Occupiers

“A good tree is not able to produce evil fruit, nor is a corrupt tree able to produce excellent fruit.  Every tree that does not produce excellent fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Therefore from their fruits you will know them.”  Matthew 7:18-20

 

“Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”  Matthew 7:12

 

The other day I happened upon a film regarding a hero in World War 2 and the battle of Normandy.  While I didn’t have sufficient time to complete the film, just the fifteen minutes or so that I was able to watch was enough to remind myself of our role in world politics and conflicts as a nation.

 

Watching the young men training to be sent off to a parachute squadron and knowing that generation well, certainly the morals of our young soldiers and our current generation is not anywhere comparable to what our nation was like during the 1930’s and 40’s.  This is not to say that our nation was a Christian nation back then, but rather our laws, education system, leaders and military followed much of the God fearing morality that one would expect of a moral nation.

 

American soldiers liberated much of Europe and conquered the Japanese in the south Pacific.  While one can always find stories to the contrary, by and large our troops were well respected in the countries to which they invaded enemy territory.  Back then, in contrast to the Soviet troops who often were rampant in their behavior.  In those days we also had plenty of true preachers who were faithful to preaching God’s Word from the pulpit.  Things were changing though and in less than a generation the music of society had begun to blasphemously defy their Creator, the hippy generation had begun.

 

There are many directions one could go in trying to describe exactly how our society got here, but the simplicity of it is simply denying the teachings of the Bible and embracing apostasy, of which they were desiring to hear.

 

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own lusts, desiring to hear pleasant things, they will heap up for themselves teachers;  and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to myths.”  2nd Timothy 4:3-4

 

In the 1930’s Germany had also become extremely demoralized.  A movement began and grew in momentum, eventually bringing the Nazi’s in full power.  Sure one could look behind the scenes and see how banking houses, political prowess and the ‘powers that be’ helped to push Adolph Hitler into power, but nonetheless, at the end of the 1930’s the National Socialist had retained power and became an oppressive war regime.

 

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against authorities, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual wickedness in the heavenlies.”  Ephesians 6:12

 

Hitler and his policies were originally well liked by the United States.  In fact, Hitler was Time magazine’s person of the year.  Yet once war broke out and the invasion of Europe began, Germany was warned that if certain lines were crossed, there would be response.  Of one of the things that I have always questioned was why Great Britain did not immediately invade Germany once Hitler attacked and took over Poland!  To which is just more evidence of the man behind the curtain. 

 

Germany lost the war, their country in ruins and split into two parts.  The horrors of holocaust, of which many Jewish people and others lost their lives, was made known to the world.  The United States was celebrated and respected around the world.  We had come, once again, to the aid of the world and restored democracy and order.  Our country paid a heavy price in bloodshed and to this day, many of those who once fought for this country during World War 2, are nearly silent on what they witnessed. 

 

One reason that All Will Stand does not have an endless amount of political commentary is due to the fact that there are so many different viewpoints on history, so many different venues, that quite honestly, especially with an alternative mindset dealing with some avenues of our historical record, how can one ascertain precisely what actually occurred.  On the other hand, the Bible is God’s Word to mankind and with a good translation, like the King James Version, it can be wholeheartedly regarding as exact and precise. 

 

“All Scripture is breathed by God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  2nd Timothy 3:16-17

 

“These things we also speak, not in words which human wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”  1 Corinthians 2:13

 

There is a right and there is a wrong.  Having studied World War 2, particularly in regards to the European theatre, the similarities of behaving as occupiers, as the Nazi’s did, is both intriguing and dangerous.  Can the United States bear both good and evil fruit?

 

The coup against Venezuela taking place due to actions from the United States is disturbing, in terms of having to live in a country that does such things.  When I heard a recent quote from John Bolton, National Security Advisor of the United States of America, threatening Nicolás Maduro with Guantanamo Bay detention camp, I was deeply affected by such a wicked comment.

 

As I stated earlier regarding history and political commentary, different viewpoints, different perspectives, from my understanding Venezuela’s current situation is not due to failed socialism as we are being sold, but is rather due the failure to chummy up with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

 

When Venezuela began to default years ago, from all of the free money handed to them through loans, they were to place certain assets into the hands of their beneficiary, of which the country refused, allowing Hugo Chavez to rise to power.  From my understanding, the failures that we see in Venezuela are due to pressure from international bodies who didn’t get their way.  Then when we witness the ongoing debacle of debating who is president in Venezuela, things get more complex.

