Tuesday, November 20, 2012
The Point of No Return
Bishop Jonathan B. Franklin
Bishop Jonathan B. Franklin
The story of the Tower of Babel, recorded in Genesis 11:1-9, is familiar to all Bible readers. I was reminded of this story as I watched with great interest into the wee hours of the morning the 2012 election returns. But what was it about this election that brought this particular story to mind? The story of the Tower of Babel is the story of what may very well have been the lowest point in human history to date.
Under the leadership of Nimrod, grandson of Noah, it was determined that God was no longer a factor in human affairs. No longer would it be considered necessary to regard what God has to say in making decisions about how men would live their lives. In verse four we find the problem expressed. And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
Such a humanistic agenda stirred God to move against this act of insurrection by the creature against his creator. Man had crossed a line that God could not condone. It resulted in the disruption of the ability of the family of man to communicate with one another. (Verses 5-9) Subsequent history records the evidence of the impact God’s judgment on the human race.
The political reporters could not hide their utter joy at each victory which in fact moved humanity further and further from the will of God. One news anchor mocked as Reverend Franklin Graham attempted to remind the nation that “Christ died for the sins of the whole world”. There was open rejoicing as two more states legalized same sex marriage, and the first openly homosexual member of the United States Senate was elected. Even the once Pentecostal preacher turned, politician, turned political commentator could not help but to entangle himself deeper and deeper into the affairs of the world, until the word ‘Reverend’ was rendered absolutely inappropriate before his name. More states legalized marijuana, and not even for medicinal use. And abortion on demand was upheld as a right of all women regardless of circumstances.
One reporter described the 2012 elections, primarily the reelection of President Barack Obama as a ‘Rubicon’ moment. I agreed with him, but for quite different reasons. ’Rubicon’ is a term that speaks of a point of no return. It refers to Julius Caesar’s army crossing the Rubicon River in Italy in 49 BC as an act of civil war. Once they crossed that river there was no going back. The fight was on.
In another item of current events is what is being called Israel’s clear red line. This refers to how close the nation of Israel is going to allow Iran to get to developing a nuclear weapon before it launches an attack. The international community is pressing Israel to exercise restraint, and Israel is looking at the fact that Iranian leadership has vowed over and over to destroy Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu drew a red line with a felt tip marker at the 90% point on a picture of a bomb and declared at this point we will attack.
It is absolute foolishness for Iran to pick a fight with Israel. It would be a fight they could not possibly win. So the red line is drawn so that the point of no return for Iran will be unmistakable. To cross the line will spell certain destruction, for Iran, and who knows what else for that part of the world.
As foolish as it may seem for Iran to instigate a war with Israel, how much more foolish would it be for mankind to provoke the anger of God. It is a fight that Man cannot win, and yet with the things that many in our nation are rejoicing over in the aftermath of this election, that is exactly what we are doing. We have declared that the word of God is out and the policies of a humanistic, anti-God society are in.
God is exercising restraint at our foolishness, but he has line as well, that to cross it will mean a point of no return. God spoke at point of a nation that was approaching the point of no return. He said, “…for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full (Genesis 15:16). There comes a point at which God has had enough. Man can and has crossed the point of no return. As with those who at Babel, sought to gain access to heaven on their own terms. As with the citizens of Sodom and Gomorrah. God gives Israel a warning that we should take to heart today.
But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.
19 And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.
20 As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God. Deuteronomy 8:18-20
America became a great nation because of her recognition of God, and God’s law. As we move further and further away from this recognition, we move closer and closer to the point of no return. It is the clear responsibility of the apostolic Church to Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.( Isaiah 58:1) If we love our nation, if we love this President, if we love our fellow man for whom Christ died, we must not be silent.