Dear beloved family of God, that is the main issue! It may be that many could go on pretending that "all is alright", in spite of all the problems that are taking place today, whether it be the fight against terrorism, the anti-Americanism around the world, the uneasiness of the possibility of another 9/11, and of war with Iraq, and also with North Korea; and many other things, such as the increase of immorality, "political traitors" within our country, the lack of the power and influence of the "Christian Church", but most of all, the increase of "anti-Christianism", etc., etc.

    But then, there are those that are concerned, worried, and even afraid, because of what's happening, not only here in America, but also around the world. Yet, when they talk about solving all of these problems, they usually look to the wisdom and abilities of man. That, of course, is what's wrong! If one will notice, and be honest about it, they will have to confess that is precisely why the world is in the situation it is in now. Man has become so foolish in their wisdom and abilities that they have left God out of the equation: "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God" (Psalm 14:1). Furthermore, Romans 1:22 adds that "professing themselves to be wise, they became fools"; or "the world by wisdom knew not God" (1 Corinthians 1:21).

    Having said that, the question is, where is our hope? Beloved, the answer is very simple! Our only hope is in the LORD our God! Look to any other "source", and you'll find that there is no comfort, no peace, no assurance, no certainty; and truly no hope at all if you look to man and his so-called wisdom and power! That this is true, all one has to do is to consider what is happening around the world, not only in the political scene, but especially in the spiritual realm. Perhaps we can apply in a limited sense the words of our Lord of Luke 21:26 - "Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth". Yes, there is generally a sense of hopelessness and desperation in the world today. But again, it is simply because they have put all of their hope on sinking sand, which is the state of all those that have "no hope", and are "without God in the world" (Ephesians 2:12), instead of on Him, who is the Rock of Ages: "The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower" (Psalm 18:2).

    Now, to the one who looks to the infallible Word of God, they'll see that not only are ALL things in the sovereign control of the living God, but that there is a complete fulfillment of the sovereign will of the Most High, with respect to ALL things in ALL areas in the world. Isaiah 46:10,11 puts it like this: "Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:...yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it". Why? Because it is "according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will" (Ephesians 1:11). THERE'S NO ACCIDENT, OR CHANCE, OF ANY THING THAT EVER TAKES PLACE IN THIS WORLD APART FROM GOD, AS FAR AS HE IS CONCERNED!!! Do you think that He who holds the life of a sparrow in His hand and will (Matthew 10:29-31; Luke 12:6,7), will permit anyone to do, or anything to take place, apart from Him? If you do, my friend, then you do not know the God of the Bible; or giving you the benefit of the doubt, at least, you are ignorant of the precious truths of God's Word with respect to His Absolute Sovereignty!

    Nevertheless, we have to consider the following: I believe that God has taken His protecting Hand from off our country; and that now we are seeing cursings, instead of blessings, being poured out upon America. Why? Because the people of God has forsaken the Lord in order to live for themselves and to please themselves. Everywhere you turn, and it seems in generally every church around the country, there has been a forsaking of the truth of God, in order to please and to tickle the ears of the church members. Very rarely does one hear the pure "gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24); but instead a watered-down, or "psychological" gospel, is now being proclaimed everywhere that is making excuses for professing "Christians" to live in spiritual idolatry and adultery. I'm not simply referring to the Health and Wealth Prosperity Gospel that is so popular today, but when so called "evangelical" churches spend thousands, if not millions, of dollars to build recreational buildings, or gyms, as ministries, or has mixed so-called "Christian psychology" with the Scriptures, one has to wonder if there will be a holy and obedient people for the Lord Jesus Christ when He returns. I have to say that we as a "Church" have lost our sense of direction and purpose!

    Throughout the Old Testament, you'll read how God dealt with His people for their idolatry and adultery. Time after time He warned them of the consequences of sin and disobedience; but at the same time, you'll see how time after time, the nation of Israel also rebelled against God. Consider seriously Isaiah 30:1ff. - "Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt! Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion...". Beloved, note that this is not directed to the wicked, i.e. the unbelievers; on the contrary, it is clearly directed to the people of God; and for today, we can say with all certainty that it is applicable, and revelant, to professing Christians!

    Now, the reason that I say that what America is going through today, is not simply because of the wickedness of the unrighteous, although it is also true that " the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness" (Romans 1:18), and that judgment fell upon Sodom and Gomorrah because "the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly" (Genesis 13:13); and "because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is very great, and because their sin is very grievous" (18:20); and so the angels told Lot, "For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it" (19:13). Yet we are told that if the LORD had found 10 righteous persons in the cities they would have been spared because of the people of God ("I will not destroy it for ten's sake" - 18:32). What does that tell us? That God's judgment upon America can be averted for the sake of God's people! BUT..., and here is "the root of the matter" (Job 19:28), are there "ten" righteous persons in America?