 

In Venezuela most do not contest the presidency and recognize Maduro as their legitimate president.  We might not appreciate the way they do things and Maduro would not be considered to be a good man, but there have been much worse leaders than himself.  On the contrary to being a humanitarian plea in regards to the United States actions against Venezuela and their current political and economical environment, Bolton also made known that this is about the oil.

 

Then, for those who have read on such history, the discussion could easily turn into legitimizing such a scheme, in order to keep our petro dollar dominance in the global scale of things, but the Bible is quite clear about such ideologies as well.

 

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil; who put darkness for light and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!  Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and understanding in their own sight!  Woe to those mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mix strong drink; who justify the wicked for a bribe, and take away justice from the righteous!  Therefore, as the fire devours the stubble, and the flame consumes the chaff, so their root shall be like rottenness, and their blossoms shall go up like dust, because they have cast away the Law of Jehovah of Hosts, and despised the Word of the Holy One of Israel.  Therefore the anger of Jehovah is kindled against His people, and He has stretched out His hand against them, and has stricken them; and the hills trembled, and their corpses were as refuse in the midst of the streets. In all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still.  And He will lift up a banner to distant nations, and will whistle to them from the ends of the earth; and behold, they shall come with speed, swiftly.  No one shall be weary nor stumble among them; no one shall slumber nor sleep; neither shall the waistband of their loins be loosened, nor the thong of their sandals be broken;  whose arrows are sharp, and all their bows bent; their horses’ hooves seem like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind.  Their roaring shall be like a lion; they shall roar like young lions; and they shall roar and lay hold of the prey, and carry it away safe, and no one shall deliver it.  And in that day they shall roar against them like the roaring of the sea; and if one looks to the land, behold darkness and distress; and the light is darkened by clouds.”  Isaiah 5:20-30

 

We can look to the history of Israel, as available to all of mankind in the Bible, and realize also what Jesus said in regards to doing unto others (Matt. 7:12).  I ponder the sense in having so many threatening scuffles with China or ratcheting up Russia aggression and withdrawing from a nuclear treaty.  Then again we could go on with the Middle East and other areas of the world.  Yet we bear both evil and good fruit, for do we not send food to those who are hungry around the world?

 

“Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.  If it is possible, as for yourself, be at peace with all men.  Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord.  Therefore if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”  Romans 12:17-21

 

When our country allows rhetoric such as sending legitimately elected leaders of foreign countries to Guantanamo Bay, a known place of horrific torture, known in the United States now as enhanced interrogation, one really has to ponder.  Can we look at all of these natural disasters that occur around our land as chance and happenstance?

 

Do we ponder the economic insolvency of our households, industry and government (if one can see it)?  Do we wonder why we have become hated around the world? 

 

There are now Americans who when traveling to certain countries will tell others that they are from Canada.  Why?  Well there are many around the world who do not like Americans anymore.  When we had good fruit, the fruit of a nation, back after World War 2, around the world many who were traveling and were American might well have made some instance friends, having a cup of tea with someone of a foreign land.  Now the risk follows that the cup of tea many hand out is not our cup of tea!

 

Yet we are blind and do not see our great evil.  For our evil goes much further than being occupiers, indeed our evil is openly defying our Creator with our supposed new found liberty in regards to the immoral.  We call ourselves a christian nation, but the world, those who aren’t in bed with our schemes, see us as we are, a hypocritical nation.  Where we once were a nation who would help out others and hold their hand, we now threaten foreign nations’ leaders with torture.  Consider it and consider well what we have become.

 

“Come now and let us reason together, says Jehovah: Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.  If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.  But if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured with the sword; for the mouth of Jehovah has spoken.  Oh how the faithful city has become a harlot! It was full of justice; righteousness lodged in it; but now, murderers!  Your silver has become dross; your wine is diluted with water.  Your rulers are rebellious and companions of thieves. Everyone loves a bribe, and pursues rewards. They do not judge for the orphan, nor does the cause of the widow come before them.  Therefore says the Lord, Jehovah of Hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah! I will be eased of My adversaries, and avenge Myself of My enemies.  And I will turn back My hand upon you, and refine your dross, as with lye, and remove all your alloy.  And I will return your judges as at the first; and your advisers, as at the beginning; then you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.  Zion shall be redeemed with justice, and her returning ones with righteousness.  And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together. And those who forsake Jehovah shall be consumed.  For they shall be ashamed of the mighty trees which you desired; and you shall be ashamed of the gardens that you have chosen.  For you shall be like a mighty tree whose leaf fades, and like a garden that has no water.  And the strong shall be as tinder, and the work as a spark; and they both shall burn together; and no one shall quench them.”  Isaiah 1:18-31

 

Amen!