AMERICA ---"BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL FOR THEY SHALL OBTAIN MERCY." Why Judgment is Coming Upon America and . . . ---"America in Critical Condition---- But too Young to Die!"

By Scott MacLeod Email: SCOTTMAC7@aol.com

"MERCY MELTS THE ICEBERG"

Well, it has happened again. On the afternoon of the 29th of July another horrific mass murder has struck our nation. This one, which occurred just a few days ago in Atlanta's business and investment section, has again stunned our nation. A day trader named Mark O. Barton, carrying two hand guns, opened fire on employees and customers in two investment groups. We ask ourselves, "Why?" How could a man purposely take the lives of so many (13 people died, and 12 wounded) including the lives of his own wife and children? It would be easy to ignore and quickly try to forget this terrible incident, but I believe that there is a real message and warning for us in it if we are willing to look and see.

(Then again, the day after I finished writing this piece, there was another shooting in Los Angeles at The North Valley Jewish Community Center. A man shot over thirty rounds into a Jewish children's day care and wounded five. This demonically inspired gunman said that his action is to be "a wake up call for America to start killing Jews").

To most of us, these gruesome and repulsive actions just don't make any sense; but in reality no sin makes sense. All sin, whether great or small, is rebelliously outside of the safe and pleasant boundaries that have been so graciously given to us by God. In the Bible is found God's standard for right and wrong. His Word contains laws and guidelines of good and wholesome conduct for human behavior. Many specific and detailed instructions are exquisitely communicated throughout the Word of God, and yet they all can be wrapped up in this one all-encompassing word - Love. Paul tells us that "Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." (Romans 13:10) Sin is the exact opposite of love, because sin does all its neighbors great harm.

Sin is the one great problem that we are facing today in America. "Sin" is the foundation for the vast complexity of vexatious troubles and pressures that are rapidly coming upon our nation. As a nation, we are swiftly entering into a very different season than we have ever seen before. God's Word tells us that in the last days "lawlessness will increase." In fact, the Antichrist himself, called "the man of lawlessness," I believe is actively establishing his worldwide domain in the earth today. As I prayed to the Lord about this recent increase of lawlessness and these heinous crimes (heinous -- means "hatefully or shockingly evil") that have been shaking the moral foundations of our nation, it was revealed to me that we are only seeing the "tip of the iceberg."

Our nation is about to hit a massive iceberg of "lawlessness." We are heading straight for it! If we continue on the course that we are on, we will soon begin to feel the fullness of that impact. If there is not dramatic change (repentance) primarily in the hearts and actions of God's people first, the impact of this iceberg could very well sink us as a nation as we have known it. The iceberg speaks of the condition of a multitude of human hearts -- grown cold.

Jesus clearly warns us of one of the signs of the last days in Matthew 24:12 - "Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold." This unrestrained spirit of lawlessness is inveterately entrenched in our society as well as in much of the church today. This ice berg of "cold-love" is already too hard to try chip away, too large to move, and in reality our society cannot change course quickly enough to miss it. The Lord has spoken to me that "Mercy can melt this iceberg." The only hope for America is God's mercy poured out of from the hearts of His people. The Lord is still looking for the "ten righteous" so that He can have a reason to withhold the fullness his terrible wrath and judgments on this nation. The Lord loves mercy!

This emerging young generation that has been labeled the "first post Christian generation" in America, is especially prone to this cold love and lawlessness. So many of today's youth, "the virtual generation," are shockingly desensitized to violence and crudeness, consumed in lust and immorality, and many have adapted an almost totally pagan philosophy of life. Much of this generation has been programmed and influenced more by the media and TV than reared by their own parents. There is a gaping spiritual, and therefore moral void in the youth of today, and Satan has been effectively filling in this vacuum with his subtle and yet insidious lies, with gross perversions and twisted ideologies. But Satan will not get the final say in this generation God is on the move!

AMERICA IN CRITICAL CONDITION But too Young to Die!

America right now leads the way in most nations in murders, abortion, teen suicides, inner city problems, and the productions of Hollywood and the pornography industry have absolutely polluted the nations. And yet we are still one of the wealthiest nations with one of the highest living standards. Go figure -- where do all these great problems stem from in a nation that has been given so much abundance and opportunity. The Lord spoke to me in one word the reason why His judgments are coming upon America - "SELFISHNESS." Selfishness, which takes on many forms, (greed, lust, the love of money and pleasures) is our root sin and the gateway by which all the wickedness of hell has been allowed to enter this great nation.

