Questions and Answers .... | Bob Moore |
Question: By teaching that God has chosen America as an instrument in completing His purpose, are you not implying that other nations are rejected by Him? Answer: Paul told the Greeks that God predetermined the dominion of all nations. He said that God "hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation" (Acts 17:26). Over a millennia before, Moses had revealed the same thing, saying, "The Most High divided to the nations their inheritance" (Deuteronomy 32:8) For God to have meted out an inheritance to all nations before the time of Moses, He had to foreordain the reign and purpose of each. In the beginning God assigned each nation a purpose. Egypt harbored Joseph, nourished the Israelites, and sheltered the Savior Babylon punished the Jews for idolatry and cured them of it during their captivity. Rome united the ancient world so that the apostles and their successors could spread the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout it. Each nation received a task, so that even if it was outwardly hostile to the cause of the Almighty, it furthered His purposes when it received its inheritance. Like all other nations, America was appointed specific responsibilities when God set the bounds of all nations. Her assignn1ent did not diminish the divine appointment given others, nor did it elevate her above her peers. A commissioned nation is not eligible for honor and glory. Even if it is the only one designated and admirably fulfills its task, all praise goes to Him who commissions nations and arranges their responsibilities so that His purposes are completed. God gave America the job of gathering the descendants of the northern nation of Israel that had been sown among the Gentiles. She was not alone in this responsibility. Great Britain was also given the task. In fact, England had a greater role to play in this assignment than the United States. Great Britain ruled the seas and pushed the descendants of Northwestern Europe to the New World. Her efforts made America great. Her politics and religion laid the foundations for justice and liberty, which virtues have attracted the poor of the earth to the Land of the Free and prospered them into a mighty nation. God has not blessed the United States so that it can boast in its success and domineer others. Its divine bounty is intended to prosper the remnant of Israel gathered under its banner When God told Moses that he had prearranged an inheritance for every nation, He added, "For the Lord's p0l1ion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance" (Deut 32:9). God assigned inheritances to every nation so that each will help the descendants of Jacob to eventually become the righteous nation God brought the Hebrews out of the land of Egypt to be. Because He allows all nations to help His cause, He will include all preferring Him, regardless of nationality, in the holy city. God does not bless one race only, nor does He foster nationalism. The fact that America has a part to play in the establishment of His kingdom does not make America a better nation, nor its culture a better lifestyle. It only honors God, who completes His work as promised and fulfills his efforts as prophesied. |