When pondering the questions and statements just presented, we must understand that there are three major requirements listed in God's Word that is required of a great nation: 1) A nation must honor God! 2) It must have high moral values! And 3) It must have wise government leaders. Four of our greatest early Presidents made some insightful observations about God's word, the Holy Bible:

Andrew Jackson said, "that book [meaning the Bible] is the rock upon which our Republic rests." George Washington remarks, "It is impossible to rightly govern the world with out the Bible." Thomas Jefferson noted, "The Bible makes the best people in the world." Abraham Lincoln observed, "But for this book, we could not know right from wrong, I believe the Bible is the best gift God has given to man." Reading these former President's remarks, gives us an understanding of why many of the original laws in our government were founded upon the teachings of the Bible.

Fifty two out of fifty five original signers Of the Declaration of Independence confessed a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Let's look at some of the thoughts these great men had regarding Jesus Christ: John Adams, one of the founding fathers, was overheard in a conversation, saying, "Our constitution is structured only for a moral and religious people." Patrick Henry, who is known for his "give me liberty or give me death" statement, said in 1776, "It can not be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not on religionist, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For that reason alone, people of other faiths have been afforded freedom of worship here."

Look at what George Washington wrote in his personal prayer book: "Oh, Eternal and everlasting God, direct my thoughts, words and work. Wash away my sins in the immaculate blood of the Lamb and purge my heart by thy Holy Spirit. Daily, frame me more and more in the likeness of Thy Son, Jesus Christ, that living in Thy fear and dying in Thy favor, I may in Thy appointed time obtain the resurrection of the justified unto eternal life. Bless, O Lord, the whole race of mankind and let the world be filled with the knowledge of Thee and Thy Son, Jesus Christ." It is clear from reading quotes such as these that the Bible and the Christian faith, were foundational to our country's educational and judicial system. A lot has truly changed, since back then!

In 1962, prayer was removed from public schools. In 1963, the Supreme Court ruled that Bible reading was outlawed as "unconstitutional" in the schools. In 1965, it was mandated that no student in a public school cafeteria should bow his or her head and pray audibly over their food. In 1980, the 10 Commandments were outlawed in public schools. In the late 1990's, Judge Roy Moore was a circuit judge in Northeast Alabama when he fought a lawsuit over having a plaque of the 10 Commandments hanging in his court room. And in 2003, as chief justice of the Alabama State Supreme Court, he was again involved in a law suit and lost his job, for putting a granite block containing the 10 Commandments in the rotunda of the state Supreme Court building where he resided over court cases.

The Harris Interactive Survey on April 7th, 2004, reported, "that 10 percent of Protestants, 21 percent of Roman Catholics and 52 percent of Jews do not believe in God." Consider what Isaiah was inspired to write, "Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward. Why should you be stricken any more? You will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrefying sores: They have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment" (Isa.1:4-6).

This once great nation of America has fallen into Satan's cess pool of thinking. Righteous values about immorality are yawned at. It seems that all the people care about is the economy and the stock market. Too many people that come in contact with God's calling are mindlessly applauding a good economy, thinking nothing else matters. That is dead wrong thinking!!

God's word clearly tells us, "And be not conformed to this world: but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Rom. 12:2). The Apostle Paul is saying, don't become so well adjusted to your culture that you fit into it and go along with it. Instead, fix your attention on God and get beyond the standard humanistic rhetoric. Expose your mind to what the Bible says about God's expectations for a nation, its leadership and its citizens.

We are a rich, vanity filled, sinful nation. Without much straining of our mind, we should clearly recognize that we are the world leader in prosperity and wealth. We are a nation of material users. We lead the world in the consumption of energy. We lead the world in ownership of private property. We lead the world in automobiles, double ovens and a host of labor-saving devices for the home.

We also lead the world in many other ways. We lead the world in the production and distribution of pornography. We lead the world in murder. We lead the world in divorce. We lead the world in the production and distribution of Hollywood movies, that are based upon sex and violence. Television programs fit in the same category. We lead the world in illegitimacy: In general, every third child born in America is illegitimate. Every other child born in the African-American community is illegitimate. We lead the world in killing our unborn; over 37 million have died so far in one of the most unbelievable massacres to every invade the earth, called abortion!

We lead the world in "Gay rights"movements. In my younger years, they were called "queers"– not gays! Read what God says through the prophet Isaiah about these queer, gay rights movements: "The show of their countenance does witness against them; And they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! For they have rewarded evil unto themselves. Say you to the righteous, that it shall be well with him:

Is the United States going the way of Sodom and Gomorrah? Let me ask "Do you know what White Party 15 is?" Several months ago as we were ending our Last Day of Unleavened Bread, symbolizing removing sin out of our lives, the "White Party 15" was starting their 15th annual celebration party in Palm Springs California. It is a non stop 24 hour orgy for 5 days, starting on April 8th and ending on the12th . It's advertizing is clearly directed toward "closet queens" looking for new partners. Open sodomy and every deviant sexual act is the order of the day.

