While The World Was Sleeping

America In Decline

(Franklin) It was Benjamin Franklin who famously said, “We have a republic if we can keep it.” He made this statement in response to a question asked by a woman outside Independence Hall in Philadelphia after the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention in 1787.

“[The] lady asked Dr. Franklin, ‘Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?’ ‘A republic,’ replied the Doctor, ‘if you can keep it.’ He continued, ‘The executive will be always increasing here, as elsewhere, till it ends in a monarchy.’ Powell immediately rejoined, ‘And why not keep it?’ Franklin responded, ‘Because the people, on tasting the dish, are always disposed to eat more of it than does them good.’”

This quote comes from the notes of James McHenry, a Maryland delegate to the Constitutional Convention, dated 1787. The quote has been widely repeated and referenced, but often without the additional context and nuances provided by McHenry’s account.

The quote serves as a useful reminder that the success and continuity of a republic are contingent upon the citizens of that republic actively engaging in democratic governance, remaining vigilant, and committing themselves to upholding democratic values and institutions.

And yet, over the course of time, while the world was sleeping, the US has been transiting into a third world banana republic caused by the depravity of our leaders and the greed of its people.

(Tyler) Scottish historian and writer Alexander Fraser Tyler said, although the exact wording may vary: “A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves money and privileges from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship… Nations have always gone from bondage to spiritual faith, from spiritual faith to great courage, from courage to liberty, from liberty to abundance, from abundance to selfishness, from selfishness to complacency, from complacency to apathy, from apathy to dependency, and from dependency back into bondage.”

It is worth noting that this sentiment expressed in the quotes reflects concerns regarding the potential dangers of unchecked populism, unsustainable fiscal policies, and the erosion of democratic values. In 1 Timothy 3:13, God says, “Evil men shall grow worse and worse.”

Values which the Bible says in the end times will be debased, delusional and reprobate. (Romans 1:28-32  Isaiah 5:20-23 2 Timothy 3:1-5) The theological perspective derived from the Bible, discuss the characteristics and behaviors expected in what is commonly referred to as the “end times.” According to the referenced verses, particularly Romans 1:28-32, Isaiah 5:20-23, and 2 Timothy 3:1-5, it is suggested that, in the final stages of human history or the culmination of God’s plan, certain values and qualities will prevail among individuals and society.

In Romans 1:28-32, the Apostle Paul outlines a list of deteriorating moral attributes that people may exhibit in times of spiritual decline. This includes qualities such as being debased, delusional, and reprobate. “Debased” implies a degradation or corruption of moral principles, “delusional” suggests a departure from truth and reality, and “reprobate” indicates a state of moral unapproval or rejection, and a mind that is so spiritually compromised that it can no longer think correctly or discern right from wrong.

Isaiah 5:20-23 offers a prophetic warning about the inversion of moral values, where what is considered good may be regarded as evil, and what is perceived as light may be seen as darkness. This further emphasizes the distortion and confusion in societal values during the specified period.

2 Timothy 3:1-5, attributed to the Apostle Paul’s letter to Timothy, provides additional insight into the characteristics of people in the last days. It describes them as having a love for self, money, and pleasure while displaying behaviors such as disobedience to parents, ungratefulness, and lacking self-control. This passage highlights a general moral decay and a focus on self-indulgence as indicative of the prevailing attitudes during the end times.

These biblical passages collectively paint a picture of a time when moral values will be degraded, truth will be obscured, and individuals will be characterized by self-centeredness and moral decline.

World Moral Values and Truth In Devastating Decline

There are many reasons for the continued decline in America and the world and it’s moral corruption but the insane reality is that there is no longer a belief in absolute truth, no longer a belief in the truth of the Bible, and no longer a belief in God. In 1 Timothy 3:13, God says, “Evil men shall grow worse and worse.”

While the world was sleeping evil men have taken God out of our schools, out of our government, out of the hearts and minds of our good people. They have replaced science with lies, morality with immorality and clear minds with reprobate minds that are incapable in thinking clearly, II Timothy 3:12-13, Romans 1:28-29, Isaiah 5:20-23. 

This is why we see people and leaders that seem to be good people, act in such reprehensible and down right criminal ways. The process only gets worse as more and more people become devoid of ethics, morality, and clear thinking caused by their rejection of God and His absolute truth.

“How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen! “Violence is everywhere!” I cry, but you do not come to save. Must I forever see these evil deeds? Why must I watch all this misery? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight. The law has become paralyzed, and there is no justice in the courts. The wicked far outnumber the righteous, so that justice has become perverted.” 

Habakkuk 1:2-4 (NLT)

This sounds as if it was written today, but actually it was written thousands of years ago, and because of their wickedness God passed judgement on Judah. God has no reason to hold back His judgement of us at this time, but has patience until all his people who are written in the Lambs Book Of Life are gathered together to worship Him. 

Franklin, Benjamin. “A republic, if you can keep it.” In response to Elizabeth Willing Powel’s inquiry about the nature of the government after the Constitutional Convention, as recorded in James McHenry’s journal

Tytler, Alexander Fraser. “A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government…” The Daily Oklahoman, 9 Dec. 1951.