Religious Affiliations

Man is inherently "religious" by nature. That is a state of mind that we are born with. It has been described as a God-shaped void in our conscience. On the surface, the concept of a void existing that only God could fill sounds reasonable and provides fodder for flowery sermons. However, scripture teaches us that God didn't create us void of an understanding of him, but with a knowledge of him.
We are told in John Chapter 1 about the Lord Jesus Christ and his role in creation. Keeping in mind as well that, in the creation account, man is included along with the physical world as we know it.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." John 1:1-9

Notice in verse 1, referring to Jesus, that his name, "the Word" is capitalized. We see, as well, in verse 9 that Christ himself is the "true Light", and that word is capitalized as well.
One of the facets of man's creation is that, at birth he is given internal "light", not a "void". Looking closely at verse 9 again we see concerning Christ, the "true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world".

We are told in 2 Corinthians 4:3-4,

"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."

The "god" of this world doesn't mind man being religious, as a matter of fact he prefers this to be the case. He is, however, extremely concerned with how man responds to that light that Christ has given everyone at birth.

In order to continually muddy the waters of man's enlightenment, he continues deploying the same tactic he introduced in the Garden of Eden. Visit again the original conversation with Eve that started mankind down the path of spiritual pragmatism. 

We read in Genesis 3:1-3,

"Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die."

"Yea, hath God said."

 That same question is whispered in the ears every day of men and women claiming to be spiritual guides. It is raised in the minds of every un-regenerated person who hears the Gospel. It is asked by every individual or denomination that interprets the Bible's precepts by revising it in a "new" version that fits their own agenda or creed. 

Armed with the knowledge of God's word that tells us that our adversary desires to keep man's mind blinded, let's examine one of the principal ways he accomplishes this...Religious Affiliations. 

The National Association of Evangelicals gives this modest account of their humble beginnings on their website NAE.ORG. 

"NAE traces its beginnings to April of 1942, when a modest group of 147 people met in St. Louis with the hopes of reshaping the direction of evangelical Christianity in America."

While their hearts, hopes and intentions of "reshaping" culture to an acceptance of a biblical worldview were in the right place, man's darkened heart was far from receiving it. 

As much as we, as Christians, would love to see millions of lost souls come to Christ, we must be cognizant of what the Bible teaches. 

"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:" Matthew 7:13

As much as many would like to see the efforts of evangelization become more effective, we must realize that the only way to do so is same way the early church accomplished it. They realized that it was only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit and the message of Christ crucified, buried, and risen for the remission of sins. 

The Apostle Paul was emphatic about the futility of joining hands with the unsaved to "reshape" the Gospel message. 

"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? and what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?"

In much the same way,  from a logical standpoint, that it makes sense that a God-shaped void exists in man, the feasibility of winning the world through collaboration with a lost "religious" man seems a good idea. 

We see however, that scripture does not support either of these notions.
We see Jesus, during his earthly ministry, not joining hands with the Pharisees in the propagation of salvation through the law, but rather preaching repentance towards God and faith in the one whom God sent. 

As a result of the success that Marxists in America have had in selling the masses on their theology, we are well on our way towards God's judgment as a nation. After years of indoctrination by tenured liberal professors in our institutions of higher learning, the masses have finally capitulated and have resolutely accepted the atheistic tenets of Marx and Engels. 

At this point some may raise the question of how does the adoption of Marxist Theology by Americans from a social standpoint, lead to a decline in spirituality and morality in the "religious sphere"? Furthermore, how could this decline lead to judgment by God?

Simply stated, when Marxism permeates the church, and Critical Theory becomes doctrine, the lines are blurred between the church and the world. With this blurring, the professing church becomes indistinguishable from an atheistic society.

One of the characteristics of the apostate church in the last days was given to us by the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 3:5. Out of all the personality traits that the end time population possesses in the foregoing verses, the one most injurious to mankind is that of it's ecclesiastical leadership. They are described as,

"having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."

As to how this Ecumenical leadership, and ultimately the whole world, incurs the wrath of God, verses 7-9 goes on to say,

"ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was."

Indictments against the ecclesiastical leadership of Christ's day were given by Jesus himself. This pronouncement of judgment against those in his day who claimed that they represented God and his message was very scathing. We see his words in Matthew 15:8.

"This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me."

In essence, what Jesus was saying about the Pharisees of his day was same description Paul was giving Timothy concerning those that will possess a "form of godliness" in the last days. And just as we see in 2 Timothy chapter 3 that, "their folly shall be manifest unto all men ", so too was this pronouncement made to those religious leaders in Matthew 15:12-14. We have the account of the Pharisee's "folly" in these verses.

"Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch."

When the professing church joins hands with the world, it must, in essence let go of the hand of God.

In James 4:4, we are exhorted about the futility and dangers of joining hands with the world.

"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."

When the "church" ultimately becomes the enemy of God they, like Rome, invite the wrath and judgment of Almighty God. 

Although there are some in America who have not totally capitulated to the attack on our values, we are nonetheless edging ever closer.

The major evidence is some of the astounding data that is being compiled through research polls regarding our spiritual temperature. On the subject of temperature, it's interesting to see what Christ has to say about the church in the last days.

"So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." Revelation 3:16

In an article that appeared in ChristianHeadlines.com on September 24, 2014
Rob Schwarzwalder, Senior Vice President at Family Research Council made this statement,

"The respected Pew Research organization recently published studies of how Americans feel about religion in our country. It's clear from the Pew surveys that millions of our fellow citizens are both ambivalent and deeply concerned about the status and role of faith in their personal lives and in the public life of the nation."

Further insight into this cultural slide is research conducted by the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University.

"Nearly 9 in 10 U.S. adults hold to a mixture of worldviews, otherwise known as syncretism, and only a small percentage have a biblical worldview, a new study by the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University shows."

They go on to explain the "mixture of worldviews" that make up syncretism. Further, the researchers contrast a biblical worldview with what they refer to as "six prominent competing worldviews."

"The worldviews are Secular Humanism, Postmodernism, Moralistic Therapeutic Deism, Nihilism, Marxism (including Critical Theory), and Eastern Mysticism, also known as "New Age," according to new research from George Barna and the center."
 
It is interesting as well to see how these "prominent competing worldviews" work together to bring about "confusing beliefs". When we start to consider who the perpetrator of confusion is, let's consider 1 Corinthians 14:33.

"For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints."

One of the major byproducts of Marxist Theology is the move from a Biblical worldview of it's citizenry to a humanistic approach to all aspects of life. The more humanistic a society becomes the further it moves away from God. The further away from God they become, the closer they move to incurring the wrath and judgment of Almighty God. We see that judgement in Romans 1:21-25,

"Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen."

Both America and the professing church are at a major crossroads today. The fact that Rome had rejected the Creator, even after being given every evidence of His existence, brought this dreadful indictment,

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:" Romans 1:18-20

The marks of an atheistic society are essentially one that, even though they are given every evidence of an Almighty God, through the manifestation of his "eternal power and Godhead " through creation, still refuses to acknowledge and glorify him as God. As a result of this rejection, they set in motion a chain of events that progressively leads them down the road to destruction.

We could spend a lifetime reading the voluminous accounts of men who have analyzed the various reasons for the eventual collapse of the mighty Roman Empire. The Apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Romans, gives us the outline, step by step in the space of 15 verses, of exactly how the world power of it's day collapsed.

In subsequent chapters we will use this outline as a template. We will analyze, through the disinfecting light of God's word, how America is following in the footsteps of that great nation that "was" Rome.

As we see the world, and America, looking down the road to global governance by accepting and embracing Marxism, many are not aware that the professing church has been on that path for decades. 

The major catalyst for this unholy alliance of a global church-state is the National Association of Evangelicals. 

We find, on the NAE's website, their goals and aspirations concerning their evangelistic efforts. 

"The NAE Statement of Faith, adopted in 1942, provides a theological touchstone for evangelicals across the country — bringing together Calvinist, Arminian, Wesleyan, Anabaptist and Charismatic traditions. Among these diverse groups, the NAE facilitates united action, cooperative ministry and strategic planning to achieve shared goals." NAE.org

Again, from a human standpoint, this seems to be a noble and logical method to reach a lost world with the Gospel message. However, research conducted as to the effectiveness of this evangelist approach, seems to dispel the notion. 

"The American Worldview Inventory 2020, conducted by CRC Director of Research Dr. George Barna, surveyed 51 beliefs and behaviors among Christian groups and found that rather than transforming the culture around them with biblical truth, the opposite is happening. American Christianity is rapidly conforming to the values of the post-Christian secular culture."

The research conducted by the CRChas been an excellent representation of how our culture is either accepting or rejecting "Christianity".
If we look at the data and numbers he has compiled from a purely subjective standpoint, I think we can all agree that the past and current methods we have employed have not been effective.
A lost and dying world is doing exactly what man's fallen nature inherently causes...rejection of Christ as Lord and Savior. And rather than making the world more "churchy", the world has made the church more "worldly".
 

