Whenever a nation fails, it means not only the political but the spiritual leaders have failed before God. Such a nation will experience evil, misfortunes, wrath and sever judgment of God. And it will take the spiritual or the political leader(s) to rise and bring back a backslidden nation to God. However, salvaging such a nation will be the sole responsibility of whoever is awakened, either the spiritual or the political or both of them. Oftentimes, it has been the responsibility of the spiritual leaders. There are instances though where both have made significant impact and jointly restores a nation. For example, Hezekiah (a political leader), decried the lamentable condition of Judah because of the consequences of their sin of idolatry. Their fathers had consulted and sacrificed to other gods and the whole nation in his time have forsaken God. So, in 2 Chronicles chapter 29 verse 5-11, he instructed the spiritual leaders (Levites and the priests) to carry out spiritual cleansing and rededication of the nation back to God which they did. In verses 12-19, they arose, sanctified themselves, removed the rubbish, cleansed the temple, the altar and prepare all the vessels in the temple for holy use. Then, after the work of cleansing was completed, the King restores the true worship of God.
At another instance, during the reign of Ahab, the entire nation of Israel wandered away from God. For the bible says in 1 King 21:25, "But there was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do wickedness in the sight of the LORD because Jezebel his wife stirred him up. But Elijah the prophet, their spiritual leader called them to order. During the contest at Mount Carmel, he exhibited the power of God, and proved to them that the living God deserves their worship. They acknowledged that He is God, bowed and worshipped him. There are lessons to learn from Ahab especially political and secular leaders who have been stirred up to do wickedly because judgment is coming. Daniel on the other hand was both the political and spiritual leader in Babylon, he interpreted Nebuchadnezzar's dream and repeatedly cautioned him, but this heathen king refused to amend his way. Despite Daniel's effort and persuasion, he disregarded the solution that Daniel proffered until he faced his doom, however, he later realized that the most high rules in the kingdom of men (Daniel 4:17, 25, 26, 33, 37).
Many have cursed the earthly king and worst is to curse the king of heaven. Ecclesiastes 10:20 says, "Do not curse the king even in your thought: Do not curse the rich even in your bedroom: For a bird of the air may carry your voice, And a bird in flight may tell the matter." When you step out of your boundary and curse the king of king, and despise the rich and awesome one, reject his love and provision, you must then be ready for the consequences and repercussion of your actions. There will be no serenity in this world until the righteous judge passes through our land. Isaiah 26:9b says, "For when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the earth will learn righteousness." Also, Prophet Isaiah further says, "But the Lord of hosts shall be exalted in judgment. And the God who is holy shall be hallowed in righteousness" (Isaiah 5:16).We all know that repetition is for emphasis, Prophet Isaiah says again, "For behold, the LORD comes out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity; The earth will also disclose her blood, And will no more cover her slain." Prophet Joel also declares in Joel 1:15, "Alas, for the day of the LORD is at hand: It shall come as a desolation from the Almighty." In the new testament, Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans declares, " For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness" (Romans 1:18). Yet, there are many who do not fear at all or dread the judgment of God despite His repeated warnings.
And that's why Isaiah says, "Let grace be shown to the wicked, Yet he will not learn righteousness; In the land of uprightness he will deal unjustly, And will not behold the majesty of the Lord" (Isaiah 26:10). Recent events are serious indicators of the wrath of God revealed and unleashed on unrepentant nations. For instance, the eclipse of the sun (Amos 5:8, 8:9) preceded hurricanes, heavy rainfall, tornadoes, floods in multiple places, wildfires, earthquakes, landslides and so on which are all resultant effects of lawlessness and famine of the word (Amos 8:11-12). Nonetheless, God is still seeking to get attention of these rebellious nations who would not turn to their maker wholeheartedly nor seek after their God. The bible was truly right when it says that the way of a sinner is hard! No true comfort, satisfaction or joy outside Christ. No wonder the bible says in Isaiah 24, "The land shall be entirely emptied and utterly plundered, For the LORD has spoken this word." The judgment of God will be fierce and terrible!
