View all Sermons God Is In Control Of The Nations Series Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Sep 16, 2014 (message contributor) (rate this sermon) | 6,026 views Scripture: Jeremiah 18:1-12 Denomination: Nazarene Summary: Does God create nations for His purposes? It is ultimately He who decides their fate. We Christians affirm our belief in the sovereignty of God, but our faith is challenged in times of natural upheaval, national disaster, or personal affliction. (5:21). . He is supreme in excellence and perfect in all His ways. The fact that mans life on earth is a continuation of the preearthly existence and, as such, is concerned with many of the same issues, has major implications for the history of mankind. Take special note of that word reignest. "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then, face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known" (1 Corinthians 13:12). . I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you" (Genesis 12:1-3). This, after all, is the nature of the test in this mortal probation, our second estate. [1] Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, comp. When the doctor appeared his remarks were brief and pointed. 3. I felt as if I were walking with Destiny, and that all my past life had been but a preparation for this hour. [45] In the great plan of God, whom He puts into the game at any given moment may be decisive. Wherefore, I the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth, called upon my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and spake unto him from heaven, and gave him commandments; . It has provided families with sufficient means to allow time for Church service. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed . The plan of salvation is a shared enterprise involving God and His children. I arm you, though you do not know me (Isaiah 45:1-5). It is nothing less than one of the major foundations of Western society and has been the foundation of moral principles and the laws of society for untold millions. Worthy fathers, through their teachings and by the power of their example and the expression of their love in word and deed, have a powerful impact for good on their children. Most professional historians, imbued with the prevailing secularism and humanistic approach, see little, if any, of the hand of God in the unfolding of historical events. there is no condemnation (2 Nephi 9:25), so that divine mercy can intercede on their behalf. Exodus 1:7,20 And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them. For the kingdom is the LordsAnd He rules over the nations. That faith also might increase in the earth; That mine everlasting covenant might be established, that the fulness of my gospel might be proclaimed . Historical Books B. H. Roberts, 2nd ed. we will make an earth whereon these may dwell; and we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them; and they who keep their first estate shall be added upon . Yes, He has been doing what He wanted to do, when He wanted to do it, in the way He wanted to do it, for the purpose He wanted to accomplish, and using whomever He would. [35] Ezra Taft Benson, Beware of Pride, Ensign, May 1989, 46. [28] The truths of science, mathematics, and medicine of the ancient Greeks after their decline were preserved by the Islamic world and introduced into western Europe by them. We discover this in the history of Egypt, Babylon, Media-Persia, Greece, Rome, and especially Israel. There's my answer. The acceleration in the divine outpouring of secular knowledge is uniquely connected with the promises of this, the dispensation of the fulness of times. But it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another (Psalm 75:7). [11] Gordon B. Hinckley, The Quest for Excellence, Ensign, September 1999, 25. [24] Young, Teachings of the Presidents of the Church, 52, 287. The rise and fall of nations is at His desire. 1 Timothy 3:5 - Bible Hub Where the law of chastity is observed and good family life prevails, people can be saved in the family unit by redemptive vicarious ordinances performed at a later date. A 1978 letter of the First Presidency puts several aspects of this issue in perspective, showing that God has also been working with them and has provided for their salvation. Individual instructors or editors may still require the use of URLs. The New Testament Consequently, they did not consistently excel as a witness to other nations. She spoke first. The Gospels God, Nations, Rulers, and the Affairs of Men - CultureWatch and the mighty works of God in each of the seven thousand years of the family of Adam upon the earth will be revealed (D&C 88:10809). 33:10-11; Isa. But to identify the hand of God in history, one needs to discover the means by which He shapes our destinies and interacts in the historical process. Every afflicted Christian should bow to the absolute sovereignty of God and surrender to Him the right to do what He chooses to do, whenever He chooses to do it, in any way He chooses to do it, for any purpose He wants to accomplish, and to use any person He chooses. The destiny of the Book of Mormon is to cover the earth as a flood, extending the gospel message to all people, in order to build up Zion and usher in Christs millennial reign (see Moses 7:62). And if they have not had access to the gospel and its ordinances in this life, they will have the privilege of learning in the spirit world and through vicarious ordinances become heirs of salvation (see D&C 138:3135, 5859). As individuals and nations, the choice is ours to make! GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point A second way in which God has worked directly among the children of men since the time of Adam has been to reveal Himself and the laws and ordinances of His gospel to them in succeeding dispensations. Later, God renewed His impartial call to many languages from every nation (h). [35] God rules among the armies of men (see D&C 60:4) and is the Lord of Hosts. Natural disasters such as earthquakes, thunderings, lightnings, tempests, and waves of the sea heaving themselves beyond their bounds may serve to reinforce the testimony of Gods servants (see D&C 88:90). Eighteen days had passed since Elsie's stroke. What are your needs?" This is God's promise that He will place a limit upon the severity of the trial and that He will give us sufficient strength to bear up under it. Deuteronomy 32:8 Verse Concepts When Nations Rise and Fall | United Church of God [God] knew. Moral truths were given to them by God to enlighten whole nations and to bring a higher level of understanding to individuals. God has thus provided that all men and women have a conscience and that they have divine promptings to do good (see Moroni 7:13, 16). the depth of iniquity that would be connected with the human family, their weakness and strength, . When a new idea, product or concept is introduced, it goes through times of transition before acceptance. [21] See Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine: Sermons and Writings of President Joseph F. Smith (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1986), 6568. The Bible says. The Old and New Testaments detail the first two times God gathered people to function as His Kingdom, recording how well the invitations were embraced. The God of the Bible is eternal and self-existent. First, he bore witness to the sovereignty of God when he was afflicted. The Bible Gives Illustrations Of God's Involvement In Human History. In places where I have taken the power away from You, I need You to take it back. I see no difference between a God who is not sovereign and no God at all. [18] Those who hold priesthood keys administer the affairs of His church and kingdom. In the words of Nephi, God raiseth up a righteous nation, and destroyeth the nations of the wicked (1 Nephi 17:37). And all the while, God has been in control. What the Bible says about God's Control of History Stephen Ricks and Donald W. Parry (Salt Lake City and Provo, UT: Deseret Book and FARMS, 1991); Hugh Nibley, Temple and Cosmos: Beyond This Ignorant Present (Salt Lake City and Provo, UT: Deseret Book and FARMS, 1992). The Bible gives the following testimony. I wouldn't have had any answer. As we see, Gods call to function freely as a nation began with the process of physically delivering from slavery, followed by a transformation of changing minds and perceptions. The gathering of their scriptures will attend the gathering together of the house of Israel (see 2 Nephi 29:1213; D&C 133:2633). General Epistles It is thus an attempt to look at human history through a window of faith provided by scripture and latter-day revelation. History tells us that an all-powerful God has been working behind the scenes. It also testifies of Christ, fulfilling the law of witnesses, and gives His doctrine in greater clarity than the Bible. [54] Thomas S. Monson, Pathways to Perfection (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1980), 22330. Isaiah 45:7 Verse Concepts The One forming light and creating darkness, He takes away the understanding of the chiefs of the people of the earth, and makes them wander in a pathless wilderness. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. May 12, 2022 The Biden administration is setting the stage to hand ultimate control of America's health care system and U.S. national sovereignty over to the World Health Organization (WHO). Politics latest: Decisions on public sector pay rises expected today The Sovereignty of God over the Nations - Precious Seed The Old Testament Initially, they learned to live as people who were free to prosper from their own labor rather than existing on handouts from a ruling class. He was the master teacher, the greatest of all time, but note His explanation, I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things (John 8:28). in all things (D&C 59:21)has become increasingly more visible in the dynamic of His Church and in preparing the world for the preaching of the gospel. Wherever love is promoted in family relations, there the work of God is being accomplished. While at times God may manifest His power in mighty works for the salvation of His children or as arbiter of the nations, for the most part He works quietly among the children of men as a teacher of righteousness, distilling truth upon their souls, using the means He deems best adapted to the circumstance. