I write this as a Christian and a concerned American. Although written from an American perspective this could easily apply to any liberty based, God fearing free country in the world. The title of this piece is taken from our Pledge of Allegiance:

I pledge allegiance, to the flag
of the United States of America
and to the Republic for which it stands,
one nation, under God, indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.

I learned the pledge and recited it daily as a youth in school. Any arguments over the history of the pledge is academic and those who argue that may do so...that is not the point of this article. The pledge, as it stands right now, has significance. It is my belief that God ordained the United States for a purpose. For a country to rise from rebellion against it's former masters to a superpower in such a short period for a sustained period is not by coincidence. The purpose I believe God had in mind was to affect the defeat of the German's in World War II effectively ending the Holocaust and further to be an ally of the modern state of Israel. Although the US has not done the best job of siding with Israel at all times, I feel that the mid-East would have a different face on it than it does now without God's hand.

I say this not in arrogance (as some will say) but with humility. The successes the US has experienced was not of her own doing but rather of God. Further of note, as the US has drifted away from it's moral foundation provided by it's Judeo-Christian heritage we see the hedge of protection placed around the US by God is weakening and the US beginning to stumble on many fronts. This can be attributed in many cases to the moral decay and rot from within.

My point in all of this is that there are those within the realm of Christianity who say Christians should not participate in politics, work for the government, be in the military or anything else of the like as it is supposedly being of the world and the rule of men should be left to those of the world.

I take issue with this for several reasons...first from Scripture:

Daniel 2:21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

and

Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Romans 13:2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
Romans 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
Romans 13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Romans 13:5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
Romans 13:6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
Romans 13:7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

God raises up and emplaces rulers into position and we are subjected to them...BUT...there is responsibility in conjunction with this, we must do good in the eyes of these rulers and our conscience. As a Christian we know the Holy Spirit speaks to our conscience. These verses speak of involvement to me.

Now, let's go a step further with an allegorical example. If you are making a marvelous dinner, and you just know it's going to be the best one you have ever made, but you forgot to add a critical ingredient called for by the recipe, and that ingredient is salt, what has happened to your meal?

The same goes for this line of thinking regarding politics and civil service. If we are to truly remove ourselves from the process of politics and government service have we not removed the salt (Matt 5:13) that Christ calls us to be? Further, without the salt to "flavor" the decisions of the government what is the end state? We may not be of the world, but we are certainly in it. The world without any of it's leaders being God fearing is what it will be like during the Tribulation week. When God is ready to unleash it, He will, and he doesn't need our help to do it.

You see, there are those that complain about the government and decisions it has made. They complain how these decisions are evil and are against all that is right and yet they stay on the sidelines. There are also those who see the same shortcomings but act upon it and try to fix it. The equation is simple, "You can either complain from the outside, or fix it from the inside".

If we are to follow what I believe Romans 13:1-7 says and follow the leaders God ordained but do good by both law and conscience that means we need to get and stay involved. We need to try to fix the system from within and lead as many to God as we can whether by direct witness or by the life we live as an example.

The next thing that opponents to involvement spurn is any form of nationalism. From where I'm sitting, when nationalism ends, the stage is set and the 'end times' starts. Why do I say this? It's certainly not because I want to stay here any longer than I need to, but rather nationalism leaves the door open for God to finish calling His people home and use the Church to do it. Globalism will crush Christianity due to intolerance, being haters etc.

As we enter into the 2008 election process for the United States, our country sits on the brink. One of two things will happen. If McCain/Palin gets elected the United States (barring anything else God has in store) will continue to feed, rescue, support and defend the world at the behest of the world. If Obama/Biden gets elected (especially if the House and the Senate remain the same) the US will most likely fold into the world or collapse due to any number of things.

Look at the recent polls, 90% of the world wants Obama? Does that not concern you? Further look closely at his beliefs, history and associates. He is a dyed in the wool globalist intent on leading the US into a global society.

What happens in Revelation?:

Revelation 6:2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

The rise of the antichrist to world power. Now before anyone gets their hackles up I'm not saying Obama is the antichrist (although an interesting proposition, its extremely and biblically unlikely). Further we see in Revelation 13:

Revelation 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

A world leader is brought forth to rule over ALL kindreds, tongues and nations. It's the ultimate in globalism and man-centered beliefs to go along with it (sounds a lot like liberalism does it not?).

We know from a proper view of Scripture that the US is not mentioned in the end times scenarios...so what happened to the US? It could be any number of things, but a plausible scenario is the wrong combination of people rise to power (again under God's hand when he's ready to commence the final prophecies) fold the flag of the US and roll up into some one nation under satan's globalist scenario.

To me, nationalism, is an inhibitor from this occurring. As with all things it is entirely up to God as He makes the rules and all the speculation we make is for naught since we don't fully know His plan. But so long as there are God fearing people out there who support and defend their countries against all enemies foreign and domestic...globalism just isn't going to occur.

My point in all of this is simple, be salt, fix what you can, fight evil, fight corruption, make a difference and above all occupy until He comes! Maranatha!!

Tags: evil | good | government | nationalism | romans | united states | world