THE following is a social media commentary posted by outspoken Australian evangelical chief Martyn Iles, who now lives in Cincinatti, USA:
Having lived within the USA for practically two years, I’ve realised one thing, the USA and the rest of the Western world are not aligned.
All of us chuckle and mock when the People say, “Freedom!” as a result of we actually assume we’re as free as they’re. Flawed. We’re not. Not even shut. The legal guidelines, the mindset, and the behaviour, is completely completely different on this regard.
Most of all, the governments are completely completely different. The USA’s convictions round core freedoms are on a scale we don’t share. In the meantime, Donald Trump wins the favored vote, the electoral school, the Home, and the Senate… a person who, in each different Western nation, is held in open derision, if not contempt.
For these and different causes, we aren’t the identical. But the West, together with Australia, totally anticipate to depend on the USA for our very survival. If the world turns unhealthy (which can occur – solely a query of time), then the entire West, with out America, is toast.
So, you could ask – if we’re not very aligned ideologically, then it have to be that we carry one thing to the celebration militarily? Properly, no… truly… we don’t matter that a lot militarily.
The USA has about 470 ships in its navy, together with 11 plane carriers, 69 submarines, 75 destroyers… plus 110 new ships within the pipeline. Australia has about 30, together with 3 destroyers, 7 frigates and seven outdated submarines. The UK does a bit higher, with about 60.
In the meantime, the US has over 14,000 navy plane. A staggering quantity. Australia has 252 navy plane. The UK has 556. The US military has simply shy of 1,000,000 uniformed personnel in its navy. Australia has about 45,000.
The USA spends 3.4% ($968 billion) of its GDP on defence. Australia spends 2% ($36.4 billion). The US spends as a lot as the subsequent 15 largest military-spending international locations (together with China) mixed.
The USA has a combating tradition. The lads shoot issues (lots) and hunt issues, the veterans get favoured in every little thing from parking spots to boarding planes. A uniformed younger man is thanked on the street a dozen occasions a day.
“Oh, the People and their weapons!” we are saying, in our smug method. Sure, they’ve a warrior tradition. We don’t. We don’t must, as a result of we’re a leech on theirs.
What number of younger British males are prepared to combat for his or her nation? Now ask the identical relating to younger American males. The distinction is about as huge because it could possibly be. Militarily, we don’t supply squat.
In the meantime, have a look at the best way Australia works in opposition to America’s pursuits by loving on China. China made us wealthy and we keep shut. This can be a Marxist regime with expansionist goals.
Once more, you need to spend time within the USA to understand simply how huge a gulf there’s between us on China.
Europe, too. They let China have their method in every single place from Germany to Greenland, all of the whereas importing Islam and sending their very own folks to courtroom for saying hurty phrases.
In some way, now we have landed the deal of a lifetime with the USA that claims, “when the baddies come, you’ll save us okay?” As a result of we will’t save ourselves.
And we dwell in peace. However we hold gnawing away at freedoms, hold enabling China, and get flabby and disinterested about our navy as a result of Uncle Sam’s acquired it.
And, let’s be trustworthy, People are broadly regarded down on. So as to add insult to harm, we don’t assume that extremely of our protectors.
So, the USA is lastly saying “sufficient.” I’m right here, I can inform you what the vibe is, and that’s it. Trump is doing what folks need on this regard. They’re over it. And we come throughout all shocked and laborious completed by. We behave like folks with no self-insight in any respect.
Sure, the worldwide alliance system is everywhere now. From America’s perspective, it’s about time. And I have to say, although I be a proud Australian, I’m pressured to agree. One thing has to vary.
ON THE FUTURE OF AMERICA
The USA will finish at some point, and it is going to be per God’s will. I considered that as I climbed this – the Bunker Hill Momument in Boston MA two days in the past (it’s a pleasant exercise!)
That is the positioning of the primary main battle of the American Revolutionary Warfare; a part of a sequence response of occasions that created the USA. Sincere folks must admit that the USA is a superb energy with many nice benefits.
Like my American pals, I would like the USA to succeed – to prosper materially, spiritually, and morally. It’s proper to pursue these items for America. It’s a blessing to see them come to move. It’s unhappy when they don’t. However there’s a stress created by a much bigger image actuality we will’t ignore.
Scripture reveals that the empires and powers of the world won’t ever command historical past, however solely ever quantity to episodes inside historical past. They’ll rise. And they’ll fade. All of them. That’s what the literature generally known as ‘apocalypse’ (eg Daniel, Revelation) teaches.
And it’s God’s will that all of them fade… Certainly, that they change into like chaff, carried away on the wind, “in order that not a hint of them could possibly be discovered.” (cf Dan 2:35)
Nations will not be endlessly. Somewhat, it’s God’s will that they have to not be endlessly! That is abundantly confirmed by millennia of historical past. It’s an simple and unstoppable regulation of nature. Subsequently, we must not ever persuade ourselves that God’s will and never-ending political energy or nationwide prosperity are the identical factor.
God does bless nations for a season, and we rejoice, however His will is finally that they have to finish. Unhappy, however true. Though, possibly not unhappy… as a result of they have to finish solely to level us to that which by no means ends: God, and His authority over all.
Additionally, the nations should fall so that God’s everlasting metropolis could also be ushered in, during which righteousness alone is the regulation, and Christ alone is the best object.
