by R. L. Morrison

Our country has been described many times by many people as the greatest nation the world has ever known. It may be, or perhaps it might have been at some time in the past. Many of the things that made it great are no longer considered to be of value to many people today. The constitution and the bill of rights undoubtedly helped to make the nation what it was as well as what it is today. However, it seems that many think these documents are so old and so out-dated, they should be abolished, or at least drastically changed. We are living in trying times, but it is to be doubted that these are the darkest days in American history. Hopefully, right will prevail, and many of the problems which confront those in authority, as well as all the people, will be overcome, and the people of America will continue to enjoy the freedoms and privileges to which we are and have been accustomed.

However, great nations have existed in the past and have been overthrown. Some have completely disappeared, while others continue, but in a much smaller scale than previously. In the majority of cases, the destruction was not altogether from outside sources. First, there had to be internal problems, which so weakened the people and the government that the nation became an easy prey for the aggressor. The great problem of our nation today, is not from without, but from decay within.

Gibbon, the great historian, who wrote The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire, gave five reasons for the fall of that great nation. They follow; but consider each one of them, and compare them to the conditions that exist in the United States of America today. It has been said that history repeats itself, which is probably true. Is it about to do so, in so far as we are concerned as a nation? What think ye?

1. The rapid increase of divorce, with the undermining of the sanctity of the home, which is the basis of society.

2. Higher and higher taxes, the spending of public money for bread and celebration.

3. The mad craze for pleasure, sports becoming every year more exciting and more brutal.

4. The building of gigantic armaments, when the real enemy was within, the decadence of the people.

5. The decay of religion; faith fading into mere form (losing touch and becoming impotent to guide it.)

Think briefly about each of these as they exist in our country today. Surely there are few, if any, who are unaware of these conditions in our country.

1. Divorce. Probably two of three, perhaps three of four marriages end in divorce. It can be for any cause, or even no cause, except the desire for a divorce. The home, family, and home life, means nothing to the majority of people.

2. Although those who desire to become officials in government, as well as many who already are, say "No new taxes", taxes continue to rise. And the law that requires the new tax is very seldom, if ever, changed, except to increase the tax rate. For example: During World War II, a tax was put on telephones, added to the monthly bill. It was specifically stated that this tax was only for the duration of the war. That war ended in 1945, but we still pay the tax. Tax money, the people's money, which should be spent to improve conditions in our own country, is given by millions and billions of dollars to other nations, who are continually asking for more.

3. Sports are on the increase, although it may be difficult to recognize. And they do, some at least, become more brutal year after year. Millions of people in our country can hardly wait for "football season". But many of the duties and responsibilities of daily life take a "back seat" for the game on TV, or get lost with the mob on the way to the stadium. This is also the occasion for much gambling, although many states make legal arrangements for that. According to some newspapers, an estimated three billion dollars was wagered on the outcome of Superbowl 27, January 1993. Yet, many Americans are hungry and homeless.

4. Billions of dollars have been invested and part of it spent to wage wars in which the USA had absolutely no business or responsibility. This money, spent in this country to build or repair bridges and highways, or other things for which the government is responsible, would have made a great difference in the internal situation that exists today. The majority of the money spent to make war is a total loss, if not in dollars then in the huge amount of supplies and equipment left behind when the "men" came home. However, the internal need continues to grow day by day and little is done about it.

5. The decay of religion can be easily seen by anyone who is not looking the other way. When religious organizations organize congregations for lesbians and homosexuals, they give their approval to that evil and ungodliness. They, in so doing, call evil good, and call good evil. They claim to believe the Bible, but it condemns such practices as these in no uncertain terms. It is stated so clearly one needs help to misunderstand it. And, closely related to this evil, is the practice of abortion, which is simply murder. Many groups and organizations and no small number of churches support it. The Supreme Court, which has no authority to MAKE law, handed down a decision that has become law. They decided that the mother-to-be has the choice and the right to choose to destroy the child within her body. The government has also agreed that the murder of the unborn child is perfectly permissible, and will be responsible in many cases, by paying the expense of the abortion. We are told that some one and a half million abortions are performed in this country each year, and that number will probably increase with passing time.

On our money, we read "In God We Trust", but we really do not do so. The majority live as though they think God does not exist. And those who make our laws are not following righteousness, but rather seeking to fulfill the lusts and desires of the flesh. So it was with ancient Rome!

If these reasons brought about the fall of the great Roman Empire, why should one have reason to believe they will not bring about the fall of the great nation in which we live, the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA?

Now, let us consider some things the Bible teaches which we do not hear discussed or even mentioned, often. Any student of the Old Testament knows that God selected kings or men to rule over various and different countries, not only Israel, but other nations also. Examples of this are found in the book of Daniel, an Old Testament prophet. It also can be easily understood that God also raised up the nations themselves. In explaining the dream of Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, Daniel said the image seen in the dream represented four great nations. That this prophecy was fulfilled is borne out by the Bible and secular history as well. Babylon was the first of them. But the king became proud and gloried in self, forgetting that God had given him the kingdom and its glory. A voice from heaven said to him, "The kingdom is departed from thee." In Daniel 4:32, we read: "And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee UNTIL THOU KNOW THAT THE MOST HIGH RULER IN THE KINGDOMS OF MEN AND GIVETH IT TO WHOMSOEVER HE WILL."

Many great nations have come into existence since that time, and have vanished. For example: At one time the British empire could claim, "The sun never sets on British soil." But Britain today is only a "shadow" compared to what it once was. This is not to say that God destroyed the nation, but the Bible also teaches that the nation that forgets God will not long endure.

We should be willing to carefully consider our own country. We have many problems, some of which are caused by, well, let's say "Calling evil good and good evil." This can and will destroy any nation, and ours is not excluded.