Is it too late for America?

Dear friends

Is it too late for America?

I have struggled with this question. On one hand, many prophecies have come forth that things are going to get better and everything will be all right, with a great revival just around the corner. 2 Chronicles 7:14 is often quoted as assurance that as soon as God's people do what needs to be done, He will "heal their land."

On the other hand, I perceive the lateness of the hour on God's prophetic clock, and the little time left for a turnaround before God pulls down the curtain on the "times of the Gentiles (Luke 21:24). It may be only a matter of days.

In about 1995 I felt led to write an essay titled "God's Judgment on America." In it, I treat 2 Chronicles 7:14 and my understanding of it, which I will excerpt here:

Excerpt

Applicability of 2 Chronicles 7:14? Even though 2 Chronicles was not written for probably over a hundred years later, Jeremiah may have tried to implement the principles of it. As a priest, he was surely aware of the promise to Solomon several hundred years earlier, either from the oral tradition or written records. But three different times (three for divine emphasis), God said to Jeremiah, "Do not pray for this people nor offer any plea or petition for them; do not plead with me, for I will not listen to you" (7:16, NIV). Also see 11:14 and 14:11. In the latter, God says, "Although they fast, I will not listen to their cry....I will not accept them. Instead I will destroy them with the sword, famine and plague."

In another passage, God reiterates His willingness to show mercy and urges Israel to repent. "Look! I am preparing a disaster for you and devising a plan against you. So turn from your evil ways, each one of you, and reform your ways and your actions" (18:11). But in His omniscience and foreknowledge, God then says, "But they will reply, 'It's no use. We will continue with our own plans; each of us will follow the stubbornness of his evil heart'" (v. 12). God knew what their reaction would be; thus, judgment was decreed beforehand. (And even Solomon, after God's clear promises and warnings in 2 Chronicles 7, fell into sin, soon died and the kingdom was split.)

End of excerpt.

If you are interested, the full article is at http/www.oocities.org/bramlett2000/judgment.html. Upon review, with reluctance, as a deeply patriotic American and as a retired military officer who has given much of his life in the service of my country, I must still say that most of what I wrote in that original essay is probably true. In it, I also explain how some prophetic passages in Jeremiah appear to refer to America.

What about the big coming revival? I do believe that is true. It is coming. In fact, it has already begun with tens of millions coming into the Kingdom all over the world, mostly in Third World countries. However, I believe the biggest part of it will come AFTER the rapture. Then hundreds of millions, including many former fence-sitters and uncommitted pew-sitters, will suddenly realize the Bible is true and they had better get right with Jesus. During the Tribulation, the Holy Ghost will sweep the Earth for souls one last time. But many, or most, will pay the price of bloody martyrdom.

This is no doubt why the Lord Jesus commanded us "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man" (Luke 2136).

We can only be "accounted worthy" in His worthiness and not our own. This is seemingly a small point but it is a major differentiation. If you are relying on your own works of righteousness to be worthy, you will tragically miss it. You must totally recognize, rely on, and by faith appropriate the righteousness of Christ. It is "not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us" (Titus 35).

Of the seven churches, Jesus also singularly promised the Church in Philadelphia, "Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth" (Revelation 3:10).

If you have not prayed that prayer in Luke 21:36, abandoned any thoughts of self-righteousness by works, and cast yourself on the righteousness and mercy of God, I strongly recommend it -- today!

Then, "endure patiently"!

God bless you,

Jim