WHEN AMERICA IS GONE...
WHEN AMERICA IS GONE...
By Paul Proctor
March 21, 2007
NewsWithViews.com
Country singer, Lee Greenwood wrote and recorded a very powerful and inspiring song many years ago that has all but become the new unofficial national anthem of the United States of America. The lyrics to God Bless The USA begin this way:
If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life, And I had to start again with just my children and my wife, I'd thank my lucky stars to be living here today, 'Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away…
Now, I'm not sure why Mr. Greenwood would thank his "lucky stars" for the privilege of living in the USA, right before calling on Almighty God to bless it - but the words do make one pause and think about the unthinkable, hopefully to reassess what is treasured most in this country. Our flag indeed still stands for freedom, but I'm not so sure that the freedom for which it stands can't be taken away.
Many today believe America is God's modern day Ark, where those who reside within her are protected by Divine providence. But even Noah's Ark had its time.
At this writing, its deteriorating remains, according to experts, rests amid the mountains of Ararat. In its present state, were God's judgment to again come upon the Earth, I doubt seriously it would provide much protection for anyone. And, I dare say, what remains of America in 2007, in its present and deteriorating state, isn't all that reassuring either. Even many of our nation's elected officials seem hell-bent on legislating away the very freedoms God has given us under the guise of "national security." With countrymen like these, who needs enemies?
Unless you consider America to be "Mystery Babylon," there's really nothing specific I can find in bible prophesy about its existence in the last days, much less, it being a world superpower. So, with that in mind, for just a few uncomfortable moments, let's think about the unthinkable.
When America is gone, to whom will you pledge allegiance?
Will it be to the Democratic, Republican or Independent party?
Will it be to some political action committee, social organization, charity, faction or militia?
When the stock market crashes and money becomes as worthless as your property and portfolio, will you pledge your allegiance to those who initiate martial law, close the banks and promise a new financial system, electronic currency and National ID?
Or, will your allegiance be to a foreign nation that rises from the ruins of a global financial meltdown to take ownership of our bankrupt nation and its assets?
Will it be to the commanding officer of an invading army that storms our shores to plant his flag on our fruited plain after some nuclear event?
Will it be to doctors, emergency personnel or pharmaceutical suppliers that have the necessary treatments, vaccines and antidotes on hand to sustain you when a biological war or pandemic threatens the population?
Maybe your allegiance will be to some charming and charismatic leader who emerges from the chaos and confusion brought on by a combination of catastrophes working wonders before your eyes and offering inspiring words and grandiose plans for peace and prosperity when all hope seems lost?
Or, will you simply pledge allegiance to your local church or pastor when America is gone, because they've always been there for you in time of need?
Maybe your allegiance will be to your friends because you know they'd give you the shirt off their back.
Or, is it to family, because they're flesh and blood and the only ones you can really trust?
But then, it might be you're convinced there's no one you can trust but yourself - and to you, survival is all that really matters. So, as far as you're concerned, it's every man for himself.
"Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD." - Jeremiah 17:5
Before that terrible day comes, if indeed it does, perhaps we should consider someone from the past whose allegiance never wavered even after he lost everything but his own life?
As Job sat in the dust scraping his sores and remembering all of the health, wealth, family and dignity that had been taken away while a handful of friends tormented him with innuendo and bad counsel, where was his allegiance and did it waver with the terrible turn of events that were allowed to happen by the very One in whom he trusted?
Even his own wife told him to "curse God and die." (Job 2:9)
Fortunately, Job didn't take that advice.
No, he said: "What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?" (Job 2:10) adding later, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him…" - Job 13:15a
In good times and in bad, Job's allegiance never changed.
During Jesus' earthly ministry, He found the Jew's allegiance to be toward their temple and their homeland.
And, what did He tell them?
"And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down." - Matthew 24:2
And who was ultimately responsible for the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and the Jews' exile from the Promised Land?
Was it not the same One who told His disciples: "…lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world?" - Matthew 28:20b
And, was He not justified in relieving them of both?
So, where is your allegiance; and will it change when America, as we know it, is gone?
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." - Romans 10:13
© 2007 Paul Proctor - All Rights Reserved
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Paul Proctor, a rural resident of the Volunteer state and seasoned veteran of the country music industry, retired from showbiz in the late 1990's to dedicate himself to addressing important social issues from a distinctly biblical perspective. As a freelance writer and regular columnist for NewsWithViews.com, he extols the wisdom and truths of scripture through commentary and insight on cultural trends and current events. His articles appear regularly on a variety of news and opinion sites across the internet and in print.
