Do the ancient kings of Israel and Judah give us pause for thought in our modern world? The nations of Israel and Judah were blessed when they had righteous leadership. But the people of God were cursed when they had ungodly and pagan leadership leading the population astray. Times of righteousness versus times of sin often went in near 40-year cycles. How does this relate to us today? Should you and I be concerned?

Cause for Much Concern

We are becoming much less a Christian nation, and our national leadership reflects that. Our president, Barack Obama, continues long-held “Christian” traditions (such as the national day of prayer and the Easter egg roll), but he also gives honor to other religions as if they are equal to Christianity, all while advocating gay marriage and abortion rights. The U.S. was founded upon Judeo-Christian principles stemming from our ancient father, Abraham, and his son Isaac. In contrast, even self-identifying Christians today disregard the Ten Commandments and God’s other laws, not to mention the world’s other false religions. Yes, there is cause for much concern. Ever more, at every level, these false religions with their false moral foundations are creeping into American society.

Kings Who Do Not Know God

The sons of Joseph today have a leader who does not respect the law of God. He would do well “when he sits on the throne of his kingdom…[to] write for himself a copy of [God’s] law in a book” (Deuteronomy 17:18). We don’t see too much of that happening in government circles right now!

How about in other countries? How is their leadership doing? Not any better. Reuters reporter Belinda Goldsmith wrote that “Church of England clergy would be able to ‘bless’ same-sex relationships under long-awaited proposals unveiled…as the church adopts a more open—but disputed—approach to homosexuality” (“Church Of England Proposes Gay Marriage ‘Blessings,’” Nov. 28, 2013).

But it’s not just the UK or the USA: Australia’s previous Prime Minister, Julia Guillard, lives in cohabitation with her partner. She is not married.

International Affairs

Concerning international affairs, what is the state of the world in which we live? From Iran’s nuclear intentions to Syria’s prolonged civil war to Egypt’s teetering condition to China’s agitation of Japan to Ukraine’s economic pact with Russia, it’s a powder-keg ready to explode at short notice.

It All Can Be Taken Away!

Notice an interesting passage from the time of Hezekiah in 2 Kings 20:12-17 (emphasis mine):

“At that time Berodach-Baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that Hezekiah had been sick. And Hezekiah was attentive to them, and showed them all the house of his treasures—the silver and gold, the spices and precious ointment, and all his armory—all that was found among his treasures…Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah, and said to him, ‘What did these men say, and from where did they come to you?’ So Hezekiah said, ‘They came from a far country, from Babylon.” And he said, ‘What have they seen in your house?’ So Hezekiah answered, ‘They have seen all that is in my house; there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shown them.’ Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, ‘Hear the word of the Lord: “Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and what your fathers have accumulated until this day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left,” says the Lord.’”

Surely we can see the parallel today! Hezekiah was a righteous king, but his sons went astray into idolatry and God fulfilled His prophecy. The sons of Joseph—and in particular the United States of America—have great wealth and treasure in their storehouses. These nations had a biblical foundation at one time. But because of ever increasing corrupt kingship, immorality and pagan worship, it will all be taken away unless our nations repent of their sins.

A modern Babylon will lay siege on all that we have. The parallel is sobering.

Serious Business

We must continue to have a sense of urgency in the work we are doing as God’s people in this end-time age. Do we fully appreciate that in which we are involved? No matter how simple the task, we are part of a work that has eternal consequences. Of the billions of people alive today we are among the blessed few to understand where we stand in all of human history, and what is about to happen.

Keep this in mind each day. We are part of a very serious business. The powder keg that is the world is close to exploding. Don’t underestimate the times in which we live. The fruit is growing on the trees of destruction.

Stay alert. Be watchful. Stay close to God and Jesus Christ. Each day when you wake up remember what you’re a part of. We preach the good news of a new age to come under the rulership of Christ and His saints. As you go about your daily work, your schoolwork, your chores, your business: Keep in mind the importance of our work on God’s behalf.  UN