The Fall of America

The Fall of America

A June 2, 2015, Gallup Poll reported that most Americans are pessimistic regarding the moral trend of this nation. It stated, “Most Americans (72 percent) continue to believe the state of moral values in the U.S. is ‘getting worse.’ “Large majorities have said the state of moral values in the U.S. is declining since Gallup started asking this question annually in 2002.”
It’s not hard to see why so many are less than optimistic today about the moral direction of this once great nation. To make matters worse, the Supreme Court on June 26 possibly placed the last nail in the coffin when they legalized homosexual (sodomite) marriage in all 50 states.
Amazingly, what the Supreme Court now defines as marriage, the Supreme Creator defines as an abomination, “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with woman-kind: it is abomination,” Leviticus 18:22. This word “abomination” comes from the Hebrew tow’ ebah and refers to “something disgusting (morally), i.e., an abhorrence,” Strong’s Concordance.
Clearly this ruling is the most radical shift in the last 30 years of this nation and perhaps second only to the 1973 ruling that legalized abortion. When we as a country change the definition of marriage, we change the very foundation of our culture, and tell Yahweh we no longer need Him.

Spiritual Faith to Bondage
Alexander Fraser Tytler lived from 1747 to 1813. He was a Scottish advocate, judge, writer and historian who served as Professor of Universal History, and Greek and Roman Antiquities at the University of Edinburgh.
As a historian he understood govern-ments. He stated the following in reference to democracies, “A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship.”
Does this sound familiar with our nation? This is in fact the strategy of most politicians today. Our current national debt is over $18 trillion and we continue to increase government spending and programs. Shockingly, much of the populace supports this out-of-control spending so long as it benefits them. According to many economists, this fiscal trend is unsustainable; at some point we’re going to hit rock bottom, as we’re seeing in nations like Greece.
Tytler is also credited with the following observation: “The average age of the world’s greatest civilisations from the beginning of history has been about 200 years. During those 200 years, these nations always progressed through the following sequence: From bondage to spiritual faith; From spiritual faith to great courage; From courage to liberty; From liberty to abundance; From abundance to selfishness; From selfishness to complacency; From complacency to apathy; From apathy to dependence; From dependence back into bondage.”
This man had incredible insight on the rise and fall of nations. Where do you suppose America falls in this progression? Based on current trends, many would agree we are somewhere between apathy and dependence.
The majority of the people in America are indifferent to what’s occurring, and more than half are now dependent in some way on government welfare. According to Tytler’s theory, bondage follows dependence.
It’s not difficult to see that the policies of our current government are increasingly more oppressive. As time goes on, those who openly speak out against certain sins, including sodomite marriage, will likely face retribution.
As believers, it’s important that we follow the Word of our Heavenly Father above all else. As we find in Hebrews 11, the faith chapter, we look to a greater kingdom, one not ruled by the opinions and ever-changing morality of man, but by our Savior, Yahshua the Messiah.

Who’s Really to Blame?
As much as we would like to blame our politicians for the monstrous straits we’re in, the majority of blame belongs elsewhere. Before we pinpoint where, consider the following quotation from Alexis de Tocqueville. He was a French political thinker and historian who lived between 1805 and 1859.
He wrote in Democracy in America, “I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers – and it was not there …in her fertile fields and boundless forests and it was not there…in her rich mines and her vast world commerce – and it was not there…in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution – and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.”
What an amazing observation! This man realized that the greatness of America was to be found in the church and the message of our Father’s Word and not in its riches or political structure.
Back in the day, most ministers understood and taught morality. They understood principles like sin, repentance, and the virtue of living a righteous life. Where do we hear these same concerns from the pulpits today? Sadly, we don’t. Many are too busy competing for cash and numbers; they’re too concerned with fitting in with the trends of this world and putting a Starbucks in their own vestibules.
The blame for the state of our union is placed at the feet of the ministers in this nation. Many have abandoned morality and biblical principles for numbers and greed; in doing so they’ve allowed the culture to fall, possibly beyond the point of return.

