Historians have identified more than 200 empires in history. Among the ancient ones are the Egyptian, Persian, Greek, Roman, and Islamic. In recent history, there were the Portuguese, Spanish, and British empires. It was said of these latter three that the sun never set on their land. Experts say these latter conquerors had the sanction of the Catholic pope, based on the Discovery Doctrine. Under that doctrine, the pope said these conquering giants could convert, enslave, or annihilate any group of people that did not submit to them. While these recent nations still exist, their extensive empires are gone, like all the other empires in history. In Psalm 9, David describes what happens to nations and people groups that ignore God. He writes, “The nations have fallen into the pit they dug for others. Their own feet have been caught in the trap they set. The LORD is known for his justice. The wicked are trapped by their own deeds. The wicked will go down to the grave. This is the fate of all the nations who ignore God. But the needy will not be ignored forever; the hopes of the poor will not always be crushed. Arise, O LORD! Do not let mere mortals defy you! Judge the nations! Make them tremble in fear, O LORD. Let the nations know they are merely human.” God’s word to these ancient nations applies to people all over the world. No person or nation can ignore God’s moral laws of righteousness and justice and evade the consequences.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
