God?

This is a question that I have been asking myself for quite some time, as I watch the growing split within our own nation. It's hard to deny that we are seeing division increasing within our democratic republic -- which is, in fact, an indivisible union between 50 sovereign states. But the lines are being drawn; between the lawful and the unlawful; between the moral and immoral; between those who honor our national heritage and those who want to tear it down; between those who love our country and those who hate it; and finally, between those who love and obey Jesus Christ and those who detest and mock Him. And those voices are getting louder and louder.

The reason I ask the question in the title of this blog post is that I am deeply concerned that we are quickly going so far down the road of an apostate nation, that God is coming to the end of His patience with us. Yes, I understand that our God is patient and slow to anger. But Scripture makes it very clear what happens when we show contempt for the riches of His kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that His kindness is intended to lead us to repentance... and then we don't repent. Nahum 1:3 says The LORD is slow to anger but [is] great in power; the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished. He has His way in the whirlwind and the storm, and the clouds are the dust beneath His feet.

There are times I think that, as Christians, we often look at the state of our nation through rose-colored glasses. By that, I mean that we assume those who have been given authority in governing this country follow and believe the same principles of God's government in Heaven. And because we believe [by faith] in the promises of God, that our personal covenant with Him will override our national sins and we will escape any punishment that God deems the nation deserves. But all we have to do is look at the example of how God reacted to His chosen nation of Israel to see that He does not promise to intervene when destruction comes upon a rebellious and apostate nation. And we must look beyond our own vision of our country, and see it as God sees it.

Israel went from receiving the blessing of freedom from their enslavement in Egypt and experiencing the miracle at the Red Sea to defying their Defender by building temples to false gods and engaging in pagan practices of fornication and unholy rituals in the occult. They had abandoned God's Laws for generations and their youth no longer knew the One True God who had established them in righteousness. Although YHWH repeatedly called them to repentance, they ignored Him, and He sent judgment upon them by sending invaders from foreign lands who took them into captivity and destroyed their cities and occupied their land. They eventually lost the blessings God had given them.  

What does that have to do with us, you might ask? Israel's story in the Old Testament conveys the Heavenly principle that Sin brings negative consequences. And how mankind honors the covenants they make with our Holy God can result in His blessings or curses. So what do you think the US deserves? Let's take a look at the foundation this country rests its legal and belief system upon. In our Declaration of Independence, our Founders made it clear that "the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God" were the backbone of this unique document. But did you know that this phrase came from a law book widely used for years before our American Revolution and was regarded as the final authority on human law. So here, according to this distinguished law book, is the meaning of those eight words that established the guideline for governing our nation ... 

Man is considered as a creature, [and] must necessarily be subject to the laws of his Creator, for he is entirely a dependent being. And consequently, as a man depends absolutely upon his Maker for everything, it is necessary that in all points he conform to his Maker's will; this will of his Maker is called the Law of Nature.

This law of nature being co-equal with mankind and dictated by God Himself is, of course, superior to any other. It is binding to all the globe, all countries and at all times. No human laws are of any validity if contrary to this. This then is the Law of Nature. It is the law of God expressed through His creation.

If our reason were always clear and perfect, the task would be pleasant and easy. We would need no other guide but the law of nature. Every man now finds the contrary in his own experience; we find that our reason is corrupt and our understanding is full of ignorance and error. This has given manifold occasion for the benign interposition of divine providence which has been pleased at sundry times and [in] diverse manners to discover and enforce His laws by an immediate and direct revelation. The Doctrines thus delivered, we call the revealed or the divine law and they are to be found only in the Holy Scriptures.    

In other words, the writers of our Declaration of Independence and Constitution made it clear they were not founding a secular nation, but rather a nation established on God and His Word. Relying on the Law of Nature and Nature's God, meant that "man does not have the right, nor the capacity to institute any other laws outside of God's laws" [Sir William Blackstone]. So, how do you think we're doing? Based on God's Word which tells us that God most often gets angry when those who have pledged to follow Him and His commandments break their covenants to seek their own will. His wrath is the rightful expression of His Judgment when we mock Him by choosing sin, wickedness, and evil instead of walking in His Holy ways. 

