WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:04.704 ♪♪♪ 00:04.771 --> 00:05.372 Gerald Weston: Western culture is changing 00:05.438 --> 00:09.008 radically and rapidly. 00:09.075 --> 00:10.176 Collective belief in the God of the Bible is 00:10.243 --> 00:14.748 clearly waning, as shown in numerous surveys. 00:14.814 --> 00:19.719 Don Feder in a March 29, 2022, "Washington Times" opinion piece 00:19.786 --> 00:23.523 wrote, "The study by the prestigious American Enterprise 00:23.590 --> 00:27.394 Institute titled 'Generation Z and the future of faith in 00:27.460 --> 00:32.298 America,' which was released on March the 24th, shows a steady 00:32.365 --> 00:36.269 erosion of religious affiliation and the corresponding 00:36.336 --> 00:40.840 rise of atheism and agnosticism." 00:40.907 --> 00:43.309 Some may question whether this trend is harmful to our modern 00:43.376 --> 00:48.281 nations, but Feder warned this "just-published 00:48.348 --> 00:50.383 survey of the decline of religion in America 00:50.450 --> 00:54.287 should set off alarm bells in our heads. 00:54.354 --> 00:57.323 The growth of secularism is one more cause 00:57.390 --> 01:01.995 for anxiety about the future of our republic." 01:02.061 --> 01:04.764 What happens when nations forget God? 01:04.831 --> 01:07.801 I'll explore that question on today's "Tomorrow's World" 01:07.867 --> 01:11.471 program, and I'll also be offering you an absolutely free 01:11.538 --> 01:16.142 resource, "Acts of God: Why Natural Disasters?" 01:16.209 --> 01:18.044 There have always been what we call natural 01:18.111 --> 01:20.280 disasters, but it seems that in the last few years 01:20.346 --> 01:24.083 we have experienced more than normal. 01:24.150 --> 01:26.719 The western United States has been in what is called 01:26.786 --> 01:30.223 exceptional drought for several years. 01:30.290 --> 01:33.393 The town of Lytton, British Columbia, in Canada saw an 01:33.460 --> 01:39.265 unbelievably high temperature of 49.6 degree Celsius. 01:39.332 --> 01:46.539 That's 121.3 degrees Fahrenheit in June of 2021, 01:46.606 --> 01:48.908 and that's in Canada. 01:48.975 --> 01:51.444 And Australia has suffered through alternating 01:51.511 --> 01:53.279 droughts and floods for several years. 01:53.346 --> 01:55.515 Is this all a matter of coincidence, 01:55.582 --> 01:58.318 or is there more to it? 01:58.384 --> 02:01.654 Is God perhaps trying to get our attention? 02:01.721 --> 02:03.456 "Acts of God: Why Natural Disasters?" 02:03.523 --> 02:06.559 brings clarity to this question, 02:06.626 --> 02:09.896 and it can be yours free of charge. 02:09.963 --> 02:13.066 The decline of Christianity in the United States, Britain, 02:13.132 --> 02:15.301 Canada, Australia, Europe, and elsewhere should, 02:15.368 --> 02:19.405 as Feder warned, set off alarm bells, and 02:19.472 --> 02:23.042 I'll show you why, so stay with me. 02:23.109 --> 02:29.349 ♪♪♪ 02:29.415 --> 02:31.618 Gerald Weston: A warm welcome to all of you from 02:31.684 --> 02:34.587 "Tomorrow's World," where today I'm discussing 02:34.654 --> 02:37.824 what happens when nations forget God. 02:37.891 --> 02:40.927 That our Western nations have become less religious 02:40.994 --> 02:43.463 and more secular is without doubt. 02:43.530 --> 02:47.267 As Don Feder pointed out in "The Washington Times," 02:47.333 --> 02:50.537 "Generation Z, those born between 1997 and 02:50.603 --> 02:56.109 2012, is the least religious in our history." 02:56.175 --> 02:58.278 And it's not only the United States. 02:58.344 --> 03:00.179 The United Kingdom has been on a 03:00.246 --> 03:03.516 long slide away from God for decades. 03:03.583 --> 03:06.819 A Religious Media Centre online briefing discussed 03:06.886 --> 03:11.324 the early findings of the 2021 census. 03:11.391 --> 03:13.526 "In the UK, the panelists expected that the results of the 03:13.593 --> 03:18.865 2021 Census, which are due to be published in the spring, would 03:18.932 --> 03:21.868 show 'significant changes.'" 03:21.935 --> 03:24.070 Those significant changes include a 03:24.137 --> 03:26.539 decline in religious interest, but panelists pointed 03:26.606 --> 03:31.311 out that the decline is not even across the board. 