Germans by nature are not bad people. Overall, they are like us; they are good and bad and everything in between. I know this to be true because I worked for a German company for over 15 years and knew many, many people from Germany. After World War I, Germany had very severe economic times and this led to desperation, desperation so severe that it would turn to anyone who had an answer; anyone at all. Then along came Adolph Hitler; he was a master of public speaking and gave encouragement and a new self image to a downtrodden and hopeless country (at the expense of others, though). He made inroads to recovery, and the trains all ran on time. Things were moving on up, getting better, Germany was once again beginning to prosper. However, there was a fundamental error in the German solution, and that was too much emphasis on the power of one man, a man whose ego and secret hatred could not be kept secret for long. His "god complex" was ultimately revealed to all, but at what price to both Germany and the world? I do not know German and have no idea what Hitler was actually saying, but the substitution of the "movin on up" theme from the Jefferson's seems appropriate to me, nonetheless. Please read this rather long passage from the book of Daniel and I think you will see the obvious parallels.
Dan 4:18-34
18 This dream I, king Nebuchadnezzar, have seen; and you, Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation, because all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in you.19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was stricken mute for a while, and his thoughts troubled him. The king answered, Belteshazzar, don't let the dream, or the interpretation, trouble you. Belteshazzar answered, My lord, the dream be to those who hate you, and the interpretation of it to your adversaries.20 The tree that you saw, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached to the sky, and the sight of it to all the earth;21 whose leaves were beautiful, and the fruit of it much, and in it was food for all; under which the animals of the field lived, and on whose branches the birds of the sky had their habitation:22 it is you, O king, that are grown and become strong; for your greatness is grown, and reaches to the sky, and your dominion to the end of the earth.23 Whereas the king saw a watcher and a holy one coming down from the sky, and saying, Hew down the tree, and destroy it; nevertheless leave the stump of the roots of it in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field, and let it be wet with the dew of the sky: and let his portion be with the animals of the field, until seven times pass over him;24 this is the interpretation, O king, and it is the decree of the Most High, which is come on my lord the king:25 that you shall be driven from men, and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field, and you shall be made to eat grass as oxen, and shall be wet with the dew of the sky, and seven times shall pass over you; until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whoever he will.26 Whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree; your kingdom shall be sure to you, after that you shall have known that the heavens do rule.27 Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you, and break off your sins by righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if there may be a lengthening of your tranquillity.28 All this came on the king Nebuchadnezzar.29 At the end of twelve months he was walking in the royal palace of Babylon.30 The king spoke and said, Is not this great Babylon, which I have built for the royal dwelling place, by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?31 While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from the sky, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom is departed from you:32 and you shall be driven from men; and they dwelling shall be with the animals of the field; you shall be made to eat grass as oxen; and seven times shall pass over you; until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whoever he will.33 The same hour was the thing fulfilled on Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and ate grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of the sky, until his hair was grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws.34 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored him who lives forever; for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom from generation to generation.WEB
Nebuchadnezzar listened, Hitler didn't. Think something as bad as the Third Reich couldn't happen in America, think again! I saw a video the other day (I couldn't include it because of Blogger size limitations) where a newscaster called our president Obama a "sort of a god". I DO NOT THINK president Obama thinks of himself in this way, but that others may beginning to is scary. Shortly after seeing this video, I read about a coalition of opposing extremist political groups from both the Northern and Southern states wanting to secede from the Union. That these things could happen is an indication of how desperate a situation our country is in. America, listen to verse 34 and honor God before it is too late! Trust in God and God alone; governments rise and fall by the will of the Almighty; God alone saves, not the Federal government and certainly not one mere man. It may not take long to progress from the patriot act to the final solution; please, please think about it and work for change within our current political system and most of all, PRAY FOR OUR GOVERNMENT AND OUR LEADERS TO HONOR GOD!