Ignorance Is Not Bliss
The Apostle Peter tells us that this re-bellion is not because of ignorance, but choice. He says, “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of Elohim the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water,” 2Peter 3:3-5.
When will these events happen? Peter attests that they are reserved for the last days. If we’re not in those days, we’re likely very close. He confirms that we’re going to see scoffers. This is from the Greek empaiktes and refers to “a derider, i.e. (by implication) a false teacher” (Strong’s).
Describing many people in our culture, he goes on to say that these scoffers will walk after their own lusts. They’d rather do it their way instead of Yahweh’s way; doing it their way allows them to pursue selfish wants unhindered by our Father’s Word.
We also see that these scoffers will question the return of Yahshua the Messiah, asking, where is His coming? How many people in this nation really believe in the return or Second Coming of our Savior? According to a 2013 poll by the Pew Research Center, only 47 percent of Christians believe that the Messiah will “definitely” return. Even more alarming is the fact that 52 percent of Christians either say that He will not return or are unsure.
Peter closes this passage by saying these scoffers “willingly are ignorant.” This phrase comes from the Greek thelo lanthano and refers to those who choose or prefer not to know the truth. How many do you know who simply choose to ignore what they know to be right? Deep down most people know that what we’re seeing in our world is very wrong, but they simply choose to ignore it.

And the Cycle Continues
Solomon in the Book of Ecclesiastes verified that events have a way of repeating themselves. Even though much of the prophecies in Isaiah are directed at Judah, it’s almost as if these same passages were written for America. It’s true that many prophecies in the Word are dual in nature. We find one such prophecy in the first chapter of Isaiah: “The ox knoweth his owner, and the donkey his master’s crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider. Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken Yahweh, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward…Hear the word of Yahweh, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our Elohim, ye people of Gomorrah…And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood,” verses 3-4, 10, 15.
Here Isaiah describes the nation of Judah before its fall to the Babylonians. Does any of this sound familiar? As a people, we too have forgotten our Heavenly Father. There’s no better proof of this than the recent decision by the Supreme Court changing the definition of marriage.
It’s ironic that Isaiah compares Judah to Sodom and Gomorrah. As time goes on, we too are looking increasingly more like these deplorable cities. Sadly, there are many people, including some who claim to believe in the Bible, who try to justify homosexuality or sodomy. These people are “willingly ignorant.”
Even though Judah was guilty of horrible sin, Yahweh still offered her an opportunity to repent (see verse 18). We know historically that Judah never accepted this offer and as a result was taken captive by the Babylonians. As a nation, will we repeat Judah’s mistake or find it within ourselves to humbly repent and turn back to our Heavenly Father?
Consider the level of change this type of action would require. Political correctness would need to be thrown out. Sins like abortion and homosexuality could not be culturally accepted. The biblical family union would need to be restored. Without some sort of divine awakening the chances of all this happening are slim to none.
As believers it’s important that we never lose hope. If not for us, for our children and their children after them.
What happens when a nation becomes incorrigible in her sin? As Isaiah prophesied, Yahweh will not hear their prayers. Sin matters. Sin has consequences. When we refuse to honor and acknowledge our Heavenly Father, He in turn will refuse to bless and acknowledge us. If we’re going to reap His blessings we must be willing to follow Him.
Woe Unto the Wicked
In Isaiah 3:8-12 the son of Amoz prophesied that Judah had no remorse for her sin. “For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against Yahweh, to provoke the eyes of his glory. The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves. Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him. As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.”
Just as Judah did many years ago, we as a culture parade our sins. There’s nothing more abhorrent than the current sodomite parades and other shows of public immorality. The people who partake in these events are proud of their sin. Instead of hiding or being discreet, they make it as visible and deplorable as possible.
As Isaiah says, “Woe unto the wicked.” Those who engage in this behavior not only harm themselves, but society as well. The tragic consequence of all this is the family. As Isaiah prophesies, children are their oppressors and women rule over them.
Many families are in disarray today. Consider the following: people living together out of wedlock; a divorce rate at 50 percent, single parent homes with multiple children; and kids killing kids.
Many of these problems are the result of absentee fathers and diminishing of his function. In today’s culture it’s common for the father to be viewed as nothing more than a babbling buffoon incapable of leading his family.
Our Heavenly Father defines fathers as the head of the family. Fathers bring strength and stability to the family. When the father is absent his significance is weakened, families suffer. As we learn from wise Solomon, there’s nothing new under the sun; what has been will be again.
As Isaiah prophesied in the fifth chapter, people no longer understand common notions of biblical morality. “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter,” verse 20.
Do we see in our nation where good is considered bad and bad is considered good? A person who speaks against fornication is ridiculed as old-fashioned and narrow-minded. A person who speaks against homosexuality is considered intolerant and hateful. A person who speaks out against abortion is judged uncompassionate and anti women. A person who speaks out against radical Islam is called racist and an Islamophobe.
What we read in Isaiah is happening right now in this nation. Many today don’t know the difference between right and wrong, moral and immoral. The belief in absolute morality has all but vanished.