03:31.377 --> 03:35.381 According to Bishop Mike Royal, "In many communities," he said, 03:35.448 --> 03:38.418 "religion was more important than ever. 03:38.484 --> 03:41.187 Sixty per cent of people in church in London, 03:41.254 --> 03:44.157 on any given Sunday, were black. 03:44.223 --> 03:47.694 There was a 'huge explosion' of black-majority black-led 03:47.760 --> 03:51.531 churches and the Nigerian-led Redeemed Christian Church of God 03:51.598 --> 03:56.336 was the fastest growing denomination in the UK." 03:56.402 --> 03:59.572 According to this same source, the census is expected to show 03:59.639 --> 04:03.042 the following changes over the last decade. 04:03.109 --> 04:07.347 "In 2011, the census showed 59 per cent said they were 04:07.413 --> 04:11.918 Christian, 25 per cent no religion, and 5 per cent 04:11.985 --> 04:17.423 Muslim," but in 2021, "it is widely expected that the number 04:17.490 --> 04:22.428 identifying as Christian may dip below 50 per cent and the number 04:22.495 --> 04:25.665 ticking the non-religious box will rise." 04:25.732 --> 04:30.436 Overall, whether the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, 04:30.503 --> 04:33.573 Canada, or the United States, secularism 04:33.640 --> 04:36.109 is on the rise, and religious, especially 04:36.175 --> 04:39.479 organized Christian religion, is in decline. 04:39.545 --> 04:44.250 Some think this is a good thing, and the idea is not new. 04:44.317 --> 04:46.653 Remember "Imagine," the popular John Lennon song, 04:46.719 --> 04:50.657 which is now more than 50 years old? 04:50.723 --> 04:54.694 Lists vary, but according to rateyourmusic.com 04:54.761 --> 05:00.299 "Imagine" was the number one song of the 20th century. 05:00.366 --> 05:01.801 "Imagine there's no heaven. 05:01.868 --> 05:03.569 It's easy if you try. 05:03.636 --> 05:04.470 No hell below us. 05:04.537 --> 05:07.306 Above us only sky. 05:07.373 --> 05:11.644 Imagine all the people living for today." 05:11.711 --> 05:14.881 Well, we hardly have to imagine anymore, as each generation 05:14.947 --> 05:17.750 seems to outdo the last when it comes to casting 05:17.817 --> 05:21.654 off belief in God and living only for today. 05:21.721 --> 05:23.589 "Imagine there's no countries. 05:23.656 --> 05:25.625 It isn't hard to do. 05:25.692 --> 05:31.197 Nothing to kill or die for and no religion too. 05:31.264 --> 05:35.268 Imagine all the people living life in peace." 05:35.334 --> 05:39.472 Again, it's not hard to imagine because this is becoming more 05:39.539 --> 05:44.310 the normal, except for the part about living life in peace. 05:44.377 --> 05:46.679 There's more sentimental foolishness in John Lennon and 05:46.746 --> 05:50.750 Yoko Ono's "Imagine," but I think we get the point. 05:50.817 --> 05:54.754 While dreamers imagine no religion, the ultimate target of 05:54.821 --> 05:59.292 many is the God of the Bible, no God, no 05:59.358 --> 06:02.495 afterlife, no hope beyond the grave. 06:02.562 --> 06:06.299 Just live for today and somehow that will bring peace and 06:06.365 --> 06:09.702 happiness to all, and don't you just love that line in the song 06:09.769 --> 06:15.641 about "Imagine no possessions," coming from one whose net worth, 06:15.708 --> 06:18.778 according to celebritynetworth.com, 06:18.845 --> 06:21.781 was estimated to be $200 million 06:21.848 --> 06:24.951 at the time of his death in 1980? 06:25.017 --> 06:28.654 And apparently, Yoko Ono, whose net worth exceeds 06:28.721 --> 06:32.825 $700 million, co-wrote "Imagine." 06:32.892 --> 06:35.695 Neither were hardly without possessions. 06:35.762 --> 06:38.631 While others dream about a world without God, thinking 06:38.698 --> 06:42.535 individuals might well ask, "Is our world getting better or 06:42.602 --> 06:46.339 worse as we cast aside our Creator?" 06:46.405 --> 06:49.008 The answer is all around us. 06:49.075 --> 06:52.078 Crime is skyrocketing in major cities. 06:52.145 --> 06:54.647 Freedoms are being infringed upon. 06:54.714 --> 06:58.050 There's a major war in continental Europe, 06:58.117 --> 07:00.419 one that some fear could once again 07:00.486 --> 07:02.789 engulf the continent and the world. 07:02.855 --> 07:06.626 China and the West are increasingly at odds. 07:06.692 --> 07:09.428 Iran is working on a nuclear weapon. 07:09.495 --> 07:11.264 Governments are failing. 07:11.330 --> 07:13.266 Economies are in shambles. 