THE DAY OF DELUSION

From My Perspective - - -

If you are one who feels our nation acts as though it has lost its way, you are not alone. If you are one who believes that truth is being more and more obscured, you are not alone. If you are one who believes the “church” behaves as though it is impotent, you are not alone. If you are one who believes the affairs of the culture and world are leading us down a perilous path, you are not alone. As a matter of fact, there are several who believe the path taken by this nation will most assuredly lead to its demise. There are those who have referenced the State of this Nation being comparable with the Rise and Fall of The Roman Empire. Some of the reasons suggested for the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 AD are: (1) general malaise, (2) loss of civic virtue, (3) military decline, (4) political corruption, (5) environmental and health deterioration, and (6) overall cultural transformation (some add the great love of sports and recreation).

Historically, there are also reference points for review and reflection. Two interesting quotes and sobering thoughts have been shared by a military veteran and holder of multiple Purple Hearts. First is by Ayn Rand: "We are fast approaching the stage of the ultimate inversion: the stage where the government is free to do anything it pleases, while the citizens may act only by permission; which is the stage of the darkest periods of human history, the stage of rule by brute force." The second is by Patrick Henry: "The battle, Sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, Sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable; and let it come! I repeat, Sir, let it come!"

As one grapples with the direction of various nations and the times in which one lives, there is an additional consideration, namely, where is God in all of these trends? The Culture has persistently tried to squeeze God and His Standards out of the thoughts and discussion of the nation. However, does that mean that God’s Plan and God’s Acts have been neutralized and removed from viability? Some may think so – but they err in doing so. There is a failure to comprehend two factors about God: (1) His anger and indignation, and (2) His control over the nations and His final plan. In terms of His anger and indignation, Psalm 7:11 states – “God is angry with the wicked every day.” Within the context of Romans 1:18-32 are these words, “for the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” The point is – the ways and behavior of mankind does not go unnoticed by a Holy and Righteous God. The Indignation of God is also expressed in the Seven Woes Pronounced by Jesus Christ to the religious community of His day.

In terms of God’s control over the nations and His final plan for His creation, II Thessalonians 2:1-10 gives indication of what will take place: (1) a man of lawlessness will emerge, (2) he will exalt himself over everything that is called God or worshipped, (3) he will set himself up in God’s Temple and (4) proclaim himself to be God. II Thessalonians 2:7-12 states: “For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work… The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.” For clarity, Jesus stated in Matthew 24:36-39, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man…people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.” This is as concise and factual as it can get. You can escape the strong delusion by turning to Jesus Christ Who is the only way, the only truth, the only life. Consider these things with me.