Many Christians, and many who are not Christians, are quite concerned about what
awaits us this coming year of 2021. 2020 has not been pleasant, and with all things considered, 2021 could be even worse. I say “could” be because maybe our attitude is a determining factor. In other words, as a Christian, are we depending on man or God? Paul said it well.“Be anxious for nothing, but
in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests
be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
I would like to quote Dr. J. Vernon
McGee with reference to a Scripture passage in Daniel [Dr. J. Vernon McGee, Thru The Bible
Commentary Series, The Prophets, Daniel, Pages 73-74]. God, in chapter four of Daniel is warning
Nebuchadnezzar in a dream that he is going to be judged for his pride if he doesn’t
repent and trust in the one true God. Keep in mind that Dr. McGee went home to
be with the Lord December 1st, 1988 … 32 years ago! Much has changed
since then. Here is what he had to say:
“This matter is by the decree
of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent
that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and
giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.”
(Daniel 4:17)
There are three things that
we learn from Nebuchadnezzar’s dream:
· “The most High ruleth in the kingdom of men.” If you
think that God has
abdicated today and has
withdrawn from this universe, you are wrong. The universe has not gotten loose
from Him. Emerson was wrong when he said, “Things are in the saddle, and they
ride mankind.” There happens to be Somebody else in the saddle, and He is in
control on this earth. “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord
shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and
vex them in his sore displeasure. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of
Zion” (Ps. 2:4-5). God says He is going on with His purpose in the world. He is
permitting Satan to carry out a nefarious plot for a very definite reason: God
is demonstrating something to His created intelligences today. There are a lot
of silly things being said about Satan which are entirely unscriptural.
Nations
rise and fall to teach men that God rules and overrules the kingdoms of this world.
If you think our nation happens to be His special little pet, you are entirely
wrong. I believe we have already been put on the auction block: we are already
judged. The downward course which this nation is traveling is going to take us
right to the judgment of God. He rules in the kingdom of men.
· He “giveth it to whomsoever he will.” You probably
thought that the
Democrats and the Republicans
put men in power. They think they do, but God disposes of these kingdoms
according to His will. That thought may cause someone’s chest to puff up, and
he will say, “Well, I am occupying this office by the will of God.” A lot of
kings in the past had the foolish notion that they were ruling in God’s place.
Don’t believe a word of it – God puts them in power. Notice that Paul says in
Romans 13:1, “…the powers that be are ordained of God.” Why in the world does
God permit certain powers to rule on this earth?
· He “setteth up over it the basest of men.” This third
statement should be humbling to both the Democrats and the Republicans – and to
all of mankind. If you think we pick the best men, we don’t – all you need to
do is to read human history to see this. My study of English history shows that
our ancestors in the British Isles were some pretty bloody ancestors. They were
terrible, and they had some rulers who were unspeakable! May I say to you, God “setteth
up over it the basest of men,” and we get the kind of ruler that we deserve.
People complain about our government, our Congress, and all that sort of thing.
My friend, we put them in their offices; we voted for them. God lets the basest
of men come to power. That ought to be humbling to all of us – from Washington,
D.C., on down. You will never hear of someone who is trying to curry the favor
of our leaders speaking on this verse at a Presidential breakfast or upon any
occasion in Washington! This verse is quite upsetting, is it not?
History
will substantiate the truth of this statement. The head of gold, Nebuchadnezzar,
was insane; yet he was a brilliant ruler who formed the first world kingdom. He
had times when he was as mad as a mad-hatter and didn’t even know who he was.
As we have mentioned before, many of the great world rulers have suffered problems
similar to his. And the reason our forefathers did not establish the United
States of America as a kingdom is because they believed that no man could be
trusted to rule. God has been demonstrating this now over quite a length of
time: He “setteth up over it the basest of men.”
I don’t know, any more than
the next person, what lies ahead in the coming year. That’s a privilege held
only by our omniscient God. Depending upon who is sitting in the oval office, I
can make an educated (or uneducated) guess, and maybe I’ll be correct to some
point. I do know this … The Lord Jesus Christ is in absolute control, and He
knows exactly what He is doing. I know He loves His sheep of which I am one. I also
know there is nothing man can do to me that can separate me from Him (Psalm 23;
Romans 8:35-39).
When I read Dr. McGee’s
statement above, I was especially drawn to the third statement God made in
Daniel 4:17; i.e. “and setteth up over it the basest of men.”
If God is allowing the two Democrats
who ran for President and Vice-President to govern our nation beginning January
2021, God’s statement “and setteth up over it the basest of men” seems to be a
perfect fit. I can’t imagine the destruction that will ensue once these two,
and the gang, take over.
I am also jolted to the reality
that God may be ready to reduce our national influence upon the world and allow
the stage light to be re-directed toward the revived Roman empire and its
coming world leader, the Antichrist. The Antichrist may be preparing for his
grand entrance upon the world’s stage.
Now all of this is supposition.
Only God knows the “how and when” of future events. Interestingly though, He has
made clear the signs He has provided us for the coming seven years of Tribulation.
Its arrival may not be at the door, but it’s footsteps can be heard coming up
the path. In other words, the storm isn’t here yet, but the clouds are definitely
darkening.
Thankfully, the Lord has
promised over and over that His Church (His bride) will not be here for that
period in time. So whatever happens in this new year let Jesus’ words live in
your heart.
“Let not your heart be
troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. Peace I leave with you, My
peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your
heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:1, 27)
We don’t know the future, but
we know Who holds the future.
Grant Phillips
Email: Phillip5769@twc.com
Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com
Rapture Ready: http://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html