We must face the truth that because God called America into existence, and we established a covenant with Him through the Mayflower Compact, He has the right to determine if we have kept that sacred agreement with Him. Obedience to Him and His commandments guarantees us blessings. But just as Israel abandoned God and would eventually experience the consequences of their disobedience, so might we lose our right to remain a nation before God if we continue to abandon Him. And in case you need to be reminded, our leaders and government began that process of abandonment in the 1960's:

1962: The end of school prayer, and this was the prayer that parents objected to: Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon Thee, and we beg Thy blessings upon us, our parents, our teachers and our country. Amen. And the stage was set to begin our nation's turning away from God; we began to believe in ourselves as "little g" gods, capable of determining our own path. 

1962: A change in national abortion law is advocated by the American Law Institute.

1963: Lower Court rules the Bible is no longer allowed in public schools. Supreme Court rules that prayer is not allowed in schools.

1965: Homosexual activists begin to challenge the Constitution

1966: Time Magazine declares that "God is Dead".

1967: The Summer of Love begins in San Francisco and free love is celebrated with no regard to the consequences.

1973: In the Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade, abortion becomes the law of the land.

1973: Feminist leader Gloria Steinem declares, "By the year 2000 we will, I hope, raise our children to believe in human potential, not God".

1976: Parents and spouses are no longer included in the decision whether to have a baby aborted.

1981: The Supreme Court decides that a law in Arkansas requiring that Creation be taught alongside Evolution is unconstitutional. Evolution only is taught in public schools.

1987: The life of Jesus Christ is mocked in the movie: "The Last Temptation of Christ", and Martin Scorsese receives an Oscar nomination for Best Director.

1992: The Supreme Court rules that a graduation prayer violated the Establishment Clause.

1998: America's President, Bill Clinton, has sex in the Oval Office with a White House intern, but still enjoys 65% approval rating from American people.

2001: 2,977 Americans are killed in an attack on the Twin Towers in NewYork City

2005: Hurricane Katrina kills 1,833 people in one of the deadliest storms in US history.

2009: Newsweek magazine announces "The Decline and Fall of Christian America"

2012: Democrats remove God from their Party platform as well as all references to God during their convention

2015: Supreme Court makes Same-sex marriage legal in all 50 states.

2015-2018: Mass shootings rise exponentially in the nation

2018: Transgender individuals are allowed to join the US military

2020: The Covid pandemic begins in US

2023: Over 104 Million Americans have died of Covid, per statistica.com

These facts are by no means conclusive; there is so much more that points to our moral, physical, and economic decline as we have removed God from our national profile. As we increasingly abandon His ways, and continue to lose our way, and refuse to repent [as a nation], why would we expect to escape His righteous anger and holy wrath? Do we really expect to exist as a free people if we have allowed His moral standards to be corrupted and adopted as laws of the land? 

Yes, it is important that we continue to pray and declare the glory and might of Jehovah God, but we must also recognize that the Bible tells us that there are Sheep Nations and Goat Nations that will stand before the Lord to be judged. And all the peoples of those nations will be judged according to how well they served Him. I trust our Redeemer to know those of us who followed His heart, and not to condemn us. But I still believe we will have to endure the consequences of our nations apostasy and rebellion.

So, please join me in praying for our leaders and fellow citizens. Let's join our voices and let Heaven hear us repent for the ways that our nation and our Churches have allowed Him to be removed from our national conscience. Let us vow to enter this spiritual conflict and turn our generations back to Him, the One who created and purposed this nation for His glory. We resolve to never give in to the Evil One and his minions, but to rise in our identity as citizens of heaven on earth , returning our land to righteousness in the Mighty and Holy Name of King Jesus! Amen!

