Déjà Vu

Dear Brethren,

Déjà vu is the curious impression of having experienced something before.  The saying comes from the French: déjà, already + vu, seen.  Scripture tells us that so much of what took place with our Israelitish forefathers in the past is a direct indication of what we can expect to experience in the end time.  Stating the obvious, Yogi Berra once said, "This is like déjà vu all over again."  Is the history of the Israelitish people repeating itself all over again?

It is a big joke with comics to depict Christians as a wide-eyed prophet-of-doom – standing on a soapbox on the corner with a sign that reads, “The End is Near.”   Their point is that “The End is NOT Near” – nobody could know such a thing.  They think like we see in 2Peter 3:4:  “Where is the promise of [Christ's] coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.”

Those in the world have been deceived by Satan to think that when you die – you go to heaven – and heaven never fills up with saints – so the process goes on and on.  They are not looking for the end of that system.  But God’s people who rely on His Word have always sought and anticipated the Messiah – the Savior – the Christ – who will establish the Kingdom of God over all the earth.  God has a plan, and it is right on schedule.  Jesus Christ is coming back soon.

"As [Jesus] sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?"  (Matthew 24:3)  " And this Good News of the Kingdom [of God] shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."  (Matthew 24:14)

Ours is not a dead faith.  As we draw nearer to the very day of Christ’s coming it is important that we remember that God is working with only a very small crew of men and women who “…sigh and cry for all the abominations that are done in their midst."  (Ezekiel 9:4)  Indeed, it is only the saints of God on earth who recognize that the affairs of man are abominations in God’s sight.  Too many people think that most everything is acceptable.

Each and every day, society plunges deeper and deeper into ungodly behavior and practices.   Sadly, the world is asleep as to the real meaning and outcome of their abominable conduct.  This reprehensible behavior is a sign of the end time.  As the end draws nearer, our nation is experiencing a pronounced erosion of the moral foundation that we obtained as a result of the promises God made to our patriarch, Abraham.  Make no mistake about it – this country was founded as a God-fearing nation of values, morals, and justice.  Very little by way of these fundamental characteristics remain in the public sector.

Paul tells us that so much of ancient Israel’s demise was written down as a warning for us today.  "All these things happened unto them [Israel] for examples [for us]: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come... There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man."  (1Corinthians 10:11,13)  Basically, mankind has not changed – man is still motivated and tempted in much the same way as he always has been – and can be expected to make the same mistakes.  In other words, mankind today will reject God in just the same way as their forefathers did.  America is quickly becoming a Godless nation.

These verses provide a two-way mirror for those who have the eyes to see.  We can read the history of Israel as we look backward in time, and then experience a déjà vu moment as we turn and look forward to our immediate future.  Israel’s history is happening all over again.  Yes, it is like a gathering storm.  What are we to do?  How can we weather the storm?  Let’s compare the two histories.

After becoming a unified nation under King David, Israel prospered with manifold blessings from God.  Much like early America, early Israel was a nation that was established by God, looked to God, and trusted in God.  “Declare His glory among the heathen, His wonders among all people. For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised: He is to be feared above all gods.   For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the heavens.”  (Psalm 96:3-5)  In much the same way, America was founded on Judeo/Christian principles “One Nation Under God,” and “In God we Trust.”

But in the same way that ancient Israel rejected God and His Commandments, and turned to idolatry, America is systematically removing God from every vestige of our nation's institutions.  Ancient Israel removed every remnant of true Godliness from Israel, and there is a concerted effort in our nation today to obliterate every mention of God and His law.  Society today is anxious to have every last trace of God’s Ten Commandments removed from our social order, because it believes the Ten Commandments inhibit the free expression of our pursuit of happiness.

Where are the moral leaders of today who would put America back on a sound footing?  Jehoshaphat was a man of courage and conviction.  He was cut from the same fabric as some of our self-less courageous founding fathers here in America.  He was a brave man – something we have not witnessed in our lifetimes.  Jehoshaphat sought to follow the Lord.

"The Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim.  But sought to the Lord God of his father, and walked in His Commandments, and not after the doings of Israel.  Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand."   (2Chronicles 17:3-5)  Notice his morals and faithfulness to God – there are none like Jehoshaphat in America today – none that I know of.  Israel then, was totally off-base – just like America is today.

In Jehoshaphat's reign, the nation prospered greatly – just like America did in the beginning.  Not so long ago – America was the richest and most powerful nation on earth – I remember those days. Nations always prosper under Godly rulership.  The nation prospered greatly because Jehoshaphat turned the nation back to God (2Chronicles 17:6).  Now that was a lot easier said than done because Judah was just like America today – full of homosexuals, perversion, and filthiness.  Sodomites were everywhere.  "The remnant of the sodomites, which remained in the days of his father Asa, [Jehoshaphat] took out of the land."  (1Kings 22:46)   That was like cleaning up the likes of Hollywood, Las Vegas, San Francisco – and the entire country!

America's troubles go much deeper than the economic housing bubble collapse, the swine flu, or car companies going bankrupt.  In the list that follows, which area can we be proud of and say that it has God's blessing today?

Man cannot solve his problems.  It does not take a Harvard graduate to see that things are spiraling out of control.  The state of affairs of the USA is rapidly deteriorating.  Certainly, if America would cry out to God, He would hear.  Every time Israel cried out to God for help – they were delivered.

Look at Zedekiah – the very last of Israel and Judah’s kings – to get an idea of what is soon to be in store for the last President of the USA.  In 2Chronicles 36 – this is where we are in America today.  "[Zedekiah] did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord his God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the Lord" (v12).  Today, the very mention of "God" – or that marriage is between a man and a woman – throws them into a frenzy.

Our leaders would not rely on God if their lives depended on it – and their lives do depend on it.  There are very few ministers who have done as God commanded in Isaiah 58:1.   How many ministers possess the courage to cry aloud and spare not – tell My people their sins?  It is God who says that two men cannot marry in His sight.  Almost no minister unequivocally teaches aloud that homosexual acts are sinful – and that marriage is between a man and a woman.  The ministers do not want to be put in jeopardy of being politically in-correct in today's God-less society.

The weak ministers of today believe that it is foolishness to expose themselves to public scrutiny or governmental sanctions by quoting the Bible where it says,  “ A man shalt not lie with another man, as with woman: it is abomination.”  (Leviticus 18:22)  Here in America, we had it all  – God – Law and Order – Power – Wealth – and then we decided to get rid of God.   A great price is about to be paid.

The prophetic signs referred to by Jesus Christ as an indication that His return to this earth is imminent, are undeniably on the increase.  The state of affairs in the USA is rapidly deteriorating.  We would rather that the situation were reversed, but stopping the inevitable, now appears to be impossible.  Certainly, if America would cry out to God, He would hear.  “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”   (2Chronicles 7:14)

God brought destruction on ancient Israel and Judah, and sent them into captivity for their sins.  With regard to the path America has taken, God is going to ... (Please complete the ellipsis).  Brethren, take a look at Israel's history, and then ponder this question – What is in store for our nation?  The answer is destruction and captivity – just like in ancient Israel.   Yogi Berra was right, "It's déjà vu all over again."