A Nation in Decline

Imagine the United States has become a secular nation. Well, it is—according to atheists who intend to keep it that way. But keep going with me.

Churches have all but closed their doors and fallen into a state of disrepair. It seems we’re on trend there as well. A 2021 Gallup poll showed that church membership in the U.S. has fallen from 70 percent to 47 percent in just one generation. The VP of the National Council of Churches estimates 100,000 U.S. churches are projected to close over the next several years—about one-quarter of those still in operation.

Now, imagine that no one reads the Bible. In fact, they don’t even know what it is. We’re not there yet, but we’re gaining traction. Lifeway Research indicates that only 20% of Americans have read the Bible, and only 32% of churchgoers read it daily.

A Rediscovery

So now you have a picture in mind.

Imagine that a President (or King, if you’re British) orders that the old church buildings undergo repairs. While overseeing repairs, one of the Religious Clergy finds a Bible. Perhaps copies have been stored away in a locked office or tucked away in an attic. It’s been decades or more since a Bible has been on display. Maybe it started with Bible apps on phones, and the old books became obsolete—archaic. Either way, they’ve been out of sight for a while.

He brings a copy of the Bible to a book historian—someone who specializes in old texts, maybe someone like Wesley Huff. Huff then brings the book to the President and reads the words to him, revealing what’s contained in the dusty old relic.

National Conviction

Upon hearing the words, the President is beside himself. He feels immediate conviction, mourns for the state of the United States, for how far the people have fallen collectively, and fears the wrath of the LORD. Since the old books were put away, the people have continued to follow their own thoughts. They’ve begun to follow other religions—some are New Agers, some are spiritual, some Buddhists, some Hindu, others Muslim. They each go to their own houses of worship and perform rituals. Some are void of any religion at all.

Even the pastors have become secular—moral relativists, universalists. “All paths lead to one place.” They no longer preach from the Word—it’s lost. They, too, have turned to worldly ways and other religions.

In the absence of the Word, moral relativism becomes the guide. Sex outside of marriage, pornography, prostitution, and abortion are all okay. It’s now normal to consult with psychics, spiritists, and mediums—they’re on every corner.

And in some ways, we’re already there.

A Bold Declaration

The President, under great conviction, brings all of the people together—perhaps through a national address televised across the United States on every channel and radio station. He declares that there will be changes! From this point forward, he will lead the people in the ways of the LORD, keeping all the Words written in the great book that has been found.

He immediately orders a dismantling of all things in contradiction to the Word. He removes the leaders, judges, and rulers who promote false religions. He tears down the sites of false religion and removes their idolatrous statues. He makes prostitution and abortion illegal and shuts down all psychic, medium, and spiritist businesses. He reinstitutes the festivals from the Bible, such as Passover.

An Ancient Story Reimagined

Does this sound vaguely familiar?

It’s a futuristic rendition of the story of King Josiah from 2 Kings 22–23 and 2 Chronicles 34–35.

“Before him there was no king like him, who turned to the Lord with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; nor did any like him arise after him.”
—2 Kings 23:25

As I read through Josiah’s story, I found myself saying, Oh, that sounds familiar. Oh, that wouldn’t go down very well in America. Oh, I could see the uproar if that happened.

It was apparently difficult for those under Josiah’s reign to accept as well. The LORD allowed Josiah to be gathered to the grave with his fathers before he was able to see even more evil transpire—before the Southern Kingdom of Judah was brought into Babylonian captivity.

It just shows me the human inclination toward evil.
The light of goodness only makes it more apparent.

Reflection and Call to Action

What have you noticed about the state of Christianity around you? Do you believe we’ve become a secular nation? How far off are we from the story of Josiah?

I encourage you—challenge the statistics. If you aren’t reading the Word daily, begin today. If your Bible has been collecting dust, open it. Let the words convict, correct, and restore.

Let revival start with you!