Will America stand much longer? Will our way of life continue? Will our form of government remain the same? When we talk to each other and when we talk to God, these are the questions that are on our minds as Americans. But people in other countries are concerned as well. What happens here affects the rest of the world.
The Bible teaches and history confirms that nations rise and fall. What political empire has lasted very long? The Bible warns, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God” (Psa. 9:17). C.S. Lewis said the key to history is that “terrific energy is expended— civilizations are built up—excellent institutions devised; but each time something goes wrong. Some fatal flaw always brings the selfish people to the top, and it all slides back into misery and ruin” (Mere Christianity, p. 54). The Bible teaches that God foresees the course of nations and works in them to bring about His higher purposes (Isa. 46:9-11; Dan. 4:17). “He removes kings and raises up kings” (Dan. 2:21). If the United States is like all other empires in history (and there is no reason to assume otherwise), and if time lasts, we will meet the same end.
Sometimes we need to redirect the questions everyone is talking about. And if we look to the Bible for answers, will have a more secure outlook on the future.
Will the church survive? Yes! Daniel prophesied that “the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever” (Dan. 2:44). That kingdom is here. It is a spiritual kingdom, not a political empire. It is the church. Jesus said the gates of hades will not overcome it (Matt. 16:18-19). His church has stood for almost two thousand years and it will be here until the Lord returns (I Cor. 15:24). The church will flourish in some places and die out in others, but it will always exist.
Will the Bible survive? The devil has always fought against the Word of God. Today he has declared a world war on the Bible. Atheists and skeptics, Jews and Muslims, deists and higher critics attack the Bible or parts of it constantly. They saturate society with books, podcasts and videos to ridicule and discredit the Scriptures. Many university professors humiliate any student who dares to say it is the Word of God. The notorious atheist Madalyn Murray O’Hair, who with others convinced the Supreme Court to declare Bible reading in public schools unconstitutional in 1963, once said that the Bible belongs in a trash can. She did everything she could to make that happen. Now she is dead and the Bible lives on in the hearts of millions. Truly “the word of the Lord endures forever” (I Pet. 1:25). Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away” (Matt. 24:35). No matter what happens, the Bible will always be here.
Will the family survive? It may appear to be on the brink of extinction. People bypass marriage and live together or pervert it with same-sex unions. They try to take away the rights of parents and encourage young people to rebel. They attempt to replace the “traditional” family with a government nanny state, a loose communal compact, or just plain anarchy. In the Communist Manifesto Marx and Engels said their goal was the “abolition of the family” and observed that “even the most radical flare up at this infamous proposal of the Communists.” This devilish aim has succeeded in some cases, but it will never work in the long run. People will still be getting married when the end of time comes. Jesus said they will be “eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage” when He returns (Matt. 24:38-39). The devil will lose this battle too—no matter how much rebellious sinners protest and regardless of what kind of laws are passed.
Why be anxious like everyone else? The Lord does all things well.
Kerry
West End church of Christ bulletin for August 6, 2023
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