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Change is Coming to America
By Jim Josephsen
Change you can believe in was the rallying cry. Change, like never
before is coming to America.
The
campaign is over, the lot has been cast, and the people have
spoken. Looking at the
blue and the red states, analyzing the numbers, reveals a
divided America. Interestingly, a new generation, a younger
generation has arisen demanding a new way of thinking. The ideology
and educational values of the past forty years, having taken root
have come to fruition, and like it or not, America will be forever
changed. Bold new initiatives are demanded and will be undertaken. A
new approach toward governing America will commence.
America has a new Commander in Chief,
President Elect
Barak Obama. His way of thinking, his political beliefs, his
ideology and education, his economic strategies, style of governance
and philosophy, his rhetoric has convinced 52% of Americans (the
popular vote) that he is the right man, that his direction is the
right track to take for the next four years (at least). History is
in the making!
A brief survey of Americans will produce a myriad of reactions. Many
will tell you what they think, mincing no words. There is a dark
side of America that will remain dark, foreboding, stalwart, rough,
bigoted and opinionated. Many Americans are stupefied, not sure what
to believe at this decisive moment in America’s history. With all
the uproar, the talk show late night tirades exposing the past
associations of our President Elect, just how could America vote the
way it did?
There are many who will only care that their 401k is safeguarded,
their taxes do not go too high. Many hope that life in America gets
back to the prosperity of the late 80s, early 90s. Redistribution of
wealth – why not? Many Americans will continue to flounder, to live
life in service to themselves, no matter what the political
atmosphere, no matter the schisms within our country.
Still even more Americans are euphoric, feeling liberated,
emotional; feeling a sense of elation, sensing a brand new day has
come to America. A new generation, a high tech generation is excited
because new blood will now lead this country. Blacks, Latinos,
Asians, Whites, women, young, liberals, moderates, gays, straight,
this melting pot America is anxious for the changes that are
promised by the President Elect.
The reaction of the general media avails a sense of reassurance,
hope, cooperation, and peace ahead for America. Is it possible that
good things will come in the next four years? Out with the old
regime, the distrusted, disappointing party characterized as
chumming up to big business, causing distress for the
disenfranchised, perceived as heavy on morals, quick to pull the
trigger.
Now a new, liberal, inclusive genre will head this country. What
lies ahead for this nation on the North American Continent? What
lies ahead in our relationships with other nations; with the new
European Union,
Russia, the
Middle East,
Iran,
Israel, China,
and North Korea?
Already World Leaders are congratulating Obama, eager to work with
him.
The new Administration will face challenges and trials that will
rock this country. Our enemies are the same, with the same agendas.
The economy is still teetering on collapse. Wall Street and our
financial institutions are still a burden. Global markets are one
catastrophe away from depression.
The march of biblical prophecy still pushes ahead. The events
destined for the modern day children of Israel, for America in
particular, the result of their unrighteous behavior, will still
unfold. Jacob’s trouble, a time as never before in the history of
the world will still become a reality. Simply, because a new
political party will soon guide this country, does not mean the Word
of God is now of none effect.
To the contrary, our nation is still headed down the path to
destruction because the people have not changed. Within this country
is still social decay, crime, immorality, depravity. The godless
behavior, the unrighteousness that was prevalent yesterday is still
with us today.
Within America’s cities, rural communities and towns is behavior
that is deplorable and an affront to Jesus Christ. From the personal
choices made within the privacy of American homes, to the decadence
of Hollywood, open and in full view, what has changed? Although
considered a good, charitable, religious nation, America’s citizenry
falls woefully short in measuring up to the right way of living God
requires.
Mainstream Christianity within America, especially among the
Evangelical
movement lifted up a loud voice to the very day of the election.
In churches, on websites, in radio ads, the cry went out to pray
hard that God would cause
McCain and
Palin to win
the election. No doubt, the prayers of thousands of
Democrats who faithfully go to church every Sunday went up to
the heavens asking victory to come for Obama and
Biden.
Was God interested in the outcome of this election? Did He hear the
prayers of the Democrats this time?
If God is instrumental in setting up the leadership of our nation,
then, has He spoken? Is the right man in this time? On the other
hand, could we conclude, that just as God allowed
Saul, the Benjamite
to be Israel’s first king, so God’s will is being filled with the
election of Barak Obama?
If the people, having spoken, want this man (or any man) to rule
over them instead of a man under the guidance of, and obedient to
God, is God now allowing their will to be done? If this is what
America wants, this is what God will give them.
Ultimately, the will, plan, and purposes of God will be fulfilled.
Jesus Christ will come to this earth a second time to set up the
Kingdom of God, to rule this earth with a rod of iron; to set it
straight in righteousness for the good of the people. America will
learn that God is God and He exists. He comes first, and He is the
rewarder of those who faithfully worship and obey Him. Americans, as
with all humanity, will learn who the true God is and why He created
man. This nation will learn God has established laws which produce
good, wholesome, healthy and right living.
Regardless of who the leader, the actual person at the helm is,
whether a
Republican or a Democrat, there is behavior practiced in this
country, which will lead to its fall.
What the
Intercontinental Church of God and the
Garner Ted Armstrong
Evangelistic Association have been plainly and faithfully
teaching; what Garner Ted Armstrong and Herbert Armstrong before him
have been preaching for over the past seven decades, is the truth
from the Word of God and will all come to pass. The prophecies found
in God’s Word will come to pass. Change indeed is coming to America
and America will not like it. The change ahead will not come from
any political party – it will come from God as He promised! Time and
again, God declares that He will bring distress on His people
because of their disobedience.
The consequences of sin and disobedience; of disrespect and
disregard for God and for Jesus Christ and their pure words of
truth, will come to pass, regardless of who leads the nation. No
doubt, there are bold new initiatives ahead for this country but
what will these changes produce?
There is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end thereof is
the way of death (Proverbs 14:12). This proverb in principle and in
practice holds true for man’s ways of governance, even for the
government of the United States. Any government not guided by the
Laws of God; any nation without worship of and acknowledgement of
the one true God, is a government destined to fail.
This nation, with its religions (predominately claiming to be a
Christian nation – but blatantly disobedient to God) and its
government has a hard road ahead.
The rally cry was change you can believe in. The new administration
no doubt will promote new initiatives, new changes, some of which
may very well work, for the moment. The scripture informs us that in
the end time, prior to Christ’s return, there will be peace. But
concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need
that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that
the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they
say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction comes upon them, as
labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape (I
Thessalonians 5:1-3).
Regardless of the new direction promoted by either Democrat or
Republican, regardless of the new changes to come, unless the people
repent the outcome is bleak. Unless this country, with its
religions, its many Christian (and all other) houses of worship, its
institutions, its government repents of its God-defying
disobedience, its disrespect of God, its breaking of His Sabbath day
and His laws, then there will indeed come a change to America. But
that change will be for the worse. The real change to come will
overtake America, all because the people are unrepentant; all
because the people think a Politician can solve this nation’s
problems.
