During the last presidential campaign, the Obama camp used the slogan "Change we can believe in". The night he won the election, the air was electrified as people filled our cities' streets celebrating. It was like nothing I had ever witnessed. Unfortunately, many would say today that this isn't the change we were hoping for. But I ask you.....is it ever? I can't remember a time when there wasn't disappointment and disallusionment following the election of a new president, be he a Republican or Democrat. Let's face it! Our nation is so polarized; divided by nationality, religion, ideology and socio-economic conditions. We are indeed a melting pot so diverse, it's a mystery as to how we can possibly agree upon anything. From the halls of government to main street America, we seem to argue and fight over everything and, with new technology, we do it electronically via facebook, twitter, You Tube, you name it.
I find it interesting that our government bodies are called "houses", in light of Jesus' words, "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand". It is a sad state of affairs when our elected officials refuse to work together for the good of our country. They are so concerned with playing party-politics, they are taking us down the road to ruin.
There is hope on the horizon though, despite how gloomy things appear to be at the present time. However, that hope is dependent upon the realization and acceptance of a higher power who is in complete control over the affairs of man. King Nebuchadnezzar of ancient Babylon learned that lesson the hard way. He boasted of his great power and the kingdom he ruled over until the Lord punished him with madness. For seven years his dwelling was with the beasts of the field and his food the grass of oxen until he confessed that the most High rules in the kingdom of men and gives it to whomsoever he will, Daniel 4:28-37.
Psa 75:6-7 tells us, "Promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another". We read in Jer 27:5, "I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it to whom it seemed meet unto me". Again in Daniel 2:21 we see, "And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings".
There are several examples that come to my mind that confirm these passages. The apostle Paul spoke of God's words regarding the Pharoah of Egypt who held ancient Israel captive, saying "even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might show my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth". Many years later, King Cyrus of Persia was placed in power by God for the purpose of releasing the Jews from seventy years in Babylonian captivity and allowing them to return to their homeland, Isa 44:28, 45:1-3, Ezra 1:1-2.
Through visions given to the prophet Daniel God revealed the rise and fall of kingdoms before they appeared on the scene. He was given the meaning of a dream King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had which revealed the rise of three great kingdoms that would follow his reign. They proved to be Persia, Greco-Macedonia and Rome. Read Daniel, chapter 7 for this remarkable prophecy.
Throughout history, God has intervened in the affairs of men as he willed in order to bring about his ultimate purpose for mankind. We mistakenly think we are in control. Nations fight one another for supremacy and some dare to aspire to total world domination. We cannot see what will transpire in the near future. God may allow evil to prevail for a time, as he did many times in the past. In fact, the history of the nation of Israel testifies to the veracity of that statement. God resorted to famine, pestilence and national captivity several times as punishment for their willful disobedience. He actually put it into the hearts of evil kings to come against his people according to his purpose. Then he would turn his punishment toward them in the end, destroying their nations.
The important thing to remember is that this earthly experience is but for a season. No power abides apart from God's knowledge and purpose. We often despair of the evil that reigns throughout the world and those nations that would destroy all life on this planet through their misguided, often insane leaders. Ultimately they will be brought down. One day we shall have one world government and it will be ruled by a righteous king, Jesus Christ. Let us return to the book of Daniel. "And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever", Dan 2:44. Jesus will take over the kingdoms of this world very soon now and set up the Kingdom of God. Only righteousness will dwell there. There will be no more pain or suffering, no war, no tears. All will live in peace and safety and no one will make us afraid. Our children will enjoy healthy, happy lives. The earth will be made new and there will be beauty everywhere. We will be healed of our diseases and our minds will be cleansed and made whole. There will be no poverty or lack for there will be plenty for all. We will be taught the statutes and judgments of God and worship only him. The entire world will be filled with the knowledge of God. In that day we will truly have change we can believe in!
