Implosion of a superpower.

As the U.S. government shutdown continues, world leaders are shaking their heads in disbelief. “Germans have found it hard to understand American lawmakers’ inability to resolve their budget disagreements in time to prevent a shutdown” and are left wondering “how things could have been allowed to get to this point and why there is so much poison in the system” (Der Spiegel, October 2, 2013). “What has already been apparent in America for a few years now is the self-destruction of one of the world’s oldest democracies… the great tragedy here is that this work of destruction isn’t being wrought by enemies of democracy” but is being accomplished “by the very people who are supposed to... preserve it” (ibid.).

Russia’s recent firm stance against the U.S. foreign policy in Syria showed its strength over U.S. weakness; and because of the U.S. absence in the recent APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) meeting, China’s assertiveness filled the void. “In Obama’s absence, other leaders take center stage at APEC meeting… Asia-watchers say [the] president’s decision may encourage China to be more aggressive in territorial disputes” (Al Jazeera, October 7, 2013).

The U.S. has turned its back on God and rebelled against His commandments. Because of its sins, God said He would “make youths their leaders, and the unstable will govern them” (Isaiah 3:4, Holman Christian Standard Bible). If this trend continues, God will continue to “break the pride” of American power (Galatians 6:7; Leviticus 26:19). For more information, watch “Prophecy and the Decline of the Western Nations.”