"...things that must take place..."

     The degradation of the nations has been a continuous journey, and the direction doesn’t appear to be changing.

     Recall God’s standard of justice was given to Israel prior to entering the promised land of Canaan as examples for the other nations during this present age. After God revealed His standard He gave Israel the choice to either obey or disobey.

     “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth.  And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God…”  Deuteronomy 28:1-2

     If, however, Israel chose not to obey they would be cursed.

     “But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you…”  Deuteronomy 28:15

     Time and time again throughout the period of the Judges and Kings, Israel disobeyed God’s commandments and statutes.  God in His longsuffering repeatedly encouraged Israel to repent and return to Him.

     “…if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”  2 Chronicles 7:14

     In spite of God’s seemingly endless patience, there came a time when both Israel and Judah passed the point of no return.

     “They have turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers who refused to hear My words, and they have gone after other gods to serve them; the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken My covenant which I made with their fathers.  Therefore thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, I will surely bring calamity on them which they will not be able to escape; and though they cry out to Me, I will not listen to them.’”  Jeremiah 11:10-11

     God then told Jeremiah his intercession was to no avail.

     “So do not pray for this people, or lift up a cry or prayer for them; for I will not hear them in the time that they cry out to Me because of their trouble.”  Jeremiah 11:14

     History confirmed Israel was divided after Solomon’s reign which ended in 931 BC.  The northern tribes were overtaken by Assyria while southern Judah was overpowered by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.

     It is easy to believe such a thing as America’s demise could never happen.  America, many believe, is too powerful and indispensable to fall.  However, let’s place Israel’s fall in proper perspective.

     The Apostle Paul summarized Israel’s experiences of disobedience in his letter to the church at Corinth.

  “Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.  Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”  1 Corinthians 10:11

     Then the final book of the Bible sums up this current age, the great tribulation, the millennial kingdom, and the age of ages.  While the Apostle John was on the island of Patmos he heard Christ talking to him saying:

     “Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.”  Revelation 1:19

     The Greek translation for the term ‘will’ in the present context means an event to take place or come to pass.  After being told of the seven churches John is summoned up to heaven and Christ reveals more to him.

     “After these things I looked…And the first voice which I heard was…speaking with me, saying, ‘Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.’”  Revelation 4:1

     The Greek basis for the term ‘must’ means necessary or need.  It is further defined as the result of the depravity and wickedness of man.

     John then learns in great detail of the inevitable, unfathomable destruction that befalls the entire earth.