WHY AFGHANISTAN'S NEW PRESIDENT WANTS TO MODEL HIS GOVERNMENT AFTER AMERICA'S FOUNDERS

An Astounding Turn of Events

In a joint press conference this week with President Obama, the new president of Afghanistan, Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, declared that he wants to model his government after the example of America's Founders. At a time when our own president is running away from the Founders, I find it quite amazing that the leader of a Muslim nation, formerly run by the Taliban, wants to emulate America's Founders. Ahmadzai mentioned in particular the self-sacrifice of the Founders in putting the interests of the nation above their own personal interests.

Ahmadzai seems like a decent man in that he graciously thanked American troops and American taxpayers for their contribution in helping his nation through its struggles. He also talked about freedom, especially for women, and expressed his hope that Afghanistan will one day have a woman as president. It probably helps that his wife, whom he describes as his partner, is a Lebanese Christian fighting for freedom behind the scenes.

In regards to America’s Founders putting national interests above their personal interests, most Americans have no idea the price that has been paid for their freedom. Each of the fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Independence knew that they were putting their lives on the line, for their act would be seen by King George III as an act of treason.

This is why, after signing the document, Benjamin Franklin injected a note of wry humor, saying, “We must all hang together or we assuredly will all hang separately” For the same reason, the Declaration concluded with this somber pledge; “And for the support of this Declaration with a firm reliance on the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”

As expected, those fifty-six names became the British army's most wanted list. Of the fifty-six individuals who signed the Declaration of Independence, nine died of wounds or hardships during the war. Five were captured and imprisoned, and in each case, that captivity was accompanied by brutal treatment. Several lost wives, sons, daughters or entire families. One lost all 13 of his children. Two wives were brutally treated. All were, at one time or another, hunted down and driven from their homes. Twelve signers had their homes burned to the ground. Seventeen lost everything they owned. Yet, not one defected or went back on his pledged word.

No wonder that one of those whose name is on that document and became our second president, John Adams, declared, "Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make a good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in Heaven that I ever took half the pains to preserve it."

No wonder Ahmadzai wants to model his administration after America's Founders! And wouldn't it be wonderful if our own president had a similar vision and and goal!

Dr. Eddie Hyatt is an author, historian and Bible teacher. He is the founder and director of the Revive America Project that is dedicated to reviving the hope for another great Spiritual awakening in our land. The information in this article was derived from his book, America's Revival Heritage, available from Amazon and his website at www.eddiehyatt.com

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE SUFFERING CHRISTIANS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

God's Justice on Your Behalf is at Hand

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I, as others, have experienced great anguish, anger and distress as I have read and heard of the atrocities that are being inflicted upon you because of your faith in Jesus Christ. The stories of your daughters being raped, your sons being beheaded and the genocidal slaughter of your friends and families have moved me and others to fervent prayer on your behalf.

During such a time of prayer for you recently I experienced a pronounced sense of peace as I prayed and thought on God’s justice, and particularly His justice for you. I am writing to share that experience with you.

Our God is a just God, and His justice will not forever rest. He sees your sufferings and will not forsake you. He will eventually make all things new and right for you. Justice will be served!

Justice in this fallen world, however, is imperfect and in your case seemingly non-existent at this time. Nonetheless, there is coming a day when every person will meet their Creator and each one will receive their just due for their actions—punishment and retribution for those who are evil and rewards and commendations for those who have been faithful.

This final judgement where all things will be made right and everyone will receive their just due, is described by John the Apostle in Revelation 20:11-15.

Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God . . . The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works.

As I thought on you and God’s infinite and pure justice, I experienced a peace and sweetness in my soul. The terrible wrongs that have been done to you, do not go unnoticed by our Heavenly Father. I was comforted knowing that He will vindicate you and make things right for you, if not in this world, then in the world to come.

When the early believers in Thessalonica were suffering persecution, Paul wrote to them and comforted them by reminding them of God’s justice. He said;

God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with His powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus (NIV).

At that time the song written by David Phelps called “No More Night” will be a reality. The main chorus of the song says;

No more night. No more pain.
No more tears. Never crying again.

