Christian Ramblings

October 2014

As a nation we have to ask ourselves, “Is there a God?” One line of evidence that is many times ignored in answering the question of the existence of God is God Himself. If there is a God, then we will see the signature of His work in our lives because the God of the Bible is a living God who was, and is, and is to come. Even in our rebellion as a nation, His signature can be seen in His redemptive works. How we answer this question as a nation determines our actions which in turn determines our fate. The United States has become a prodigal nation because we have rejected God’s ways and exalt that which is evil while maintaining a claim to righteousness. Consider Joshua who was Moses’ successor and what took place after he died.

When Joshua dismissed the people, the people of Israel went each to his inheritance to take possession of the land. And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great work that the LORD had done for Israel. And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died at the age of 110 years. And they buried him within the boundaries of his inheritance in Timnath-heres, in the hill country of Ephraim, north of the mountain of Gaash. And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD or the work that he had done for Israel. And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals. And they abandoned the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt. They went after other gods, from among the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed down to them. And they provoked the LORD to anger. (Judges 2:6–12)

After Joshua died, a generation grew up not knowing the Lord and the same has happened in the United states. When the United States was founded, it was dedicated to God and in the beginning was distinctly a Christian nation. If we look around the United States today, we see very little of the original sentiment that brought forth this nation. Our history books which we use to teach our children have been severely redacted to remove references to God and we have taken steps to distance ourselves from God in the public square and government. We see national polls that say 90 percent of the people believe in God, but our actions are diametrically opposed to God. This tells us one of two things, either 90 percent of the people do believe in God and thus willfully provoke God to His face knowing the consequences or people say they believe in God like a fading echo. In other words, they have no clue who God is and have no interest in His ways and only say they believe in God for the sake of appearance. There is a big difference between “believing” and “following” God.

Whether we believe in God or not, does not alter the fact of His existence. God still loves us in spite of our gross disobedience and God will do what is necessary to bring us back to Him. When a child acts out of willful disobedience, a chastisement is soon to follow. In our backslidden society, we simply can’t conceive that God would “spank” His children because such a concept has been relegated to those who would be considered extreme. We say God would not chastise us as a nation because we think God is just like us and we would never do such a thing to our children! The disobedient child does not see the coming chastisement because they are blinded by their own pride and say to themselves, “I will never see mourning.” Likewise, the United States is having a rude awakening that the chastisements of God are being manifested in our midst. If we don’t turn around, the chastisements will get worse finally ending up in judgement upon the nation.

Is God chastising the United States and what is the evidence that it is happening? First we must examine what happened when ancient Israel was judged by God. We see this described in the book of Isaiah.

The Lord has sent a word against Jacob, and it will fall on Israel; and all the people will know, Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria, who say in pride and in arrogance of heart: “The bricks have fallen, but we will build with dressed stones; the sycamores have been cut down, but we will put cedars in their place.” But the LORD raises the adversaries of Rezin against him, and stirs up his enemies. The Syrians on the east and the Philistines on the west devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger has not turned away, and his hand is stretched out still. The people did not turn to him who struck them, nor inquire of the LORD of hosts. (Isaiah 9:8–13)

This passage describes the response to a terrorist attack which God allowed as a wake up call to Israel. Instead of heeding the warning from God and humbling themselves, they hardened their hearts and rejected God’s warning. A similar thing is happening in the United States and Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn explains the concepts involved in the following videos.

The Harbingers:
Part 1: http://sidroth.org/television/tv-archives/jonathan-cahn-part-1
Part 2: http://sidroth.org/television/tv-archives/jonathan-cahn-part-2

Just a handful of days after the World Trade Center towers fell on September 16, 2001, David Wilkerson gave the following message entitled, ”The towers have fallen, but we have missed the message.” Remember, David did not know all the details that Jonathan uncovered, but was just giving a message that God gave him in the wake of 9/11.

