By David Ettinger
Appreciation for the Optimists
As mentioned in my previous blog, I’m a skeptic. As such, I question things that don’t seem right to me, or, perhaps, things I just can’t agree with.
One of these is the idea of revival. Several of my blogging friends are more optimistic than me, and believe America can see a Christian revival and be healed from our sins.
Those holding out hope for national revival are very strong Christians who read their Bibles consistently, and know the Word of God. I truly do appreciate their optimistic attitudes and the hope they hold on to – and I hope they’re right!
This caveat aside, I don’t see national revival coming. Furthermore, I don’t believe Christian salvation is a national “thing”; it’s a personal one. (National revival was possible only for the covenant nation of Israel. There are no covenant nations today.)
Even if 10 million unbelievers were to give their lives to Christ this week, this doesn’t mean our nation of 350 million would be better off. Loved ones and friends of those newly saved could be better off, but not necessarily the nation – or any nation, for that matter.
My Position
My position is that America – and every other country – has passed the point of no return. Only judgment awaits.
Much of my position has to do with end-times Bible prophecy. I believe the world is heading toward a one-world government led by a one-world leader, and this shapes everything that happens. The question is, when will the countdown to the end-times begin?
I believe God’s end-times clock began ticking in 1948 when Israel – after almost 1,900 years – became an “official” nation once again. From that time on, I believe the world was put on notice. With Israel’s “rebirth,” it was as if God was saying, “The return of My Son is getting ever closer; it is time to repent of your evil ways and accept His lordship.”
Acts 16:31 puts it this way: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.”
For those who believe in national repentance, what would that look like? Perhaps it would look something like what the prophet Isaiah described approximately 2,700 years ago:
Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor, Obtain justice for the orphan, Plead for the widow’s case (Isaiah 1:16-17).
On a national level, this is what God required from the nation of Israel – both its governmental leaders and its citizens. Of course this is not a “works” form of salvation, but an outpouring of works resulting from transformed and redeemed souls. In other words, this is what “saved” people should be doing.
Not a Chance
With this in mind, I ask myself, Is a day coming when America will be characterized by Isaiah 1:16-17? I mean, if this is what revival – that is, “national salvation” – looks like, do I have any reasonable expectation of seeing this come to fruition?
For me, the answer is, Not a chance!
Are our nation’s leaders going to “wash themselves” and “make themselves clean” by repenting of their sins and giving their lives to Christ? Are they going to turn from their evil deeds – be that rejection of Christ, or adding to that by constantly enacting laws which transgress biblical teaching? Are they going to commit to seeking justice? Regarding orphans and widows, are our leaders going to fight for the common man and woman, seeking the best for all people?
If this is what national repentance looks like, these are fair questions. And the answer to these fair questions, for me at least, is again a resounding, NOT A CHANCE!
As far as I’m concerned national repentance – especially here in the U.S. – is but a pipedream.
On the other hand, individual salvation is alive and well, so pray for God to lead you to unsaved individuals who need to hear the Gospel truth. Seek individual revival!
EttingerWriting.com 
Bruce Cooper
January 6, 2022
Interesting post David and evidently you and I are of like mind. If one frequents churches that are in line with the teachings of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) movement and in particular, Dominionism, their Prophets and Apostles are continually promising a new awakening, with accompanying spiritual empowerment for everyone, just around the corner, where signs and wonders will accomplish the goals and aspirations of this theology and every true believer can be a part of this new movement of God. I just read a prophesy given by a NAR Apostle yesterday where a “new commission” had been decreed by God. The thought crossed my mind, “what ever happened to the “old commission” that Jesus gave us? And therein lies the problem, because I don’t hear Jesus telling us about any “great awakening” that will happen, as the world draws closer to the return of Jesus, PRIOR TO the tribulation. Instead, the exact opposite is foretold, where there will be a great falling away and we are warned about many false prophets leading many astray. And yet we continue to have new decrees, new empowerments, new commissions, new victories, under the leadership of the new Apostles and Prophets! Yet those who thirst after this empowerment forget one thing, Jesus, the Son of God, has already overcome the world (John 16:33) and what Jesus foretold us would happen, will indeed happen, unlike the many failed prophecies decreed from the NAR Apostles and Prophets in the recent past. Every year is “THE” year, year after year after year. Matthew 7:21-23 comes to mind. It’s never our plan or our will that is the deciding factor, it is God’s will and our acceptance of His will, as Jesus foretold us, hence the “lawlessness” that Jesus warned us about. Could a national revival happen? It’s possible, but as you state, from a national perspective, we collectively, are so far off the mark that I have a very difficult time imagining that happening.
Sorry for running on here David, this topic always gets to me. Blessings!
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dettinger47
January 6, 2022
Great insights, Bruce. These new prophets with these new visions are empowered by the masses who buy into the pulp they peddle. Those that put their faith in them are drinking out of dry cisterns.
And as you said, the Bible teaches that the world is getting worse off, not better, as we head ever more desperately toward the end of the age.
Thanks again, Bruce, for the great insights, and, as usual, it looks like you have the start of a great blog here!
