This is Thompson's mill in Valley Falls, N.Y. I worked there briefly in 1968 and later lived just across the river for years. Many of my neighbors worked at that mill, and after it burned, they permanently lost their jobs. I felt sad at these things, for I made many friends in Valley Falls, but what is gone- is gone. If I could feel sad over a place that I only worked in for a short time, imagine how those who remained in Jerusalem after its destruction must have felt...
Lamentations, Chapter 1 (WEB)
1 How the city sits solitary, that was full of people!
She has become as a widow, who was great among the nations!
She who was a princess among the provinces has become tributary!
among all her lovers she has no one to comfort her:
All her friends have dealt treacherously with her; they are become her enemies.
she dwells among the nations, she finds no rest:
all her persecutors overtook her within the straits.
all her gates are desolate, her priests do sigh:
her virgins are afflicted, and she herself is in bitterness.
for Yahweh has afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions:
her young children are gone into captivity before the adversary.
her princes are become like deer that find no pasture,
they are gone without strength before the pursuer.
Judah sinned and Jerusalem's destruction was appropriate punishment. As I think on these things, I can't help but wonder what will go through the minds of those of us who are left after the fall of the U.S.A.? It seems clear to me that this will happen, because our society is becoming as bad as Judah ever was. Perhaps the survivors will return to God with a zeal that will amaze the world. Perhaps Jesus will come first? No one knows what the future may bring. This much is certain: 1. The mill is gone 2. To me it is just a memory 3. America is descending into an abyss of moral depravity 4. There are many nations in the world that want to destroy us. 5. History repeats itself
Jesus said:
Luke, Chapter 16 (WEB):
19 “Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, living in luxury every day. 20 A certain beggar, named Lazarus, was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Yes, even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 The beggar died, and he was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died, and was buried. 23 In Hades, he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far off, and Lazarus at his bosom. 24 He cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue! For I am in anguish in this flame.’
25 “But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that you, in your lifetime, received your good things, and Lazarus, in the same way, bad things. But now here he is comforted and you are in anguish. 26 Besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that those who want to pass from here to you are not able, and that no one may cross over from there to us.’
29 “But Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’
30 “He said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’
31 “He said to him, ‘If they don’t listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if one rises from the dead.’”
In addition to Moses and the prophets, we have the warnings of Jesus to persuade us to change our ways. Daily, I try to listen to what God wants me to do- I hope you will do the same. Who knows, if enough of us do this, maybe, just maybe, America will be saved punishment.
One last thought...
GOD BLESS AMERICA!
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