It was touted as the model for well-run companies, creating a new way to distribute energy across the increasingly complex power-grid of the United States. However, within a few years, a series of expose articles and whistle-blowers questioned the financial management and operations of the company. The company was Enron and on November 28th, 2001, the company that was once valued at over 100 billion dollars, was bankrupt. Thousands lost their jobs and the company ceased to exist.
There are so many tragic stories that are still being told. Enron and its leaders were convicted of fraud and many were fined and imprisoned. What about the much larger number of rank and file employees? Lawsuits filed on behalf of numerous employees were only able to recover a paltry amount of their lost pensions. Many wondered what they did to deserve their fate? Why were they being punished along with their company? They were only doing their job, it was their company and its leadership that deserved to be punished, not them!
The Bible includes many examples of God passing judgment upon nations. In the Old Testament, the leader of the nation, the king, was judged for leading his nation to sin. When a nation passes laws that oppose God, it may bring judgment upon that nation. When nations were judged, it led to their destruction and/or captivity. Judgment was rendered upon Israel’s enemies such as Moab, Edom, and the Egyptians. Eventually judgment was rendered upon Israel and Judah leading to destruction of their homelands and exile to Assyria and Babylon, respectively. Thousands of its citizens were displaced and subjected to torture and untold suffering. If I was a citizen of Israel or Judah when this happened, like an employee at Enron, I would wonder why must I be included in a judgment of a nation? Our Lord Jesus Christ warned of this impending judgment upon the nations and its citizens.
But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.
Matthew 25:31-33 (NLT)
We live in a fallen world. In the United States and many other countries, there are laws that directly oppose the Bible’s teaching. With increasing frequency, we are seeing how a bold stand for God can result in social media shaming joined with a cancel culture directed against Christians who are willing to stand for God’s Word. If we are citizens of a nation that rebels against God, like an employee at Enron, we will be judged along with our leaders.
The whole earth will acknowledge the LORD and return to him. All the families of the nations will bow down before him. For royal power belongs to the LORD. He rules all the nations.
Psalms 22:27-28 (NLT)
God is not mocked. God is holy and He must judge sin. When Jesus Christ returns all nations and its citizens will finally acknowledge that He is the Lord and true ruler of all.
Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.
The Bereans Blog 