We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. The Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776)
Such beautiful words... A declaration of war... How could they hope for such freedom after centuries of political and religious oppression? That same dark religious spirit followed them over to the new world. But, in their hearts and minds what they sought was not unreasonable, but simply the freedom to exercise their god-given rights. They were willing to give their lives, fortunes and sacred honor to realize this hope.
It's important that we come to understand what was happening in the spiritual realm to bring about this once great nation. Consider the words of Thomas Paine one year before the signing of the Declaration of Independence:
We have it in our power to begin the world over again. A situation, similar to the present, hath not happened since the days of Noah until now. The birthday of a new world is at hand, and a race of men, perhaps as numerous as all Europe contains, are to receive their portion of freedom from the events of a few months.Thomas Paine, 1775
And the words of General George Washington just 2 days before the Declaration was signed:
The time is now near at hand which must probably determine whether Americans are to be freemen or slaves; whether they are to have any property they can call their own; whether their houses and farms are to be pillaged and destroyed, and themselves consigned to a state of wretchedness from which no human efforts will deliver them. The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this army. Our cruel and unrelenting enemy leaves us only the choice of brave resistance, or the most abject submission. We have, therefore, to resolve to conquer or die. George Washington General Orders – Tuesday, July 02, 1776
The more you understand about the circumstances of the Revolutionary War, the more you realize the sheer impossibility of victory for this untrained, undisciplined, rag-tag collection of men and boys, that they could actually win the war. The well-trained, well-supplied British Army wasn't the only enemy. They were hit on every side, even by their fellow Americans who were loyal to Great Britain. Yet the pages of history tell an amazing story of miraculous events that could only be explained as “divine providence.” And surely it was!
But what was in the heart of our Creator in establishing the “Land of the free and home of the brave?” Was it just to create another decadent society with abundant food and careless ease? Does “Soul Freedom” mean the freedom to indulge in all our selfish pleasures without shame? Is that what God moved the hearts of men to give their lives to accomplish? Quite the opposite!
In this paper, we hope to begin to explain the hidden purpose of God in establishing this country, and the work he is doing even know to fulfill his ultimate purpose. We hope you will take the time to read these words. And if your heart is stirred, like ours is, to be a part of what he is doing on the earth, then come and join the revolution!