So many of God's people today have been trapped by, and are sinking in the same selfish quicksand that the world is. If were to be honest with ourselves for even a moment, we would see that much of the same values and selfish ambition that is in the world is in most of us -- a desire for position, power, opulence, entertainment, and the seeking the praises and recognition of men more than the praises of God. And to obtain this desired "worldly success" we, like the world, although cloaked in religion, are willing to compete with each other, and neglect others, and even step on people to achieve our misguided goals. Lord have mercy on us!

There are still many good and Godly people in this nation, but there is a terrifying epidemic of cold-love on the rise that is affecting each and every one of us. Cold-love, if it can be considered love at all, is rooted in self-gratification. This cold-hearted self-consuming epidemic is not just seen in these extreme violent and murderous cases that are on the rise, but is extremely evident in the average American's daily life. Selfishness, materialism, lust and greed have flooded all aspects of our "consumer" society. There is a growing concern for one's own welfare at the expense of, or in disregard of others.

This egotistic disposition is the exact opposite of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the selfless heart of our Lord Himself. "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." (1 John 3:16-18) John, after vividly depicting the Bible's definition of love, then asks the question, "how can the love of God even be in us," if we who have the power to help can coldly close off our hearts to a brother in need? We, who are in Christ, are all called to walk in an opposite spirit from the self-centered spirit of this world. We are called to be God-centered. We are called to walk in the spirit of Jesus - which, as we can see in the passage we just read above, is the spirit of sacrificial love.

"IN THIS god WE TRUST"

The title that you just read, "In This god We Trust," is a more accurate statement of where our nation is today than what is currently written on our money. Whether we can see it or not, the fact is that much, if not most, of this nation is serving and worshiping Mammon - the god of money. It is "the love of money" that is the root of all evil. We have become much like the Church of Ladeocea who said, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' Jesus tells us that this rich church had lost the reality of their true condition. "But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked." Even as a church, unless the Lord opens our eyes in advance, we may not see how much of our faith and security are resting on our riches -- until they are gone!

We must understand that the outward "mark of the Beast" that so many Christians fearfully disdain, first originates internally as a stain on the hearts of those who have loved the things of this world more than the things of God. "If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." (1 John 2:15) Unknowingly, in a myriad of different ways each day, we are making the choice of whom we are going to serve, the god of this world, or the God of Heaven. The mark of the beast has to do with commerce, and our ability to buy and sell; it therefore has everything to do with our worldly comforts, our lifestyles and our pocket books. But even more precisely, "the mark" has everything to do with where our hearts are. Jesus said, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21) We need to ask ourselves, "Are we more attached to our kingdom or to His Kingdom - is our allegiance really with God, or with the god of this world? Will we be marked by God or by Satan?"

King David wisely writes, "O LORD, by your hand save me from such men, from men of this world whose reward is in this life." (Psalm 17:14) David understood something that few of us in our day seem to understand. He understood that all "men of this world," whose reward is in this life, are susceptible to great madness and hostility when their "reward" that they are trusting in is threatened. All people, Christian and non-Christian alike, whose reward is in this life are dangerous and potentially volatile. Therefore we as Christians, whose reward and hope is not to be in this life, are bound to have a serious conflict of interest with those who seek earthly reward. We whose "citizenship is in heaven" must be very careful not to be unevenly yoked with those "men of this world." Do you ask the Lord to deliver you from such men? These wrong partnerings have caused great sorrow and pain in many believers' lives.

The stock trader of Atlanta, turned mass murderer, had just recently lost over a hundred and five thousand dollars in stock trading when he wrote his final note declaring that he was going to kill "as many of the people that greedily sought my destruction." In his final words we can see a reflection of what happens to so many in our society. In our modern "race for worldly success," competition has tragically replaced the compassion. As human beings we were never created to live under the stress and strain of competition and racism toward our fellow man. Right from the very beginning, when Cain and Abel were the only two brothers on earth, we can see the catastrophe that resulted when competition and jealously entered in between them - Cain murdered Abel. Envious competition always produces death. Someone will "win," but someone else will lose. In the end, everybody loses.