07:13.332 --> 07:16.769 Inflation, broken supply chains, empty store shelves, and 07:16.836 --> 07:20.039 electrical blackouts are becoming a way 07:20.106 --> 07:23.376 of life in some parts of the world. 07:23.442 --> 07:26.245 Do you, my friends, feel safer and more prosperous 07:26.312 --> 07:29.382 today than you did five years ago? 07:29.448 --> 07:32.451 We'll look at the answer to that question in a moment, but first, 07:32.518 --> 07:34.854 I wanna tell you about a resource that can be yours free 07:34.921 --> 07:41.127 for the asking, "Acts of God: Why Natural Disaster?" 07:41.194 --> 07:43.596 Much of the Western United States has suffered 07:43.663 --> 07:45.631 multiple years of exceptional drought. 07:45.698 --> 07:50.503 Europe saw a record-high temperature this past summer, 07:50.570 --> 07:51.737 and parts of America and Australia have 07:51.804 --> 07:55.174 suffered record-breaking floods. 07:55.241 --> 07:57.743 Is this the result of man-made climate change, 07:57.810 --> 08:01.480 or is there something else at work? 08:01.547 --> 08:04.984 The Bible long ago predicted what would happen to nations who 08:05.051 --> 08:09.288 forsake the only true God, embrace heathen ideas, and 08:09.355 --> 08:12.058 forget the source of their blessings. 08:12.124 --> 08:15.094 So if you'd like to know more about what the Bible says 08:15.161 --> 08:18.197 about your future, order your free copy of 08:18.264 --> 08:22.602 "Acts of God: Why Natural Disaster?" 08:22.668 --> 08:24.804 And when I come back after this short break, we'll look at what 08:24.871 --> 08:29.242 happens when nations forget their Creator. 08:30.509 --> 08:36.682 male announcer: For today's free offer, call... 08:36.749 --> 08:42.989 or go to TWTV.org/Disasters. 08:43.055 --> 08:45.558 This clear and straightforward resource will 08:45.625 --> 08:48.127 help you understand this vital truth 08:48.194 --> 08:51.631 straight from the pages of the Bible. 08:51.697 --> 08:54.200 If you're calling for the first time, you will also receive a 08:54.267 --> 08:58.204 free annual subscription to "Tomorrow's World" magazine. 08:58.271 --> 09:01.841 Ten inspiring issues discussing news, science and 09:01.908 --> 09:04.377 modern culture will help you make sense of 09:04.443 --> 09:08.381 your world from a biblical perspective. 09:08.447 --> 09:10.883 Call today and join millions around the world who are turning 09:10.950 --> 09:15.321 to "Tomorrow's World" for truth, prophecy, 09:15.388 --> 09:18.724 and hope in these confusing times. 09:18.791 --> 09:24.764 Call now, or go to TWTV.org/Disasters. 09:30.369 --> 09:32.204 Gerald Weston: Today we're exploring the question of what 09:32.271 --> 09:36.342 happens when nations forget and reject their Creator. 09:36.409 --> 09:38.778 Malachi, the last book in the Old Testament of the Bible, is 09:38.844 --> 09:42.848 an interesting study in self-deception. 09:42.915 --> 09:45.084 When confronted about their behaviors, 09:45.151 --> 09:46.786 the people responded cynically. 09:46.852 --> 09:51.424 For example, he charged them with despising his name, and 09:51.490 --> 09:56.062 their response, "In what way have we despised Your name?" 09:56.128 --> 09:57.763 God's answer is direct. 09:57.830 --> 10:00.866 They were not showing him proper honor and respect. 10:00.933 --> 10:02.835 Kind of like today where people go to 10:02.902 --> 10:06.539 church services just as they are. 10:06.605 --> 10:10.509 Even in dress, they show less respect for God than they do in 10:10.576 --> 10:14.413 the presence of human dignitaries and celebrities. 10:14.480 --> 10:16.415 Just as in Malachi's day, people 10:16.482 --> 10:19.852 today worship God half-heartedly. 10:19.919 --> 10:23.255 God also indicted them for covering his altar with tears 10:23.322 --> 10:26.792 and sorrow, but they responded, "For what reason?" 10:26.859 --> 10:29.996 God's answer, "Because the LORD has been witness 10:30.062 --> 10:33.399 between you and the wife of your youth, 10:33.466 --> 10:36.068 with whom you have dealt treacherously. 10:36.135 --> 10:40.339 For the LORD God of Israel says that He hates divorce." 10:40.406 --> 10:44.543 God commanded them to return to him, but they responded, 10:44.610 --> 10:45.978 "In what way shall we return?" 10:46.045 --> 10:51.650 His answer came with a simple question and an explanation. 