I want to give credit to https://robertcliftonrobinson.com/2015/06/30/when-america-abandons-god-the-signs-and-the-consequences/ for confirming that my discernment is on target and providing historical background of the founding of our country.

Romans 1:18     For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 

Take My Advice ... Please! A Letter To The Next Generation

I have recently suffered an injury to my shoulder that severely inhibits my ability to sit at the computer and type. So, I have been contemplating how to overcome this obstacle while I am healing. And I realized that after writing this blog for over 12 years, that perhaps, there are some creditable essays worthy of re-consideration. The following is a post from just two years ago, yet I find its message even more urgent and important to share. In just the last two years, we have slid even further towards grave consequences for our nation and the world. More people are awakening to this truth, but it is for our future generations that I want to focus upon our reality once again. And for those who choose to ignore my comments, I'd like to offer you a piece of advice ... you can deny reality, but you won't escape the consequences. I pray that you will seriously contemplate what I have to say and seek the One who can deliver us all from evil.

My husband and I had a conversation this morning about what the future looks like and how concerned we are for the next generation -- on so many levels. We feel blessed to have lived in this country and to have experienced the height of prosperity and innovation that few citizens of the world have known. We are old enough that we have heard what "hard living" looks like from our grandparents who experienced the Great Depression and an attack on our homeland. We can at least understand that the "American Dream" [that everyone has the opportunity to achieve their version of success by working hard] is under threat, and that we can no longer take for granted that it will exist for the coming generations. We are also well aware that the Founder's idea of the "American Experiment" is on the verge of collapse; an experiment that believed a nation of people could govern themselves without need of a ruling or privileged class; that we are born with unalienable rights that are not granted by a government, but inherently endowed within each being by a divine Creator.

Are these ideas that the Millennial Generation and Generation Z can comprehend? Do they understand how important it is that they know these historical concepts and why they are significant in defining their freedoms and future? Sadly, I would suggest that being the recipients of modern technology, many have been seduced into measuring the boundaries of opportunity and success by whatever the social media giants have told them is acceptable. Their ignorance of world history is setting them up to become slaves to a system that will crush any idea of innovation, individuality, originality, or "blazing your own path" -- all characterizations of the American spirit. Generation Alpha (born in the early to mid-2010s) will be our last chance to retain this distinct persona. But being the tech-savvy children born to Millennials, they have been subject to our corrupt educational system who has done everything in its power to destroy the unprecedented American identity. And it is to these latter generations that I wish to address a letter of counsel and admonition...

To The Next Generation(s):

I hope you are able to consider my words as more than the ramblings of what you most likely consider "an old woman". I understand that tendency; I, too, used to think that those of previous generations were outdated, irrelevant, and unsophisticated in the ways of "the modern world". But I have had the opportunity, as I have advanced in years, to understand that what they imparted to me was worth more than I ever imagined it could be. They taught me values and skills that we are in desperate need of in this "modern" world -- values such as personal responsibility, moral obligation, character, and faith. And I learned skills that I thought were "old-fashioned", but I now perceive will be virtually life-saving as we enter an alarming phase of our national and world experience -- skills such as knowing how to grow food, how to preserve food, how to light a fire, basic first aid, how to sew and repair clothes, how to repair machinery, how to read a map or compass. 

You may think that none of this applies to you... you don't need to know how to do any of these outdated practices, because all you have to do is pick up your cell phone and there's a YouTube video that will instruct you how to do it; and that's only if you are unable to hire someone to do it for you. But, sadly, you need to know that you are only one EMP, solar flare, or grid-down scenario away from being stripped of the advantages of that mini-computer in your hand. All the benefits of modern technology will be gone in an instant. Imagine how you would fare if you were suddenly living in the 19th Century, because that's what it will be like.

