The Fate of Our Nation "Part One"Prophecy Chat by Sharon L. Clemens

Students of Bible prophecy continue to ask, "Why is the United States of America not found in Bible prophecy ? What happens to us?" When a group of evangelical Christian business leaders in Naples, Florida asked that question of Joel Rosenberg last weekend, he told them he didn't know why "the wealthiest and most powerful nation on the face of the earth in the history of mankind - is not ever clearly mentioned in or clearly alluded to in Bible prophecy concerning the last days. " He said, "I don't know because the Bible doesn't tell us." He did suggest two potential scenarios that "could render the U.S. a non-factor in the last days: Scenario #1: the U.S. could implode economically after the rapture...Scenario #2: the U.S. economy could melt down in a Great Depression before the rapture."

What we do know for sure, Rosenberg said, is that the Scriptures warn us not to put our trust in worldly wealth. "In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus said: 'Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal; for where your treasure is, there is your heart also.'" [For Rosenberg's complete FLASH TRAFFIC: WASHINGTON UPDATE, "Economic Meltdown: What Does The Future Hold," visit his web site at: www.epicenter09.com

I have speculated that the Russian invasion of Israel in the War of Gog and Magog [Ezekiel 38 and 39] may also coincide with a U.S. economic and/or political meltdown. The remnant is praying for the Lord's mercy, as we wait for Him to claim His bride, the church.

REVEALING WORDS FROM ISAIAH, THE PROPHET

The prophet Isaiah also has a lot to say about The Fate of a Nation. I am indebted to Dr. Dave Breeze for his commentary on Isaiah as I teach this prophetic book. Isaiah reveals why the Lord judges a nation and what the signs of coming judgment are, so that the remnant of believers is forewarned. The Lord ALWAYS warns before judgment, if we have eyes to see and ears to hear [Amos 3:7].

COUNTERFEIT PEACE:

* In Isaiah 1:19-20, the prophet sets down the principle of The Divine Economy. "If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel [against God], you shall be devoured by the sword' for the mouth of the LORD has spoken." Although Isaiah spoke these words to ancient Judah, they are a divine principle for all the nations. Our obedience to God determines our fate; we choose either blessing or cursing.

* In chapter 2 of Isaiah, the prophet lists the signs of a nation ripe for judgment. He begins by previewing the Millennial Kingdom when Christ will rule in His Kingdom of peace and prosperity as the Prince of Peace. Jerusalem will be the capital city of the world, Mt. Zion of God, and He shall reign and enforce the laws of God from Israel for all the nations of the world. [Isaiah 2:1-3]

* In Isaiah 2:4 is one of the most abused passages in the Word of God. "He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore." The prophet Micah repeats this promise in Micah 4:1-5. Ironically, this verse is boldly emblazoned on the United Nation's building in New York City, with one significant omission. THE FIRST LINE IS OMITTED: He [Christ] shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people...

* The OMISSION of God will be the downfall of the nations. Mankind rebels against God, crediting the promise to bring peace to the world to themselves!

* 1 Thessalonians 5:3--"For when they [mankind] say, 'Peace and safety!' then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape." When man claims he can bring peace and prosperity to the earth apart from God, then the nations of the earth are doomed to destruction because they have exalted themselves above God.

* Rather, mankind should chisel the words of Joel 3:9-11 on the U.N. building because they have failed to prevent war. Instead, we are living in an age of war increasing in frequency and intensity, just as Christ prophesied war would increase, until His return [Matt. 24]. Joel 3:9ff -- "Proclaim this among the nations: Prepare for war! Wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near, let them come up. Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears..." THIS IS JUST THE OPPOSITE OF THE PROPHET'S WORDS IN ISAIAH AND MICAH. INSTEAD, JOEL'S WORDS WILL BE FULFILLED WHEN ANTICHRIST LEADS THE REBELLING NATIONS OF THE WORLD AGAINST ISRAEL AT THE END OF THE TRIBULATION IN THE GREAT BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON! But the nations will be destroyed by God at that time [Zechariah 12-14] and their pride will be judged.

OTHER SIGNS OF A NATION RIPE FOR JUDGMENT:

Isaiah lists the signs of judgment beginning in Isaiah 2:5, but he begins with a merciful call to repentance: "O house of Jacob, come and let us walk in the light of the LORD." Just as Judah would have been spared had the nation repented, so our Lord will be merciful to the U.S. if the nation would submit to national repentance. Even so, He will protect the righteous remnant. Note that anything that comes between us and the Lord is an idol.

* 2:6--"filled with Eastern ways." Our nation is enamored with false religions from the East: Eastern meditation and "the new spirituality," which used to be called New Age religion, but has now gone main-stream. It takes the form of contemplative prayer, breath prayers, and Yoga which in Hinduism, for example. The church is also full of magic and the Occult. Magic is simply ascribing supernatural power to inanimate objects such as talismans--even religious symbols such as the bread and wine, crosses, labyrinths or prayer paths for deep meditation which manipulates the consciousness, making us susceptible to demonic influence. Syncretism is being touted as "love" as it promotes tolerance of all religions calling them "truth" or "many paths to god." Matraiya, the New Age false christ claims to be the fulfillment of the Christ of Christians, the Imam Mahdi of Islam, the Matraiya Buddha of Buddhists, and Hinduism's christ. What did our Lord say? "I am THE way, THE truth, and THE life. No one comes to the Father except through me." [John 14:6] EVERY BELIEVER SHOULD BE ABLE TO QUOTE CHRIST'S WORDS IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE LIE OF "MANY TRUTHS."

* 2:7--"a land full of silver and gold, horses...and chariots." Materialism has become our god, and we put our trust in our 401K rather than God. [Matt. 6:19-21]

* 3:8-10--"idols, the work of our own hands." Humanism is man-centered religion. All false religion is some form of humanism. The power and ability of man is seen as our savior--science, psychology, man's wisdom--a worship of the power of man. God will judge the empires and power of man when He returns, and they will never rise again. [Daniel 2:44]

* 2:11-19--"pride." Paul warned Timothy that in the last days "men will be lovers of themselves..." [2 Tim. 3:2] Man has made self-esteem a right and his own comfort his primary focus and entitlement. Yet pride was what caused Lucifer [Satan] to fall from heaven [Isaiah 14:12].

* 2:20-21--Will gold and silver save us? Our faith must be in God, because in the Tribulation, unsaved mankind will be hiding in the holes of the earth where their gold and silver came from, terrified at the wrath of God. [Rev. 6:15-17]. Not even bomb shelters will save man from the coming judgment when God shakes the earth.

* 2:22--The bottom line? It is insanity to put our trust in fragile man who is only as strong as his next breath, "the breath in his nostrils." God asks, "For of what account is he?" Proverbs 3:5, 6 -- "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."


As we enter these exciting days of signs of His return, look for the paths the Lord will reveal and follow them. This will bring Him great glory as we "do business" or "occupy" until He comes. Also, repent personally and in behalf of our nation as Daniel did for Israel [Daniel 9]. It may be that the Lord will hear from heaven and heal our land.

In Him We Wait, Work, and Watch,
Sharon

[Prophecy Chat is a weekly commentary of current events in light of Bible prophecy. Sharon L. Clemens is an evangelical, premillennial, dispensational teacher of eschatology. She can be reached for comment or questions by e-mail at farmgrove@verizon.net]