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BADGERVOL
Registered Member

Date Joined Mar 2004
Total Posts : 27

Posted 6/24/2004 6:27 AM (GMT -6)

Wasn't sure where to post this question...

Often times you go into a Christian Bookstore and see this verse plastered on a picture of the American flag.

"and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

I've heard that this is completely misrepresenting this verse and taking it out of context. Could someone please give me a breakdown of this verse and a discussion of whether it is taken out of context to represent it for America today?

Thank you very much.

BADGERVOL

Similitude
Registered Member

Date Joined Apr 2004
Total Posts : 4968

Posted 6/25/2004 3:25 PM (GMT -6)

Badgervol,

Since God had already told the Israelites via Moses that He would relent from His promised curses/punishments if they would repent, the Chronicles passage is just a reminder of that fact. Unless God has made such a promise to another nation, I don't see how we can claim God is bound to act in accordance with it. In other words, God need not do what He doesn't promise. That's not to say that we shouldn't repent, throwing ourselves on His mercy, though. For He is a merciful God - blessed be His name FOREVER!

wjs

Sahid
Megistered Rember

Date Joined Jun 2004
Total Posts : 2013

Posted 6/25/2004 3:59 PM (GMT -6)

Does this verse refer to nations (like America) at all?

Watch me fly. Freedom like wings and I will use them. Freedom like wings and I will spread them wide. - Stavesacre

John Earp
Registered Member

Date Joined Oct 2002
Total Posts : 1715

Posted 6/26/2004 10:56 AM (GMT -6)

quote:
Originally posted by Sahid

Does this verse refer to nations (like America) at all?

It refers to "my people." (God's covenant people). As the New Covenant kingdom is "not of this world," the reference to healing the land must be spiritually applied. But it is of course true that God still promises to hear from heaven and forgive sin.

"The Discovery of new truth will modify old views and opinions, and there is perhaps no end to this process with finite minds in any world." Charles G. Finney, Systematic Theology.

revivaltheology.net

timlings
Registered Member

Date Joined Apr 2002
Total Posts : 130

Posted 6/26/2004 1:21 PM (GMT -6)

Hey y'all

I think that verse is still pretty powerful, but not in the same way that it was meant for the Israelites.

If we, Christians, humble ourselves and turn from our wicked ways, then God will come and heal our land (which certainly do need a lot of healing).

Our land is anything that God has given us responsibility to look after, but most definitely can include our nations we live in.

But the call is going out to the people of God, not unbelievers. If we get on our faces and get serious about repentance in our own lives, then we'll see revival.

(this is coming from a Brit...) I do believe that God has a purpose for every nation on the earth. If the people in the nation follow God, then God brings blessing. And if they don't, it brings a cursing. The prosperity of America is a lot to do with the fact that there have been a lot of God-fearing people in its history.

I reckon that America needs to be "taken back for God", just as much as I believe the UK needs to be taken back for God (it's pretty ungodly nation really). BUT, the way that's done is through the Holy Spirit bringing revival in every place, not through Christians trying too wield earthly power. We've got something much better...the power of God!

Anyway, really must be off to bed.

love in Christ

Timlings

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