And have you considered how foreign oppression might affect your life? If you haven't, you should. All the efforts of the global elite to put the governing powers of individual nations into the hands of international organizations has resulted in the loss of national sovereignty. There is a growing trend towards globalization as a means to dismantle and control independent self-government. That's a wordy way of saying that the freedoms you have enjoyed and taken for granted are slowly dwindling away. And while you, the younger generation, boast of being more accepting of diversity, globalization actually threatens cultural diversity by drowning out some cultures, local economies, and discouraging development of culture-specific ideas. Globalization affects trade throughout the world, and in seeking lower production costs in order to be competitive in the global market-place, companies are reducing labor staff or replacing them altogether with robots, so that job insecurity is a real worry among your generation. And then there is the very real issue of cyber security. The internet has been a wonderful invention for all kinds of reasons, but it has also increased the threat of identity theft. Our lives are subject to interference and intrusion by uncontrolled entities. And need I point out the unfathomable numbers of undocumented foreign individuals who have stormed our southern border?  

I know that you may be thinking that I don't know what I'm talking about, but there is one axiom that I hope you hear, if you don't consider anything else I've said, and it is this: "Those who don't learn from history, are doomed to repeat it". As hard as it may be for you to comprehend, you are no smarter or more creative or better capable of leading than other generations. Why? Because human nature is what it is. From the Garden forward, generations of human beings have chosen [out of their own free will] to abandon the knowledge of God and gratitude for what He has done for us, His creation. When that happens, we look only to ourselves for our preservation and prosperity. Each generation is willing to criticize the one before it for its failings, but they don't learn from those mistakes. Instead, every generation, out of pride and self-importance seeks to increase their power, status, and wealth over the previous one, without the benefit of counsel and guidance from God.  When that is the path generations take, the history of the world has shown us that humans will devour each other in endless patterns of prosperity and war. 

So, I hope you will take a good hard look at the state of this nation and the world at this date in time; in your generation. Take the time to study history and note the differences between times of peace and prosperity, and times of war and destruction. Learn from the mistakes of my generation and all the ones that have come before. What does your generation plan to do to change the directory of the patterns of history? It is clear to me that the world is approaching a climactic event that can either redeem it or destroy it. Are you ready? Do you know the One who can determine that outcome? That is the most important and consequential decision you can make for your future. You must decide where your hope lies, because your future, and the existence of future generations depends on it.

Deuteronomy 32:7  Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations; ask your father, and he will show you, your elders, and they will tell you.

 

AMERICA: Are We The Master Of Our Own Demise?

I know that people want to hear uplifting and encouraging news, and may get tired of my "Watchman on the Wall" forecasts. But I would be remiss if I chose to ignore what God is sharing with me; if I chose to "tickle your ears" so that you turned away from hearing the truth, and only accepted the myths that the "pretenders" serve up as news on the various media outlets, or in the pulpits of the Apostate Church.

A couple of posts ago, I made the statement, "Pray that we as people, and a nation, make the right choices. Now is not the time to be disobedient and ignore God's warnings". Yet that seems to be exactly what we are doing. We have no excuse for continuing to rebel against God and yet hoping that [somehow] our country will be saved and get back on track. In His Word, God has plainly told us what is required to maintain His blessings and favor ...

Do you recall the story of Solomon, son of King David, who inherited his father's throne and God's favor? When Solomon was anointed as king, the only things he asked of the Lord were wisdom and understanding to judge and rule God's people in a righteous manner and to discern between good and evil. Because Solomon did not ask for a long life or wealth, God was pleased with his request, and granted him those very gifts of long life, wealth, and in addition, honor. So, Solomon built a magnificent temple for God -- a remarkable edifice surrounded by spacious courts with magnificent approaches, and lined with carved cedar and burnished gold; and garnished with precious stones. It presented an appropriate symbol for the House of the Lord and a dwelling place for His Presence. 

