Have We Passed the Point of No Return?

Various recent polls indicate between 60% and 70% of Americans believe that this great nation is headed in the wrong direction. Reasons for this dissatisfaction include the nearly stagnant economy, the high unemployment rate, and our mid-east foreign policy. No where is it mentioned that we are headed in the wrong direction due to our abandonment of Biblical principles. Many subscribe to the premise that inasmuch as God is love, this nation is in good hands and all will turn out well. Such thinking lines the road to disaster.

Yes, the Bible does state that God is love, but He is also just, holy, righteous, immutable, and sovereign. He is sovereign because He created us in His image and has planned the ultimate outcome for mankind and planet earth from the beginning. Sadly, according to the Bible, man is constantly getting in the way by side-stepping God’s instructions and replacing them with their own agenda. This will certainly result in failure. There comes a point when God will withdraw His hand of protection and turn us loose to pursue our way. That defines the ‘point of no return.’

There are numerous scripture references addressing this issue.

“Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded, because you disdained all my counsel, and would have none of my rebuke, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes…when distress and anguish come upon you. Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD, they would have none of my counsel... therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled to the full with their own fancies.” Proverbs 1:24-31

Several issues are described in this scripture.

• God has revealed His instructions to His people
• People have refused God’s counsel
• There comes a point where God removes His hand of protection
• Man will indeed reap what he has sown

There are numerous times in the Old Testament where references to Israel could accurately be applied to America.

“But My people would not heed My voice, and Israel would have none of Me. So I gave them over to their own stubborn heart, to walk in their own counsels. ‘Oh, that My people would listen to Me, that Israel would walk in My ways! I would soon subdue their enemies, and turn My hand against their adversaries…’” Psalms 81:11-14

There comes a time when a non-repentant nation will be told to depend on their self made gods in time of trouble.

“So the LORD said to the children of Israel, ‘Did I not deliver you from the Egyptians and from the Amorites…Yet you have forsaken Me and served other gods. Therefore I will deliver you no more. Go and cry out to the gods which you have chosen; let them deliver you in your time of distress.’” Judges 10:11-14

“…The LORD is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.”
2 Chronicles 15:2

The Bible also compares man’s wisdom with God’s wisdom.

“For the wicked boasts of his heart’s desire; he blesses the greedy and renounces the LORD; The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts…He has said in his heart, ‘I shall not be moved…’” Psalms 10:3-6

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Proverbs 14:12

The point of no return for a nation is reached when that nation continually ignores God with no intention of changing their ways.

“Therefore you shall speak all these words to them, but they will not obey you. You shall also call to them, but they will not answer you.” Jeremiah 7:27

At that point God says not to even pray for that nation. Their judgment cannot be averted.

“Behold, you trust in lying words that cannot profit…and walk after other gods…and then come to Me…and say, ‘we are delivered to do all these abominations.’”

“Therefore do not pray for this people, nor lift up a cry or prayer for them nor make intercession to Me; for I will not hear you.” Jeremiah 7:8-10, 16

The solution for our nation’s woes is/was quite straight forward.

“Thus says the LORD of hosts… ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you that it may be well with you.’” Jeremiah 7:21-23

Does our great nation founded on Biblical principles really love God today?

“Therefore you shall love the LORD your God, and keep His charge, His statutes, His judgments, and His commandments always.” Deuteronomy 11:1

“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” I John 5:3

Has America as a nation passed the point of no return?

The Jesus Everyone Will Know

For many people the person of Jesus is learned through history, i.e. His birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension. But according to the Bible everyone will experience Him personally in the future.

Recently the death of Jesus was commemorated and His resurrection celebrated during the time known as ‘Easter’ which correctly translated means Passover. Therefore, let’s begin at that point.

“…and being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore, God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth…and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord…” Philippians 2:8-11

The above exemplifies the humanity of Jesus and His original earthly mission. However, His humanity is just one necessary aspect of His being. He is also unquestionably deity.

“He is the image of the invisible God…for by Him all things were created…” Colossians 1:15-16

“For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily…” Colossians 2:9

The most succinct expression of His deity is found in the gospel of John.

“I and My Father are one.” John 10:30

The Bible clearly states that one does not know Jesus if both aspects of His being are not embraced, i.e. His humanity and His deity. In fact people are warned to avoid association with anyone who does not teach the dual aspect of Jesus’ being.