The towers have fallen, but we have missed the message:
Part 1: http://youtu.be/I2OpxjwwrIA
Part 2: http://youtu.be/CdznTmoVFeQ
Part 3: http://youtu.be/f3YZWkXylcQ
Part 4: http://youtu.be/84qfLcrV2MA

Later, Mr. Cahn came back and recorded interview detailing further research concerning the Shemitah and how it has been affecting us throughout our lives.

The Mystery of the Shemitah:
http://sidroth.org/television/tv-archives/jonathan-cahn

If you wish a more detailed study of the subject you can read Jonathan Cahn’s book “The Mystery of the Shemitah.” Just recently, PBS Nova aired a program called “Ground Zero Supertower” on the building of the “Freedom” tower at the site of ground zero.

Ground Zero Supertower:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/tech/ground-supertower.html

What is notable about the Nova program is that it shows the fulfillment of the arrogance and pride of this nation to provoke God in defiance. We are repeating what ancient Israel did before they were finally judged and exiled from their land. This is further evidence of our rebellion as a nation against God.

Another example of defiance was demonstrated in the Boston marathon bombing in how people responded with the saying, “Boston Strong”. This reflects the same arrogance described in Isaiah 9:10. We are saying we are a resilient nation and we will come back stronger than before.

Boston Strong:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Strong

In spite of the warnings God has sent in the last few years, the movement away from God is accelerating. Here are some prominent examples.

• Forsaking of God and His ways.
• Abortion is the law of the land.
• Drugs are being legalized.
• The rise of the homosexual movement.

In addition, this nation celebrates Christmas and we have turned it into a tradition of gross materialism. Some segments of the economy derive 60 percent of their sales during the Christmas season. We provoke God to His face and we have the audacity to celebrate Christmas. This is abhorrent behavior and how should God respond to a nation that continually rejects Him and pretends He is delighted with their ways?

At the time of this writing, the national debt is approaching 18 trillion dollars. A debt like this has never happened in the world and even the world sees an economic collapse coming because it is so obvious that we have built a house of cards around our debt. It won’t take much to pop the debt bubble and many will feel its pain. Do we think God is unaware of these circumstances? Through our sinful behaviors we have given hell permission to wreak havoc in our land and we are about to pay the price. If we forsake God, we forsake His benefits like His protection.

Most assuredly judgements are coming until we humble ourselves and change our behaviors. On the other side of this equation is a revival of unprecedented proportions. When the judgements hit our land, the suffering will cause people to turn to God and humble themselves which in turn will spark a revival. If you are unfamiliar with the Azusa Street revival, you should read the following book.

True Stories of the Miracles of Azusa Street and Beyond
by Tommy Welchel, Michelle Griffith

The manifestation of God’s power in the Azusa Street revival reflected what happened in the book of Acts. William Seymour prophesied that in about 100 years there would be a return of the Shekinah Glory and a revival that would surpass the works of God at Azusa. Charles Parham, on the same day on the east coast, also prophesied that a great revival would happen in about 100 years. We are currently in that time frame. When we combine that with the revelation of the Shemitah, we have an explosive combination.

The cornerstone of the next great awakening that is coming on our land will be the restoration of the fear of the Lord which will lead to repentance. The knowledge of the fear of the Lord is sorely lacking in our nation which in turn has led to all manner of sinful behavior. John Bevere produced a teaching series called, “The Fear of the Lord” which potently describes the fear of the Lord as the Bible intends it to be understood. I suggest watching the video sessions.

John Bevere - The Fear of the Lord.
Messenger International
http://messengerinternational.org

The United States is at a crossroads where we will face God’s chastisements for our wicked behaviors. Listen to what God spoke to King Solomon when the temple was completed.

If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:13–14)

God is willing to forgive our sin and heal our land when we humble ourselves. We have freewill to choose the path we will travel, but how far into judgements will we travel before we turn to the mercy of God? Study the materials presented here and understand how God is moving in our nation. We are a prodigal nation sitting in a pig pen about to realize there is a Father who awaits us with open arms. We can willingly come to God’s grace today or we can be motivated by the judgements of God. No one can turn away God’s judgements when they come except through true repentance. Let it be known throughout the land that today is the day of repentance.