THINGS ABOVE PEOPLE - The beginning of the End

Mark this, when a nation starts to value money and things more than they value people, there will be frightful repercussions. I am in no way defending the demonic actions of this poor deceived man, but in a world that is quickly becoming "every man for himself," and where so many people are willing to step on a brother to get to the top, it is inevitable that some people are going to "snap" and say that they just don't want to be stepped on anymore. And at that point they are willing to do whatever it takes to get their desperate message across. The stock trader writes, "I have come to hate this life and this system of things ("system of things" = materialism). I have come to have no hope." Ironically these words describe all too well the feelings of multitudes of people, young and old, that are currently drowning in our modern "success" driven society.

When this "god of Mammon" comes crashing down in our nation, and it will, those who have trusted in it will come undone. "Whoever trusts in his riches will fall " (Proverbs 11:28) This awful instance that occurred in Atlanta is just a foreshadowing of what is to come. There will be a flood of despondent insanity and loathsome disregard for human life that will be unleashed in people across this nation when their hopes in their temporal idols are dashed to the ground. "Remove the color green (money) and our true colors will soon be seen." The true character in this nation is yet to be seen when our material props and modern conveniences are removed. Jesus accurately depicts the dilemma that we now are facing, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." (Matthew 6:24)

A DIVINE SOLUTION for the STORMS AHEAD

So why am I writing this to you? I believe that there really is a dramatic and divine solution for the turbulent days that we are sailing into. There truly is a place of safety and serenity in the midst of the storms that are coming. Jesus tells us, "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." (Matthew 7:24,25) Obedience is the true and safe foundation that we are to build on.

Here is the word the Lord keeps giving me in regard to the protection that we will need for the days that are coming -- it is again the words of Jesus found in Matthew 5:7, "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." One of the greatest things that we are going to need for the times ahead is "mercy"! The Bible tells us that we will receive mercy, by giving it. This is a Biblical principal that Jesus established: "Give, and it will be given to you." (Luke 6:38)

This nation is already in an uproar over the recent outbursts of savagery that have afflicted us and that are now reaching the highest stratums of our society. Many are now crying out against the violence. Some are calling out for greater gun control, etc. Parents are now fearful to send their children to school. But all this time there has been, and still is, a silent cry that is seldom heard. It is the cry of the inner city. For decades now, the poverty, violence and oppression have been rampant among the abandoned people of the center of our cities.

While most of our society, including much of the church, has turned its head and ignored the desperate cries for help -- for mercy -- we are too busy making a good living and/or doing the work of the Lord. Or so we think. Remember who passed by the needy man in the Good Samaritan story -- the "religious." They where so busy "serving God" that they had no time for the hurting man in their path.

"A poor man pleads for mercy, but a rich man answers harshly." (Proverbs 18:23) We may say we have not answered harshly, but too much of the Christian church today has not answered at all. Neglect can be the harshest answer of all. Some say, "That is not my calling." But the Bible tells us if we are to be considered righteous before the Lord, it is our calling "The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern." (Proverbs 29:7) We seldom understand the profound consequences of our actions. Ponder for a moment, if you will, the great promise or negative ramifications found in this next verse. "He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses." (Proverbs 28:27)

(There is another silent cry that will absolutely bring God's Judgment upon us - it is the cry of the millions of unborn babies that are continually sacrificed in this nation on the alters of self centered convenience)

MERCY FOR THE MERCIFUL

"If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered." (Proverbs 21:13) The plagues that have long tormented the inner city are now coming to the suburbs, the market places, our schools with even greater fury. Educated people, when given to evil, are the most dangerous and have great potential to hurt many. But I believe there is something that we can still do to stop the fullness of these plagues from over taking us. It is late, but not too late!

If we want to be protected and even blessed in the days ahead, we must be wise and build on the Rock - The Rock is obedience to God's Word! It is not a matter of "if" the storms will come, it is just a matter of when they come. Mark these words, great storms of lawlessness, financial upheaval and judgment are coming because of our unrepented idolatry and selfishness. But if we live by these words of Jesus, "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." (Matthew 5:7) then there is absolutely nothing to fear in the days to come. James tells it to us like this " judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!" (James 2:13) Not one of us could afford to go into days ahead, let alone stand before the Righteous Judge, without mercy.

