“While promising them liberty, they themselves are servants of corruption; for that which a person serves, the same is he brought into bondage to.” (2 Peter 2:19)
Regardless of the fact that true faith in the Western World has been on the decline for years, in America and Europe we see it beginning to stir once again, yet not without certain nationalist tendencies. In the U.S., while the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the American Constitution was put in place to prevent the government from giving any particular religion priority or favoring one faith over another, the potential exists once again for a preferential religious predilection which is political in its orientation and influence. Yet, while true that the U.S., and the UK. in particular, have been in need of a serious spiritual reformation for years, if and when it comes it must necessarily be a bottoms-up proposition, drive by a faith that demands spiritual reformation, not religious conformity. Were to happen, the population could then become fit for God’s purpose, not just in reestablishing a social order based upon justice and mercy, but one derived from a spirit of moral conviction not conformance to the dictates of the law. The challenge then would be how to flesh-out such an enterprise without falling victim to the polarizing political influence that now exists. The fact is that Christians have been rendered impotent by their own self-interest and warped sense of spiritually accountability, which only adds to the moral characterization of the West as being nothing but a collection of decaying and irresolute social enterprises ripe for the picking.
Notwithstanding the fact, it does add a certain weight to the Kremlin’s own rationale for opposing the West, even as it serves as an impetus for Russia’s religious and revanchist tendencies. Yet contrary to its own opinion of being the vaunted Katheon or “restrainer” as described in the biblical passage (2 Thes. 2:6,7) that must first be removed in order for “the man of sin” to appear, he may in fact already be here. Evidenced by the increasing chaos and random violence we see in the world today, the world is ripe for a leader that can solve its problems. If so, the foundation for the antichrist kingdom is already being built in preparation for the soon to emerge false pretender to the throne of glory. And yet, whether the construct is the work of the West that Russia deplores and mistrusts, or Russia itself, the point is rather moot, as both in their own way appear to lack the visionary capacity even while sharing similar characteristics, such as an innate spirit of militarism, religiosity and hubris.
And quite interestingly, both are confronted with a similar dilemma. Neither has the power or wherewithal to emerge victorious in a conflict that could come at the cost of their own existence and perhaps civilization itself. And that, not through war itself per se, but by virtue of the fact that both have made such unique contributions to the advance of civilization, to the extent that the demise of either is beyond any calculation. And in that regard, Russia is perhaps of singular interest, as it has been a crossroads between the Far East and Europe from its earliest advent. In turn, expressing the fact through its rather archaic notion of being the rightful heir and guarantor of the Classic European World, as can be seen by its adoption of French Renaissance architecture in the government space. Yet the effort, while admirable, is somewhat like trying to rebuild the glory of the Czarist past atop the colorless debris of a failed Stalinist futurism. Yet, for the sake of comparison, America isn’t fairing much better, as its educational institutions have been left to molder in the fading light of intellectual curiosity, becoming but a reflection of the nation itself, passively indifferent to its founding ideals, even as the populace seems to be hell-bent on erasing any memory of the struggle it took to get there. A heart-felt repentance for past wrongs is one thing, but to “Cancel” the memory of a nation’s achievements, while rendering impotent the legacy of its ethos, begs the question. – “Where’s the devil now?”
That said, we can’t ignore the obvious, – Neither the unipolar West nor a multi-polar East can ultimately prevail without some sort of supernatural assistance. And from whence that comes remains a matter that only the people themselves can sort out, if not, it will unfortunately be decided for them. They are then left with little choice; either repent before God, and rise as lions in defense of lambs, or bow the knee as willing minions of the pit. And, while that may read something like Tolkien, the reality is far more fundamental. Choose today whom you will serve, either in voluntary obedience to God in Heaven, or the magistrate of evil on earth below. Lift up your heads you weary and pray, becoming that voice of conviction which stirs others to lasting works. As R.C. Sproul said: “The only way the Kingdom of God will ever be made manifest on earth is if believers reflect that kingdom reality within themselves, not only spiritually, but essentially, in the way in which they live, think and act as citizens of heaven.”
CoupStick Chaplain 