When Solomon dedicated the Temple, he prayed that it would be God's resting place; where He dwelt on earth in the midst of His people. After Solomon finished his prayer of dedication, fire came down from Heaven and the people understood that God's Presence [and His power and strength] resided with them in the existence of the Ark of the Covenant. Then the Lord appeared to Solomon one night and told him that He, the Lord, would look kindly upon Israel and His people and forgive them when they sinned against Him -- IF they met His criteria. God's promise is one that we often quote, ourselves, in these times of darkness... [If] My people, who are called by My Name, humble themselves, and pray and seek [crave, require as a necessity] My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear [them] from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land.  

That has become our national "go to" prayer as we discern the wrong paths that this nation has [and is] going down. Somehow, we think that's all that is required ... ask and you shall receive. But we've forgotten that this promise from God also came with a warning at the same time. It applied to Israel and it applies to us. Here is the stern warning: But if you [people] turn away and abandon My statutes and My commandments which I have set before you, and you go and serve other gods and worship them, then I will uproot Israel from My land which I have given them; and I will cast this house, which I have consecrated for My Name, out of My sight, and will make it a proverb and an object of scorn among all nations.

Part of our American heritage is the tradition that God consecrated this land as He did Israel. And, actually, historians often credit America as being "the new Israel". I don't necessarily believe that, but I do know this... He has greatly blessed this nation, and we were founded on His statutes and grounded in His laws of morality. So, we know that God never changes, and if His promise and warning to Israel were a mandate for their obedience, that holds true for us, too. We have clung to His promise, but ignored His warning, and now, my fellow Americans, I'm not sure we can escape the consequences!

I know that many of you don't want to hear that, and out of fear will hold tightly to God's character of Mercy and Grace. But He is also our Righteous and Just God, and doesn't extend His warnings haphazardly. He gives us the opportunity to repent and change our ways, but instead, this country is going further down the tubes! And if you still can't see that, let me give you some reasons why I want you to pay attention to this warning... both mine and His!

One of our biggest stumbling blocks, and most grievous sins, has been the practice of abortion. It is no different than the sins of those who burned and sacrificed their babies at the altar of Molech. In God's eyes abortion is a blood sacrifice just as wicked and evil. We can fool ourselves and say, "But the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June of 2022! We changed our direction back to God"! That just shows me how shallow our national discernment is. It's a false image that Satan dangles before our eyes to convince us that we've done enough; we are succeeding in turning away from that horrendous sin. 

The truth is that the number of abortions during the 12 months immediately following the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade was actually higher than the 12 months preceding the decision. In an article entitled, Has America Run Out of Time?, a new report by reproductive health firm Guttmacher Institute, shows that the abortion rate in 2023 was the highest it's been since 2014! But here's an interesting fact... more abortions are being accomplished by the use of a pill rather than the standard medical procedure. So, somehow this is supposed to be more humane, and lessen the sin of terminating one of God's creations? God will not be mocked!

In addition, the number of Gen Z women who identify as LGBTQ+ [almost 30%] continues to grow. And that doesn't take into account the growing number of young people who are changing gender, or those who are increasingly identifying as animals! You read that correctly -- I have actually witnessed a preteen in my local hardware store dressed in a full cat costume; lounging on the floor in a furry full length garment, from head to toe. Only her face was visible. At first, I thought she must be attending some kind of costume party, but the store employees informed me she identifies as a cat now, and her parents support it. 

So let me get this straight ... abortions are on the rise; young women aren't interested in procreating; and our children identify as animals! Can you see Satan's strategy of eliminating the number of human babies that are born? Wouldn't all this seem to strengthen his position of having dominion over the earth? And how many well-meaning Christians are totally unaware of these statistics? Yet, they keep repeating the mantra that there's a world-wide revival coming and we win in the end. I am not doubting that God can bring about a revival in a remnant of His people, and I absolutely know the faithful are victorious in Jesus. But that doesn't mean America survives this gutting of our core identity!

