Over the years a theory has been that the United States of America was another of God’s chosen nations. Just as Israel was God’s chosen nation and people to provide the world with a Savior, the USA may have been chosen to evangelize the world.
Considering such a possibility, in this 250th year as a nation, it’s time we realized this very precious and unique assignment given to us by our Creator.
America has been blessed with the ability to “preach this Gospel to all nations” (Matthew 24: 14). America has the financial resources, communication and transportation methods, the physical abilities and knowledge to do so.
We have been given a special gift in this land. God must have a specific purpose. The old world had existed for centuries without the knowledge of the existence of the western hemisphere. Why does America exist as it does?
In a brief survey of the history of the Western Hemisphere, the world as the Europeans and Asians knew it; this side of the planet did not exist until about 500 years ago.
Here we are approaching the 2000 year point since Jesus ascended into Heaven. Time wise and chronologically, it is time for something to happen. With the geo-political conditions and prophesies happening, it appears many of the “end of the age” predictions are occurring.
Wars are on many fronts. The world population is so out of control, prophesy of famines and pestilences (Matthew 24: 7) are a certainty. Knowledge has increased (Daniel 12: 4) and the characteristics of mankind (2 Timothy 3: 2-5) are witnessed daily all around the world.
Many believe the return of Jesus is imminent but people have been thinking this since He ascended. So the question remains: Is the USA a specified nation to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world?
The early settlers (1600’s) found a land rich in resources. After their existence in Europe this new found continent must have seemed like Heaven.
The heavily forested land provided wood/lumber to build everything from a baby cradle to sailing ships. The abundant woodlands provided fuel for heating and cooking. Trees provided maple syrup and homes for the abundant wildlife that provided food.
Bernhard Eduard Fernow, a German American forester, is credited with saying “Civilization is built on wood from the cradle to the coffin.”
Resources such as iron, copper, lime, coal, wood, cotton and wool provided the raw materials necessary for manufacturing. In later years Eli Whitney developed the system of interchangeable parts (1798), which was a forerunner of the moving assembly line (Henry Ford 1913) and the stage was set for the greatest manufacturing economy the world had ever known.
With the many lakes and rivers, the inland of the new world was conveniently traversed. Water as a resource but also a method of transporting products and people became a lifeline for the new nation.
A large part of the USA is in a temperate climate zone. The warm humid summers make the growing of crops in abundance a reality. From Illinois to Colorado, millions of acres of farm land feed the American people and a part of the rest of the world.
Conditions in the south-eastern U.S. are perfect for growing crops from peanuts to cotton to sugar cane. Many areas are favorable for rice, wheat and barley. For this new nation to feed itself wasn’t easy but was possible for an industrious and inventive people.
Those migrating from Europe were not expecting the climatic and natural resource conditions that existed here. But what they found was a paradise for the hard working, freedom loving people they were. They came here expecting to work, not looking for an easy life.
They also came here with an intention of bringing Christianity to this new land. Missionaries came with the knowledge of Savior Jesus and the desire to spread His gospel.
One of the early missionaries was Jacques Marquette, a Frenchman determined to teach the indigenous peoples the saving power of Jesus Christ.
The study of Marquette reminds me of the Apostle Paul. Life would have been so much easier to stay home, sit back and watch the flowers grow. But no! Those believer-followers of our Jesus felt so strongly about the truth and authenticity of God Jesus (John 1: 1-3), they were compelled to share that knowledge.
Can Christians in the twenty-first century feel that compassion? Jesus’ last words before ascending were Acts 1: 8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” This new world became to them “the uttermost parts.”
Could Christians in today’s busy world have that passion? Fortunately, some do but it takes more than a few in our world of over eight-billion people. “Urgent” is a word that greatly applies in this case.
Without a belief in our Jesus and the teachings of the Holy Bible the world will continue to degrade into a Sodom and Gomorrah condition.
Perhaps the United States of America IS God’s chosen nation to evangelize the world. It takes time, money and a burden for the spiritually lost. Every Christian has a personal testimony and the knowledge of the Christian plan of salvation.
We must realize we are all sinners (Romans 3: 23), that we must confess to God we are sinners (1 John 1: 9). We must repent of our sins (Acts 3: 19), and ask God to save us.
The Bible teaches there is only one eternal salvation. That is by a faith based belief (Ephesians 2: 8) that Christ Jesus was crucified (Matthew 27: 35) for the remission of sin (Romans 4: 25), resurrected (Matthew 28: 6) and ascended alive into Heaven (Acts 1: 9).
Van Yandell is a retired Industrial Arts teacher, an ordained gospel evangelist and missionary. His email is [email protected].
