Look -- do you see them -- they are standing on end, except for the first two or three -- do they bring back any memories? Instead of laying them on the table in the
game, it seemed more fun to stand them up close to each other and then tip the first one and watch them all collapse, one after another!
Some have applied the term "domino theory" to political and armed conflict. It was used at times during the Viet Nam fiasco --
the idea is that if one nation in that part of the world fell to the Communists, then a number of others would also fall in succession much the same as our line of
dominoes toppling one after another! See a rather dramatic illustration of the domino principle in the videos at the links posted below. I wonder how long it took
the people involved to put these all together? Now then, the dominant spiritual condition of a society
of people will affect all other facets of that society's existence -- healthy and vital spirituality -- an intense desire to honor and obey God will carry over
into the affairs of government, the military, sociability, economics, environment, etc!
12,000 Topling!
Enjoyed the one above? How about one nearly triple that amount? Go to the one below for more adventure in the domino world!
Hey! 35,000 falling!
Let's apply this principle to the stability of a nation or lack thereof. Let each domino, then, represent some important element or
facet of that nation, with the first one in line representing "Spirituality." Let the others, such as government, the military, etc. then follow in sequence. The critical issue in this is whether or not the majority are determined to be obedient to all that God has revealed by way of truth -- obey and be blessed or disobey and experience chaos and calamity!
At this stage we will ask you to do a little exercise in a Bible chapter that is basic to this. It is Deuteronomy 28. See if you can see the "domino theory" at work in this chapter -- what is required for stability -- what contributes to ultimate collapse -- do you see evidence for similar things happening in our society? Is there a principle here that is universal with application to all nations and their leaders and citizens? Or shall we, as some insist upon doing, ignore that particular chapter saying that it only applies to the people of Israel in very ancient history and has nothing to do with us -- or, does it????
OK, let's get rolling with this -- if you did some checking in Deut. 28, fine -- if not, you can catch up later. Also, if you want to
keep a record of this, just scroll down through with left button of mouse held down, highlight it, copy on Edit on menu bar, and then paste on to your word processor
document and you got it!
There are a lot of Scripture references given below to consider. It will take a lot of time to locate them in your Bible, but there is a program that is very
helpful and enables you to locate references very quickly. I have been using it for years. It is the King James Version Online. The link to go there is
King James Bible Online You can enter your reference and go there instantly -- fast way to look up Scriptures!
SPIRITUALITY - A healthy spirituality results from obedience to God's revelation through His inspired Word (2 Tim. 3:16,17) and in this age of the Gospel, obedience must be centered in acknowledging Jesus Christ, God's Son, as Savior and Lord. NOTE: Psalm 1; 33; 119; Prov. 1; 3:5,6; John 14 & 15; Rom. 12; 1 Cor. 6:15-20; 1 John 1.
GOVERNMENT - Government leaders are responsible for encouraging obedience to God and setting an example of same. NOTE: Deut. 17:14-20; Psalm 127:1; Prov. 25:5; Amos 3:3. Jesus stressed the critical nature of heeding His teachings in Luke 6:47,48 and illustrated how failure is guaranteed without Him in John 15:1-5! While these statements apply to all persons, is it not especially important for government leaders to listen and obey for their own good as well as for the good of the society over they hold great influence?
MILITARY - Bible accounts of military victories are numerous when Israel was in a healthy spiritual condition and resolved to honor and obey their God. NOTE: Some statements related to this are Exo. 23:27; Lev. 26:7-9; Deut. 28:7. Some kings who were blessed at points with victories wrought by God were: Asa (2 Chron. 14); Jehoshaphat (2 Chron. 17, 20); Hezekiah (2 Chron. 29 thru 32).
SOCIABILITY - A healthy spirituality means that people will observe God's law, standards, and principles in all their relationships and dealings with one another. Social stability rests totally on obedience to God's laws without exception! NOTE: Exo. 20:1-17; 21 thru 23; Lev. 18 thru 20; Matt. 5 thru 7; John 15:1-17. Of course, there are many, many other portions of Scripture that enlighten us on personal responsibility and guidelines given to us by God.
ECONOMICS - Obedience to God brings about blessings of a material nature in a society. NOTE: Our basic Scripture spells this out in Deut. 28:3-5, 8, 11-13; also see Joshua 1:1-8; 2 Chron. 14:7; Psalm 1:1-3; Isa. 3:10; Matt. 6:33.
ENVIRONMENT - Yes, the environment is impacted for better or worse, depending on how we as a people relate to God. NOTE: Exo. 23:20-27; Lev. 20:22-26; 26:3-5; Deut. 28:8,11,12; Psalm 104:1-15.
When We Give God the Obscene Gesture!