And if none of this is enough to convince you we are in deep trouble, let me point you to Revelation 18. The Subhead of this chapter is Babylon Has Fallen. We are told that an angel comes down from heaven, possessing great authority, and he shouted with a mighty voice, saying, "fallen, fallen [certainly to be destroyed] is Babylon the Great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a dungeon haunted by every unclear spirit, and a prison for every unclean and loathsome bird. For all the nations have drunk from the wine of the passion of her [sexual] immorality, and the kings and political leaders of the earth have committed immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich by the wealth and economic power of her sensuous luxury".

Revelation 18 goes on to say, "And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, "Come out of her, my people, so that you will not be a partner in her sins and receive her plagues, for her sins [crimes and transgressions/rebellions] have piled up as high as heaven, and God has remembered her wickedness and crimes [for judgment]... for in her heart she boasts, I SIT AS A QUEEN [on a throne] AND I AM NOT A WIDOW,  and will never, ever see mourning or experience grief! For this reason in a single day her plagues [afflictions, calamities] will come, pestilence and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire and completely consumed; for strong and powerful is the Lord God who judges her".

I highly recommend that you take the time to read the entirety of Revelation 18 and see if you do not see America in this judgment of God. It tells us that the merchants of the world will "weep and grieve over Babylon" because no one buys their merchandise anymore. [We no longer make our own merchandise, but buy it from others]. And they weep and mourn for "the great city" who was robed in fine linen, gilded with gold, with precious stones and pearls because "in one hour all the vast wealth has been laid waste". [New York has been the center of world commerce, and Wall Street has controlled the economic currency of the world]. But perhaps the most damning judgment is called The Divine Sentence upon Babylon. 

The Bible tells us that a single powerful angel will pick up a boulder like a great millstone and fling it into the sea, saying, "With such violence will Babylon, the great city, be hurled down [by the sudden, spectacular judgment of God], and will never again be found.... Commerce will no longer flourish, and normal life will cease. Never again will the light of a lamp shine in you -- [there goes our claim of being a shining light upon a hill for the whole world to be drawn to] -- and never again will the voice of the bridegroom and bride be heard in you; for your merchants were the great and prominent men of the earth, because all the nations were deceived and misled by your sorcery [your magic spells and poisonous charm]. And in Babylon was found the blood of the prophets and of saints (God's people) and of all those who have been slaughtered on the earth". This speaks of the persecution coming against Christians, wars, and the abominable practice of abortion.      

Now, you may declare that there's no way to prove or know who this great city, Babylon is, but Scripture indicates that whoever it is describes a human civilization that is arrayed in opposition to God and ready to be judged. America certainly could be in the running. We have been the driving force in commerce since WWII, and we have tempted the nations with our immoral businesses of trafficking, child porn, and drug use. We fight for our rights to kill our own babies, and we have led our nation's children away from God and taught them to hate each other through educational policies that divide us. Furthermore, we have sponsored and profited from wars around the world, and we have raped and stolen natural resources of developing nations. Yet we continue to believe the lies of ungodly leaders and even lie to ourselves, declaring that "We are America! Nothing is going to happen to us"! Sounds like the Queen of Babylon sitting on her throne and boasting that she will never, ever experience mourning or grief, doesn't it?  

So, I ask you ... Are we the master of our own demise? Even if you choose to dismiss the possibility that we deserve [or will receive] the judgments prophesied against Babylon, I just don't see how we can deny that we've done all that is accorded to this wicked entity. Yes, God has given us a way out, but I do not discern that the nation is unified in humbling itself, or praying and seeking His face, turning from our wicked ways. We are actually increasing in them! So, I have to ask, will God save the remnant that does seek Him? Or are we going to be subject to His judgment and wrath that rains on the just and the unjust? I will never give up hope that a miracle can happen in our nation! But I'm also a realist. I will live my life as righteously as I can, and I will praise Him continually in the midst of whatever comes, good or bad. I pray that we are not Babylon, because the warning that comes in Revelation 18:6 is chilling ...

Revelation 18:6    Repay to her even as she has repaid others, and pay back [to her] double [her torment] in accordance with what she has done; in the cup [of sin and suffering] which she mixed, mix a double portion [of perfect justice] for her.