10:51.717 --> 10:53.619 "Will a man rob God? 10:53.686 --> 10:54.954 Yet you have robbed Me! 10:55.021 --> 10:59.258 But you say, 'In what way have we robbed you?'" 10:59.325 --> 11:02.461 And God's answer, "In tithes and offerings. 11:02.528 --> 11:03.896 You are cursed with a curse, for you have 11:03.963 --> 11:07.800 robbed Me, even this whole nation." 11:07.867 --> 11:10.102 Tragically, our Western so-called 11:10.169 --> 11:11.837 Christian nations are no different. 11:11.904 --> 11:15.141 Rather than man up for forgetting our 11:15.207 --> 11:19.011 Creator, we reject his very existence. 11:19.078 --> 11:21.781 Even those who profess to know him have ready 11:21.847 --> 11:25.317 excuses why they don't need to obey him. 11:25.384 --> 11:29.655 As it was in Jesus's day, so it is today. 11:29.722 --> 11:31.090 "But why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and 11:31.157 --> 11:34.693 do not do the things which I say?" 11:34.760 --> 11:38.030 That's from Luke the 6th chapter and verse 46. 11:38.097 --> 11:40.800 Let's forget the excuses and take 11:40.866 --> 11:43.602 a hard look at our Western nations. 11:43.669 --> 11:47.139 We can start with the indictment God gave through Malachi, 11:47.206 --> 11:50.709 treachery against one's married partner. 11:50.776 --> 11:53.712 The state of marriage today is disgraceful. 11:53.779 --> 11:55.915 Whether it's the United States, Canada, the 11:55.981 --> 11:59.385 United Kingdom, or other British-descended nations, 11:59.452 --> 12:03.689 the overall picture of marriage is one of betrayal. 12:03.756 --> 12:08.160 According to FinancesOnline, the three leading causes of divorce 12:08.227 --> 12:14.400 in the United States are lack of commitment, 75%; infidelity or 12:14.467 --> 12:24.343 extramarital affairs, 59.6%; too much conflict or arguing, 57.5%. 12:24.410 --> 12:26.545 The following behaviors also play 12:26.612 --> 12:28.013 into the demise of marriages. 12:28.080 --> 12:31.250 Almost 50% of couples with one 12:31.317 --> 12:34.520 alcoholic partner end up divorcing. 12:34.587 --> 12:37.022 Couples who have been living together prior to marriage face 12:37.089 --> 12:44.063 a 40% increase in the likelihood of divorce, and 56% of couples 12:44.130 --> 12:50.236 cited addiction to pornography as a contributor to divorce. 12:50.302 --> 12:51.036 What is the common denominator in 12:51.103 --> 12:53.973 all these causes for failure? 12:54.039 --> 12:57.109 The violation of God's laws. 12:57.176 --> 12:59.712 And what's the effect? 12:59.778 --> 13:05.084 Pain, heartache, and confused and hurting children. 13:05.151 --> 13:07.052 The American and British-descended peoples have 13:07.119 --> 13:10.122 come to prominence in the last two centuries. 13:10.189 --> 13:11.724 There's far more to this story than 13:11.790 --> 13:14.760 most realize, but here's the point. 13:14.827 --> 13:19.131 Consider where we were 150 years ago and where we are today. 13:19.198 --> 13:23.736 Our nations have come to enjoy unparalleled prosperity. 13:23.802 --> 13:26.972 We once were nations that professed belief in God, the God 13:27.039 --> 13:32.077 of the Bible, not that we were ever truly righteous nations, 13:32.144 --> 13:35.281 but we at least had a consciousness of God. 13:35.347 --> 13:37.316 Whatever our relationship was before 13:37.383 --> 13:40.920 with him, it has fallen dramatically. 13:40.986 --> 13:44.557 In this light, is not the warning God gave ancient Israel 13:44.623 --> 13:48.928 appropriate for the American and British-descended peoples? 13:48.994 --> 13:51.830 "When you have eaten and are full, beware that you do not 13:51.897 --> 13:55.601 forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments, His 13:55.668 --> 13:59.939 judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, 14:00.005 --> 14:03.275 lest--when you have eaten and are full and have built 14:03.342 --> 14:06.812 beautiful houses and dwell in them; and when your herds and 14:06.879 --> 14:09.348 your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are 14:09.415 --> 14:13.819 multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; when your 14:13.886 --> 14:17.022 heart is lifted up, and you forget the LORD 14:17.089 --> 14:19.258 your God who brought you out of the land of 14:19.325 --> 14:22.094 Egypt from the house of bondage." 