The Lord Jesus did not do away with the intent of the Law of Moses. He magnified it and made it glorious. The Sabbath commandment changes from an injunction against throwing a light switch on Saturday to thinking, speaking and acting in the Presence of God seven days a week, seeking His pleasure in all we are and do.

Although the above verse is directed at Israel, God's elect, let us think for a moment about the plight of the nations who should have been taught righteousness by the example and doctrines of the Christian churches. The Western nations have been largely Christian. Now other religions are becoming increasingly significant in their cultures.

Many of the Western nations pride themselves on democracy and freedom. They are anything but free.

The United States of America views itself as the great champion of liberty, of freedom of thought, speech, and action. But if one looks closer it is apparent that horrible bondages exist. There are areas of the larger cities in a state of anarchy. The bloodthirsty gangs are contained but by no means conquered.

Washington, D.C., which according to the image of "liberty" that is being projected by our politicians, should be the garden spot of the universe. In fact it is a crime-ridden area featuring drugs and violence.

If we are so free and wonderful what is the need for more police and more prisons? Why would a person be safer at night in a jungle than on the street of a large city? Have you ever thought much about what goes on at night in New York City? Los Angeles? San Francisco?

And this is the land of promise?

In San Diego, a place of marvelous climate and natural beauty, the local paper is filled with accounts of murder, suicide, rape, robbery, child abuse.

From sea to bloody sea!

We are living in an image of glorious things. But ask the parents of the student who has just been murdered in school how they feel about the land of the free and the home of the brave.

I am not unpatriotic. I volunteered to serve in the Marine Corps during World War II when I was seventeen years old. I talk about America because I live here. The same is true in England, France, Germany, Italy. In Italy they have kidnapped tourists, removed their organs, sold the organs to people who need transplants.

Beautiful Italy, the home of the Catholic Church.

Beautiful England, turning away from her remarkable Christian heritage to join the enemies of the Lord.

Beautiful Holland, once a bastion of righteousness, has now joined the race to the kingdom of smut.

Scandinavia, a Christian heritage dating back a thousand years, filled with pornography.

All these nations are associated with Christianity and may think of themselves as "Christian" nations.

They may be lovers of liberty but they are not lovers of righteousness. Their spiritual chains are clanking on the ground.

But this is a people plundered and looted.

If we could see in the spirit realm the people of the large Western nations (the wealthy nations compared with many other countries), they would appear as poverty-stricken captives, worshiping their idols of money and lust, their apparel threadbare, spiritually starved, groveling at the feet of the demons who whip them along.

All of them trapped in pits or hidden away in prisons. (from The Stature of the Fullness of Christ)