In reading the headlines of late–of war, of domestic unrest, of political calamity in America–many emails to The Daily Jot are falling into a couple of categories. First, some people say that they just want the rapture to come and get them out of here so they do not have to deal with the world. Others say that God is in control of everything so why worry about America and what she does. God knows the plan, it’s his plan and he will work it no matter what we do. While these comments are on the hearts and minds of many, and at least some of the doctrine rings true, they are both misguided and wrong minded. I know I will step on a lot of toes here, just know that I do so out of love that you might not be deceived.
As for the rapture. The scriptures over and over tell us that we will not know the time or the season when the Lord will return. Acts 1:7, Jesus says, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.” The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:1, “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write to you.” Jesus said in Matthew 24:36, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” Yes, we can discern the events of these days and know that we are close to the return of Jesus, but we are told to watch, pray, and be about his business. The rapture will come when God says, not when man wants it.
Yes, God is in control of the plan. But God has always worked through the actions of man. He judges nations. And nations are made up of leaders and followers. And we know that God shall judge the people. In Matthew 25 Jesus continues his discourse on the end times. In verses 31-33, He says, “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And he shall set the sheep on his right hand but the goats on the left.” He goes on to say how he will judge the nations. This specifically speaks of nations.
America is worth saving because it is still the one place on earth where there is freedom of speech and freedom of religion, although both are under attack. Americans are blessed because they traditionally have been purveyors of the Great Commission and have been allies of God’s people. There is judgment coming both for the nations and for the people. I for one would not want to stand before the Lord and have to answer to having a choice of leaders, but choosing ungodly leadership; I would not want to stand before the Lord and have to answer for not being about his business because I was waiting for the Lord’s return. I would not want to stand before the Lord and have to answer for having the authority to overcome evil with good and not have used it. But that’s just me.