The church of God is also unbelievably affected. All forms of pollution, contamination, defilement, oppression, and satanic oppositions going on calls for swift judgment of the Almighty God (Psalm 79:1-5). The sins of the so called priests, prophets and princes are enormous and cannot be overlooked by God (Ezekiel 22:26-31). Besides, varying degrees of atrocities and terrible occurrences on daily basis, unimaginable and horrible things going on now in our world are sure indices. It is sad to note that in some places the righteous are being unjustly treated and unlawfully punished. Therefore, for the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy and defenseless, God must pass through the land, vindicate His children, release glory, honor and peace to everyone who works what is good (Romans 2:10). He must certainly pass through our land because the evil is just too much. No wonder Amos declares, "In all the vineyards there shall be wailing, For I will pass through you says the Lord (Amos 5:17). God is the true judge who will not take side with the evil doer, and we know that there is no partiality with God (Romans 2:11). To those who do not obey the truth but are evil, the bible gave the verdict-indignation, wrath, tribulation and anguish (Romans 2:8-9). If God did not spare the first world but destroyed it and its inhabitants with flood, Sodom and Gomorrah were also destroyed by fire, the nation of Israel, God's own covenant people were repeatedly judged by God for their sin of idolatry and the bible has the record, I fear this present world will not be spared (Joel 2:11).
Why is judgment coming ?
The reasons are not far fetched,
- The earth is also defiled under its inhabitants. Because they have transgressed the laws, changed the everlasting covenant (Isaiah 24:5).
- They provoked Him to jealousy with foreign gods. With abominations they provoked Him to anger (Deuteronomy 31:16). Intense idolatry, witchcraft, occultism and the like God detests. Deuteronomy 29:25-26, 30:17-18, 31:16-17, 2 Chronicles 33:5-6, 10-12, Ezekiel 23:49. Inviting evil powers, seeking empowerment by them and using demonic powers to govern and rule God's people is evil and calls for divine judgment.
- They hate one who rebukes in the gate, And they abhor one who speaks righteously. For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins. Afflicting the just and taking bribes, Diverting the poor from justice at the gate (Amos 5:10, 12).
- Here are those who rebel against the light; They do not know its ways nor abide in its path (Job 24:13).
- That this is a rebellious people, Lying children who will not hear the law of the LORD, Who say to the seers, Do not see, And to the prophets, Do not prophesy to us right things; Speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits (Isaiah 30:9-10).
- They push the needy off the road; All the poor of the land are forced to hide (Job 24:4).
- Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness. And his chambers by injustices, Who uses his neighbor's service without wages (Jeremiah 22:13).
- For the day of the LORD shall come upon everything proud and lofty. Upon everything lifted up-and it shall be brought low (Isaiah 2:12).
The list goes on. For these and other unlisted reasons, God is justified to judge the nations of the earth. In order to avert God's wrath and judgment, there must be deliberate desire to turn to God and follow His escape route.
Solutions
-Repentance is a must, it is indeed a necessity for individual and for the nations. It has to be thorough and genuine-2 Corinthians 7:10 "For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted, but the sorrow of the world produces death."
-Renouncing idol worship, evil covenants, occultism, witchcraft, and every other demonic power and forces. Divine instructions has been given against idolatry. To have peace and rest, take away all evil altars.
-Rededication of the land and the people back to God. The book of 2 Chronicles 15:8-12 shows a pattern to follow. Also, in 2 Chronicles 29:34b, the priests were too few and some were indignant and indifference, however, the Levites were diligent. If you are not consecrated these last days, you will not be able to offer an acceptable service to God.
-Realignment-In 2 Chronicles 27:6, "So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the Lord his God. True greatness, riches and blessings comes only from God (1 Samuel 2:7, Luke 1:49-52). Individual lives and nations must be aligned to God's purpose, counsel and plans. There is no need to try to hide or fix it. Let's give it back to God for in Him lies our help and strength!
