End of Empire

I was reading about Billy Graham’s 1954 visit to the British House of Commons and read his warning to the western world. Americans should remember Billy Graham’s love for his British heritage. At that time, he said, “My forefathers fought and died not only for Scotland but also for Britain. I am proud not only of the Stars and Stripes but also of the Union Jack.” He went on to say, “We must love one another, and keep in mind that God is God of the Russians just as he is of the British. God’s love extends to all men regardless of their political alliances. The western world is imperilled and is in need of a spiritual awakening that will give us the stamina to withstand the forces of secularism and materialism that seek to destroy us.” Most Bible believing Christians would echo his words.

The article, which appeared in the March 20, 1954, issue of “The National Message”, went on to say that an awakening in America had possibly started. Christian books were outselling all other books and greater crowds than ever in the history of the United States were attending evangelical meetings. Even in Hollywood there were hundreds of movie stars that regularly attended prayer meetings. Billy Graham encouraged the British people to listen to British Christian intellectuals such as Dr. C.S. Lewis and Dr. Joad. He hoped that there would be a spiritual awakening in Britain.

Years ago, I spoke with a woman who lived in the State of Washington who recalled the wonderful years of the fifties when most people went to church and families were growing. The Israel Truth movement was strong in those days as well. Could it be that preachers such as Billy Graham helped bring about a spiritual awakening in America at that time? If so, what was God’s purpose in bringing about such an awakening, and what is the future of  America and the western world?

I believe there was a spiritual awakening in the U.S.A. in the fifties and the purpose of it was to replace the British Empire as the dominant world power. Britain was brought down and lost its empire by two world wars. It was almost bankrupt and had to settle on becoming just another European country without empire. The U.S.A. was on the rise and even became the world leader in promoting Protestant Christianity. Massive amounts of money were raised to spread the gospel throughout the world. Britain and the Commonwealth countries also continued to send missionaries throughout the world, but they did not have the tremendous wealth behind them that the Americans had. The British Empire had done its work in spreading the Gospel and it was up to the U.S.A. to finish it. This is not to detract the work of the Scandinavian countries, but Ephraim and Manasseh were the main drivers. I believe the work of spreading the Gospel is almost complete. With the invention of cell phones, the internet, and powerful broadcasting facilities the word of God has been smuggled or broadcast into every country on the planet. So now what?

I believe the end of the American Empire is almost here and it will be brought down by the Third World War. The forces of secularism and materialism have overtaken America just as Billy Graham predicted. This has led to widespread immorality, lawlessness, lack of patriotism, acceptance of non-Christian philosophies and religions, and a shifting of wealth from middle class Americans to an elite class of millionaires and billionaires. The scene is repeated in all first world countries. The European Union threatened to replace the United States as the dominant world power, but it never happened because the European countries were also in a state of moral decline. However, there are Europeans who are pushing for a world government rather than a dominant Europe. Today the BRIC countries claim they will replace the United States as the dominant power. They are not united but all of them would like to see the American dollar replaced with a world currency. They are Brazil, Russia, India, and China. Some have added South Africa to the mix to designate the BRICS countries as the rising political and economic powers. Together they form forty one percent of the world’s population. The United States only makes up five percent.

I believe there will be a new empire to replace the empire of the United States, but it will not be any of the empires that people are theorizing about. It will be the empire of Jesus Christ. This is all according to God’s plan. He has everything under control despite what the people of the world think. “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” Revelation 11:15. I believe the initial signs pointing to the Lord’s return are great wars, great earthquakes, famines, pestilences, fearful sights, and signs from heaven (Luke 21:9-11). Some of these events have happened, and we are told, “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:28. We must prepare ourselves for what is coming, but we must also look beyond the turmoil of the world to the return of the Lord. We must not lose heart when we see our Israelite nations faltering. Something much more wonderful is coming.

A few months ago, in this magazine Pastor Kemble shared how he was filled with the joy of the Lord and rejoiced under the influence of the Holy Spirit. I found it interesting because the same thing happened to me at that time. I took this as a double witness that something wonderful is coming. I assume God is assuring us that His glory is soon to come on this earth. “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9. We have a glimpse in scripture of the blessings that the Lord will bring with him at his return. “He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth. In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth. He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.” Psalm 72:6-9.

Jesus Christ, the conquering king, shall bring in the age of truth and peace which shall never end. We are privileged to know him as Lord and to be under the protection of his blood so that eternal destruction will not overtake us.