“For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist…Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.” II John 7-11

Therefore, if anyone denies Jesus as the Passover Lamb of God, i.e. His humanity and His first earthly mission of death on the cross, or if anyone denies the deity of Jesus, that person in reality does not have God at all. In fact the primary purpose of deceivers is to cause one to deny one or both aspects of Jesus the Christ. But what Jesus has done in the past as recorded in history is just the beginning. Jesus of the future will turn the world upside down upon returning to earth.

Forty days after Jesus’ resurrection He ascended to heaven which was witnessed by His disciples.

“Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them…who also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.’” Acts 1:9-11

So while just eleven witnessed His ascension, the entire world will witness His return at a time not revealed in the Scriptures. Jesus described His return.

“For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be…Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” Matthew 24:27, 30

Much more is revealed about Jesus in the final book of the Bible, i.e. the Revelation. Specifically this final book is the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants – things which must shortly take place…” Revelation 1:1

The word ‘revelation’ in the above verse is from the Greek apokalupsis meaning not only to unveil, but also to explain that which is unveiled.

Those who know God by embracing both the humanity and deity of Jesus will greatly rejoice at His return. However, those who are living on earth at His return and have left Jesus either in the manger or in the grave and are not willing to change ‘will seek death and will not find it.’

The return of Jesus to earth is the fulfillment of prophecy penned centuries before His birth.

“…And behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven…Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom…shall not be destroyed.” Daniel 7:13-14

Without question, we are headed for some very exciting times! It causes one to wonder if our personal as well as our national priorities are in line with the known future.

Seven Steps to Judgment

The history of Israel’s lengthy and painful odyssey can be traced to their handling of issues counter to God’s instructions. Recall further the New Testament writer Paul stated that God’s dealing with Israel was to be examples for the present age.

Therefore, it is possible to get a glimpse of America’s future by comparing our handling of current issues with Israel’s past and the immutable word of God.

The first three of the seven steps to judgment focus on economic and/or fiscal policy.

1) Redistribution, or taking from one and giving to another

Redistribution assumes that our government knows what is best not only for each individual, but also for the nation as a whole. Such an assumption is not Biblically based.

“…Riches and honor are with me…that I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, that I may fill their treasuries.” Proverbs 22:18-21

“As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth…this is the gift of God.” Ecclesiastes 5:19

2) Tax assessments and use of tax revenue

Taxes are indeed appropriate but should be used for the general purposes of protecting citizens and maintaining order, not to facilitate redistribution.

“For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good…For because of this you also pay taxes…” Romans 13:3, 6

3) Borrowing money to run the government

Consider just the amount of money the United States has borrowed from China. A debtor status partially defines the relationship between the two parties.

“The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” Proverbs 22:7

The next three steps leading to judgment relate to social issues.

4) Political correctness

This is one of the primary destructive issues of today resulting in:
a) distorting and/or ignoring truth and reality
b) passivity
c) loss of freedoms

“Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world…” Colossians 2:8

5) Obsession with ‘rights’

Many think, and in fact are taught, that every citizen has certain rights such as the right to government funded health care, the right to own a home, the right to a college education, etc. etc.

“As a partridge that broods but does not hatch, so is he who gets riches,
but not by right; it will leave him in the midst of his days, and at his end he will be a fool.” Jeremiah 17:11

6) Judges with ideologies that promote their agenda from the bench

In the recent judicial election in Wisconsin, partisan identity ruled. It
was less about qualification and more about ideology, i.e. would the winner be conservative or liberal; one who would either support the governor’s agenda or rule against it. Such partiality is particularly obvious in the ninth circuit court of appeals. This tendency is even more flagrant during the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court justices.

“Choose wise, understanding, and knowledgeable men from among your tribes…then I commanded your judges at that time, saying, ‘Hear the cases between your brethren, and judge righteously between a man and his brother, or the stranger who is with him. You shall not show partiality in judgment…’” Deuteronomy 1:13-17

“Then Peter opened his mouth and said: ‘In truth I perceive that God
shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.’” Acts 10:34-35

7) Israel

The seventh step leading to judgment relates to foreign policy and is perhaps the most significant and yet it appears to be given secondary priority status, not only with our government but in some places even the ‘church.’ That issue is Israel. This administration is not only marginalizing Israel, but is even coddling her enemies. Israel’s most significant self-proclaimed enemy is Islam and those who tolerate Islam’s agenda to eliminate Israel.