SPIRITUALITY - Genesis 3 gives dramatic details concerning the DISASTER that tops all others when the two individuals at the top of our family tree (of the human race), Adam & Eve, chose to defy God's standards for acceptable behavior! The Biblical record gives us a multitude of examples of individuals and whole nations saying the "N" word [No!] again and again -- "No -- we will do it our way -- just quit meddling in our affairs!" NOTE: Check out the tragedy of saying "No!" to God in Gen. 6,7; Num. 25:1-9; Isa. 24:5-20; 59:1-16; Jer. 23:9-40; Ezek. 13:1-23; 22:25-28; Matt. 15:9; Rom. 16:17-19; 2 Cor. 11:3-15; Gal. 1:6-9. Prophetic ref's are: Matt. 24:4,5,11,24; 2 Thess. 2:1-3; 1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Tim. 4:3,4; 2 Pet. 2:1,2; 3:3-5; Jude 4,17-19.
GOVERNMENT - When spirituality deteriorates, so will government. The 2 primary influences in a society are the religious establishment and the political establishment. NOTE: Examples of political corruption setting in or already entrenched which eventually led to judgment and collapse later on -- see 1 Sam. 15:22,23; 1 Kings 11:1-14; 2 Chron. 33:1-20; Psa. 2:1-4; Isa. 1:23; 9:16; 10:1,2; Jer. 2:26-28; Ezek. 22:6,27; Hos. 5:10; Zeph. 3:1-3.
MILITARY - When a nation begins to sink lower into the depths of depravity and a majority of citizens begin to adopt the "No!" word toward God, the military will eventually be affected -- instead of victory assured, it will come to a place of stalemates and defeats in matters of military conflict! It's embarrassing, but have you noticed how this has been demonstrated in our history since the "negotiated" termination of the Korean War in the early '50's??? The last really decisive military victory for the U.S. in which the terms were unconditional surrender was in WW II!!!!!! NOTE: Anyhow, if you dare to, see Lev. 26:14,17,25,36,37; 2 Chron. 33:1-20; 36:11-21; Isa. 5:24-30; Jer. 37:9,10; Ezek. 14:12-29.
SOCIABILITY - As the "No!" spirit spreads like a deadly cancer and a majority of citizens get infected, there is increased breakdown in family stability and civil order -- it becomes a "stab 'em in the back" and a "cut throat" lifestyle!!
NOTE: Psa. 10:1-11; 12:1,2,5,8; Isa. 1:21-23; 59:1-15; Jer. 2:34; 5:26-29; 7:5,6; Ezek. 9:9; 11:1,2; 13:22; 22:1-14; Micah 7:2-6. Pertinent predictions: Luke 17:26-30; 2 Tim. 3:1-5.
ECONOMICS - Saying a persistent "No!" to God will bring about economic calamity in addition to everything else that begins to unravel at the seams in a society which rebels against God! NOTE: Deut. 28:17,18; Isa. 3:1-26; Jer. 15:13; 20:5; Lam. 5:1-4,15,16; Ezek. 5:11-17; 14:13,14; Hos. 10:1,2; Zeph. 2:11; Hag. 1:5,6.
ENVIRONMENT - Finally, the environment itself will be impacted if widespread repentance does not take place and the dominant spirit in a nation continues to be one of defiance against Almighty God! NOTE: The ultimate example of course is seen in Gen. 6 & 7. Also see Egypt's environmental calamities when God plainly revealed His will to the Egyptians and Pharaoh said the "No!" word -- notice that the Egyptian "gods" were the targets of judgment which resulted in the devastating environmental chaos in Exo. 7 thru 10. Other Scriptures are: Deut. 28:23,24,38-40; Isa. 3:1; 5:6,10; 24:4,19,20; Jer. 3:1-3; Hos. 2:9,12; Joel 1:4; Amos 4:6-10; Hag. 1:7-11; 2:17.
Of course, the temptation might be to say that such matters as previously discussed really have nothing to do us as a
society of people in the years of the 21th century. If that is so, then is God just blowing a lot of hot air when He said,
"The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it, if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it. And the instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it, if it does evil in My sight so that it does not obey My voice, then I will relent concerning the good with which I said I would benefit it."
(Jer. 18:7-10 NKJV)
Now then, are we living in a time that we limit God in saying that He is only concerned about individuals, or is God also concerned collectively? Does God still hold whole nations accountable? Does the DOMINANT spiritual "climate" in a nation have anything to do with how God deals with that nation as time passes? Is the mighty and powerful (??) United States accountable to God -- being that we make a "national profession" of acknowledging God on currency and coin as well as in our "Pledge of Allegiance"????
One issue that people in power positions so frequently refuse to face is the universal law of "sowing and reaping" which God has incorporated into His creation -- it applies whether we are aware of it or not -- just in case you are a little hazy on this one, the memory can be refreshed by looking at Galatians 6:7,8 -- course, it doesn't matter whether you are in a "power position" or not -- it applies to all individuals and corporate structures -- even churches and denominations, believe it or not!! Oh yes, there is that interesting little statement made in Hosea 8:7 about sowing the wind and reaping a whirlwind -- oh, oh!!!
Copyright 1998 > 2024 Clayton D. Harriger