Recently I saw a sign that boldly proclaimed that America is a Christian nation. I was not able to figure out the thinking behind that statement. I felt more kinship with Isaiah in chapter 1 verse 4, where he said, “Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.”

It seems our Protestant friends are having an increasingly difficult time to keep classifying this nation as “Christian,” especially when we think of the trail of the last sixty years. In 1962 the Supreme Court made the ruling against prayer in public school. A year later the same court ruled against Bible reading in school. In 1973 the Supreme Court legalized abortion in every state, and in June of 2015 this court legalized same sex marriage in every state of this country. If a country outlaws prayer and Bible reading in school, makes it lawful to kill unborn babies, and legalizes two men or two women to marry, is it logical thinking to believe that this nation is a follower of Jesus, hence a Christian nation? I wonder how long till some in their ranks will awaken and see the fallacy of following godless leaders into the ravages of war, while boldly declaring “God and our country.” I wonder when they will awaken to the fact that the Kingdom of the World is in bold contrast to the Kingdom of Heaven, and these kingdoms are going opposite directions with vastly different ambitions and goals.

We don’t need to spend much time on the need for others to awaken. What about us? Are we drifting along very satisfied, enjoying peace and prosperity while the foundations are crumbling around us, and not aware of what is happening? Are we really awake and alert to our surroundings?

Jesus warned us not to be overcharged with surfeiting (overeating) and drunkenness in the end times (Luke 21:34). This can be summarized as living an undisciplined life while not aware of pending judgement. Several things Jesus taught us in Matthew 24 that would give evidence of the last days are deception, sorrows, false prophets, no limits to evil, and tribulation. He also told us in Matthew 24:37-39 that the days before His coming would be like the days of Noah. They too were eating and drinking (seeking instant gratification without awareness of pending judgement) and did not realize what was happening until the flood came and took them away (v.39). Genesis 6 states twice that violence filled the land, and Jesus’ words in Matthew 24:38 imply the moral climate was very low. It seems clear beyond the shadow of a doubt that our day fits these descriptions.

If the truth of our moment in history grips our hearts, it should stir us be opposite of the people of Noah’s day, and instead of gratifying our flesh while being unaware of pending judgment, we should be aware of our surroundings. Jesus also told us to “watch” (v.42), which implies the need for discipline and alertness. In verse 44 He also tells us to “be ready.” In other words, have your life and priorities in order.
If we are awake, we will identify with Isaiah, and the heaviness of heart will take us to our knees for help; then it will propel us to sound the trumpet and boldly proclaim the goodness and love of God, and also the judgment to come. It will affect which kingdom we hanker after, and burden us to faithfully represent the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. We will realize also that there is NO middle ground.

Are you awake?
~ Dublin, GA