God chose Israel to reveal Himself to all the other nations. Nothing has changed. Those who ignore that mandate will be dealt with severely.

“Now the LORD had said to Abram… ‘I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great…I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you…’” Genesis 12:1-3

Therefore, our handling of economic, social, and foreign policy issues are not in sync with the Bible and the consequences cannot be ignored.

As another glaring example of American’s march towards judgment consider the present debacle surrounding past presidential contender John Edwards. Our judicial system overlooked the coveting, the adultery, and the lies to cover it up, but he was indicted because he allegedly used campaign contributions for personal reasons.

“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness…woe to those who are wise in their own eyes…Therefore, as the fire devours the stubble, and the flame consumes the chaff, so their root will be as rottenness…because they have rejected the law of the LORD…” Isaiah 5:20-24

Uncanny Perception or Naivete

In Obama’s recent Middle East speech he discussed several major issues including Israel, Jerusalem, and the proposed two-state solution. There were, however, several other comments in his text that warrants scrutiny along with their intended and unintended consequences.

“…we know that our future is bound to this region by the forces of economics…”

The ‘forces of economics’ relates to the oil reserves held by Middle Eastern countries that the United States will rely on in the future. While Saudi Arabia has unquestionably the most oil reserves in the world, the United States has the most total fossil fuel reserves of any nation in the world. There is little logic to continue to rely on hostile countries for our economic wellbeing.

“Bin Laden and his murderous vision won some adherents. But even before his death, al Qaeda was losing its struggle for relevance…”

While many label Bin Laden as a ‘radical’ and as such believe his efforts appealed to a distinct minority, the truth is any true Muslim must support jihad in whatever form that will achieve their goals of world domination. We would be fools to let our guard down at this point. The leading and highly respected authority for Sharia-compliant finance, Sheik Mohammed Taqi Usmani in his 2006 book entitled: Islam and Modernism tells it like it is. He stresses that it is a present obligation for Muslims to engage in violent jihad against non-Muslim states. He further states “Aggressive jihad is lawful even today for the purpose it was lawful in ‘the past.’”

Obama continues, “…two years ago in Cairo, I began to broaden our engagement based upon mutual interests and mutual respect…”

President Obama needs to be more specific as to what he means when he refers to mutual interests and mutual respect. The average student of history and current events is hard pressed to find much mutual interest, let alone any mutual respect on the part of Islam towards the West.

“But after decades of accepting the world as it is in the region, we have a chance to pursue the world as it should be.”
If Mr. Obama was serious about his professed Christianity, he would have said, “…we have a chance to pursue the world as it will be.” One of the biggest mysteries of the day is why we as a nation are not aligning our priorities according to what the Bible clearly states will occur in the future.

“We support a set of universal rights. Those rights include free speech…freedom of religion…”

Then why Mr. President did your administration join in the efforts with the United Nations Human Rights Council to draft resolutions making it a hate crime to make statements that put Islam in an unfavorable light even if such statements are true? And why Mr. Presidents is it required to remove or hide such symbols as the Cross from public display?

“We will continue to make good on the commitments that I made in Cairo—to build networks of entrepreneurs, and expand exchanges in education; to foster cooperation in science and technology, and combat disease. Across the region, we intend to provide assistance to civil society…”

What this simply means is that we will borrow more money from China and give it to those who seek our demise.

Perhaps the overriding premise in his address was the virtues and superiority of democracy and his intent to install this form of government in the Middle Eastern and Northern African countries which are predominantly Islamic.

The highly esteemed Muslim scholar and author referenced earlier also stated in his recent book:

“…the aim of Muslims… ‘To take out people from the rule of people and put them under the rule of Allah.’”

Is there a conflict in ideologies here?

Presently there are several ‘Islamic Monarchies’ in the Middle East including Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qutar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. It’s very ironic that while we are attempting to convert these countries to democracies, the future government of the region, in fact the entire world will be a Monarchy with headquarters in Jerusalem.

The president ended his speech with the following:

“But the United States of America was founded on the belief that people should govern themselves. Now, we cannot hesitate to stand squarely on the side of those who are reaching for their rights, knowing that their success will bring about a world that is more peaceful, more stable and more just.”

Let it be simply said, democracy will not bring peace, stability, or justice to the Middle East.

Many pundits have expressed opinions that Mr. Obama is the least qualified in history to hold the office of president of the United States. One impression he definitely leaves is that either he doesn’t read his Bible, or he chooses to ignore its contents.

