What do the events in 1 Kings 12 and a scheduled event for September 17th possibly have in common?
Let me begin with what is scheduled for this coming September 17th in several cities in the United States. On this date there is an event called "The US Day o Rage." The organizers of this event are stating that it is a non-violent protest against the financial institutions of our nation - most notably Wall Street. They claim that they are "fighting a war for the soul of our nation, its people." But there are some very disturbing things about this day and this movement and its luminaries.
First is the name of the event. They chose to name their event after an event which took place in Chicago in 1969. The original "Days of Rage" were provoked by a group known as the Weather Underground as they rioted and demonstrated against the "system" for four days. These protests were anything but peaceful. It is also disconcerting to know some of the things being said in conjunction with this event. The purpose for this event is to occupy Wall Street and other areas throughout the entire island of Manhattan. One of their luminaries is Wade Rathke, ACORN founder, who wrote just months ago of an "anti-banking jihad" that needs to be waged against our financial institutions. Stephen Lerner, a SEIU operative recently promised to "bring down the stock market" through a campaign of disruption. Most disturbing is the things that are being said to these protestors about the NYPD. The US Day of Rage website makes it clear that the NYPD will be viewed as the enemy. The site says, ". . . the NYPD has become a counter-intel paramilitary force" which they say prevents people from exercising their right of peaceable assembly in New York City. Considering the recent violent protests that have rocked England, one would not fault leaders in New York for being nervous and for taking proper precautionary measures. The problem is tthat this protest is scheduled also to hig Portland, Oregon, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Austin, Texas.
Going back to how I started this article, how are these events and the history of 1 Kings 12 possibly related? Those of you who read these articles regularly know that I believe that God is trying to get our attention due to our rebellion against Him. As a nation we have left the godly heritage handed down to us by our forefathers. We have chosen to leave the Lord - and His way in this country. In many ways we mirror the nation of Israel as it was in 1 Kings 12. They had left the Lord - preferring their wealth and ungodly lifestyles. Therefore the Lord made it clear that there would be a problem in their country. God would not just allow, but would actually engineer a rebellion that would split the country. God promised that He would only allow Solomon's son to have Judah due to His promises to David. The rest of the nation would be given to another leader - and unfortunately would never have another godly leader again. As one can read in this chapter - God said that this revolt "was from the Lord."
Personally, I am horrified that we may once again have a 1960's style revolt by groups within our nation. What is even more disturbing to me are the views of those who will participate in these protests. They support socialist and communist ideologies that will in no way help our country return to the Lord and to a responsible way of living under His Lordship. If history is any reminder to us - these protests will turn violent and will most likely give rise to more like them. It also reminds me that there is not going to be a purely political answer to our problems in the United States. Without a return to moral sanity - without a return to a biblically based morality and godliness - our nation faces very dark, violent, and disturbing days ahead. Now is the time to pray and repent - to return to the Lord with all our heart and soul and mind and strength. We need a revival on the scale of their organized protests. The only difference is where their protests want to destroy - ours are on behalf of our Savior Who desires to give life - and life abundantly.
Let me begin with what is scheduled for this coming September 17th in several cities in the United States. On this date there is an event called "The US Day o Rage." The organizers of this event are stating that it is a non-violent protest against the financial institutions of our nation - most notably Wall Street. They claim that they are "fighting a war for the soul of our nation, its people." But there are some very disturbing things about this day and this movement and its luminaries.
First is the name of the event. They chose to name their event after an event which took place in Chicago in 1969. The original "Days of Rage" were provoked by a group known as the Weather Underground as they rioted and demonstrated against the "system" for four days. These protests were anything but peaceful. It is also disconcerting to know some of the things being said in conjunction with this event. The purpose for this event is to occupy Wall Street and other areas throughout the entire island of Manhattan. One of their luminaries is Wade Rathke, ACORN founder, who wrote just months ago of an "anti-banking jihad" that needs to be waged against our financial institutions. Stephen Lerner, a SEIU operative recently promised to "bring down the stock market" through a campaign of disruption. Most disturbing is the things that are being said to these protestors about the NYPD. The US Day of Rage website makes it clear that the NYPD will be viewed as the enemy. The site says, ". . . the NYPD has become a counter-intel paramilitary force" which they say prevents people from exercising their right of peaceable assembly in New York City. Considering the recent violent protests that have rocked England, one would not fault leaders in New York for being nervous and for taking proper precautionary measures. The problem is tthat this protest is scheduled also to hig Portland, Oregon, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Austin, Texas.
Going back to how I started this article, how are these events and the history of 1 Kings 12 possibly related? Those of you who read these articles regularly know that I believe that God is trying to get our attention due to our rebellion against Him. As a nation we have left the godly heritage handed down to us by our forefathers. We have chosen to leave the Lord - and His way in this country. In many ways we mirror the nation of Israel as it was in 1 Kings 12. They had left the Lord - preferring their wealth and ungodly lifestyles. Therefore the Lord made it clear that there would be a problem in their country. God would not just allow, but would actually engineer a rebellion that would split the country. God promised that He would only allow Solomon's son to have Judah due to His promises to David. The rest of the nation would be given to another leader - and unfortunately would never have another godly leader again. As one can read in this chapter - God said that this revolt "was from the Lord."
Personally, I am horrified that we may once again have a 1960's style revolt by groups within our nation. What is even more disturbing to me are the views of those who will participate in these protests. They support socialist and communist ideologies that will in no way help our country return to the Lord and to a responsible way of living under His Lordship. If history is any reminder to us - these protests will turn violent and will most likely give rise to more like them. It also reminds me that there is not going to be a purely political answer to our problems in the United States. Without a return to moral sanity - without a return to a biblically based morality and godliness - our nation faces very dark, violent, and disturbing days ahead. Now is the time to pray and repent - to return to the Lord with all our heart and soul and mind and strength. We need a revival on the scale of their organized protests. The only difference is where their protests want to destroy - ours are on behalf of our Savior Who desires to give life - and life abundantly.
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