14:22.161 --> 14:26.332 God has much more to say about those who forget him, and in the 14:26.398 --> 14:30.202 next portion of the program, we'll see why God would use 14:30.269 --> 14:35.307 unprecedented natural disasters to gain our attention, and 14:35.374 --> 14:38.043 that's why we're offering you our free resource, 14:38.110 --> 14:41.847 "Acts of God: Why Natural Disasters?" 14:41.914 --> 14:45.084 God sometimes uses weather, volcanoes, and other natural 14:45.150 --> 14:49.121 means to humble us and bring us back to reality. 14:49.188 --> 14:53.959 This resource mentions past disasters such as the Noachian 14:54.026 --> 14:58.197 flood, the destructions of Sodom and Gomorrah, and other plagues 14:58.264 --> 15:01.233 and famines to deal with rebellious mankind. 15:01.300 --> 15:05.170 "Acts of God: Why Natural Disasters?" 15:05.237 --> 15:09.008 also shows what the Bible says about our future, 15:09.074 --> 15:11.877 and it can be yours free for the asking. 15:11.944 --> 15:15.080 So pick up the phone and call the number on your screen, or go 15:15.147 --> 15:23.155 to TWTV.org/Disasters, and when I come back in 15 seconds, I'll 15:23.222 --> 15:28.027 show you why God will use unprecedented natural disasters 15:28.093 --> 15:32.097 to gain our attention because we have forgotten him. 15:33.065 --> 15:35.034 announcer: This clear and straightforward resource 15:35.100 --> 15:37.436 will help you understand this vital truth 15:37.503 --> 15:40.606 straight from the pages of the Bible. 15:40.673 --> 15:45.144 Call now, or go to TWTV.org/Disasters. 15:47.913 --> 15:50.783 Gerald Weston: On today's "Tomorrow's World" program, I'm 15:50.849 --> 15:52.918 showing you what the Bible reveals about 15:52.985 --> 15:56.422 the future for those who forget their God. 15:56.488 --> 15:59.224 America, Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand were 15:59.291 --> 16:03.395 once considered Christian nations, not that they ever 16:03.462 --> 16:06.799 truly followed the God of the Bible, but there was at least a 16:06.865 --> 16:10.669 token effort on the part of most, and there were and still 16:10.736 --> 16:14.206 are many very sincere people, even if deceived, who strive to 16:14.273 --> 16:19.478 live in harmony with God, but our world has changed 16:19.545 --> 16:21.313 dramatically in the last several years. 16:21.380 --> 16:25.984 What a sad state of affairs when a nominee to the United States 16:26.051 --> 16:29.054 Supreme Court could not answer a simple 16:29.121 --> 16:32.424 question during her confirmation hearing. 16:32.491 --> 16:35.728 Here's the short exchange between Senator Blackburn 16:35.794 --> 16:40.099 and Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. 16:40.165 --> 16:41.834 Marsha Blackburn: Can you provide a definition 16:41.900 --> 16:45.237 for the word "woman"? 16:45.304 --> 16:46.839 Ketanji Jackson: Can I provide a definition? 16:46.905 --> 16:49.308 No, I can't. 16:49.375 --> 16:51.176 Marsha Blackburn: You can't? 16:51.243 --> 16:54.613 Ketanji Jackson: Not in this context, no. 16:54.680 --> 16:56.014 I'm not a biologist. 16:56.081 --> 16:57.383 Marsha Blackburn: The meaning of the world "woman" is so 16:57.449 --> 17:02.388 unclear and controversial that you can't give me a definition? 17:02.454 --> 17:03.922 Gerald Weston: That, dear friends, is how 17:03.989 --> 17:06.692 far we have strayed from reality. 17:06.759 --> 17:08.127 Why? 17:08.193 --> 17:11.630 Many fail to realize that it is biblical values that are under 17:11.697 --> 17:16.201 attack, and I must agree with outspoken Piers Morgan, who 17:16.268 --> 17:20.038 called Judge Jackson's response ridiculous. 17:20.105 --> 17:22.207 How can you have women's rights when 17:22.274 --> 17:25.544 you cannot determine what is a woman? 17:25.611 --> 17:27.880 I'm personally at a loss for words to describe 17:27.946 --> 17:30.949 the insanity afflicting our nations. 17:31.016 --> 17:34.319 Women, whatever they are, must compete in sports against men, 17:34.386 --> 17:39.124 whatever they are, who think they're, well, I think you get 17:39.191 --> 17:41.360 the point, and they use the same locker rooms. 17:41.427 --> 17:44.496 Mothers take their toddlers to libraries where 17:44.563 --> 17:47.332 drag queens read stories to them. 17:47.399 --> 17:51.336 Man, woman, mother, father, husband, wife-- 17:51.403 --> 17:54.873 all these terms are under attack. 