The early church knew their mission. We are told of their exploits and what they were about in Act 17:6-7. 

They did indeed "reshape" the world...we see they were described as having, "turned the world upside down". The reshaping was in all actuality "transforming" the world with the Gospel of the finished work of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection at Calvary. 

"And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Cæsar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus."

Going forward, we will examine the various ways that a man-made approach to evangelization has hindered the cause of Christ rather than further it worldwide. 

Lord Jesus, I come before you now confessing my sins. I believe that you bore my sins in your body on the cross of Calvary, that you were buried, and rose again the third day. As best as I know how, I ask you to forgive me of my sins, and come into my heart  and save me. Amen.

Resolute Acceptance

As a result of the success that Marxists in America have had in selling the masses on their theology, we are well on our way towards God's judgment as a nation. After years of indoctrination by tenured liberal professors in our institutions of higher learning, the masses have finally capitulated and have resolutely accepted the atheistic tenets of Marx and Engels. 

At this point some may raise the question of how does the adoption of Marxist Theology by Americans from a social standpoint, lead to a decline in spirituality and morality in the "religious sphere"? Furthermore, how could this decline lead to judgment by God?

Simply stated, when Marxism permeates the church, and Critical Theory becomes doctrine, the lines are blurred between the church and the world. With this blurring, the professing church becomes indistinguishable from an atheistic society.

One of the characteristics of the apostate church in the last days was given to us by the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 3:5. Out of all the personality traits that the end time population possesses in the foregoing verses, the one most injurious to mankind is that of it's ecclesiastical leadership. They are described as,

"having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."

As to how this Ecumenical leadership, and ultimately the whole world, incurs the wrath of God, verses 7-9 goes on to say,

"ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was."

Indictments against the ecclesiastical leadership of Christ's day were given by Jesus himself. This pronouncement of judgment against those in his day who claimed that they represented God and his message was very scathing. We see his words in Matthew 15:8.

"This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me."

In essence, what Jesus was saying about the Pharisees of his day was same description Paul was giving Timothy concerning those that will possess a "form of godliness" in the last days. And just as we see in 2 Timothy chapter 3 that, "their folly shall be manifest unto all men ", so too was this pronouncement made to those religious leaders in Matthew 15:12-14. We have the account of the Pharisee's "folly" in these verses.

"Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch."

When the professing church joins hands with the world, it must, in essence let go of the hand of God.

In James 4:4, we are exhorted about the futility and dangers of joining hands with the world.

"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."

When the "church" ultimately becomes the enemy of God they, like Rome, invite the wrath and judgment of Almighty God. 

Although there are some in America who have not totally capitulated to the attack on our values, we are nonetheless edging ever closer.

The major evidence is some of the astounding data that is being compiled through research polls regarding our spiritual temperature. On the subject of temperature, it's interesting to see what Christ has to say about the church in the last days.

"So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." Revelation 3:16

In an article that appeared in ChristianHeadlines.com on September 24, 2014
Rob Schwarzwalder, Senior Vice President at Family Research Council made this statement,

"The respected Pew Research organization recently published studies of how Americans feel about religion in our country. It's clear from the Pew surveys that millions of our fellow citizens are both ambivalent and deeply concerned about the status and role of faith in their personal lives and in the public life of the nation."

Further insight into this cultural slide is research conducted by the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University.

"Nearly 9 in 10 U.S. adults hold to a mixture of worldviews, otherwise known as syncretism, and only a small percentage have a biblical worldview, a new study by the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University shows."

They go on to explain the "mixture of worldviews" that make up syncretism. Further, the researchers contrast a biblical worldview with what they refer to as "six prominent competing worldviews."

"The worldviews are Secular Humanism, Postmodernism, Moralistic Therapeutic Deism, Nihilism, Marxism (including Critical Theory), and Eastern Mysticism, also known as "New Age," according to new research from George Barna and the center."
 
It is interesting as well to see how these "prominent competing worldviews" work together to bring about "confusing beliefs". When we start to consider who the perpetrator of confusion is, let's consider 1 Corinthians 14:33.

"For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints."

One of the major byproducts of Marxist Theology is the move from a Biblical worldview of it's citizenry to a humanistic approach to all aspects of life. The more humanistic a society becomes the further it moves away from God. The further away from God they become, the closer they move to incurring the wrath and judgment of Almighty God. We see that judgement in Romans 1:21-25,

"Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen."

