Restoration
Why America?

by Darris McNeely

In today’s world, there can perhaps be no more important question. A trip around the globe will offer perspectives of America ranging from "arsenal of democracy," to "the great Satan." With so many mixed impressions out there, Americans themselves can be confused about why we are. Sometimes, it takes an outsider to remind us.

Why America? "The only answer is because destiny put you in this place in history in this moment in time, and the task is yours to do." So spoke Britain’s Prime Minister Tony Blair before a joint session of the U.S. Congress last month.

It was an amazing speech, all the more so because it came from the leader of America’s closest ally. The entire speech was filled with a passion for what America stands for and its role in today’s world. Applause and standing ovations punctuated the address. As Mr. Blair suggested in his speech, the reception in the United States was in stark contrast to the controversies and criticisms he had left behind in the United Kingdom concerning Britain’s involvement in the recent Iraqi war.

Parts of the speech caught the essence of what America and Great Britain have historically stood for—freedom and individual liberty. In a recent book, Empire: The Rise and Demise of the British World Order and the Lessons for Global Power, author Niall Ferguson wrote: "For much of its history, the British Empire acted as an agency for imposing free markets, the rule of law, investor protection and relatively incorrupt government on roughly a quarter of the world" (p. xxiii).

Wherever the British Empire went, it carried common systems and values, among the most important being representative assemblies, the rule of law and the idea of liberty. America sprang from this company of nations to become the single great power that today has assumed many of the worldwide responsibilities Britain once had.

Blair went on to say: "As Britain knows, all predominant power seems for a time invincible, but in fact, it is transient. The question is, what do you leave behind? And what you bequeath to this anxious world is the light of liberty. We are fighting for the inalienable right of mankind...to be free—free to raise a family in love and hope; free to earn a living and be rewarded by your own efforts; free not to bend your knee to any man in fear; free to be you, so long as being you does not impair the freedom of others."

Blair’s vision of how universal freedom and peace will be spread to all the world is through global trade, communication and travel. He sees a partnership between America and Europe as the means to this end. However, Bible prophecy shows a different route to utopia. Peace among nations will not be achieved through human effort, but only through the intervention of Christ at the pinnacle of terrible tribulation. What will be thought to be man’s best effort to achieve peaceful relations will turn into a system that trades in the "bodies and souls of men" (Revelation 18:13).

True freedom has not been experienced on earth since the days when Adam and Eve chose to reject God and to decide right and wrong for themselves, thereby laying a path for the tyranny of a world cut off from God. It will take the intervention of Christ to restore true freedom, a freedom only possible through subjecting oneself to God.

America continues in her predestined role, the inheritor of bountiful blessings. Though this power is transitory and wholly dependent on the gracious hand of God, it fills a key role in today’s world. Soon an empire of a different spirit will eclipse it, but then the world will experience the coming of the divine Kingdom of God. Its rule will restore true freedom and liberty to a world held captive.

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