Fade-Out into Darkness

by Joseph Perrello
Published August 22, 2005

Has America moved past the point of no return to God? Is our nation experiencing a fade-out into darkness by having forgotten Him? This author thinks so. He welcomes your opinion, and will be overjoyed to be proven wrong in his opinion of America's fade-out into darkness. He may be contacted at: josprel@localnet.com

Most of us have seen them - those fade-outs with which movie producers conclude a scene. The scene gradually fades into darkness before the following scene blends in. This may be appropriate for movies, but not for a nation. Perhaps I puzzled you with that last statement. After all, how does an entire nation fade-out into darkness? That's a good question, with no easy answers.

A nation's fade-out into darkness doesn't occur overnight. It takes generations, centuries, even millenniums - as in the case of several ancient empires. The society gradually decays from within. The original foundations that once made it strong weaken. There may be attempts by conservative leaders to strengthen them; however, grassroots conservatives shake their heads, sigh, give verbal consent to these leaders, and go about their business as usual. It's sad that Bible believing Christians seems to predominate among these sighing head-shakers.

The fade-out deepens, and the darkness grows more intense. Tag me a pessimist, if you will; should you do so, it's with good cause. I confess I am pessimistic about the future of our nation. I believe America is fast fading-out into darkness. I'll not bore you with evidences of this. No doubt you're aware of them, have clicked your tongue in exasperation over them and done nothing. Perhaps you haven't even prayed regarding them. Suffice it to say, the old mores are mostly decayed; we are well into the fade-out process, and the next scene is about to begin.

Since it is my pessimistic opinion that America has past the point of no return with God, and understanding through Scriptures what is ahead for a nation that forgets God, I grieve! Yes, I grieve! I grieve for the liberties we are loosing, I grieve for the demise of the last bastion for the spreading the Gospel throughout the world, I grieve over the corruptions within the clergy, I grieve for the pulpits over which the true Gospel no longer is preached, I grieve over Christians, pastors, evangelists, politicians, husbands, wives, senior citizens, and everyone else, who seem unaware of how close to the end we are. I especially grieve for our children. What kind of a future are they to have?

If I weren't so pessimistic about the future, I would say, "God has America under His control." However, my pessimism responds, "Yes, that's so, but God also had ancient Israel under His control. Still, because of Israel's disobedience, He permitted the Babylonians to conquer the nation. And Israel experienced a fadeout into darkness.

I realize I should conclude this pessimist article on an optimistic note. But, how can I, when I already have confessed my opinion that our nation has past the point of no return with God. God drew the line in the sands of history, in essence saying to the nation, "Don't step over this line into immorality, mockery of my Word, religious corruption, and vile social sins."

And America stepped over the line! How grievous!

Each of us must confess our contribution to the soon-descending darkness; we must ask for God's forgiveness for contributing to it, devoting what little time is left us to ministering in the fade-out season, as His nightshift workers. Past generations experienced powerful revivals to call the people to God. Jonathan Edwards, Wesley and his Methodists, Charles G. Finney, Dwight L. Moody, and the Pentecostals, among others, were all agents of the Holy Spirit, used to recall their respective generations back to God. At times, entire communities - including major cities - were shut down, as the Holy Spirit preformed His work in the hearts of the people.

Our generation looks back with longing to those days, wondering why we haven't been empowered with such a revival; why we haven't experienced even the initial smoldering of such a spiritual awaking. But, several decades ago, we did have the smoldering of an awakening intended to initiate such a revival. We did experience the flicker of such a renewal. Descending from heaven, the spiritual spark fell upon youth who labeled themselves, "The Jesus People." It ignited into a flame, enkindling Christian businessmen who, cultivating the blaze used it to burn through sectarian partitions with an emphasis on being Born Again and empowered by the Holy Spirit. The blaze appeared destined to ignite a revival at least rivaling, if not eclipsing, those of yesteryears.
However, the by-in-large rejection of the Jesus People by most church denominations, materialistic greed, personal ambition, carnality, and unacknowledged spiritual immaturity quenched the work, stumbled numerous newborn Christians, and brought evangelism (especially of the televised
variety) into mockery and disrepute - a costly comment on the anemic state of the contemporary American church. Only eternity can reveal what might have been had not the fade-out occurred!

Despite what some may claim, no hint of a revival of national proportions emerges on America's contemporary spiritual horizons. And should such a revival still be possible, as believers, we have not prepared ourselves to receive it. We know what we should be doing, but seem too preoccupied to do it. As a result, even the "mercy drops,"
enjoyed by those long ago hymnist, D. W. Whittle and James McGranahan, no longer " . . . round us are falling." After all, we are not pleading for “showers of blessing.”

Revivals are generated through confession, repentance, prayer, and fasting. Overall, the American church is not a praying church, much less one that fasts; so the fade-out into darkness progresses. Soon, only those who have within themselves the Light of Life will be able to navigate the narrow road, guided by the still small voice of their Pilot. Those not so illuminated and directed shall fall by the wayside, sad victims of the Laodicean spirit so prevalent in the churches.

Given a continuance of the current societal climate in the nation and the impoverishing spirit of Laodicean carnality in the churches, it is not inconceivable that, in the not too distant future, those who desire to remain true to the Lord Jesus Christ shall face persecution, imprisonment and martyrdom, as many of our fellow believers already do in other nations.

If you're a casual, non-religious reader of this article, it should give you pause for serious reflection. It should drive you to receive Christ Jesus as your savior. And, if you're a born again Christian, this article should drive you to your knees!

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