(The Nations) refer to a large body of people united by common descent, history, culture, or language, inhabiting a particular country or territory. Life hasn’t been to sweet for many. Third world countries have suffered tremendously, but for different reasons then the more advanced and highly sophisticated ones. As a matter of fact the more highly sophisticated nations sufferings stem from a different type of pressure. All suffering wether it is released into a highly advance culture or one that is not as developed originates from one regime, that men either refused to recognize or are unconcerned about. (One Other group exists. There are still those who have not had the Gospel preached to them and are made victims by the leaders of their nations due to the rejection of the Gospel.)
What we must realize and not turn a deaf ear to is that there is a spiritual nation behind the nations. Their is an outlaw spiritual world which never ceases to manipulate the minds of those who refuse to honor God’s requirements. We even see this as men declare their faith, and say that Jesus is their Savior but refuse to serve him as Lord. ( We read in the Old Testament that judgement starts first of all with the house of God. Then Jesus reiterates this in the first few chapters of the book of Revelation and throughout the Gospels). God said, the nations, ( those who opened their doors), were to be impacted for good, by the standard that Jesus set forth, “Love one Another as I have Loved you”. And Praise be to God there are those who have followed more closely our Savior words and we see pockets of nationals enjoying the beauty of Salvation together with each other. But to those who have clung to their former preferences, before salvation, we see the suffering of many nations, and many rebellious to the Gospels because of these things. This has been a theme throughout history. Many followers of Christ continue to allow themselves to be subdued by their flesh and the devices of Satan. It’s a very sad picture for some who refuse to repent because when one refuses to do obey God’s word, they deceive their own heart. So wether he be a man of the cloth, or a lay-person, even though it appears that there are no consequences for the things they are doing, he or she will stand before God’s judgement seat and give an account for everything they have done in this life. He may reap what he sows in the next life if the believers aren’t compliant enough with the Holy Ghost now. Remember Ananias and Sapphira?
We pray for those who have felt the rejection of their brothers to continue to persevere. Think about Timothy in the early church. God has deemed that those who hold on to him without denouncing their faith, (having walked through the bitter cast systems orchestrated by Satan but carried out by men,) will be able to walk down the streets of the city and partake of the tree of life, who’s leaves are for the healing of the nations.
Revelation 22:8
down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nation
These are words of Jesus
Revelations 3: 11-13
11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. 13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.