Daniel
answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and
might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and
raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding.
He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light
dwells with Him. Daniel 2:20-22 NKJV
Of
many things I look forward to every fall season is the return of old favorites
on television that I remember from my youth, especially those of the gang from
“Peanuts” written by Charles Schultz.
Not only are they entertaining, but especially in this day and age,
remarkably clean and wholesome. While
some might see them as cartoons for children, they also contain some very
philosophical content that often only an adult can appreciate. The following quote is a perfect example, and
one which I have remembered over the years and actually used on more than one
occasion.
“There are three
things that I've learned never discuss with people: religion, politics, and the
Great Pumpkin.” Linus Van Pelt, from “It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”
At
this point in our political season, I’m sure many would agree with this
sentiment as we can observe the strong emotions many are exhibiting concerning
the upcoming election. While I have
always endorsed the position of supporting the political process, and
exercising an individual’s right to vote, I personally have always had in the
back of my mind the part that God plays in the final outcome according to His
power and wisdom. Why is that? Because, as you can see from this passage,
the final decision is God’s to make and the history of this world conforms to
His will and plan.
With
the caveat that what follows is simply my opinion, as I look at the decision we
are faced with this election between two individuals wanting to lead this
country for the next four years, I can’t help but feel that there is a stark
contrast between the motivations of both candidates. It seems to me that there is one who desires
to lead because of a genuine concern for the direction this country is going,
and one who desires to lead solely for the power that comes with the
position. As I considered this, I could
not help but recall what Daniel had to say about the motivations of the coming
world leader who will attempt to become the king of this world.
“Then
the king shall do according to his own will: he shall exalt and magnify himself
above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods, and shall
prosper till the wrath has been accomplished; for what has been determined
shall be done. “He shall regard neither the God of his fathers nor the desire
of women, nor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above them all. “But
in their place he shall honor a god of fortresses; and a god which his fathers
did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and
pleasant things. “Thus he shall act against the strongest fortresses with a
foreign god, which he shall acknowledge, and advance its glory; and he shall
cause them to rule over many, and divide the land for gain. Daniel 11:36-39 NKJV
I
believe anyone who reads this passage can readily see that this coming leader
is in it solely for himself, and the acquisition of power and wealth is all
consuming. His motivation is not for the
betterment of the world in which we live, but personal gain. Although he likely begins his rise to power
by promising peace and prosperity for all, the truth is that he is in it for
himself and the pursuit of power and wealth is his only consideration. Many of you are familiar with at least part
of the following quote by Lord Acton, but I have included the entire quote for
you to read.
“I cannot accept your
canon that we are to judge Pope and King unlike other men, with a favorable
presumption that they did no wrong. If there is any presumption it is the other
way against holders of power, increasing as the power increases. Historic
responsibility has to make up for the want of legal responsibility. Power tends
to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always
bad men, even when they exercise influence and not authority: still more when
you superadd the tendency or the certainty of corruption by authority. There is
no worse heresy than that the office sanctifies the holder of it.”
Letter to Mandell
Creighton (5 April 1887), published in Historical Essays and Studies, by John
Emerich Edward Dalberg-Acton (1907), edited by John Neville Figgis and Reginald
Vere Laurence, Appendix, p. 504; also in Essays on Freedom and Power (1972)
I
found the use of the word corrupt especially telling considering how often I
have heard it used lately in reference to the current cast of characters in our
political arena. Although I thought I had a pretty
good idea what the word corrupt meant, I was surprised to read the following
definition when I looked it up in the dictionary.
Corrupt
1.
guilty of dishonest practices, as bribery; lacking integrity; crooked: a
corrupt judge.
2.
debased in character; depraved; perverted; wicked; evil: a corrupt society.
3.
made inferior by errors or alterations, as a text.
4.
infected; tainted.
5.
decayed; putrid.
“And as
it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man:” Luke 17:26
NKJV
Then
the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every
intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD was
sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. Genesis 6:5-6
NKJV
I
am asked many times about the signs we should be watching for, and most of the
times those questions refer to natural disasters or wars among nations. Yet the most overlooked one is right in front
of us, and is being played out on our very own political stage for the world to
see. The past administrations have
promised change, and they certainly delivered on that promise. Unfortunately the change in direction of our
moral compass not only reflects the corruption one would expect from a world
under the spell of the evil one, but spells doom for those who would support it. How can we know we are living in the end
times? Well, here’s your sign.
The
LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the
peoples of no effect. The counsel of the LORD stands forever, The plans of His
heart to all generations. Psalms
33:10-11 NKJV
He
breaks in pieces mighty men without inquiry, And sets others in their place.
Job 34:24 NKJV
Remember
the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and
there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient
times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will
do all My pleasure,’ “Listen to Me, you stubborn-hearted, Who are far from
righteousness: I bring My righteousness near, it shall not be far off;
My salvation shall not linger. And I will place salvation in Zion, For Israel
My glory. Isaiah 46:9-13 NKJV
Now
more than ever, this world needs Jesus.
The time of our departure, the rapture of the Church to be with Him for
eternity, could happen at any moment. If
you are reading this today and have never made the decision to accept Jesus
Christ as your Lord and Savior, I urge you to do it right now. Simply admit to
God that you need His forgiveness because you are a sinner, be willing to turn away from your sins,
believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins, and invite Him to come in
and control your life through the Holy
Spirit by praying a simple prayer like this;
Jesus
I know I am a sinner in need of salvation. I believe you sent your Son Jesus to
die on the cross for my sin, and I ask you now to forgive me of my sins. I want
to receive your gift of salvation so please come into my heart and help me to
live and follow you as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Keep
watching.
