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By Tim Moore
Christians in America look back and wonder, “How did we get here?!” How did we go from ordered liberty and unparallelled prosperity to the godless, sin-reveling culture we witness today? In hindsight, our downfall seems to have happened suddenly. But in fact it was subtle and slow; it happened one generation at a time.
Anyone with eyes to see and ears to hear recognizes that America is being torn apart at the seams. The rise in godlessness and paganism is evident in the violence and lawlessness infecting every facet of society. It is plain to see in the hate-filled protests rocking American college campuses as supposedly educated elites celebrate terrorism while denouncing our own nation.
Certainly, there are testimonies of God’s grace impacting individual lives through the power of the Gospel, but America is on a trajectory toward destruction. God shed His grace on this land and blessed us with unprecedented prosperity. As we’ve strayed, He has raised up prophetic voices to call America to repent and return to Him. But our culture has doubled down on its rebellion. Our own leaders now celebrate and give hearty approval to those who practice wickedness. (Romans 1:28-32).
Some see this merely as a natural social cycle. According to the Strauss-Howe Generational Theory, human societies operate in a cyclical pattern. This is not to be confused with the circular perception of time espoused by Eastern religions. The repetition of vigor, followed by ease, followed by weakness, and followed by peril has been summarized as:
“Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And weak men create hard times.” – G. Michael Hopf
Christians who have a thorough understanding of the Word of God understand the tragic cycle of rebellion and sin that Israel and Judah fell into throughout the Old Testament. Resolved to honor God and obey His commandments, the Children of Israel soon wandered back into idolatry and wickedness. When prophets warned them to repent, they only returned to God when their own waywardness caused sufficient pain. Having come to their senses, they began the pattern all over again, until the Lord’s patience was exhausted and He poured out judgment.
For many years, Lamb & Lion Ministries has warned that America is following the same pattern. But today, something seems very different. Whereas there was a deep reservoir of Christian character to our society in the past, our biblical foundations are being repudiated and rejected wholesale throughout the formerly Christian West. The speed and severity of that willful overthrow of our own heritage is shocking, even to those who have advocated for it. Clearly, other, malevolent ideologies are rushing in to fill the ensuing vacuum.
Richard Dawkins was recently interviewed by the London Broadcasting Company. This famous and militant atheist is “slightly horrified” to see foreign religions supplanting the traditions even he was comfortable with as a “cultural Christian” (as he now describes himself). Dawkin’s belated horror aside, Europe’s rejection of Christianity is now essentially complete.
America is rushing to catch up. Pastor Jack Hibbs (of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills) caused a furor among some members of Congress when he dared to pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Christian symbols are being removed from the public square in an accelerating manner. In these last days, whole denominations are “holding to a form of godliness” while rejecting the power of God (2 Timothy 3:1- 5). Paul’s warning to Timothy even speaks of those who are “always learning and never able to come to the full knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7).
Is There Any Hope?
We are often asked: Is there any hope for America? Or, more pointedly, do we think America will experience another great revival?
Frankly, other than the provision for Israel, we do not believe Scripture indicates that a nation that has known the Lord and willfully abandoned Him will be revived. Like a plant, once the root is withered and dried up, the visible plant is fit only for the fire. But that does not mean that we should cease praying for our nation, serving as salt and light wherever the Lord places us, and trusting that even in wrath God remembers mercy.
The tender mercies of God are evident all around us even now. His Holy Spirit is at work and the Light of Christ shines through the deepening gloom. There will continue to be outbreaks of revival in localized settings. Another example is Ninevah Christian Church where our friend Terry Cooper is the pastor. Following their second of two large pilgrimages to Israel, the Holy Spirit is working mightily there in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. For the past year, they have averaged 10 baptisms each Sunday!
Ninevah is a great name for a church. It points back to the greatest revival ever recorded. Biblical Nineveh is a worthy example for our land as well. The king of Nineveh issued a proclamation for every living creature to express humility before the LORD. Although judgment had been declared, he reasoned, “Who knows, God may turn and relent and withdraw His burning anger so that we will not perish” (Jonah 3:9).
When it comes to nations, God’s Word tells us that all the Gentile nations will rebel against Him and align against a reestablished Israel. They will all be judged by Him for their rebellion and embrace of wickedness. His Word also tells us that judgment awaits individuals as well. But the finality of that prophecy offers a brilliant ray of inherent hope.
What is Your Hope?
Yes, all of us will face the wrath of God—unless we have accepted the Good News of salvation. For those who embrace the Gospel, God’s wrath has already been poured out on Jesus Christ.
The message for those who have already trusted in Jesus and look forward to His return and reign is: be ready, keep the faith, do the work God has given you.
If you have allowed your faith in Christ to grow complacent and find yourself drifting away from the Rock of your salvation, “Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die” (Revelation 3:2). Return to your first love and allow Him to rekindle your passion to serve Him in such a time as this (Revelation 2:4 and 3:15-18).
The warning to any who do not yet know Jesus as Savior and Lord is: do not wait! The wrath of God abides on you (John 3:36). While there is still time—this day—flee from that wrath to come and into the loving arms of our Savior. Call upon Him now and be saved.
For all of us who are eagerly awaiting the upward call of God in Christ Jesus, let’s keep pressing toward the goal—reaching forward to what lies ahead (Philippians 3:13-14).
Plant a Tree
How do you do that? The same way Joshua did: one day at a time. If you do that, choosing wisely from decision to decision and modeling Christ-centeredness in your life, you will give your children and grandchildren a solid foundation to build their faith on.
An old Jewish proverb says, “If you think the world is going to end tomorrow, plant a tree.” Wise words. And while literal trees are worth planting, the proverb takes on deeper meaning if you realize that it is not merely speaking of actual trees. While the Lord tarries, we have the privilege of pouring into tender young fruit-bearers— watering, pruning, fertilizing, and encouraging them.
If you choose to do that—today, tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, and each day the Lord gives you—when the Son of Man comes He will still find faith on the earth (Luke 18:8). May it be so in my house.