Praises to the great I AM.

We will live in the light of the risen Lamb.

I also want to say that I am very impressed with your Christian character and I realize that we in the West could learn much from you concerning what it really means to be a follower of Christ in this world. I am thinking in particular of the Coptic Christian woman in Egypt who had two sons beheaded by ISIS in Libya because of their faith in Jesus.

When she was asked what she would do if she saw the men who had murdered her sons passing in front of her house, she replied, “I would ask God to open their eyes and I would then invite them into my home.” She must have the Spirit of Christ for that is the spirit of the words of Jesus from the cross when He prayed for forgiveness for his tormentors. It is also the spirit of the words of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, who prayed for those who were taking his life (Acts 7:59-60). 

We, of course, can act in that forgiving manner when we know that justice will be ultimately and finally carried out by the great God and Judge of all the earth. We do not seek vengeance for we know Him who has said, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay (Romans 12:19).

We continue to pray for you for great Spiritual strength to be His witnesses in your time of trial, and for His deliverance of you from this evil.

Please pray for us in the West that we will stand faithful and true as His witnesses in the midst of our light afflictions. Please also join us in praying for great Spiritual awakening in America, Europe, your countries and all over the world.

Your friend and brother in Christ,

Eddie Hyatt

Dr. Eddie Hyatt is an author, historian and Biblical scholar who has preached in many nations and has a heart and vision for the body of Christ around the world. He presently hosts "Revive America" whose purpose is to lay the Biblical and historical foundations for another Great Awakening in America and the nations of the world. His website is www.eddiehyatt.com

I THOUGHT IT COULD NEVER HAPPEN

Why America's Future is Now at Stake in Her Past

I thought it could never happen, but it is.

On a major news network some time ago, I heard an American Muslim leader insist that the media begin using the term “Judeo-Islamic-Christian,” rather than “Judeo-Christian,” when referring to the religious values on which this country was founded. Having studied America’s origins, I dismissed his statement as being too far-fetched to be of any concern.

Now, it is obvious that there is cause for great concern! In an article posted by Charisma News (http://tinyurl.com/k5yvlzm), Larry Tomczak highlights statements President Obama has made pushing the very same agenda. Here are the presidential quotes beginning with the most recent.

•               "Islam has been woven into the fabric of our country since its founding." (2015)

•               "This holiday (Muslim Eid) reminds us of the many achievements and contributions of Muslim Americans to building the very fabric of our nation and strengthening the core of our democracy." (2014)

•               “Islam has always been part of America." (2010)

•               "I also know that Islam has always been a part of our American story." (2009)

I find it disturbing that the president would distort the history of this country in this manner. But we must remember that liberal progressives do not necessarily present history as it was, but how they think it should have been. They write (or rewrite) history to serve their own goals, not to give a factual account of what happened in the past. In their twisted thinking, their noble end justifies the unsavory means.

And never forget that there is a purpose behind this attempt to revise America’s history. A people, or nation, derive their sense of identity from their history. Change their history and you can fundamentally change their understanding of who they are as a nation or people.

This is what George Orwell was referring to in his classic book, 1984, when he wrote, “Whoever controls the past, controls the future.” This is why Karl Marx said, “People without a heritage are easily persuaded.” These revisionists know that if they can successfully alter America’s history, they can easily persuade the masses to accept fundamental change in the very character of the nation and thereby completely alter its future.

For example, if the revisionists, with this president’s support, can create a new American history wherein Islam has played an important role, then Islamic culture and thinking cannot be looked upon as something foreign. Sharia cannot be rejected as something un-American. In the new Judeo-Islamic-Christian culture it will be the critics of such politically-correct syncretism who will be painted as bigoted, narrow and un-American. Sadly, it is already happening!

Maintaining America’s true history is, therefore, vital! Our future as a nation is now at stake in our past!

Knowledge is power and in Hosea 4:6 God said, My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because we have lacked knowledge of our history as a nation birthed out of Spiritual awakening and established on Biblical values, revisionists are already rewriting our history—a new history designed to destroy the America of the past and create a new America in their own image.

