21. Juli 2003
Related Sermon

Liebe Freunde in Christus,

GOD BE PRAISED IN ALL THINGS!

For the last five years, I have been warning of an impending financial disaster in America. Today, few will listen, and even devout Christians do not want to hear what they consider negative prophecies.

I've heard ministers preach that America is headed only for blessings, with no judgment. They say, "Where is the financial breakdown the doomsayers speak of? It will never happen here." They point to a believing President, to a clean, moral White House, and to a leadership doing its best to repeal abortion legislation.

Let me tell you what I believe is the reason God has withheld his chastening of America up to now. We find the clue in Genesis 18, where God was poised to rain fire on Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham negotiated with the Lord face to face, until a promise was given that judgment would be spared if but ten righteous people could be found "therein." This implies that God would save Sodom from ruin if only ten seekers, ten intercessors, could be found in that city. Ten who shared God's grief over the wickedness of that society, its blatant homosexuality and violence.

I believe America has been given a temporary reprieve, because the Lord has found an interceding, righteous remnant who are crying out for mercy. Those in this remnant are repentant and they grieve with God over our national and personal sins. In Ezekiel 22, God looked for one godly man to "stand in the gap before me for the land, that I SHOULD NOT DESTROY IT, but I found none" (v 30). Think about it: Israel could have been spared destruction had the Lord found a single man to stand in his presence and intercede for the land. But there comes a time when the cup of iniquity overflows, and God will no longer withhold his chastening, no matter how many have prayed. Then we hear God say, "Thy bruise is incurable, and thy wound is grievous" (Jeremiah 30:12). "Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people" (Jeremiah 15:1).

On June 29, 2003, in major cities across the US, hundreds of thousands of gays paraded in an event called Gay Pride. Canada has just legalized gay marriages. Our own Supreme Court has just legitimized homosexuality. And America will soon legalize gay marriages also. We have outdone Sodom. There is no record of Sodom aborting babies. And Sodom had no Bible, no churches, no gospel. Yet we have sinned and outlawed the very name of God, in the face of loving warnings and a gospel of mercy and grace.

A few years ago, I was practically screaming out warnings about a collapse of the Internet bubble. Now I am crying out a warning about the real estate bubble. Soon, America will face a fearful collapse in real estate, as bad or worse than the real estate collapse in Japan ten years ago.

I take back none of my warnings. The storm is still on the horizon. Right now it is being withheld for a season, to see what is in the heart of a professing Christian President, and in hope that the goodness and patience of God lead us to repentance.

Such preaching is costly to our ministry. Some turn us off, while others scoff. Some stop supporting our charitable outreaches. But those who know the Word of God, who pray, who grieve over the condition of our land and our churches - they believe and understand.

A closing word: Thanks to those who stay with us, who continue to pray for us and support us with missions gifts - to feed, clothe and house the needy, and to evangelize multitudes around the world. Many thanks.

Sein Diener,
David Wilkerson

DW:bbm:21. Juli 2003