How thoughtful of Satan to arrange such an event to correspond with the ending of God's Day's of Unleavened Bread - a plan, that deals with man's eternal salvation. How do you think God feels about this White Party 15? "Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. 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, covenant breakers, 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"(Rom. 1:24-32). As of the 17th of May, 2004, gay marriage has been legalized in the state of Massachusetts. Expect other state to follow their bad example!

This is not what God had in mind for His chosen nation of Israel or, for us, who for the most part comprise the modern descendants of Israel. He said we are to be like "salt" and be like a "light on a hill." Christ said in the book of Matthew, "You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his Savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thereafter good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men." He continues to say, "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven" (Matt. 5:13,14,16).

The question is, how did this nation, the modern decedents of Israel, which, as we saw at the beginning of this article, had a strong religious foundation - how did this nation experience such a rapid increase in a spirit of lawlessness, permissiveness, rebellion and selfishness? The answers to these questions are all found in God's word. We looked at them a few years back, but we need to be reminded again as the end time draws ever closer.

Satan's first act was to get Adam and Eve to disobey God. Genesis 2 reveals Adam and Eve only had one commandment that God gave them to obey, not 10 commandments like we have today. "But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shalt not eat of it: for in the day that you eat thereof you shalt surely die" (Gen 2:17). The very presence of this tree in the garden, revealed that man was a free moral agent. He could choose to either obey or disobey - the decision was his. Satan in his craftiness was able to deceive Eve and then Adam, causing them to disobey God's one command, "But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat of it."

changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 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" (Rom 1:25-32). As of the 17th of May, 2004, gay marriage has been legalized in the state of Massachusetts. Expect other states to follow their bad example!

This is not what God had in mind for His chosen nation of Israel or, for us, who for the most part comprise the modern descendants of Israel. He said, we are to be like "salt" and be like a "light on a hill." Christ said in the book of Matthew, "You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matt. 5:13-14,16).

Satan's first act was to get Adam and Eve to disobey God. Genesis 2 reveals Adam and Eve only had one commandment that God gave them to obey, not 10 commandments like we have today. "But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die" (Gen. 1:17). The very presence of this tree in the garden, revealed that man was a free moral agent. He could choose to either obey or disobey– the decision was his. Satan in his craftiness was able to deceive Eve and then Adam, causing them to disobey God's one command. "But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat of it."

Our society now teaches us that we should be tolerant of another person's beliefs - even when they are obviously wrong or in error. This is a deceptive trick of Satan. He is trying to get us to compare God's standard with the world's standards. This has caused this nation and us, to lower many of our basic standards- and sooner or latter this weakness will lead to sin. Sin as we know, is the transgression of God's law. But what does James say sin accomplishes? "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust [desire] hath conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death" (James 1:14-15).

To return to the original question: how did this nation which had such a strong religious foundation experience such a rapid increase in the spirit of Lawlessness, Permissiveness, Rebellion and Selfishness? The answer is found in the New Testament. The book of Luke records the answer and adds a warning to us about the troublous times ahead. We are all familiar with the Old Testament names of Noah and Lot. . In the days of Noah, God warned of a coming catastrophe and Noah tried to warn the people, but his warning words fell on deaf ears. God also warned Lot, before He rained fire and sulfur down from heaven, destroying the people of Sodom. Our people today have been warned by God also! His warning has come mainly through His Word, written in the Bible!

Jesus Christ warns us today of the type of warfare we see taking place in our society. "And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed" (Luke 17:26-30). Did you notice what was missing in this passage of scripture? Christ did not mention the many evil and gross sins that were mentioned earlier - those that were taking place in Noah's day or in Lots day. Nor does He say anything about the many gross sins now taking place in our day. In fact, not one thing He warns us about in these verses are a sin! They are the everyday normal things people do in living their daily lives: drinking, eating, marrying, buying, selling planting and building! If Jesus is not warning us about the many sins taking place in our society - like those in the days of Noah and Lot; what is He warning us about?

Before we discuss the issue of what Christ is warning us about, lets look at a verse in John 21, that we don't read very often. "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen" (John 21:25). This verse in John is making an important point that will help us see the significance of the prophetic warning from our Creator. The point is this: most of what Jesus said and did was not recorded in the Bible, therefore, if something Jesus did, is recorded in the Bible— then we can be sure it is important to God and you and I better take it to heart!

selfishness and rebellion was running rampant!! That was the reason God had to destroy both of those societies. Yet when comparing our day to those days of Noah and Lot, Jesus does not make one comment that lists buying, selling, eating, drinking, marrying and planting and building - the everyday, normal affairs of life!! The question is, why? It's no secret, Jesus knew of the terrible sins that were taking place in Noah and Lot's day. He knows the sins of our society, today! Crime, violence, sexual permissiveness, abortion, child abuse, homosexuality and on and on it goes.

