(There is a special message at the end of this article for those who might happen to read this and do not have Jesus in their life and are looking for peace and a way to better understand the present-day insanity and confusion.)

Recorded in God’s Word is an account of the command by the Lord to the Hebrews to annihilate the nations that dwelled in the land of Canaan. There was to be no mercy shown to humans, animals, or even property (Deuteronomy 7:1-2).

Why was this so, and what was God’s purpose in it?

It is a question often asked.

It is a question often used as an attempt to impugn the Character of God.

It is a question often used to attempt to separate the Old Testament from the New.

Most sadly, it is often used as an excuse to avoid considering one’s own sins, which ultimately results in the rejection of one’s own salvation.

Are these questions being used as excuses to deny God and His Righteous attitude toward the proliferation of sin? If so, depending on the spirit in which they are asked, they can be very dangerous questions with serious consequences, or if asked honestly and respectfully, they can have positive consequences. I pray for the latter.

America was initially founded as a Christian nation. An honest study of our early history indicates that a majority of the people who traveled to America did so at great (and many times terminal) risk to themselves for the clearly stated purpose of founding a nation where the worship of Jesus Christ could be conducted without persecution. The Pilgrims, followed by the Puritans, were those most largely understood to be these “pioneers” in the historical record.

A reading of an unaltered and unedited copy of the original Mayflower Compact confirms the motive for their willingness to endure the kinds of hardships that we, in this modern era, cannot begin to comprehend.

If you do decide to read this amazing declaration, don’t read the modern-day re-writes, as most of them have been watered down, and mention of Jesus Christ is MIA.

Some will no doubt point to the indigenous peoples already inhabiting the continent and point out that they were robbed of their land. There is some truth to that statement, to be sure. Why did God allow this? True study of honestly recorded history will illustrate three important factors that bear on the reality of these indigenous peoples.

1. They had practiced the art of cruelty and warfare long before the advent of the (so-called) white Europeans.
2. They created and worshiped multiple gods, including the natural world, and assigned spiritual powers to animals, etc. Commonly referred to as Polytheism or Pantheism.

In short, they, like every other living soul on earth, were unsaved sinners and lost without Christ.

3. God brought the Gospel to North America, and as a result, many, many of these indigenous peoples came to salvation in Christ who would otherwise never have heard the Gospel and received Jesus as Savior. This actuality is additional evidence of God’s Mercy and Grace.

There were unbelievers as well in the history of America’s founders, and, of course, everyone, without exception, is a sinner.

There were sinners then; there are sinners now.

Syncretism (the blending of different beliefs) and outright paganism, as well as other influences that were integrated into the God-breathed Scriptures, eroded the foundation upon which America was initially founded.

On September 17, 1787, 38 delegates signed what would become the birth certificate of America in its infancy as well as the foundation of the new country’s laws.

The Constitution itself was based on principles, precepts, and laws found in the Word of God and, as pointed out by founder John Adams:

“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

“Blessed are the people whose God is the LORD” (Psalm 144:15b).

However, the yeast had already been added to the dough that would become America and was, even then, working its way throughout the land.

“A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough” (Galatians 5:9).

Yeast, in the Word of God, is interpreted to indicate the presence of sin.

In many cases, the growing evil influences were so gradual that they went unnoticed for a time until some event brought them to the surface.

Revivals both before and after the creation of the Constitution, as well as very outspoken and uncompromising preachers, helped to stem the tide, but it was sporadic and only delayed the evil that continued to grow.

Still, America sent out many missionaries all over the world and was, for a long time, the leader in promoting worldwide evangelism and the spreading of the Gospel.

As well, America heeded God’s council and instantly gave official recognition to the newly revived (reborn) state of Israel on May 14, 1948, amidst a great deal of opposition.

“I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3).

Eventually, evil and the sin it feeds on grew, contributing to moral compromise and lowered societal standards.

Along came the 1960s, and evil went supersonic with the help of Congress.

Rejection of God and removal of the teaching of the Bible from American schools hastened the rotting of the underpinnings of America.

“Legalizing” abortion was another giant step in setting America up for a fall.

“These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood,
A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil,
A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren”
(Proverbs 6:16-19) Emphasis added by me

It’s been all downhill from there.

Some will argue that America is still the most powerful nation in the world.

In worldly terms, that (at the moment) is true in terms of money and material wealth, but like carpenter ants slowly destroy the foundation of even the largest building, so the moral foundation of this country has been irrevocably eroded and weakened.

The level of sin in this country and exported by this country is frightful.

It cannot go unanswered by a Holy and Righteous God, and it certainly won’t.

And the Creator God of the Bible is The Holy and Righteous One.

God commanded the complete destruction of everything associated with the land of Canaan because its sin had reached the point where there was no longer any remedy. Sin had worked its way through the entire population and culture, even to the animals and physical possessions.

God knew that they had reached the point where there was no cure.

Has that point been reached here in “The Land of The Free”?

We don’t really know, but it is obvious to anyone who can blush that it is indeed very far along.

“Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed, Nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; In the time of their punishment They shall be cast down,” says the LORD” (Jeremiah 8:12).

This warning from God was written to the Hebrews in the day Jeremiah wrote it, but the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is the only God there is, and the whole world will answer to Him. As God makes clear in Psalm 50 verse 12b, the world and everything in it is His.

“An oracle is in my heart regarding the transgression of the wicked man:
There is no fear of God before his eyes.
For his eyes are too full of conceit to detect or hate his own sin.
The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and well-doing. Even on his bed he plots wickedness; he sets himself on a path that is not good; he fails to reject evil” (Psalms 36:1-4).

There is a certain sadness in the heart of God in the above Psalm. Can you feel it?

Now to the crux of this article

After the November 2022 mid-term “elections” took place, there were many results that had yet to be resolved, several places, “key states,” to be fought over. Much hinged on these results, and there is ample evidence that, much like the 2020 “elections,” skullduggery and unethical manipulation is/has/will take place. I am hopeful that they have been/can be resolved on the basis of the actual, factual, honest truth.

I am hopeful, but I am not confident. Truth is not trending upward in these days.

However, there is still a problem that the results, even if resolved, cannot repair.

America will still have heart trouble.

There are not enough righteous people in power to fix the spiritual morass that has been allowed to develop like a cancer in our society. I believe it is at stage 4.

There are far too many people who put their trust in politicians instead of the Eternal, Unchanging God. They bow down to man-made idols made of gold and silver.

Stop and consider that, not all that long ago, when Congress was controlled by a Republican “supermajority,” what happened to reverse the slide into debauchery that has been present in the “unseen underside” of this country?

Nothing. And the “unseen underside” is no longer either unseen or the underside.

Except for the pursuit of power and money. That is still ops normal. How much money is enough?

More, so the joke goes. But it is not a joke in practice.

I don’t believe the transmission in the vehicle called America has a reverse gear.

The “unseen underside” also is not hidden from God.

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13).

It is very clear that there are many who try to delay the inevitable by saying they don’t believe in God, as if that could somehow resolve their problem. It will not, but it certainly creates new ones.

God’s Word has already addressed that as well, 700 years before Jesus was born.

“Woe to those who drag iniquity with the cords of falsehood, And sin as if with cart ropes; Who say, ‘Let Him make speed, let Him hasten His work, that we may see it; And let the purpose of the Holy One of Israel draw near And come to pass, that we may know it!” (Isaiah 5:18-19).

This attitude toward the living God still prevails today, and it will not go unanswered.

In the meantime, there is still, by His Grace, a chance to repent, but that window is likely going to close very soon.

Previously fulfilled Bible prophecy is all the proof that is needed.

It is the Signature of God.

“Put no more trust in man, who has only the breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he?” (Isaiah 2:22).

The special message I promised you:

For anyone who may read this article and has not trusted in Jesus Christ and therefore has no hope or peace in your life:

You can have hope. You can have the peace that Jesus has promised to all who have made Him their Lord and Savior. The peace that passes understanding.

It requires that you come before God on His terms.

And, what are His terms according to His Word?

• Genuine repentance (turning to God instead of continuing to reject or ignore Him).
• Confession of sins (that you are a sinner and acknowledge that to God).
• That you understand that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).
• To acknowledge to God that you are unable to pay that debt.
• Belief that Jesus Christ paid your death sentence for you on the cross.
• To believe that Jesus is the Way, the only Way, that God has established by which humans may be saved from the consequences of their sin and rebellion.

God has made it absolutely clear that there is no one who comes before Him, under His terms, that will be refused.

• No one: no race, no color, no country of origin, regardless of any previous belief system: no one.
• No matter what your past sins have been, God can and WILL forgive you because He says He will.
• Salvation is available to everyone without any exceptions.

If you put all your trust for salvation in Jesus, and Him only, you can follow that prayer up by simply saying, “Thank you, Father God, for hearing my prayer and saving me,” because we can trust Him to keep His Word. He always has. He always will.

“Truly, Truly, I say to you that he who hears My words and believes the One who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned. He has crossed from death to life” (John 5:24).

There are no answers and there is no hope in the world by governments, organizations, politics or politicians. There are only lies and deception. But you can have the Truth and the peace you seek.

The answers are in the Word of God—The Bible. If you ask God with all your heart, He will hear you.

“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).

Pro Salvator Vigilans

To contact me: canoeman96@gmail.com

Matthew 24:6-8; “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of the birth pains.” Luke 21:17; “You will be hated by all for My name’s sake.” Luke 21:28; “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (ESV – all emphasis mine)

Taking a look at what is happening in the world today, we have a clear picture of 2 Timothy 3:1-5; “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.”

All the above is as if we are watching worldwide events today rather than them being prophesied about almost 2,000 years ago. Every one of the listed bad traits is commonplace in today’s world. The very last line – “Avoid such people” – is great advice; however, this is next to impossible to accomplish.

Evil is coming out of the closet as never before. There have always been those who would rather serve Satan and enjoy all the so-called pleasures this world offers here and right now. Our Savior never has been surprised about this and even talks about the two pathways in Matthew 7:13-14. We are just about at the end of this age right now.

