davidbowerkingwood

239 Years and Counting!

This past Saturday, July 4, 2015, we celebrated the 239th anniversary of the founding of our nation. On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress declared the 13 American colonies to be independent and no longer a part of the British Empire. History records the British Empire did not graciously accede to this declaration.

The following appears on the website, “http://actionamerica.org/fun/tytler.shtml” and is one of many articles addressing the frailties of a democracy.

An Observation on Democracy
Incorrectly attributed to Alexander Fraser Tytler

The most interesting observation is how closely the US has followed this scenario.

“A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves money from the Public Treasury. From that moment on the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the Public Treasury with a result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy always followed by dictatorship. The average age of the world’s greatest civilizations has been 200 years. These nations have 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 Dependency
• From Dependency back into Bondage

— most commonly attributed to
“The Decline and Fall of the Athenian Republic”
by Alexander Fraser Tytler Lord Woodhouselee (1748-1813)
(Scottish judge and historian at Edinburgh University)

While it is true this nation was established as a republic, the checks and balances built into the original system have been eroded to the point where our nation is no longer functioning as a republic and has fallen into the mire of democratic politics; it appears the vision for both parties does not include the preservation of this nation as a federal republic.

As Christians we are told of a heavenly home, a New Jerusalem that is our eternal home; we are also told we are ambassadors for Christ. Another reality of our existence is the ongoing spiritual warfare and in this we function as soldiers of God.

As the winds of change blow with increasing strength it is important that we faithfully regard the admonition in 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NLT)  “⁷ For we live by believing and not by seeing.”

Divine Intervention

There has been a movement for many years promoting the idea of a one-world government. Adherents of this philosophy believe many of the world’s problems arise from the conflict between national interests and the best way to remove those problems is to eliminate national interests by eliminating nations. Progress has been made with the organization of the European Union and further progress is desired with the concept of a North American Union.

There have been problems with the North American Union one of which is the strength and independence of the United States. Proponents of the North American Union have recognized the United States must first be reduced to a point where this union appears to work to its advantage; only then will the North American Union have any hope of success.

Those familiar with Bible prophecy will recognize the pattern for the end times that begins to emerge in this scenario; in the Book of Revelation a world dictator is revealed who will seek to control all things worldwide. The Bible refers to this dictator as the antichrist; a man who will first appear as a benefactor and is later revealed as a brutal dictator.

I find it fascinating to watch how human efforts begin to merge with divine plan; although the objectives are different the results conform perfectly to God’s plan for the end times. It is beautiful to see how God is working all things together after the counsel of His own will.

I’m reminded of Psalm 2:1-6 where it is written,

Psalm 2