Reprobate Mind
What is the cause of this twisted understanding? Paul in the first chapter of Romans explains why this is and its connection to homosexuality. “For this cause Elohim gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain Elohim in their knowledge, Elohim gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient…knowing the judgment of Elohim, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same but have pleasure in them that do them,” verses 26-28, 32.
How can anyone read this passage and still justify same-gender unions? Whether it’s men with men or women with women, Paul defines their behavior as vile and against nature. Our Heavenly Father created marriage as a lifelong union between one man and one woman. Anything outside of this is against what He established in the beginning at creation.
To understand the depth of our Father’s disgust for homosexuality, consider the meaning of the word “vile.” it comes from the Greek atimia and means, “disgrace.” Thayer’s Greek Lexicon defines this word as, “dishonor and ignominy.”
The Bible condemns homosexuality as an abomination. It’s one of the worst sins a nation can allow and now we’ve changed the very definition of marriage to include this debauchery. How is it possible that we as nation have strayed so far from our Father’s Word?
Paul says that when we refuse to acknowledge Yahweh that he will give us up to a reprobate mind. The word “reprobate” comes from the Greek adokimos and means, “unapproved, i.e. rejected; by implication, worthless (literally or morally),” Strong’s.
Similarly, Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words states, “…(a) of things, Heb 6:8, ‘rejected,’ of land that bears thorns and thistles; (b) of persons, Rom 1:28, of a ‘reprobate mind,’ a mind of which [Yahweh] cannot approve, and which must be rejected by Him, the effect of refusing ‘to have [Elohim] in their knowledge’;…in 2Tim 3:8 of those ‘reprobate concerning the faith,’ i.e., men whose moral sense is perverted and whose minds are beclouded with their own speculations; in Titus 1:16, of the defiled, who are ‘unto every good work reprobate,’ i.e., if they are put to the test in regard to any good work (in contrast to their profession).”
As seen above, the word “reprobate” refers to a person who’s been rejected and unapproved because of sin and perversion. Even though Paul wrote Romans in reference to what was happening in his own day, it’s also prophetic of ours. All that we find in this epistle is happening right now in this nation.
It’s amazing just how much support there is for gay rights and gay marriage in this country. Most people are simply oblivious to the impact we will suffer as a nation because of this sin and others like it.

Is Repentance Possible?
Considering everything that’s occurring and the state of our union, is it possible for this nation to repent? Absolutely. We find a promise in 1Kings 8:33: “When thy people Israel be smitten down before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee, and shall turn again to thee, and confess thy name, and pray, and make supplication unto thee in this house: Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which thou gavest unto their fathers.”
If we as a nation would fall down and repent, our Heavenly Father would heal the land. Understand, though, that repentance is not merely a verbal confession of our remorse. It’s a complete forsaking of our sin and a return to Yahweh. If the populace of this nation would sincerely repent and change their ways, we would see a change like never before. For this to happen, though, we would need to fall down in sackcloth and ashes and realize what we’ve done.
If this doesn’t occur, what are we as believers to do? We are to hold firm and make our own election sure. For some, there will be persecution and for others there will be protection. There are many examples in the Bible and throughout history where good people had to suffer.
As Yahweh told Joshua, though, as believers we must obey Him and be of good courage. We must never back down, we must never compromise what we know to be right; and we must never forsake the One we worship.
Yahshua the Messiah said that if we lose our life for His sake, we would find it.
It’s important to remember that no matter what happens in this life, we have a greater life to come. If we believe in the resurrection and the promise of everlasting life in our Father’s Kingdom then nothing now should make us lose hope.

by Randy Folliard