SHAKING OF A NATION
INTRODUCTION
Shaking of a nation is to get the attention of those which have failed to recognize God as Creator and sustainer of life. It will be a harsh reality to those who have forsaken the righteousness of God and are walking in preconceived ways that are contrary to His Word. Scripture reveals: There is a way which seems right to a man but the end thereof are the ways of death (Proverbs 14:12).
When realization of the error of their way plays into focus, the Prophet Isaiah noted: They shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty, when he rises to shake terribly the earth (Isaiah 2:19), speaking how terrible the Day of the Lord will be.
It was noted that Isaiah’s warns his listeners to “run for cover” because of the coming judgment of the day of the Lord; a time of universal judgment resulting in the overthrow of all human government which shall collapse into the dust, thus urging his readers to trust in God.
Shaking of a Nation
Landslide Events
The Prophet Joel, in speaking the words of the Lord, noted a different outlook towards God’s people: The Lord shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake; but the Lord will be the hope (shelter) of his people (Joel 3:16). Jesus, in speaking of the Day of the Lord, said: Then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, nor ever shall be (Matthew 24:21).
Shaking of a nation, or nations, will see a landslide of events unfolding that will be difficult to comprehend or explain. The Prophet Joel, in speaking the words of the Lord, revealed there will be multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision; for the Day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision (Joel 3:14).
It was noted that the valley of decision is not one where the multitudes are in the midst of making a decision in favor of the Lord and repenting of their sin; rather, the decision is made by God, a decision to judge the multitudes.
Traits of the Ungodly
Shaking of a nation will become a reality to those who have forsaken the handiwork of God’s creation; having rejected His guidance and allowing the traits of the ungodly to take root and dominate the land. A display of Christianity may still be prevalent; but lack the power and demonstration of God’s Spirit that once prevailed, with many having come to a place of acceptance, rather than rejection, of the deceptive practices of the ungodly.
There is a possibility that such nations may fall under the prophecy of Babylon, spoken of in the Book of Revelations, as recorded by Apostle John: I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power (authority); and the earth was lightened (illuminated) with his glory; and he cried (cried out) mightily with a strong (loud) voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils (demons), and the hold of every foul spirit (Revelation 18:1-2).
Shaking of a nation will be a result of those who are found as in the pre-Food days of Noah, Sodom and Gomorrah, and Babylon the hold of every foul spirit; all of which were judged with God’s destruction.
Pre-Flood Days of Noah
Jesus revealed: As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man (referring to Jesus’ return). 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 (except those in the ark of safety) (Luke 16:26-27). It was noted that life went on and people ignored Noah’s warnings; with judgment falling as previously warned.
Apostle Peter wrote: God spared not the old world (pre-Flood days of Noah), but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly (2 Peter 2:5). The shaking of a nation is no different; as long as it persists in its ungodly ways; despite warnings sent by God to heed His Word and the fate of those who oppose it.
Sodom and Gomorrah
Jesus wrote: As it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they brought, they sold, they planted, they built; but the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even so shall it be in the days when the Son of man is revealed (Jesus’ return) (Luke 17:28-30). It was noted that apathy in the world at large must no dull one’s diligence in expecting deliverance and the world’s judgment.
Apostle Peter wrote: God turned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemning them with an overthrow (destruction), making them an example to those that after (afterward) should live ungodly; and delivered just Lot, vexed (oppressed) with the filthy conversation (conduct) of the wicked (2 Peter 2:6-7). It is unfortunate that the ungodly characteristic of Sodom and Gomorrah is flourishing; despite God’s destruction upon those cities as a warning towards others following the same path.
Future Judgment of God
Apostle Peter wrote of a future judgment of God: Whereby the world that then was (pre-Flood days of Noah), being overflowed with water, perished; but the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word (judgment of God) are kept in store, reserved by fire against (until) the Day of Judgment and perdition (destruction) of ungodly men (2 Peter 3:6-7).
Peter then identifies the reason such has been held in abeyance: The Lord is not slack concerning his promise (destruction of the ungodly); but is longsuffering toward us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (realize the error of their way) (2 Peter 3:9).
Thief in the Night
Judgment comes forth when all other avenues towards saving of the soul are exhausted. Apostle Peter wrote: The Day of the Lord (return of Christ in judgment) will come as a thief in the night (totally unexpected by some); in which the heavens and the earth shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that therein shall be burned up (2 Peter 3:10.
Peter then made an appeal: Seeing that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in all holy conversation (conduct) and godliness (2 Peter 3:11). Beware lest you also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness; but grow in the grace, and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:17).
Promise to Believers
Apostle Peter wrote: Nevertheless we (believers in Christ), according to His (God’s) promise, look for a new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness (God’s intent for mankind). Wherefore, seeing that you look for such things, be diligent that you may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless (2 Peter 3:13-14).
God always gives encouragement towards salvation of the soul; rather than shaking of a nation, or future judgment, unless it becomes necessary due to the ungodliness of man reigning without remorse or repentance.
Attractions and Influences
In reference to the shaking of a nation; due to attractions and influences, it was noted: The spirit of man is more important than mere physical strength and the spiritual fiber of a nation than its wealth (Dwight D. Eisenhower). If we ever forget that we are one nation under God then we will be nation gone under (Ronald Reagan).
We have forgotten Son, we have forgotten the gracious hand that preserved as in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthen us, as if they were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, to proud to pray to the God that made us (Abraham Lincoln).
The things which will destroy us are: Politics without principle; pleasure without conscience; wealth without work; knowledge without character; business without morality; science without humanity; and worship without sacrifice (Author Unknown).
Appeasement and Promotion
Shaking of a nation is not a popular message; but an awakening is needed; in nations that have walked away from God, with ungodliness being allowed to flourish in the land, without reproach? Where are the men of God who are willing to stand in the gap for the land; that God’s judgment not be unleashed, as in the case of Nineveh, after hearing a God-sent warning, pronounced by the Prophet Jonah, with a result of repentance rather than God’s wrath being carried out.
Are we witnessing appeasement rather than sounding the alarm; promotion rather than condemnation? Will the shaking of a nation, or nations, be the end result for man’s failure to adhere to the Unadulterated (Pure) Word of God? Or will they adhere to the words of God to King Solomon: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14)?
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