He Decided When They Should Rise and Fall

For many days now I have been pondering the economic collapse of Greece. Why Greece? They are part of the European Union; one would think they would be an economically stable nation. Their history goes way back in time, even to biblical times when the vast Greek Empire ruled the known world, and thrived as a nation filled with philosophers and cutting-edge ideologies. As I thought about all this, the Lord directed me to Acts Chapter 17, where we find the Apostle Paul on a mission to the Jews and Gentiles in Greece. It is eye-opening:

"While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply troubled by all the idols he saw everywhere in the city. He went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and he spoke daily in the public square to all who happened to be there. He also had a debate with some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. When he told them about Yeshua and His resurrection, they said, 'What's this babbler trying to say with these strange ideas he's picked up?' Others said, 'He seems to be preaching about some foreign gods.' Then they took him to the high council of the city. 'Come and tell us about this new teaching,' they said. 'You are saying some rather strange things, and we want to know what it's all about.' (It should be explained that all the Athenians as well as the foreigners in Athens seemed to spend all their time discussing the latest ideas).' So Paul, standing before the council, addressed them as follows: 'Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, for as I wa walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I'm telling you about. He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since He is Lord of heaven and earth, He doesn't live in man-made temples, and human hands can't serve His needs - for He has no needs. He Himself gives life and breath to everything, and He satisfies every need. From one Man He created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and He determined their boundaries.'"

Doesn't that last sentence strike a chord in your heart? With heart-piercing, conscience-pricking truth and authority, Shaul (Paul) spoke the Truth of Yahweh's sovereignty. The description of the One True God of Israel now being revealed to the people of ancient Greece would be received by some and scoffed at by others. So Paul continues in verse 30: "God overlooked people's ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now He commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to Him. For He has set a day for judging the world with justice by the Man He has appointed, and He proved to everyone who this is by raising Him from the dead."

How much more true this statement is today, not only for the nation of Greece, but for the whole world! In our day, the news of the Gospel of Yeshua haMashiach (Jesus Christ) has gone to the ends of the earth, and there is no more excuse. Now, more than ever, is the last days of opportunity for teshuva - the Hebrew word that means literally, turn around 180 degrees and go the other direction! Turn from worshiping unknown gods and false religions and philosophies - even those being fed by Hollywood to our children in the Hindu doctrines of the movie Avatar, and the glorified witchcraft of Harry Potter! Our kids are relishing the popular Twilight Saga books about vampires, and we even have Tiger Woods on TV telling us, "I would not have been unfaithful to my wife had I stayed in my Buddhist religion." We know that the spirit of the Greek god "Apollyon" (picture above) endures to the end of the Age, since the Antichrist is referred to as Apollyon in Revelation 9:11" "They had as king over them the Angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abbadan, and in Greek is Apollyon." Please note that the word Apollyon means Destroyer - and note that the verse revealing him is 9-11!

Those worshiping unknown gods without even realizing it need to be exposed to the Truth of the Gospel. Greece is falling for a reason: "From one Man He created all nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall..."

Oh, may we be a people that will repent and turn to Him before we too fall. "He has set a day for judging the world with justice by the Man He has appointed" - and that "Man" is YESHUA (Jesus) - the image of the invisible YHVH (Yahweh)!