E-Mail: watchman@usa.com
By Paul Proctor
March 21, 2007
NewsWithViews.com
Country singer, Lee Greenwood wrote and recorded a very powerful and inspiring song many years ago that has all but become the new unofficial national anthem of the United States of America. The lyrics to God Bless The USA begin this way:
If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life, And I had to start again with just my children and my wife, I'd thank my lucky stars to be living here today, 'Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away…
Now, I'm not sure why Mr. Greenwood would thank his "lucky stars" for the privilege of living in the USA, right before calling on Almighty God to bless it - but the words do make one pause and think about the unthinkable, hopefully to reassess what is treasured most in this country. Our flag indeed still stands for freedom, but I'm not so sure that the freedom for which it stands can't be taken away.
Many today believe America is God's modern day Ark, where those who reside within her are protected by Divine providence. But even Noah's Ark had its time.
At this writing, its deteriorating remains, according to experts, rests amid the mountains of Ararat. In its present state, were God's judgment to again come upon the Earth, I doubt seriously it would provide much protection for anyone. And, I dare say, what remains of America in 2007, in its present and deteriorating state, isn't all that reassuring either. Even many of our nation's elected officials seem hell-bent on legislating away the very freedoms God has given us under the guise of "national security." With countrymen like these, who needs enemies?
Unless you consider America to be "Mystery Babylon," there's really nothing specific I can find in bible prophesy about its existence in the last days, much less, it being a world superpower. So, with that in mind, for just a few uncomfortable moments, let's think about the unthinkable.
When America is gone, to whom will you pledge allegiance?
Will it be to the Democratic, Republican or Independent party?
Will it be to some political action committee, social organization, charity, faction or militia?
When the stock market crashes and money becomes as worthless as your property and portfolio, will you pledge your allegiance to those who initiate martial law, close the banks and promise a new financial system, electronic currency and National ID?
Or, will your allegiance be to a foreign nation that rises from the ruins of a global financial meltdown to take ownership of our bankrupt nation and its assets?
Will it be to the commanding officer of an invading army that storms our shores to plant his flag on our fruited plain after some nuclear event?
Will it be to doctors, emergency personnel or pharmaceutical suppliers that have the necessary treatments, vaccines and antidotes on hand to sustain you when a biological war or pandemic threatens the population?
Maybe your allegiance will be to some charming and charismatic leader who emerges from the chaos and confusion brought on by a combination of catastrophes working wonders before your eyes and offering inspiring words and grandiose plans for peace and prosperity when all hope seems lost?
Or, will you simply pledge allegiance to your local church or pastor when America is gone, because they've always been there for you in time of need?
Maybe your allegiance will be to your friends because you know they'd give you the shirt off their back.
Or, is it to family, because they're flesh and blood and the only ones you can really trust?
But then, it might be you're convinced there's no one you can trust but yourself - and to you, survival is all that really matters. So, as far as you're concerned, it's every man for himself.
"Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD." - Jeremiah 17:5
Before that terrible day comes, if indeed it does, perhaps we should consider someone from the past whose allegiance never wavered even after he lost everything but his own life?
As Job sat in the dust scraping his sores and remembering all of the health, wealth, family and dignity that had been taken away while a handful of friends tormented him with innuendo and bad counsel, where was his allegiance and did it waver with the terrible turn of events that were allowed to happen by the very One in whom he trusted?
Even his own wife told him to "curse God and die." (Job 2:9)
Fortunately, Job didn't take that advice.
No, he said: "What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?" (Job 2:10) adding later, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him…" - Job 13:15a
In good times and in bad, Job's allegiance never changed.
During Jesus' earthly ministry, He found the Jew's allegiance to be toward their temple and their homeland.
And, what did He tell them?
"And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down." - Matthew 24:2
And who was ultimately responsible for the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and the Jews' exile from the Promised Land?
Was it not the same One who told His disciples: "…lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world?" - Matthew 28:20b
And, was He not justified in relieving them of both?
So, where is your allegiance; and will it change when America, as we know it, is gone?
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." - Romans 10:13
© 2007 Paul Proctor - All Rights Reserved
Sign Up For Free E-Mail Alerts
E-Mails are used strictly for NWVs alerts, not for sale
Paul Proctor, a rural resident of the Volunteer state and seasoned veteran of the country music industry, retired from showbiz in the late 1990's to dedicate himself to addressing important social issues from a distinctly biblical perspective. As a freelance writer and regular columnist for NewsWithViews.com, he extols the wisdom and truths of scripture through commentary and insight on cultural trends and current events. His articles appear regularly on a variety of news and opinion sites across the internet and in print.
E-Mail: watchman@usa.com
posted by shummer60 at Wednesday, March 28, 2007
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