UPDATE 4/24/09: There is a great video post of John MacArthur called “Abandoned By God” over at Steve Laughlin’s “Revolution in the Spirit.” Check it out here.
Chuck Missler is one of my favorite Bible teachers. I know he’s not everybody’s “cup of tea,” so to speak, but I thoroughly enjoy his approach to the Bible. Chuck is very cerebral and a lot of what he says goes over my head. But whenever I get the least bit prideful about my knowledge of the Bible, a five minute session with any of Chuck’s lessons has me running back into the Word. That is exactly what he wants you to do.
Last week, Chuck had a podcast and an on-the-air broadcast called “Twilight’s Last Gleaming.” It was a sobering study of what our country is facing right now. I had heard it in the car on my way home from vacation last week and then I was able to get the podcast via iTunes. I actually went ahead and ordered the DVD because I wanted to see the presentation and felt that it was that important for me and my family.
One of the comments Chuck made during the session–and one that he says is strictly his opinion–is that the United States has gotten past the promise of 2 Chronicles:
“…any My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” –2 Chronicles 7:14.
What he points out–and something that I think I haven’t fully appreciated–is that when God says “My people,” He is referring to the church! Christians! “My people who are called by My name…!” I used to think of this in merely secular, political terms but that’s not what the passage says.
So what say you? Are the Christian churches of the United States of 2009 too late to claim this promise? Have we allowed things to get so far out of whack that God must judge us? Have we already begun to experience this judgment a la 9/11, for example? How long will God allow this country to continue exporting all that is immoral and vile–that we call “good” and “freedom”–before God says: “Enough!”
Thoughts?
Dr. Missler is not the only person who has said this……James Dobson has said the same thing.
When I was in my twenties……..even the unregenerate knew the homosexual lifestyle was wrong. Today……it is not politically correct to make such a statement. I’m so old , I remember Elvis’ first appearance on the Ed Sullivan show. Guess what? The unregenerate producer’s of that show would not allow the camera to be lowered below his waist. Today on regular TV…..almost anything goes. Now don’t get me wrong…..I have nothing against going to the beach or a swimming pool……BUT……what “christians” wear to the beach in the name of freedom/liberty today……….if they were to go out into the public back when I was young…..the unregenerate officials would have either arrested them or would have taken them to a mental hospital.
We just elected the most liberal President……ever! Maybe…I do not know….but maybe God is giving America what she wants. If that is the case………that in itself is a judgement.
Ike,
Thanks for this. I see your point with Obama. Maybe that is one of many more judgments to come. In the Old Testament, God gave the people of Israel kings because that’s what they wanted even though God didn’t want them for the people. Well, as you know, they got exactly what they asked for. I suppose that it’s much the same for us.