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Bruce Cooper
January 6, 2022
Actually thought about doing that yesterday but that was “me” and God kind of lead me in another direction with the “Death By a Thousand Cuts” post. BUT today, look what David is speaking about! Is there any charge for hosting my thoughts on your blog? 🙂
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dettinger47
January 6, 2022
Yes. $100 … U.S. currency. 😅
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Bruce Cooper
January 6, 2022
Oh sure, don’t give me a break on the Canadian dollar! 🙂
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seekingdivineperspective
January 6, 2022
Your writings have caused me to rethink my daily prayers for America. I pray for revival for the CHURCH in America. This may, in fact, result in the “Church” being whittled down in size. Until recently it’s been relatively easy – and still is – to claim Christ in this country. But when persecution comes, I suspect a lot of people will stop calling themselves “Christians.” This shrinking of the Church may be better than it sounds. God will be separating the wheat from the tares, the sheep from the goats. This is His refining His people, readying His Bride for His return. But I agree with the unlikelihood of national repentance – although I pray for our leaders’ salvation. Jesus always warned His followers that they would be in the minority.
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dettinger47
January 6, 2022
Tremendous points. I’ve never thought of it in that way, that revival in the Church would whittle it down, but I agree.
And I’m with you about praying for our leaders’ salvation. I pray for them to be saved … and leave it there.
Your points about the whittling down and refining of the Church would make for a great blog if you ever want to pursue it.
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Angel
January 6, 2022
I agree.
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bigskybuckeye
January 6, 2022
David, I appreciate your view that salvation is an individual experience. As Christians, we are called to share our faith journey as we reach out to others.
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dettinger47
January 6, 2022
Amen. Thanks, Big Sky.
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vicklea
January 6, 2022
Hard post to read, but it does resonate with me. I, too, believe that the nations of the world have passed the point of no return and are awaiting God’s judgment.
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dettinger47
January 6, 2022
Thank you, Vickie.
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Tom
January 6, 2022
Amen to this post, David. The message preached from pulpits in this country for 400 years that America was in a special covenant relationship with God was bad theology.
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dettinger47
January 6, 2022
Very bad theology. Thanks Tom.
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Stephen Rupolo
January 6, 2022
So true David, not a chance. We are heading toward a one world government which will eventually be led by the anti-Christ. Our leaders are becoming more evil with each passing day. Judgment awaits America and all other nations. We are certainly experiencing birth pangs. The return of our Lord can not be that far off. Maranatha !!!.
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dettinger47
January 7, 2022
Well said, Stephen. Amen!
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The Quiet Roarer
January 6, 2022
I really like how you’ve explained this David! Amen!
When I read about biblical end times I totally agree that things are only going to get worse, and we can certainly see that happening here in Australia with the passing of more and more godless laws (euthanasia legalised and abortion up to birth) and the endlessly increasing problems in our society.
So YES…revival absolutely in people’s hearts! Jesus is our example. His work is finished and his work was going about the Father’s business and seeing hearts and lives brought into the Kingdom.
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dettinger47
January 7, 2022
I agree totally. From what I understand, we here in the States are “behind” Australia. In other words, where you are, we’re heading. Let us forge on in Christ!
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ken riddles
January 7, 2022
Psalm 85
Will You be angry with us forever?
Will You prolong Your anger to all generations?
6 Will You not revive us again,
That Your people may rejoice in You?
7 Show us Your mercy, Lord,
And grant us Your salvation.
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dettinger47
January 7, 2022
He’ll do just that, Ken, when Christ returns. Thanks you.
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Lisa Beth
January 7, 2022
I’m in total agreement brother! I only wonder about, “Those holding out hope for national revival are very strong Christians who read their Bibles consistently” – what are they reading that convinces them of coming revival? I ask them myself when such assertions are made, I see no scriptural basis.
Thank you David for elaborating on this subject! When believers are misguided, they may miss God’s true call and purpose.
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dettinger47
January 8, 2022
These, basically, are just folks who are optimistic by nature. Thanks for the kind comments, Lisa Beth.
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Laura M Bailey
January 9, 2022
I have this same feeling, friend.
The first thing that speaks to me is Romans 11:25
For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
My ears began to perk up and eyes alert with the explosion of organizations of jewish-christians. The first I became aware of was Jews For Jesus, then the rise of Messianic Judaism to jewish-christian coaltions, one for Israel (which I love watch the How I Met Messiah videos)
We were told how things were going to unfold and while we’ve had many of the issues throughout human history, never before have we seen such excelleration and intensity unfolding before our eyes and on a global scale!
Here we stand at the door. If this is not the end….it’s certainly the pre-game show.
I’ve seen sooo many social media posts celebrating the new year by people so joyful that 2021 is over and looking for a better year….
While I have the distinct primal feeling that 2022 is saying “Oh, you thought ’21 was bad? Hold my beer and watch this!”
In fact, I anticipate in the times to come, we will be looking back and wishing we were back in ’20-’21 and thinking of them as the good old days.
The worse and worse it will become will set the stage perfectly for the one to rise who will appear to bring us peace and relief. And because thing will have gone so horribly bad, he will be massively welcomed and embraced.
Yet, I have such peace, a peace that is often questioned by believers fearfully watching this unfold.
But have I not consistently prayed…Thy Kingdom Come?
O Come Emmanuel?
Indeed! This is our hope isn’t it?
I know we will face much difficulty and suffering in the days to come but I intent to meet the challenges by deepening and nurturing my relationship with God, walking my professed faith, boldly sharing my faith, making myself available for the Lord to use in the rescue and salvation of those who would be saved, strengthening and fortifying my faith in preparation to stand or lay down my life for my faith.
May you have peace that surpasses understanding in the days to come.
Continue shining your light in world dear friend💕
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dettinger47
January 9, 2022
Amen, Laura. I absolutely agree. May the bless you richly in the challenging days ahead.
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