This is why America, especially Christian America, must be educated concerning her radical Christian origins. This is why I wrote the book, America’s Revival Heritage. This is why I founded The Revive America Project and why I am presenting “Revive America” events wherever God sends and opens the door.

Consider the following statements by America’s Founders and note how they contrast the statements of the president.

•                “The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity.” – John Adams

•                 It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ.” – Patrick Henry

•                “It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.” – George Washington

•                “I am a real Christian, that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus.” – Thomas Jefferson

•               “Unto Him who is the author and giver of all good, I render sincere and humble thanks for his manifold and unmerited blessings, and especially for our redemption and salvation by His beloved Son”  - John Jay (First Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court)

I know it is not too late for America! At critical times in our nation’s history, God has intervened with Divine awakenings in response to the cries of His people. I am confident that He will do it again if we will pray and recover the truth about this nation’s unique Christian origins. Our future is now at stake in our past!

Dr. Eddie L. Hyatt is an author, historian and Bible teacher. His books, including America’s Revival Heritage, are available from Amazon and from his website. He is the founder of The Revive America Project and conducts Revive America events throughout the nation. To learn more about his ministry, check out his website at www.eddiehyatt.com.

FROM THE "REVIVE AMERICA" YOUTUBE CHANNEL

The Incredible Story of William Penn and the Founding of America

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFOKm-QoRz4

MY REFLECTIONS ON THE BENJAMIN NETANYAHU SPEECH

Maximizing Our Moment in Time

As I listened to the speech by Benjamin Netanyahu I realized that I was listening, not to just a politician, but to a statesman. He was very sober and somber and came across as being more concerned for the safety and security of his people than for the outcome of the next election and his own political career. He was a refreshing contrast to the politicians of late in America.

One thing that stood out was his warning that if Iran gets a nuclear weapon it will spark a nuclear arms race in the Middle East because other nations already fear Iran’s aggressive character and vision for conquest. In other words, other Middle Eastern nations, to defend themselves, will begin building their own nukes creating a nuclear tinderbox in the Middle East that could well lead to Armageddon.

Another high point for me was when Netanyahu recognized an elderly Holocaust survivor in the audience and then admonished his hearers to not forget the lessons of history. He was, of course, referring to the Holocaust wherein six million Jews, and God knows how many Christians, were subjected to a genocidal slaughter by the Nazis while the world and the church silently stood by and allowed it happen.

The modern parallel he was referring to is Iran and its pursuit of nuclear weapons with the stated intent to destroy both Israel and America. Hitler, early on, also made his intentions known in his book, Mein Kamph, which delineated his hatred of Jews and his desire to see a change in the German form of government. Much like today the world paid no attention and allowed him to implement his genocidal program of exterminating the Jews and anyone else who stood in his path.

Netanyahu takes Iran’s threat of annihilation seriously and emphasized that, if necessary, Israel would act alone to deprive Iran of nuclear weapons. He would obviously agree with the Lutheran pastor, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who lost his life for opposing the Nazi regime, but before he died, wrote, “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”

The same evening after Netanyahu’s speech, in our live stream, Sue made a statement that lodged in my heart and added to the somberness I was already feeling. In discussing the power of the 17^th century Quaker Movement she emphasized that they “maximized their moment in time.” Through their sense of urgency and all-out commitment to Jesus, they impacted their generation and played a profound role in the founding of the United States of America.

So today, with a sense of soberness about the times in which we live, I am asking how I can maximize the time I have left on this earth. My questions are not what, but how. I have no question about the call and commission, but how to maximize this moment in time.

I recall Jesus, with a sense of urgency, exhorting His disciples about how they must maximize their moment in time. He said, We must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work (John 9:4).

This is no time to be passive or lukewarm. Let’s maximize our moment in time!

Dr. Eddie L. Hyatt is an author, historian and Bible teacher. He is the founder of The Revive America Project whose purpose it to reclaim the vision and restore the hope for another Great Awakening in America and the nations of the world. His books on Spiritual Awakening and Christian history are available from Amazon and from his website at http://www.eddiehyatt.com/bookstore.html.