17:54.940 --> 17:57.476 Universities and businesses require students and employees 17:57.543 --> 18:02.981 to refer to others by a list of preferred pronouns, 18:03.048 --> 18:05.250 the length of which is so long that only a 18:05.317 --> 18:07.319 memory expert could remember them all. 18:07.386 --> 18:11.523 Cancel culture is reserved for any who refuse to enter a 18:11.590 --> 18:15.060 person's delusions and fantasy world. 18:15.127 --> 18:17.963 The insensitive are sometimes required to go to 18:18.030 --> 18:21.533 the corporate gulags for sensitivity training. 18:21.600 --> 18:25.337 This is America, Canada, and Australia, countries 18:25.404 --> 18:27.873 whose citizens are increasingly rejecting 18:27.940 --> 18:29.508 the God who created them. 18:29.575 --> 18:34.112 The degree to which biblical norms of male and female are 18:34.179 --> 18:39.351 being rejected is shocking, but this was predicted long ago. 18:39.418 --> 18:45.424 Jesus tells us in Luke the 17th chapter, beginning in verse 26, 18:45.491 --> 18:48.160 "And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will 18:48.227 --> 18:50.395 be also in the days of the Son of Man. 18:50.462 --> 18:56.235 Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they 18:56.301 --> 19:00.739 drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on 19:00.806 --> 19:03.375 the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and 19:03.442 --> 19:06.478 brimstone form heaven and destroyed them all. 19:06.545 --> 19:09.882 Even so will it be in the day 19:09.948 --> 19:12.451 when the Son of Man is revealed." 19:12.518 --> 19:16.989 The days of Noah are summed up in Genesis the 6th chapter. 19:17.055 --> 19:18.390 Notice what it says in verse 5. 19:18.457 --> 19:21.393 "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in 19:21.460 --> 19:24.563 the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts 19:24.630 --> 19:28.634 of his heart was only evil continually." 19:28.700 --> 19:31.370 We read in verse 11 the result of man's wickedness, 19:31.436 --> 19:35.107 "And the earth was filled with violence." 19:35.173 --> 19:36.909 The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were 19:36.975 --> 19:40.178 known for gross sexual immortality. 19:40.245 --> 19:44.116 God inspired the apostle Paul to record for all time the 19:44.182 --> 19:48.053 consequences of man rejecting his creator. 19:48.120 --> 19:51.757 After explaining this rejection, the suppression of truth, he 19:51.823 --> 19:56.128 explains, "And even as they did not like to retain God in their 19:56.194 --> 20:00.999 knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those 20:01.066 --> 20:04.036 things which are not fitting; being filled with all 20:04.102 --> 20:08.040 unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, 20:08.106 --> 20:11.610 covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, 20:11.677 --> 20:15.614 murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness." 20:15.681 --> 20:20.352 Paul also warns those who "Approve of those who practice 20:20.419 --> 20:24.723 them," that is, these ungodly behaviors that he mentioned. 20:24.790 --> 20:28.560 These are the one who cowardly go along with this foolishness. 20:28.627 --> 20:32.297 Sadly, corporations and individuals are only too eager 20:32.364 --> 20:36.068 to jump on the bandwagon, but the consequences of our 20:36.134 --> 20:39.538 forgetting our Creator will be catastrophic. 20:39.605 --> 20:43.342 Jesus warned that the world would come to the brink of 20:43.408 --> 20:46.478 universal destruction, noted in Matthew the 20:46.545 --> 20:49.481 24th chapter, beginning in verse 21. 20:49.548 --> 20:51.550 "For then there will be great tribulation, such 20:51.617 --> 20:54.686 as has not been since the beginning of the 20:54.753 --> 20:58.490 world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 20:58.557 --> 21:02.527 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be 21:02.594 --> 21:06.431 saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened." 21:06.498 --> 21:08.533 We've read this passage many times on 21:08.600 --> 21:12.638 this program, but do we really get it? 21:12.704 --> 21:14.673 Do we understand what it is saying? 21:14.740 --> 21:19.544 Do we understand the consequences of our behaviors? 