As long as a person has not taken their last breath on this earth, they still have not sinned so badly that they cannot be forgiven. The absolute unforgivable sin today is to leave this earth without Jesus as their Savior. The two thieves that were crucified with Jesus were examples of the only two ways that we have. The one thief ridiculed the Savior, and I firmly believe he did not know just who Jesus was. He neither asked for nor received forgiveness from the Savior. The other thief realized that the person next to him was totally different than they were. He came to believe that this person was the Messiah and could actually save him. Not from earthly death, but from eternity in hell (Luke 23:39-43). That thief’s soul was with Jesus in paradise that very day, just as Jesus promised.

As for the unrepentant thief, his outcome would be the same as the message given in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. When the rich man died, his soul was instantly in Hades, which is a holding place for all who will be judged at the Great White Throne. They are and will be in torment already and will know immediately they made a terrible judgment call. The first to occupy the actual lake of fire will be the tribulation antichrist and the false prophet, as given in Revelation 19:20.

At the end of the millennial reign of Jesus on this earth, Satan, who will have been bound for those 1,000 years, will be released for a “little while” (Revelation 20:3). He will be allowed one last campaign against Jesus, in which he will fail miserably, along with all who had turned to him. Satan will be the third occupant of hell (Revelation 20:10), followed by all from the beginning of this earth to the last day, when they will go before the white throne (Revelation 20:11-15).

All who were out of the will of God from Eden to the cross and all who rejected Jesus from the cross to the end of the millennial reign will be in that judgment. It will not be to see if they are condemned, as everyone there will go into the Lake of Fire made specifically for Satan and his followers (Matthew 25:41). They will be in that line to be told of their individual degree of punishment that they will be subjected to forever. There will be no pardons or reduced sentences, as all judgments are final.

Some may say that if God is such a loving deity, how could He “send” someone to eternal torment? The point here is that our Father has given us everything we need to make a decision to choose the right path (Romans 10:9-13). He allows everyone to make their own decision as to where they will spend their forever. He will never force anyone to accept the gift that was given by our Savior but will accept all who will call on Him to be saved.

There will be another judgment when we leave this earth, which will be the Judgment Seat of Christ. That is found in 2 Corinthians 5:10. “For we must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” This judgment is for all who were true believers and had been in the will of God prior to the crucifixion and all who had received and accepted the Savior from Calvary to the end of this earth. Everyone there will spend eternity in Heaven with the Savior but will lose or gain rewards at that Judgment.

Saved or unsaved, we are all sinners and will be until we are transformed into our new bodies and new mindset after going to be with Jesus. Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23, and Romans 6:23 are very specific about this. There was only one “human” to ever live on this earth or ever will live on this earth that was completely sinless, and He is the one who has shed His precious blood so we could have an eternal home with Him. For believers, when we sin, we have the promise of 1 John 1:8-10, that if we confess our sins and ask forgiveness, the Father will do so. This does not give us license to just keep on sinning to take advantage of His good will. This will go along with the “lose or gain” rewards, as mentioned above.

One thing I have a problem with is how anyone can reject the Savior. Hank Williams wrote over 160 songs before he died at the age of 29 (9/17/23 – 1/1/53). One of them is called “How Can You Refuse Him Now?” It’s a very simple song that shows that our Savior never gave up on us, and we need to call on Him to Save us now.

(ref) How can you refuse Him now? How can you refuse Him now? How can you turn away from His side? With tears in His eyes, on the cross there He died; how can you refuse Jesus now?

1.) There’s a story old that has often been told of how our Savior died. As they nailed His hands, He cried, “They don’t understand,” as the blood flowed from His side. (ref)

2.) As He hung there on the tree, He prayed for you and me; there was no one His pain to ease. Before He died, He faintly cried, “Father, forgive them, please.” (ref)

What it all comes down to is a person believing in and receiving and accepting Jesus or deciding this world has all they would ever need or want. I have actually heard people say that Jesus is a myth or that He really isn’t God but was just another prophet of old. Some have said that all “gods” are the same and all religions worship the same god.

Taking just a moment right now, think of eternity; where do you want to spend yours? There are only two choices, no matter what any false prophet may tell you, and each person must decide for themselves.

First, one has to decide if they believe that the true translations of the Bible are actually the Holy Word of the Father. There are some faux bibles that have been “tweaked” to fit human wishes. The actual true words were given to Holy Spirit-inspired writers and are not man’s own words.

To be sure, do not take anyone’s word for what they say is in the Bible. Read the passages for yourself. Just reading a chapter or two a day is invaluable. If you’ve never read the Bible before, I would recommend reading the book of John first, followed by the book of Romans.

No matter what, decide who you’re going to serve, Jesus or Satan. There are no other options. Our Savior is waiting for your decision and your call. He shed His precious blood on a cruel cross for all of our souls. “How Can You Refuse Him Now?”

Hope to see you at Home soon.

Maranatha – Come, Lord Jesus!

huebshman46@gmail.com