Less Than Nothing

“To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.”

Jesus didn’t tell the devil that he was full of beans—or words to that effect—that he was making a bogus claim. He simply said, “It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.”

There’s a lot going on here. The big issue is that Satan was offering Jesus a devilish shortcut to receive what He will someday have anyway, rule over all the kingdoms of this world. It was, however, being offered up front, without having to face the giving of His life in order to take the punishment that was righteously coming to us.

Think with me about this for a moment. All the kingdoms of this world have been given into Satan’s possession. Do we really believe that? Surely this doesn’t include the United States, does it? I’d like to think it doesn’t. But it’s difficult for me to get around what Isaiah says about nations: they are like a drop in the bucket, like dust on the scales, as nothing—as less than nothing.

He didn’t mention any exclusions.

Here is what brings me a great deal of distress and conflict: is it possible that God raised up the United States—this country I have loved from my youth, this country whose ground I wanted to kiss after having been abroad as a missionary—to show us that, even though we were given the most ideal circumstances and the best possible form of government by man’s reckoning, we would, after all that gracious help, still find ourselves a people thankless, unbelieving, ungodly and therefore sliding into degradation; that there is absolutely no kingdom of peace but His and that it will never be accomplished by mankind?

Could it be that this country really is "less than nothing"? Could it be that—I almost can't write this—that we are, simply like all the rest, the possession of the prince of the power of the air?

[ Login to reply ]

misterskank on

Re: Less Than Nothing

It's simply amazing what people can find to worry about.

[ Login to reply ]

ericfrisch04 on

Re: Less Than Nothing

I have little doubt that it could be any other way. It amazes me sometimes to hear American Christians talk about America as if we're somehow God's "chosen nation." We're certainly no better than anyone else, if anything... probably worse.

I don't suspect God cares much about nations. He just sees people... there are those who obey and love, and those that don't....

[ Login to reply ]

christianisrael on

Re: Less Than Nothing

Yep. I remember a conversation with some missionary kids who had grown up in another country, but whose parents were Americans. I asked them how they perceived the U.S., now that they were living here. "It's just another country," they said.

[ Login to reply ]

ericfrisch04 on

Re: Less Than Nothing

Most American's don't seem to grasp that until they travel internationally... I suppose that's probably true for a lot of places, though.

[ Login to reply ]

breadcrumbs on

Re: Less Than Nothing

Hi Eric. I just had to comment on this. A few months ago I would have thought nothing about it. But recently it was pointed out to me how much the Word talks about God dealing with nations. I had never noticed, for instance, that in Mat. 25, where Jesus is separating the sheep from the goats it says that “All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another . . .” Apparently there are sheep nations and goat nations.??? Interesting. ( Most translators seem to agree that “nations” usually means “people groups” or “ethnic groups”.) Also, of course, Jesus said “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations . . .” And God’s promise to Abraham – the father of all who believe – was that he would be a father of many nations and that through him all the families of the earth would be blessed. Then, in Rev. 21 & 22 it speaks of the nations of those who are saved walking in the light of the City, and the glory and honor of the nations being brought into it. And a verse that has long spoke to me because it speaks of the work (ministry) that will go on after the Holy City (the Bride) “comes down out of heaven from God” is Rev 22:2 where to talks about the “healing of the nations.” And once you start looking at all the verses that talk about “nations” you find much more about God’s concern with nations. I don’t claim to have much understanding of this, but it seems to be another area that God is wanting to open our eyes to at this time.

[ Login to reply ]

ericfrisch04 on

Re: Less Than Nothing

I agree... although I think it will be interesting to see God's definition of a "nation" compared to our own... we seem very focused on countries... I don't think that's how God sees it.

[ Login to reply ]

d72fish on

Re: Less Than Nothing

There is only one set of gates to heaven everything else is simply an illusion to the truth

[ Login to reply ]

christianisrael on

Re: Less Than Nothing

Amen!

[ Login to reply ]

bonniegirl on

Re: Less Than Nothing

It can be. There was never a nation who became a super power who did not allow it to go to their heads, even when they were pagan as far as the dispensation of grace is concerned. Somehow we seem to think that we are invincible, poking our noses into every situation we feel is unjust...when back at the ranch we are not keeping our own noses clean, and God is going to judge very harshly one day.

But, as individuals, we still have the choice whether or not to be a part of the whole corrupt system and belong to said prince. I belong to the Prince of Peace and am just sojourning here, waiting for him to come and take me to my eternal home. Isn't that great?

Of course, this does not give me the right to sit on my laurels and see the demise of people whom Christ died for. It is my duty to tell as many as I can to "get on the boat" of salvation, before the rain of destruction comes.

[ Login to reply ]

christianisrael on

Re: Less Than Nothing

Father, please bring Your kingdom.

[ Login to reply ]

bonniegirl on

Re: Less Than Nothing

amen