21:19.611 --> 21:21.647 I'm going to take a short break to give you an opportunity to 21:21.713 --> 21:24.616 take down our contact information to order our free 21:24.683 --> 21:29.688 resource "Acts of God: Why Natural Disasters?" 21:29.755 --> 21:33.892 before giving you more specifics from the Bible of what is ahead 21:33.959 --> 21:38.096 because our nations are rejecting our Creator. 21:38.163 --> 21:41.566 Some of the consequences involve weather, earthquakes, 21:41.633 --> 21:46.371 volcanic eruptions, and other natural disasters on a scale 21:46.438 --> 21:49.708 and frequency never known by man. 21:49.775 --> 21:53.879 All of this is recorded in the Bible for the end of the age. 21:53.945 --> 21:55.781 The warnings have been there for anyone 21:55.847 --> 21:58.950 willing to open the Bible and read it. 21:59.017 --> 22:01.586 "Acts of God: Why Natural Disasters?" 22:01.653 --> 22:05.791 brings clarity to what we see, what we see now, and what is in 22:05.857 --> 22:09.928 our future, and it can be yours free of charge. 22:09.995 --> 22:12.297 It has already been paid for by members of the 22:12.364 --> 22:15.200 Living Church of God and our co-workers. 22:15.267 --> 22:22.474 So pick up the phone or go to our website TWTV.org/Disasters 22:22.541 --> 22:26.578 and order your free copy today, and when I come back, I'll give 22:26.645 --> 22:31.016 you more specifics of what to expect in the very near future. 22:32.084 --> 22:39.124 announcer: For today's free offer, call... 22:39.191 --> 22:44.763 or go to TWTV.org/Disasters. 22:44.830 --> 22:46.998 This clear and straightforward resource will 22:47.065 --> 22:49.501 help you understand this vital truth 22:49.568 --> 22:53.438 straight from the pages of the Bible. 22:53.505 --> 22:55.774 If you're calling for the first time, you will also receive a 22:55.841 --> 22:59.745 free annual subscription to "Tomorrow's World" magazine. 22:59.811 --> 23:02.647 Ten inspiring issues discussing news, science and 23:02.714 --> 23:05.984 modern culture will help you make sense of 23:06.051 --> 23:10.021 your world from a biblical perspective. 23:10.088 --> 23:11.623 Call today and join millions around the world 23:11.690 --> 23:15.827 who are turning to "Tomorrow's World" for truth, 23:15.894 --> 23:21.366 prophecy, and hope in these confusing times. 23:21.433 --> 23:26.905 Call now, or go to TWTV.org/Disasters. 23:31.777 --> 23:33.145 Gerald Weston: What happens when people 23:33.211 --> 23:36.481 forget God and reject his commands? 23:36.548 --> 23:37.816 I've touched on this question in the previous 23:37.883 --> 23:42.187 portions of this program, but let's look at more 23:42.254 --> 23:44.589 specifics as recorded in the Bible. 23:44.656 --> 23:49.060 When people no longer understand the difference between male and 23:49.127 --> 23:52.831 female and when every intent of the thoughts of their hearts are 23:52.898 --> 23:57.602 only evil continually, disaster is on the way. 23:57.669 --> 23:59.738 Life for those of us living today in Western nations is 23:59.805 --> 24:04.910 better physically than at any time in the history of man, but 24:04.976 --> 24:06.611 God gave this warning to ancient Israel when 24:06.678 --> 24:10.916 they would experience a similar time. 24:10.982 --> 24:14.252 "Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping 24:14.319 --> 24:18.456 His commandments, lest--when you have eaten and are full, and 24:18.523 --> 24:22.127 have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; and when your 24:22.194 --> 24:26.031 herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold 24:26.097 --> 24:30.268 are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; when your 24:30.335 --> 24:33.271 heart is lifted up, and you forget the LORD 24:33.338 --> 24:34.639 your God who brought you out of the land of 24:34.706 --> 24:37.642 Egypt from the house of bondage." 24:37.709 --> 24:41.546 He goes on to warn against thinking we have all these 24:41.613 --> 24:43.682 blessings because of our own doing. 24:43.748 --> 24:47.986 "When you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand 24:48.053 --> 24:50.121 have gained me this wealth.' 24:50.188 --> 24:51.756 And you shall remember the LORD your 24:51.823 --> 24:55.794 God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, 24:55.861 --> 24:58.330 that He may establish His covenant which 24:58.396 --> 25:01.967 He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. 