We need to ask ourselves this question. Are we willing to bank our entire life and future solely on the Word of God? Or do we have a bunch of self sufficient back up plans in place that are in reality just draining our energy, dividing our focus and resources, and therefore hindering us from accomplishing that which should be of preeminent importance in our life -- obedience to God's will. "The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." (1 John 2:17)

The Lord recently told me that in order to be ready for the uncertain days ahead we need to be stock piling "righteousness." There are hundreds of promises of God's protection and blessing in the Bible that many Christians like to quote and claim, but we must not overlook that these promises to "the righteous" only apply to the righteous. Here is an example "The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles." (Psalm 34:17) The only way to righteousness is to be washed by the blood of the Lamb, and then we must actively respond to this "great Salvation" through humble and joyful obedience to God's Word.

Great fear and anxiety has gripped the hearts of even God's people these days, because we still think like pagans ... we still seek after what they seek. In Matthew chapter 6, Jesus commands us not to even worry about life "about what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Do we believe these words? Our actions are evidence of what we truly believe, for all of us primarily do what we primarily believe.

IT IS HIGH TIME TO SOW MERCY!

"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in your power to do it." (Proverbs 3:27) Now is our opportunity to sow mercy -- "today is the day of Salvation!" We will reap what we have sown. We as Christians don't have to go to a psychic to know our future. If you want to know what your future is going to look like, just take a look at the kind of seeds that you are sowing to today and you will see your future harvest of tomorrow.

If we sow in the flesh (selfishness) today we will reap destruction tomorrow, but if we sow in the Spirit (Godliness) now we will reap eternal life. Just as this world is about to reap a harvest of God's judgments for all the abundance of wickedness that has been sown, so there is also a great harvest of goodness coming for those who have taken the Lord at His Word, and who have sown tender mercy and kindness towards their fellow man. Mark these words, there will be an unprecedented harvest of souls and righteousness seen in America in the days to come. So be of good cheer and take heart! The best is yet to come for those who are truly in Christ!

But in these beguiling and tumultuous days in which we live, we must constantly guard our hearts from the deadly plague of cold-hearted love that has contaminated so many. I John 2:10 tells us, "The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him." What an awesome promise we see here for the one who is willing to walk in love toward his brother. We see that the man who walks in love dwells in the light, and he walks in complete security because there is nothing in him to make him stumble. As we daily learn to follow the immaculate example of our Savior, which is "the way of love," more and more we too will be able to say, just as Jesus did, "the ruler of the world (Satan) is coming, and he has nothing in Me." (John 14:30)

MERCY - The True Test Of Love

The true test of God's love in us is seen in how we love our brothers. Have you ever noticed that it is much easier to love God than it is to love your fellow man? A Holy God doesn't gossip, slander, betray, lie, cheat, steal and murder. Mankind, on the other hand, well, we do all the above -- and then some. But Jesus tells us in John 13:34, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you." Notice the Lord doesn't tell us love Him the way He has loved us. He says we are to love one another the way He has loved us. We do not need to learn to show mercy to God, because a holy God is never in need of our mercy. It is to a fallen mankind that is in desperate need of mercy that we learn to show mercy. That means to fulfill this command we have to learn to show the same mercy and forgiveness that we have received from our Father to someone who has done us wrong.

We as believers are commanded to show compassion and forbearance to those who have offended us, for this is how our gracious Lord has treated us. And we are also commanded to extend compassionate treatment and charity to the poor, to the outcasts, and to those in distress. For this again is how our Lord has so benevolently loved us. Jesus exhorts us, "Freely you have received, freely give." (Matthew 10:8)

O Lord, teach us to "Be merciful just as our Father is merciful." Forgive us, we pray, for cold love and selfishness. May we always look daily for ways to show Your great love and mercy to someone in need. Father, we know that we will never regret sharing your merciful kindness with others, for someday we ourselves will be the ones in need of mercy. Thank you, O Lord, for the infinite joy that we feel when we show mercy to someone who is in need of Your loving touch. And thank you, Lord, for delivering us from our hardhearted and selfish ways and teaching us to walk in a spirit opposite of the world. Teach us to be selfless and compassionate in all our ways, just as your Son so powerfully and practically exemplified for us while He walked this earth.

O Lord, we ask that you will have mercy on this wonderful nation called America, as we your children learn to extend your merciful love to those whom You have placed in our path. We thank you for bringing us into the great blessings of obedience! And let the your relentless mercy be poured through us your servants ... and let mercy melt the iceberg before it is too late!

"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." (Matthew 5:7)

"Do not put out the Spirit s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil." (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22)

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