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth (Proverbs 8:1516). John Quincy Adams warned on July 4, 1821, that the US should speak "the language of equal liberty, of equal justice, and of equal rights"not of empire. Brigham Young University [21] To gauge the influence of the Light of Christ in the works of man is to consider every principle of law, organization, learning, social organization, and intellectual thought that has ever graced the intellects of man and to consider all the cultural arts, scientific knowledge, and technology that have contributed to human betterment. . [52] Nephi began his prophetic writings with the words, I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, and went on to explain that as a result he had been taught somewhat in all the learning of my father (1 Nephi 1:1). The same is true with regard to making machinery, whether it be a steamboat, a carding machine, threshing machine, or anything else . When the doctor appeared his remarks were brief and pointed. History, therefore, has a clear goal, and it is moving toward a definite consummation in the Second Coming and glorious reign of Jesus Christ. Bruce R. McConkie (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 197778), 1:17881. The noble and great ones He sends for His own purposes at appropriate times (see Abraham 3:2226). But, this glorious age has the benefit of an even greater knowledgethat of direct revelation from the heavens to living prophets, the fifteenth way God influences His children. Provo, UT 84602 Relational Gospel Founder Earth life merely provides a new venue and somewhat different conditions for the pursuit of the conflict. He and his wife, Debbie, have served in the ministry for more than 43 years. Civilizations have risen and fallen. The history of the nation Israel contains one example after another of the providential hand of God. And what of Joseph Smith, the Lords prophet, whose family God prepared for generations, [38] and whom God raised up to usher in the glorious age of the last dispensation? Email / username or password was incorrect! [70] The prime directive of earth life is agency. A twelfth way in which God has interacted in the destinies of mankind is in the raising up of lands of freedom. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point How is God involved in our affairs today and why should we care? . The New Testament One day Elsie and I will understand that which for the present is hidden from us. Whom He sends. . My mind was too boggled. The prophecy that war and destruction would be poured out upon all nations following the American Civil War (see D&C 87:3) has been accomplished in the two world wars [68] and in numerous other armed conflicts. [40] Joseph Fielding Smith, in Conference Report, April 1970, 6; Neal A. Maxwell, Notwithstanding My Weakness (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1981), 1819; James E. Faust, Finding Light in a Dark World (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1995), 1078. God is the One who ultimately judges the nations. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth. At that particular moment my mind was not capable of rationalizing the majesty of God's sovereignty. Covenants and covenant peoples play a major role in His plan for the salvation of His children. All that I am, all that I hope to be, I owe to my Angel mother, said Abraham Lincoln. It is obvious that there is a divine plan behind the workings of the nations. the situation of all nations and . Quite frankly, I confess to having had a bit of a problem on the day of April 14, 1982. He is the one and only autonomist, self-contained and self-controlled, with the right and power of self-government. guide the destinies and lives of men upon the earth. [58] President David O. McKay expressed a similar view, stating that motherhood was the noblest calling or office in the world and the mightiest of all forces in human society, with the greatest potential influence either for good or ill in human life. [59] Not only the role of mothers, but the role of women in other spheres of endeavor, particularly in the modern period, needs to be considered in the historical process. [40], But what of all the philosophers and thinkers, the kings, queens, politicians, statesmen, and talented men and woman of every society who have guided, directed, and managed the affairs of men? Its purpose is to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations (title page). For those who have been baptized and are worthy, the Holy Ghost becomes their constant companion, guiding them to all truth and bearing witness of the Father and the Son. No previous generation of which we are aware ever has had so much scientific and technical knowledge. The voice of warning is unto all. Explain God controls the affairs of the nations - StopLearn He has raised up lands of liberty. God's Rule Over the Nations. [49], Lands of freedom. Rather, it is to see how God, the giver of every good gift, has provided the context, has peopled the earth, and by a variety of means has interacted to influence the affairs of mankind. The book of Daniel was written to teach the sovereign rule of God over all nations on earth. In addition, there are promised scriptures yet to come forth, particularly those of the ten tribes. Divine Sovereignty vs. Human Responsibility | Bible.org [39] And, as modern prophets and apostles have affirmed, in this great last day of the preparation for the coming of the Son of God in which we live, many of the noble and great ones have been held back to come forth at the appropriate time to accomplish the work of God. [66]. . [5] See President Packer Tells of Drama of All Ages, Church News, May 13, 1995. Edward J. Kemp (New York: The New York Academy of Sciences, 1965), 60. Their destiny was completely in His hand. Their existence and survival is an example of the faithfulness of God. From that time forward, the nations distress or prosperity was guided by the attitude and actions of the King. The Lord Jesus Christ, sent to earth in the meridian of time, has accomplished the greatest work of all in the example He set, in the truth He taught, in the Church He organized, and, above all, in the Atonement He wrought for the salvation of mankind and in His resurrection from the dead, which brought the victory over the grave for all mankind.