25:02.033 --> 25:06.805 Then it shall be, if you by any means forget the LORD your God, 25:06.872 --> 25:10.909 and follow other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify 25:10.976 --> 25:16.481 against you this day that you shall surely perish." 25:16.548 --> 25:20.919 God promises people good weather, power against enemies, 25:20.986 --> 25:22.888 the fruitful womb, and so much more if they would 25:22.954 --> 25:27.692 obey him, but notice the flip side to this 25:27.759 --> 25:32.097 in Leviticus 26, beginning in verse 19. 25:32.163 --> 25:35.600 "I will break the pride of your power; I will make your heavens 25:35.667 --> 25:37.736 like iron and your earth like bronze. 25:37.802 --> 25:40.872 And your strength shall be spent in vain; for your 25:40.939 --> 25:43.875 land shall not yield its produce, nor shall 25:43.942 --> 25:47.612 the trees of the land yield their fruit." 25:47.679 --> 25:52.117 Yes, among other consequences, natural disasters such as 25:52.183 --> 25:56.154 severe, exceptional drought would be the result, and as the 25:56.221 --> 25:58.957 prophet Amos explained in how God dealt with his people at an 25:59.024 --> 26:04.229 earlier time, rainfall would not be equal--just as 26:04.296 --> 26:06.831 we see some areas today suffering massive 26:06.898 --> 26:10.735 flooding, while other areas have no rain. 26:10.802 --> 26:13.505 "I also withheld rain from you, when there 26:13.571 --> 26:16.207 were still three months to the harvest. 26:16.274 --> 26:19.811 I made it rain on one city, I withheld rain from another city. 26:19.878 --> 26:22.847 One part was rained upon, and where 26:22.914 --> 26:24.950 it did not rain the part withered." 26:25.016 --> 26:28.420 God gives us a choice, and we will live 26:28.486 --> 26:31.156 by the consequences of our choices. 26:31.222 --> 26:33.858 Sadly, only after we suffer the results of 26:33.925 --> 26:37.996 our bad choices will we turn to God. 26:38.063 --> 26:41.232 This is spelled out in Deuteronomy the 4th chapter, but 26:41.299 --> 26:45.570 notice that it's not for ancient Israel alone but for the nations 26:45.637 --> 26:50.709 God has blessed in the latter day at the end of the age. 26:50.775 --> 26:53.044 Begin with verse 26. 26:53.111 --> 26:56.481 "I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, 26:56.548 --> 26:59.117 that you will soon utterly perish from the land which you 26:59.184 --> 27:02.821 cross over the Jordan to possess; you will not prolong 27:02.887 --> 27:06.825 your days in it, but will be utterly destroyed. 27:06.891 --> 27:09.961 But from there you will seek the LORD your God, 27:10.028 --> 27:12.230 and you will find Him if you seek Him with 27:12.297 --> 27:15.734 all your heart and with all your soul. 27:15.800 --> 27:17.969 When you are in distress, and all these things come upon you 27:18.036 --> 27:22.474 in the latter days, when you turn to the LORD 27:22.540 --> 27:25.744 your God and obey His voice, He will not 27:25.810 --> 27:27.912 utterly forsake you nor destroy you." 27:27.979 --> 27:30.882 Be sure to order your free copy of "Acts 27:30.949 --> 27:33.051 of God: Why Natural Disasters?" 27:33.118 --> 27:34.953 And if the line is busy, wait five 27:35.020 --> 27:38.056 or ten minutes and try again. 27:38.123 --> 27:41.426 This eye-opening resource explains from the pages of the 27:41.493 --> 27:45.964 Bible what to expect in the years ahead, and be sure to come 27:46.031 --> 27:49.801 back next week when Richard Ames, Wallace Smith, Rod McNair 27:49.868 --> 27:54.005 and I will share with you the revelation of Jesus Christ, the 27:54.072 --> 27:58.410 good news of the coming kingdom of God, and the exciting 27:58.476 --> 28:01.179 end-time prophecies and their meaning. 28:02.247 --> 28:08.053 announcer: For today's free offer, call... 28:08.119 --> 28:13.258 or go to TWTV.org/Disasters. 28:13.324 --> 28:16.428 Call today and join millions around the world who are turning 28:16.494 --> 28:18.997 to "Tomorrow's World" for truth, prophecy, 28:19.064 --> 28:22.967 and hope in these confusing times. 28:24.002 --> 28:25.103 announcer: The preceding program is 28:25.170 --> 28:28.206 produced by the Living Church of God.