The great historian, Gibbons, who wrote the Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire, gave five reasons for that great dynasty's fall.

First: Rapid increase of divorce, with the undermined sanctity of the home, which is the basis of society.

Second: Higher and higher taxes; the spending of money for bread and celebrations.

Third: The mad craze for pleasure; sports becoming every year more exciting and more brutal.

Fourth: The building of gigantic armaments, when the real enemy--the people's decadence--is within.

Fifth: The decay of religion; faith fading into mere form, losing touch with life, and becoming impotent to guide it.

We're all familiar with the old saying: "Those who do not learn from the mistakes of the past are doomed to repeat them in the future. Sadly, as a nation, America needs to review these principle factors in the decline of the great Roman Empire and see how they could easily relate to us. The wise man Solomon said, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." (Proverbs 14:34)

We often hear our current politicians, both federal and local officials, ending their speeches with the words, "And God bless America." How can God truly bless America when she does so many things that are contrary to his divine will? Let's examine a few examples:

1. One of every two marriages ends in divorce.
   
   
2. Abortions are at an all-time high--over one million this year alone.
   
   
3. Homosexuality is considered to be nothing more than an "alternate lifestyle." They tell us they were "born that way."
   
   
4. Religion is more entertainment than worship. More and more, worship is conforming to what men find pleasing, instead of seeking to bring glory and honor to God.
   
   
5. The number of single-parent homes is at an all-time high. More and more children are victims of broken homes.
   
   
6. Sports icons are becoming the gods of our society.
   
   
7. More and more people are living on credit. The average American couple has more than $15,000 in credit card debt.
   
   
8. Aids and other sexual diseases are at an all-time high. This, despite the vast information blitz that teaches our children how to have "safe sex."
   
   

Read and weep for America. The Bible clearly teaches that we will "reap what we sow." (Galatians 6:7,8) Rome's own conduct brought her to her knees. Can America be far behind? (via Gospel Minutes-adapted and redone by KMG)