Both America and the professing church are at a major crossroads today. The fact that Rome had rejected the Creator, even after being given every evidence of His existence, brought this dreadful indictment,

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:" Romans 1:18-20

The marks of an atheistic society are essentially one that, even though they are given every evidence of an Almighty God, through the manifestation of his "eternal power and Godhead " through creation, still refuses to acknowledge and glorify him as God. As a result of this rejection, they set in motion a chain of events that progressively leads them down the road to destruction.

We could spend a lifetime reading the voluminous accounts of men who have analyzed the various reasons for the eventual collapse of the mighty Roman Empire. The Apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Romans, gives us the outline, step by step in the space of 15 verses, of exactly how the world power of it's day collapsed.

In subsequent chapters we will use this outline as a template. We will analyze, through the disinfecting light of God's word, how America is following in the footsteps of that great nation that "was" Rome.

Rampant Ambivalence

 

When we consider the role that ambivalence plays in the moral decay of a society,  we must understand that it is a concept that has already been addressed in the scriptures.

Man's nature is to rationalize in his own mind what he considers right or wrong, moral or immoral. We are told in Judges 21:25 that,

"In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes." Another portion of scripture which alludes to the nature of all men and their thought processes is found in Isaiah 55:8, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord."

Some observations of Rome's moral decay in secular history point to some type of mental health issue brought on by lead in the water pipes of the day. We could never, however, expect secular historians to suspect any possibility that original sin had any thing to do with their journey down a slippery slope.

There is no way of knowing for sure whether the concept of rampant ambivalence came into play in the political arena of Rome, but from history we do know with certainty that there were plenty calls for a change of leadership. The fact that there were about 70 Roman emperors from the beginning of the reign of Augustus in 27 BC, until the end  of Romulus Augustus in 476 AD. Far from the concept of democratic elections, many came to power through force or violence. According to an article on PBS.org,

"What’s more, the empire started through violence and depended on force. Emperors could only survive if their people believed they could outgun anyone and everyone else. If an army grew dissatisfied, the emperor was in trouble; if dissatisfaction spread further, he was finished.

Civil war had brought Caesar to power. Once emperor and without an obvious heir, he had adopted Augustus. He may have been the first to choose a successor and call it hereditary succession, but he was not the last – Claudius sidelined his own son in favor of Nero, while Nerva "adopted" Trajan to ensure a smooth succession." 

 The corruption and immorality of a nation's leaders more often than not culminates in a corrupt and immoral populace. The accounts of the various emperors and their vices and perversions are well documented in the annals of history. A brief glimpse into what we know about Caligula, Nero, Commodus, Caracalla, and Maxaminus Thrax should suffice to make the case for the debauchery conveyed to the masses.

Scripture teaches us something of the moral character of the people of Rome that secular history would prefer to gloss over. We get a glimpse into the truth of what Psalm 9:17 warns concerning any nation that turns it's back on God.

"The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God."

As a matter of fact, scripture gives us the truth about the moral decline of Rome's culture that secular history is not even aware of. Historians can certainly point to and describe the vices which were present, but only the Word of God explains how they found themselves in a state of utter ruin spiritually.
 
The Bible however, is very clear in the first chapter of Paul's epistle to the Romans of the role original sin played in the progressive movement towards a moral decline.

"And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." Romans 1:28-32

A close sister to rampant ambivalence would be the concept of ambiguity as it is applied to both political and spiritual matters. Defining ambiguity as simply being the quality of being open to more than one interpretation or inexactness, we can certainly see how a great gulf would exist between political parties as well as religious denominations.

The dangers to any nation associated with the widespread use of ambivalence and ambiguity as the criteria for deciding political or spiritual matters is that it is extremely divisive.
Lincoln himself understood the words spoken by Christ in Luke 11:17,

"But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth."

The picture that is painted by secular history of the Roman Empire's decadence, corruption, and perversion bears a marked resemblance to the leadership we see in Washington, D.C. today. Both houses of Congress and the Oval Office are in the back pockets of the enemies of America. High ranking officials have joined hands with the "baneful foes" of foreign governments to sell out America's sovereignty to the United Nations. Many, on both sides of the aisle, are willing to trade the liberty and freedom of the American people for the global governance of a Godless regime.
The enemies of America have been, for decades, methodically indoctrinating the young minds of a generation that has finally taken the bait of Marxism hook, line, and sinker.