When President Obama delivers a state of the union speech he closes with ‘God Bless America.’ Wouldn’t it have been wonderful if he had ended his speech addressing the Middle East with the same words? Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu raised the bar when he ended his speech to our congress with those wonderful words.

Obama Proposes More Anti-Biblical Solutions

The world waited anxiously for President Obama’s recent speech relative to the challenges in the Middle East. Many on the right did not expect the president to mention Israel which is undeniably the central issue of the current unrest. Well he surprised them all by spending a major part of his time discussing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict which confirms that he realizes the centrality of this issue. He then offered proposed solutions. He stated:

“So while the core issues of the conflict must be negotiated, the basis of those negotiations is clear: a viable Palestine, and a secure Israel. The United States believes that negotiations should result in two states…what everyone knows: a lasting peace will involve two states…the dream of a Jewish and democratic state cannot be fulfilled with permanent occupation.”

Firstly, Mr. Obama states that ‘the United States’ and ‘everyone’ knows that peace in the Middle East requires a two state solution. A two state solution is, however, totally at odds with the Bible. Therefore, not ‘everyone’ agrees with Obama’s proposed solution. Such a solution was sadly also supported by George Bush and other recent previous presidents on both sides of the aisle.

Secondly, the Israeli question is not negotiable, and thirdly Israel can not be an ‘occupier’ of their own land.

Suggesting that Israel’s borders revert back to the 1967 pre-six day war lines is absolutely not an option. The six-day war began with Jordan, Syria, and Egypt amassing large armies on Israel’s borders for an offensive attack. Israel then with a surprise pre-emptive strike soundly defeated those who would destroy them. Israel’s resulting geographical gains included the Gaza Strip and Sinai Peninsula from Egypt, the West Bank of the Jordan River and East Jerusalem from Jordan, and the Golan Heights from Syria. This action by Israel was not an act of imperialism; rather it was a defensive action to push back the enemy. Israel subsequently relinquished the Sinai Peninsula as a result of a peace treaty with Egypt in 1979.

There are few issues in the Bible clearer than the future of the nation of Israel and its capital Jerusalem. Equally clear is the geographical boundaries of that tiny nation.

“…To your (Abraham’s) descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates…” Genesis 15:18

“And I will set your bounds from the Red Sea to the sea…and from the desert to the River (Euphrates). For I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand, and you shall drive them out before you. You shall make no covenant (treaty) with them…” Exodus 23:31-32

“…then the LORD will drive out all these nations from before you, and you will dispossess greater and mightier nations than yourselves. Every place on which the sole of your foot treads shall be yours: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the River Euphrates, even to the Western Sea, shall be your territory. No man shall be able to stand against you…” Deuteronomy 11:23-24

“From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates…shall be your territory.” Joshua 1:4

The Bible, therefore, defines the land of Israel to include much more of the land of its enemies, i.e. especially Jordan and Syria. Israel’s land will also include much of Iraq. Within the boundaries of their land lies what was termed Canaan. The borders of Canaan specifically rule out any possibility of others possessing land west of the Jordan River (West Bank) or any part of Jerusalem.

“Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Command the children of Israel, and say to them: When you come into the land of Canaan, this it the land that shall fall to you as an inheritance…You shall mark out your eastern border…the border shall go down and reach to the eastern side of the Sea of Chinnereth (Lake Gennesaret, or Sea of Galilee) along the Jordan, and it shall end at the Salt Sea’” Numbers 34:1-2, 10-12

The Bible is equally clear on Israel’s future capital of Jerusalem.

“And it came to pass, when Solomon had finished the house of the LORD (in Jerusalem)…the LORD appeared…and said to him… ‘I have consecrated this house which you have built to put My name there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.’” I Kings 9:1-3

“And He said to me, (Ezekiel) … ‘this is the place of My throne and the place of the soles of My feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel forever.’” Ezekiel 43:7

“The LORD also will roar…and utter His voice from Jerusalem; the heavens and earth will shake…so you shall know that I am the LORD your God…Then Jerusalem shall be holy, and no aliens shall ever pass through her again.” Joel 3:16-17

It would be difficult for any Christian to deny these great truths. If there is ever a peace treaty encompassing a two state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it will most likely be for a seven year period. Remember one of the actions of the Anti-Christ is to ‘divide the land for gain.’