Trust Jesus Christ, Not Your Government
There can be no doubt that America is God's modern Israel. Even though it is not assented to, nor recognized by many Americans, the fact that we are the "covenant people" explains why the American "civil religion" is based on the national laws God gave to ancient Israel. It also explains the phenomenal growth and prosperity of America, which has long baffled historians and economists the world over. This growth and prosperity also results because, until recent years, Americans have concurred with William Penn's statements, "Government seems to me a part of religion itself, a thing sacred in its institution and end." That government is as much an institution of God as is the church is proven by the fact that Jehovah organized the government of ancient Israel and gave her her laws. That this concept was recognized by early American statesmen is brought out by Benjamin Franklin's statement that "God governs in the affairs of men," and ". . . is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?" Jehovah gave His reasons for the governmental table of organization and His laws in the 30th chapter of Deuteronomy. Speaking of the time after Israel's regathering He said, . . .the LORD will again rejoice over you for good as He rejoiced over your fathers if you shall hearken to the voice of the LORD your God, to keep His commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if you turn unto the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul. For this commandment which I command you this day, it is not hidden from you, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, Who will go up for us to heaven, and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it? Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it to us, that we may hear it, and do it. But the word is very near to you, in your mouth, and in your heart, that you should do it. See, I have set before you this day life and good, and death and evil. We have a choice laid out for us—obey God's laws for life and good or disobey to reap death and evil. This choice is spelled out in the Bible, which is in nearly every American home. We need no further revelation from heaven; neither need we import foreign systems. Every man, woman, and child residing in America should be requited to commit to memory the ten commandments, for they are the national constitution that God delivered to our ancient forefathers and are the basis for every statute and law. They are neatly summed up in the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you," or as Scripture puts it, And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise (Luke 6:31, Matt. 7:12). That rule in itself would go far toward eliminating crime in our land. Presidential candidates speak often of reorganization of the executive branch of the government. This is much needed, as is also a reorganization of state and city governments. They are all top-heavy with public employees; and bureaucratic power is excessive. Under Divine law only about one person in fifty was a public employee, excluding elected officials, judges, and the armed forces. What is the ratio today? Neither does Divine law permit government to meddle in the economy or to issue multifarious rules and regulations on business and agriculture. It gives a few basic guidelines, which are not roadblocks to prosperity as are so many of the present government regulations. With the removal of unnecessary and restrictive regulations, there would be little unemployment and much less need for direct welfare. Congress, state legislatures, county commissioners, and city councils are not permitted to make laws but only to administer the Divine law and interpret it to fit changing conditions. Divine laws are statements of principles, and those principles must never be violated. The energy shortages—gasoline, natural gas, and electricity—are all the results of the mishandling of the nation's natural resources. This shortage has come about by ignorance of, or presumptuous violation of, the Divine laws governing those resources. Had the government retained ownership of those vital products and handled them for the benefit of all the people, there would be no shortages. There can be no doubt that the severe winter of 1976-77 was a direct judgment of God on the land for the violation of His laws on these matters. All the resulting curtailment of industry and transportation, with the laying off of workers and the ensuing shortages of food and other commodities, was the rod of God to bring His people into conformity with His law. America has violated Divinely-given scientific principles and is now suffering the consequences. It is gratifying to note that many people have called for, and are engaging in, prayer sessions to seek Divine mercy and intervention in the weather pattern. However, let all take note that God has said, He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law (of God), even his prayer shall be abomination (Prov. 28:9). So praying is not enough; obedience to His laws is also required. Agricultural practices also affect the weather. God's law calls for all farm land in the nation to lie idle every seventh year. This practice in itself preserves and replenishes reservoir and ground-water supplies. The failure to observe this natural law brought God's judgment in the "dust bowl" of the 1930's. It also accounts for the drought in California in 1975-76-77 and the resulting severe water shortage, as well as the fall and winter drought of 1976-77 in Oregon, Washington, and the upper plains states. God has told us that when we obey His laws, He will take direct action to give us rain in due season. This includes snow in the mountains in due season also. Conversely it means that if we are in violation of His laws, He will withhold this vital precipitation. We have experienced His wrath in these matters; how much chastisement will Americans take before they obey? These things are undeniable proof that God's laws are in operation and that we are in violation of them. Neither have Israelites in Europe escaped God's judgment in these matters. England recently suffered the worst drought in 500 years, and it extended into other Christian European nations. Our economy is suffering because of other violations. The President has called for tax cuts, tax refunds, and other tax breaks to spur the economy. Of course, the big culprit depressing the economic life of the country is the usury charge. That is the real roadblock to full employment and prosperity. The amount of usury paid each year by government, business, and individuals is far more than the amount involved in all the tax cuts, rebates, and tax breaks to industry, business, and individuals, the make-work programs, the subsidies to industry, business, and agriculture, home loans and other government-help projects. Eliminate usury, and all these tax breaks, rebates, subsidies, and help programs fade away, unneeded, and there would be a surplus besides. When free enterprise is loosed from the shackles of usury it will demonstrate to the World the grave error and injustice of socialistic and welfare-state policies and show them up as dampers on prosperity. Then the straight ten-percent income tax will be more than sufficient to pay all the nation's legitimate expenses; and government can forget its economic worries and spend full time governing instead of spending the taxpayers' money stemming unemployment and assuaging hunger. Then will government, on all levels, have time and resources to take care of the crime problem. Under these improved conditions criminal activity will have abated in great measure without government action. Of course there will continue to be a measure of crime so long as morality remains at a low ebb. Some criminals are made; some are born, as was explained in the chapter on Capital Punishment. As added evidence of this consider the following clipping from the Oregon Statesman for February 2, 1977.
In conclusion, consider this statement by the prophet Moses, through whom God gave us His law, But it shall come to pass, if you will not hearken unto the voice of the LORD your God to observe to do all His commandments and His statutes which I command you this day; that all these curses shall come upon you and overtake you (Deut. 28:15). Now notice that Moses was speaking of the law for the government of the nation. Look up the word "statute" in your dictionary. Moses listed the curses that would come upon Israel for transgression. They include big-city blight, air pollution, destruction of farm land, pests, fruit and grain blight, high taxes, our wealth given to enemies, violence in the streets, diseases, birth defects, immorality, youth rebellion, inter-racial marriages, hatred by other nations, military defeat, massive debts and usury, enemy infiltration into our government, and finally enemy (communist) invasion (Deut. 28:15-44). God said to our Fathers, You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities (Amos 3:2). But God's judgments on America-Israel are for our correction, For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth (Hebrews 12: 6 ). God calls Israel, My son, even My firstborn (Exodus 4:22, Jeremiah 31:9). The chastising will grow worse until we humble ourselves, and pray, and seek God's face (His Word and His Salvation), and turn from our wicked ways (quit transgressing His Laws). When we turn and repent, then God will hear from heaven, and forgive our sin, and will heal our nation. America will not be destroyed; America is God's Covenant Nation. America will heed the call of Jesus Christ, Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
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