DR. WILBUR SMITH WRITES. "WE ARE LIVING ON TOP OF A VOLCANO" - AND WE CAN READILY SEE IT.

• The big danger today is not Russia, nor China directly - but our own breakdown of authority - anarchy.
• Atheism in Government leads to Anarchy- loss of all civil authority - riotousness - to Dictatorship
• For after anarchy - the death angel of freedom - comes the black plague of dictatorship to save.

We need to take a good look at our view of authority, or we will lose police and military!

THE THREAT OF ANARCHY ! ! !

The liberals are generating and teaching riot, but not history - or they would know - sow wind, reap a whirlwind!

WE NEED TO THANK GOD FOR OUR COUNTRY AND OUR GENERATION TODAY!  WE REAP OTHERS' GODLINESS!

• We still have the greatest time in history to ourselves now - here!  Freedom, luxury, education!
• Opportunities for self are great - this generation has won - health, wealth, moon, transplants - race?
• We have had NO WARS IN THE USA, have whipped pestilence, famine, ignorance, and live like millionaires 

BUT OUR WORLD IS ABOUT TO EXPLODE UPON OUR HEADS FOR WE HAVE NOT BEEN TRUE TO GOD!

• Modern authors - frustration, no hope at all, tear down all values with none to replace them
• Winless foreign wars, crime, violence, riots, pollution, immorality - home, church, education all decaying
• Our symbols of authority are attacked - peace officers called pigs - power is restrained until it explodes in National Guard power

WE SHOULD NOT BE SURPRISED NOR DISCOURAGED, FOR THE BIBLE HAS TOLD US ABOUT ALL THIS.

• Matt 24:6 tells of wars and rumors, 7-18 of Christians suffering injustices and death
• II Tim 3:1 - perilous times, I Thess 5:3 when they cry peace, WAR suddenly, without declaration!
• Luke 21:28 turns all this terrible time into glorious victory - the Lord is coming - hold true!

Like "Tale of Two Cities" - this is the best of times, and the worst of times - which is it for you???

THE BIBLICAL VIEW OF AUTHORITY - ROMANS 13

God has placed us under human government, and He has set its purpose and limits - or else!

"THE POWERS (EXOUSIA) THAT BE ARE ORDAINED OF GOD" - V.1 - OUR GOVERNMENT POWERS RULE BY DIVINE RIGHT

• The principle of human government comes from Genesis 8:21ff - man must govern himself - good / bad
• In anarchy - Judges 21:25 - in no government - sin rules, the godly perish, God rules by nature - law of the jungle.
• We know that power corrupts men, so wise men build with check and balance powers

THE BIBLE DECLARES THAT RULERS ARE A TERROR TO EVIL WORKERS - V.3

• The Roman government of Paul's day was copied in America so that we could have a rule of law
• Punishment then was swift and sure, and Paul took advantage of its system of appeals -
• God has declared that rulers are His ministers - police, military - not always good - but ministers.

THE POLICE AND THE MILITARY BEAR ARMS AS MINISTERS OF GOD FOR VENGEANCE AND WRATH - V.4

• Romans 12:19 and others removes the right of Christians to vengeance - for God will assign this task
• Romans 13:4 tells how God does it - the sword of police, military- minister of vengeance - wrath!
• If you think the police/military are awful, you are on the wrong side, as a Canadian town found out!

Modern songs ask, "What is truth?" and who will answer? There is truth, and answers - listen!

THE BIBLICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR CHRISTIANS - V.5-14

When a nation turns godless, and to anarchy - the Christian must still seek higher authority!

A CHRISTIAN IS UNDER A DOUBLE GOVERNMENT - AND A DOUBLE RESTRAINT - c. v.5

• The wolves are forced to obey by wrath - the Christian lamb should for conscience sake - but!
• Even Dr. Spock is worried about pornography, and the loss of standards in America today.
• Our higher law is based on LOVE - v. 8-10 - and this is far more strict than Mosaic law or state law.

WE MUST WAKE UP AND KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING, AND THE PART WE MUST PLAY IN TODAY'S WORLD - V.11-

• The salvation mentioned in v.11 is like Rom 8:23, complete physical salvation - 2nd coming
• The day is at hand, we had better get busy- v. 12, there is time for work and we need armor for the fight.
• We had better discipline like soldiers to get sin out - v. 13,14

THE FUTURE IS JUST AS BRIGHT AS THE PROMISES OF GOD, AND THIS IS NO IDLE CHATTER-

• We are faced with a spiritual battle, great, terrible, forceful- a strong man will rejoice!
• The battle lines are confused, but know that God is not confused, neither are mature Christians
• Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ - v.14, also of Eph 6:11-18 - armor is not to sit in!

The world may collapse, but the Christian conquered Rome, and can be victorious today!

THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN BE SAVED FROM A TERRIBLE DEATH AS THE WORLD COLLAPSES IS BY THE HAND OF GOD

• My preaching will not save America- but it can lead you to the Lord if you will listen!
• Every attitude of yours, every decision, deed, will be judged - will it stand up in eternity?
• Your time to say YES to God is NOW - accept Christ, accept His way to victory - live it!