“Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;” Hebrews 1:3. The key word in this verse is “upholding”. The Greek word used here is “phero” and it means, in the context of the above verse, that Christ is the preserver of the universe. Webster’s online dictionary explains the meaning of preserve as, again in the above context, “to keep safe from injury, harm, or destruction”. Jesus is the One true God who is currently upholding (preserving us from destruction) His creation with the power of His word.

 Secular scientists have their own explanations as to what holds everything together. An atom, for example, has a nucleus that is surrounded by neutrons and protons, but what holds them in place? Neutrons have a neutral or no electrical charge. The protons have a positive charge. Since like charges repel each other the question is: Why don't the protons fly apart from each other? I’ve heard it stated by a popular Bible teacher that secular scientists call this attraction to the nucleus “cosmic glue”, for lack of a better term. Certainly these secular scientists don’t attribute this “cosmic glue” to God in any way. But the Bible is clear; God upholds all things through the power of His word. He alone keeps everything we know and see, fixed in place, and performing unencumbered - "normal" if you will.

“You alone are the LORD; You have made heaven, The heaven of heavens, with all their host, The earth and everything on it, The seas and all that is in them, And You preserve them all. The host of heaven worships You.” Nehemiah 9:6. Over and over again we are told God preserves everything; there is nothing that He is not upholding. God controls, He preserves, He performs great and miraculous things, and when we see such greatness happen it is easy to believe that He is in control. God made all things and He will even allow evil, which is currently so prevalent in this world, so that He may ultimately establish His end. God will be glorified.

 When times are just beginning to get hard and the trials heavy, we are more inclined to believe that God is in control. If times continue to be hard, then we begin to look for someone to blame for all the misery, and many times that blame gets placed squarely back on God’s shoulders. Rather than blaming God when trials and tribulations happen, we need to believe even more that God is still in control, that He is upholding all things and will continue to do so until He’s ready to let loose. It’s not blame that He seeks in response to all the grace and love He showers down upon us. No, it’s our acknowledgement that we are completely under His upholding and reliant upon Him that He wants.

 America is certainly sitting on the precipice of God’s judgment. No one knows just what that judgment will entail or how God will bring it about. Personally, and this is just my opinion, it appears to me that God has already set in motion this nation’s judgment. Hard times are here. The economy is in the tank. Not only in America are we going through a recession, but look around the world. Is there even one nation that isn’t suffering right now?

 As Christians, knowing that God’s judgment is coming or that it is upon us, we must never stop glorifying God. Through all the trials, tribulations, and groaning we encounter, God remains upholding all things. Paul tells us, “For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.” Romans 8:22. There should be nothing that surprises us about our current situation. Bible prophecy is clear and unfolding and becoming more and more obvious. Something very different and exciting is going on. There is a feeling of urgency in the air. The end times are here and God’s will is being accomplished.

America is the purveyor of much evil in this world. We the people of the U.S. might well receive the brunt of God’s judgment. There are still plenty of terrorists that hate us and they would love for America to let down her defenses so they can gain a foothold here. Personally, I believe that all they need to do is sit back and watch the U.S. implode from within. If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart,” Malachi 2:2.

God will even curse our blessings. Now that’s scary. Why? Because every day we live and every breath we take is a blessing. Blessings are so plentiful that to think of them being cursed conjures up a multitude of frightening scenarios. Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people,” Proverbs 14:34

 This country is on its way to total destruction.  Is it any wonder Bible scholars can’t find America in Bible prophecy? We’re not there because we’ve become of little or no significance. Right before our very eyes our government leaders are leading this nation into economic ruin. It reminds me of the dumb happy frog being slowly boiled alive and he doesn’t even realize it. Only in our case we know it, we see it, and we feel it, and we have every chance to jump out of the pan, but will we? The frog was boiled because he wouldn’t move. He got complacent. Very soon now the Church will be raptured but those who remain in this country will be like the captain of a ship that is sinking. They’ll go down with it.

Remember how the Bible explains the cleansing of Sodom and Gomorrah? Interestingly, many people miss the fact that God’s judgment fell not only on Sodom and Gomorrah but also on the surrounding cities of the plains. “And that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath:” Deuteronomy 29:23. Could this be a picture type as we gaze out upon the entire world?

 “Even as Sodom and Gomorrah , and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire,” Jude 1:7. America needs to take a closer look at God’s judgment against Sodom and Gomorrah . Is it possible that God might judge America in similar fashion? America is guilty of the exact same things as Sodom and Gomorrah, and when it comes to our current world situation aren’t we simply looking at Sodom and Gomorrah in a broader scope? “... both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.” 2 Peter 3:10. Could the signs be clearer, speaking of the calamities we see approaching?

 God still holds us in His mighty hand, but how much longer before He loosens His grip enough to bring in the total destruction recorded in the Bible? Speaking about my little part of the world (America ), God’s grip is waning, that’s for sure. Americans have become quite smug in their outlook on the future. I see this country in the worst economic crises in my lifetime (and that’s 57 years) and yet there is very little mention of the fact that we have blown it in God’s eyes and things are beginning to fall apart. I know there are many who don’t give glory to God for all we have, but at some point in a person’s life you’d think there would be some thought of why we have enjoyed the fruits of this land for a season and why they are now being systematically stripped away. This includes our God given rights that are now for all intents and purposes being subjugated.  

 Sadly, in this country and around the globe, the eyes of most of its citizens have been closed and their hearts are cold and hard. “There is no God” is the battle cry throughout the world. They would have us believe we evolved from pond scum and we’re held together by cosmic glue. At some point in the not too distant future they who have no use for God and proclaim that cry will realize they are absolutely correct as they languish in Hell for an eternity, because God will comply with their wishes and abandon them and they will remember forever their final cry, “There is no God!”

 It’s not too late. There is still time although precious little. Jesus is still in control and upholding all things by the power of His word. If you’re reading this commentary and you’re not born again then there is a reason you’re reading it. The Holy Spirit is convicting you and pleading with you to repent of your sins and place Jesus at the forefront of your life. If you’re ready to commit yourself into Jesus’ hands then just repeat this simple prayer,

 “Lord Jesus, I believe you died for me and were buried and rose again on the third day all according to the scriptures. I believe you took my sins past, present and future and nailed them to that cross. I’m sorry for my sins Lord Jesus and I ask you now to come into my life and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Amen!” If you really believe what you just prayed you’re now a born again believer, and you are in Christ, praise God.

Lastly my dear brethren, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10. 

 Ron Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

All scripture use is from the KJV of the Bible