Paralleling the nation of Rome, American leadership has started down the broad path of Matthew 7, and it is bringing an indoctrinated populace along with it.
With that begins the next progressive step down the slippery slope towards judgment.

Preface

 The Rapid Descent And Inevitable Collapse Of The American Empire; Or The Pleasures Of Sin For A Season

Any serious endeavor of man to examine how the God of the universe has dealt with the nations of the world throughout history would be futile without, at least, considering the Bible. Scofield made this point of consideration in his introduction to the scriptures...

"The Bible, incomparably the most widely circulated of books, at once provokes and baffles study. Even the non-believer in its authority rightly feels that it is unintelligent to remain in almost total ignorance of the most famous and ancient of books."

Through the word of God we learn that true wisdom comes from above. James 1:5 tells us,

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."

There is however, a stipulation and a caveat that goes along with that truth in verses that follow.

"But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways." James 1:6-8

Man asking outside the sphere of faith will find no revelation of God's truth. In the matter of wisdom and faith we see some passages that deal with this. In Hebrews 11:6 we're told,

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

"For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." 1 Corinthians 1:19-21

"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Corinthians 2:14

So we see then, outside of a personal relationship with Christ through the new birth, it is impossible to rightly divide the truth of scripture.
 

 In a discussion examining the moral decline and eventual spiritual destruction of any nation, we must look at it through the disinfecting light of God's word rather than the deceitful lenses of man's heart.

 

Two prominent verses that stand out as we ponder this, is given to us by the wisest man that ever lived. Solomon tells us in the Book of Proverbs that, 

"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Proverbs 14:12, and that, 

"Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people." Proverbs 14:34
  

America, as a nation, is certainly at the threshold of succumbing to the same demise that the ancient Roman Empire eventually had to capitulate to. Gibbon listed many reasons for this capitulation, but ultimately, we know from scripture that the major component of it's decline and ultimate fall was the moral decay of the foundation of it's society.

Washington in his Farewell Address made this observation, 

" Can it be that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a nation with its virtue ?"

The Bible is very clear regarding the felicity of a nation. In Proverbs 14:34 we see that, " 

"'Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people." Further, we are told in Psalm 9:17 that, " The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God."
 

The corruption and immorality of the leadership of the day, eventually led to the populace of Rome being inundated by wickedness, immorality, and lawlessness. The philosophical approach to mankind's existence wound up being examined from every possible angle other than God's word.

America appears to be going down the same path to destruction. The apparent attempt to rewrite history as to our founding, helps to cast a negative light upon a nation that was founded on the Christian principles found in the Word of God. 

Were this attack merely an attempt by academia to undermine our culture, we could possibly stem the tide of it's onslaught. Instead, it has been further advanced by the Federal government as an engine of change. 

Washington went on to warn and exhort future generations of the dangers of a centralized government headed up by nefarious individuals with little restraint. Washington's caveat further enlightens us as to the dangers of foreign entanglements and alliances.

 "Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence, (I conjure you to believe me fellow citizens) the jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake; since history and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of republican government."

It is interesting to note the use of the word "wiles" as it applies to the enemies of a free people. We are exhorted in scripture to, " Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."(Ephesians 6:11).

The battle we face in America today is not just a political one, but a spiritual one. A battle not easily discerned by the average person. 

The Apostle Paul understood in his day the nature of the enemy that the church faced. 

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Ephesians 6:12)

Our enemies know that to topple a mighty nation you must first erode it's foundations. The baneful foes of foreign influence have penetrated the halls of Congress by the trojan horse of political correctness. High ranking officials, with allegiances to foreign powers, now dictate foreign policy and are privy to sensitive information vital to our security.
 

To further exacerbate the decline, like Rome, the corruption of our government inevitably leads to the decline of the morality of it's people. We see that unfolding in our culture. 

This decline in morality progresses into lasciviousness and lawlessness. This corruption eventually permeates the church and the downward spiral toward God's judgment begins.

However, more injurious than the government and it's citizens backing this agenda is the adoption of these practices by the professing church. By adopting and championing the Social Gospel along with Critical Theory within mainstream religion, the church officially joins hands with the world. This opens the door to the regime that ultimately ushers in the Antichrist.

Therefore, the greatest threat we face in America today is the attack on religious liberty and the effectiveness of the Gospel of Christ. Marxism and Ecumenism, the greatest threat to the sovereignty of America and the catalyst of the New World Order.