    Of course, I'm not referring to a literal numerical sense, but to a spiritual sense. In other words, when God looks down on our country, does He see that of the multitudes of professing Christians, they are among the "ten" righteous? Could we assume that that there are "sufficient" righteous in America for whose sakes He would have mercy on our country? Now, don't misunderstand me: I'm not saying that there not true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ in America, which are the only ones who are RIGHTEOUS before God; [for in Christ Jesus we have been "made the righteousness of God in him" (2 Corinthians 5:21)]; nevertheless, we can see that just as in "just" Lot's time, who was a "righteous man" (2 Peter 2:7,8), judgment still was poured down upon those wicked cities; and so, in spite of there being many saints of God who mourned and groaned because of the state of America in their prayers to God, pleading for our country, yet God is NOT hearing! Could it be because as the prophet Isaiah tells us: "Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear..." (59:1,2ff.)?

    Who can deny that much of what is called "Christianity" in America is in reality "apostate"; or as we read in 2 Timothy 3:5 has "a form of godliness, but den(ies) the power thereof" of true Christianity by its doctrine and practice? Just as it was said of Israel of old by the prophet Ezekiel, it is also true today: "And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness..." (33:31ff.). We cannot deny the fact that, in spite of much "religiosity" in America, (last time I remember a poll said that over 50% of Americans profess to be Christians), things are not getting any better for our nation. On the contrary, every day things are getting worse for America; especially moreso, when you see Biblical Christianity, not only being more and more ridiculed, but also vehemently opposed from every direction. But you'll note that these attacks, are not simply from other religions or the irreligious, but also from professing Christians! Yet, we have to say, that all of this is taking place, because the people of God, which are called by His Name, are not humbling themselves, are not praying as they should, are not seeking His face with an urgency; and of course, are not turning from their wicked ways (2 Chronicles 7:14).

    Even as we see that God is withholding His blessings from us, and everything going wrong in spite of all that is being done, and that our country is heading to an awful destruction (v.13), yet at the same time, we do not see a sincere turning back to God in our country. If there is one, we have to say that it's only superficial. One example of this is what took place after September the 11th! Yes, there was much fervency in "religion" after that awful tragedy. But one has to confess that it was like the morning dew; or as Hosea 6:4 says, "For your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away". In other words, it didn't last very long! As we look around, things are back to what they were before. Yes, there was an increased of "church going", and all kinds of public "prayer meetings"...; but what has happened? Has there been a REVIVAL in the Christian Church? No! Has there been a sincere turning back to God among all the professing Christians in Amercia? We still have to say that there has not been one!

    Still what is worse in all of this, that there is the mistaken idea that Christians can come together together with "apostates" and other religions and pray to God for His blessings and protection. Do you really think God would hear us? We let the Lord Jesus answer: "Jesus saith..., I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). In another words, there is no way that we as the people of God can come together with the enemies of the true living God and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and expect Him to receive us, much less to answer our prayers! Remember, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty" (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).

    Now, I know, by the Word of God, what is the future; and there is no indication that there will a "revival" of the Church, as the kind of revival that many are propagating will take place in the last days. On the contrary, there are at least 2 things that will place in the last days; first, there is going to be "a falling away first" (2 Thessalonians 2:3), or as is referred to in 1 Timothy 4:1 that "some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils"; and secondly, the people of God, i.e. the true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, will be persecuted, and even martyred for the Lord's sake. In fact, we are told by the infallible Word of God that "we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22), i.e. "heaven"; "for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto", i.e. "afflictions" (1 Thessalonians 3:3).

    Nevertheless, even though we do not see a Revival taking place in "the last days", still we are responsible to call out to God for mercy, which includes a Turning Back To Him! Although we might not prevent God's judgment upon our country, (which I believe it is inevitable!), yet there is hope because of 2 Chronicles 7:14 - "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land". Here is given the prescription for the healing of our "land", but note that it has to start with God's people, those that are "made the righteousness of God in (Christ Jesus)" (2 Corinthians 5:21). Are there "ten" people in the U.S.A. that will at least postpone the righteous Judgment of God upon our country? Oh, may we TURN BACK TO GOD, even right NOW!!! This is my prayer in Christ Jesus. Amen.