America, America, thy crown is fallen

As a Fundamental Pastor here in America, I can understand Jeremiah's Lament over his beloved homeland of Israel. As he witnessed the rebellion, the judgement, and the destruction of his people, so too I sit in my study and read the news and watch the events unfolding around me in my own country and I have to lament and cry again -"thy crown is fallen". A crown speaks of authority and position received by one from another. Our blessed nation has worn a crown for these many years and now it is slowly slipping away from us.

This slipping started many years ago, but, now it is almost gone. Dr. Rolough, Rice and Hyles tried to warn our nation. Through their pulpits, conferences, radio programs and almost every type of way of communication possible that our nation was doomed for judgement. Well, it is all around us!

As I read this morning of tornadoes, floods and loss of life all across this land. Blasted by terrific winter storms, swept away by terrible winds and fierce tempests. Is this all coincidence? NO! It is not my friend. We must all sit up and pay attention! God is speaking! Wake up!

What America does with Israel is another indication of what we can expect to happen all around us. Our President is trying to force a Peace Agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.

Obama's plan is reportedly based on principles including: the creation of a PA state in Judea and Samaria, with borders based on the 1948 armistice line, the split of Jerusalem, Israel's capital city, the negation of the PA “right of return” for descendants of Arabs who fled Israel in 1948, and a focus on Israel's security needs.

If we read our bibles, we find prophecies of Jerusalem being divided and my friend it is another reminder that yes! The Rapture is upon us. Mark the words of the preacher  - The RAPTURE IS UPON US. We have heard it for so long that we are desensitized to it. NO! I am not a date setter. But, I am a sign watcher upon the tower of God's Word and by all signs, we are going up brother!

What is the only answer - God's Word! Obey the Word, live in the Word, study the Word and follow God's plan. It has never changed and will not change. We are get into this world and be a light and then live as salt and help preserve what little this nation has left for our next generation.

I know that we desire not to discourage our youth coming in behind us with all this talk. but, friend, when the boat is sinking and they are in it with us, they have to know! We cannot hide behind the facts! Our nation MUST TURN back to God!

We have a choice - Either we make a difference NOW or we see destruction on a scale that we do not want to see.

Now for good news! Jesus still saves, God is still plenteous in mercy and His wrath is but for a moment. Oh my dear brethren, may we rise up in our pulpits and places of ministry and call our people back to God. Call them back to Bethel! Back to a place where God can begin to bless and use them once again. How will this be done?

1. We must as Ezra did cry out and confess our sins to God - SINS? Yes! Individually and Nationally. He named them, he mourned over them, he confessed them. He grouped himself with them, why? becuase he had to go through what they were going through. When our nation suffers, we, saved do too. Not to the degree that the heathen do, but, we nontheless suffer. I have to pay 3.55 for a gallon of gas as the lost do.

2. We must as Abraham did beg God for the our cities and do all we can to meet God's quota of 10 righteous in every town, village, city, place. I do not claim to know all that God places on the scales when He then decides to judge and destroy a nation, but, we do know that light rejected brings more darkness and "to whom much is given, much is required"

3. We must then as the early church did in Acts 8 - go everywhere preaching the Word! This is the answer! We have it! It is here, right before us. Put away the Glen Beck and his pseudo Mormom/christianity show, put away O'Reilly and his faithless factor, put away all of it, chrisitian. Get out the blessed book, remember the blessed hope and stand for the blessed banner!!  Let's go!!

In closing, Paul the Apostle lived in times like these, yes! He witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem, he saw the judgment coming, but, everywhere he went he cried aloud and preached and witnessed. Folks, it is still worth it all, let's love God, look to God and learn from God's Word and leave our sin and LIVE for God!

Amen!