Why does Christ warn us about the normal things of everyday life? What is He trying to tell us? God's warning is directed at areas that take us out from under His hedge of protection. These areas could cause us to be hurt or possibly be destroyed spiritually! The verses we read in Luke 17, are a warning that carry a much deeper and far greater concern to the Lord, than the many gross sins now so obviously taking place. Most people today, are aware of the many sins that are now taking place in our society. We don't have to be warned about them, we hear and read about it everyday.

There was a question a while back asked on the street in a large city: "Do you believe America has lost its moral integrity?" Most all that were interviewed said basically the same thing: "America is going to hell in a handbasket!" One said, "We no longer care if scoundrels run our Country, as long as we prosper." Another said, "Anything goes now; we are in the last days of our society - we are modern ‘Rome' going into collapse." A third one said, "Morality and purity have been sold out to pleasure and prosperity." The last one said "Sodom had no ‘porn,' no internet sex, no abortion, and no filthy television polluting that society, so how can America expect to go on without being accountable?"

The Lord's main concern in warning us, is to beware that we too, are not caught up in "life as usual" - buying, buying, selling, eating, drinking, marrying, planting and building! People in our society are so wrapped up in their own everyday lives - their own little world so to speak - buying, selling, eating, drinking and so forth - that they are blinded to God's warning signs. These signs are everywhere. Our nation and it's churches are on the brink of a great chastening from the hand of God, because of these signs. God warns us to not allow our lives to be dominated by the everyday affairs of life, like the people of Noah and Lot's day.

In these days of great prosperity, most people are so busy with their everyday affairs, that they don't believe judgment from God is coming - just as the people living in the days of Noah and Lot did not believe. The average person was doing very little to prepare for Christ's return. What Jesus is warning us about are the attitudes of deception and compromise. Deception and compromise center on motivating God's called, to step out independent of His word - so to satisfy, serve or please the self - over and above the willingness to seek God's will and His standards and laws first!!

This ends up being a form of "heart" disease! The heart is the part God examines and judges us by! The focus of the heart was a problem in Noah and Lot's day and Christ warns it will be a problem at the end of the age. That is why He lists the things in Luke 17 that concern our everyday affairs - even though not one of them is a sin! Jesus has warned us, that we will become, as the end of the age approaches, more and more occupied with the things that serve our own desires like buying, selling, building, eating, planting, marrying and giving in marriage. These are the every day things that can cause us to lose our values concerning right from wrong. As it was in the days of Noah and Lot our level of commitment to these everyday things can cause us to lose our ability to discern the signs of the times. These everyday affairs can become a deceptive, compromising snare and have the an overpowering ability to unduly influence our lives.

Read again, the relaxed attitude Christ saw in the people of Noah and Lot's time. Luke 17:27: "They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded." The people were engrossed in their worldly pursuits and pleasures. These are people that have been lulled to sleep by a false sense of security. They are not sufficiently concerned about what was just ahead for them. Their self-serving, material wealth has blinded them - just at it has done to our people today!

We find another of God's warning on this kind of activity in Deuteronomy 8. These self servers take credit for the things God has, through His power and might, given them. We see that it is the attitude of this peoples' heart to serve self and their desires, that causes them to not believe or pay any attention to the warnings of a coming end time judgment! Deuteronomy 8, verse11, begins with "beware." "Beware that you forget not the Lord your God, in not keeping His commandments, and His judgments, and His statutes, which I command you this day: lest when you have eaten and art full, and have built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; And when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold is multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; Then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage" (Deu. 8:11-13). And then in verses 17-20, "And you say in your heart, my power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But you shalt remember the Lord your God: for it is He that giveth you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swear unto your fathers, as it is this day. And it shall be, if you do at all forget the Lord your God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish. As the nations which the Lord destroyed before your face, so shall you perish; because you would not be obedient unto the voice of the Lord your God."

Listen to the wisdom and understanding of Abraham Lincoln: "We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven. We have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity, we have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched, and strengthened us. And we vainly imagined in the deceptiveness of our own hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom or virtue of our own. Intoxicated by unbroken success, we have become too self sufficient to feel the necessity of grace. To proud to pray to the God that made us. It behooves us then to humble ourselves before the offended power. Confess our national sins and to pray for Forgiveness." To that I say Amen!