Steps Downward

By J Vernon McGee

I want you to notice a philosophy of history that we find in God’s Word. The three steps that precede the downfall of any nation are first of all, religious apostasy; second, there is moral awfulness; and third, political anarchy. These are the three steps downward that all the great nations of the past, lying this moment in rubble and ashes, have taken. Rome, for instance, is the classic example. The historian Gibbon gives five reasons for the decline and fall of the Roman Empire. The first step down is the undermining of the dignity and sanctity of the home, which is the basis of human society. Second, higher and higher taxes, the spending of public money for free bread and circuses for the populace. Third, the mad craze for pleasure, sports becoming every year more exciting, more brutal, and more immoral. Fourth, the building of great armaments when the great enemy is within — the decay of individual responsibility. And fifth, the decay of religion, fading into mere form, losing touch with life, losing power to guide the people. These were the downward steps that Rome took, Greece took, and which all the great nations of the past have taken. If God should call America into court today and specify His charges against us, where would He begin?

Political Anarchy

Would He begin with political anarchy? Certainly He could, for the press tells of the open scandal that exists today in high places. In spite of all the smoke, it is obvious to the average citizen that there is some fire. Today in America we have, as I’m sure you recognize, political anarchy. We are in grave danger as a nation. They are trying to doctor that up,trying to patch up the dike by putting in a little plastic here and a little there,and it’s all political expediency. We think if we get a certain party in and a certain party out,or if we get a certain candidate in, we’ve solved the problems of the nation. I do not discuss politics and I’m not doing it now. But, my friend, just changing parties is not what America needs — any more than you can cure cancer by putting on another suit of clothes. God could put His finger down on political anarchy, which is at work in our beloved nation today, but I do not believe that is where He would begin.

Moral Awfulness

Would He begin with moral awfulness? It is obvious that there is a moral breakdown in America that is unprecedented in our history,or the history of any other nation. In one year, Americans have spent 65 billion dollars on alcoholic beverages. Sixty percent of the young people under age 25 have tried some form of illegal drug. Eight billion dollars a year are spent on pornography. Homosexuals have banded together to form one of the most powerful, intimidating forces in politics. One and a half million babies are aborted every year in this country. Surely God could bring a charge of moral awfulness against our nation, but I do not believe that He would begin there. Now when the Lord Jesus came to Jerusalem, He could have spoken to them about the political situation. John the Baptist as a prophet rebuked Herod,the king, but did you notice that the Lord Jesus did not attempt to straighten out Herod? Other than referring to him as “that fox,”He had no word for Herod whatsoever. Have you ever noticed that He did not attempt to correct the moral condition of the city of Jerusalem? It was corrupt. Why,they even brought to Him a woman taken in adultery and He forgave her.

Religious Apostasy

But I’ll tell you where our Lord did put His finger down. It was on religious apostasy. He nearly took the hide off the Pharisees, and they were the fundamentalists of their day. They represented the best in religion. But because their hearts were far from God, they delivered Him to be crucified. Also, in Isaiah’s day, God put His finger down on religious apostasy. In a scathing way He denounced His people:

"To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD; I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts, and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he-goats." (Isaiah 1:11)

These people had a God-given religion. They had a God-appointed ritual in a God-constructed temple, but they were wrong in that which represented the very best in their religion. They were bringing sacrifices and going through the ritual according to the letter of the Law, but their hearts were in rebellion against God, and their lives were lived in sin. God says, “I don’t want your sacrifices anymore, I don’t want you to bring these vain oblations to Me. I don’t want these things, for the very simple reason that your heart is far from Me.” Oh, my friend, it’s easy to go to church, even be active in the services there, and still have your heart far from God. Where is your heart? Does God have it? Let me paraphrase what God says,“There’s no use coming to church, there’s no use going through the ritual. It’s all a sham and a show — unless your heart is right with Me.” What about your heart?