Our Present Situation
As Billy Graham recorded in his excellent 1965 book World Aflame, "In theory, the people of the West have various forms of democracy based on a belief in God as well as on a general acceptance of moral law. However, in practice we are beginning to resemble the Marxists, who have little respect for moral law or religion. Our interests are centered in ourselves. We are preoccupied with material things. Our supreme god is technology; our goddess is sex. Most of us are more interested in getting to the moon than in getting to heaven, more concerned about conquering space than about conquering ourselves. We are more dedicated to material security than to inner purity. We give much more thought to what we wear, what we eat, what we drink, and what we can do to relax than we give to what we are. This preoccupation with peripheral things applies to every area of our lives."
He also wrote the following passages, "Today man eats continually of the tree of knowledge without partaking of the tree of life, and he is still under the Satanic delusion that he will become like God." "President Theodore Roosevelt said: ‘When you educate a man in mind and not in morals, you educate a menace to society.’ Science is learning to control everything but man. We have not yet solved the problems of hate, lust, greed, and prejudice, which produce social injustice, racial strife, and ultimately war."
"No matter how advanced its progress, any generation that neglects its spiritual and moral life is going to disintegrate." "Every other civilization before us has disintegrated and collapsed from internal forces rather than military conquest." "You cannot build a superstructure on a cracked foundation." "No form of government has been able to establish righteousness, justice, and peace, the three elements without which we can never have continued national prosperity or international peace."
"America has probably been the most successful experiment in history. The American dream was a glorious attempt. It was built on a religious foundation. Its earliest concepts came from Holy Scripture. God honored and blessed America as few nations in history. However, in recent years the nation has been moving away from its religious heritage. Whether it knows it or not. It is in deep trouble both at home and abroad."
Our American society was founded, generations ago, on strong Christian principles. It was a strong and blessed society. But the Biblical foundation of America is quickly being replaced by an evolutionary foundation. We are being taught that the Bible is not true and not needed as our authority. This growing humanist philosophy is causing a drastic rise in abortions, homosexual behavior, pornography, and violence as well as the growth of anti-Christian sentiment. Our country is quickly becoming a post-Christian nation.
In Matthew chapter 24 in the Bible Jesus warns that before he returns the conditions on earth will be similar to the way they were in the time of Noah. In Donald Chittick’s book "Puzzle of Ancient Man," he demonstrates the remarkable similarities between Noah’s day, before the flood, and our current culture. As it is today, there was a rapid rise in the population and development of a high level of science and technology. Being in rebellion against God, man was using his technology to fill the world with violence. Also, then as now, mankind had knowledge of the true Creator God but ignored Him and His precepts. Peoples thoughts and concerns were continually evil. Daily concerns of business and pleasure totally occupied their minds. There was no time or room for God in their thoughts. There were murderers, complainers, and people walking after their own lusts. Noah was given 120 years to build the ark and preach of the coming judgement so the pre-flood population was adequately warned. Due to today’s modern communication technology of radios, televisions, satellites, faxes, and computers with the world-wide internet system and the ability to travel quickly to all parts of the world, the warnings of Jesus and revelations of God have reached nearly every culture. As in Noah’s day, many people today continue to ignore the warnings and continue to live sinful lifestyles. Even most of our world’s leaders are ignoring scriptural principles. With so many similarities between Noah’s day and our current culture, it really makes me wonder how close we are to Christ’s return and His coming judgement. (p.130 Puzzles)
