“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
–1John 2:15
Noticed over the past several months: acquaintances appear to be using the term “third world” more often.
Usually to describe some aspect of life in America.
And usually NOT in a complimentary way.
“Those bathrooms in [a popular big box store] are terrible! It’s like going to a third world country!”
“The streets are falling apart! Driving down [?] Street is like driving in a third world country!”
“The stores are empty anymore (except for sweets)! It’s getting so you can’t find ANYTHING! It’s like living in a third world country!”
Do not these remarks demonstrate that at least some Americans believe the USA has become a “third world country?”
OR, that at least some are comfortable comparing some living conditions in the USA with parts of the under-developed world?
(Notice that the criticisms of USA = third world country seem to be based on the things of the world: creature comforts, amenities, what many others might term “luxuries.”)
OR, is it merely a case of sarcasm having gotten sharper and more biting in the times in which we live?
Strictly speaking, what does third world even mean?
The term “Third World” arose during the Cold War to define countries that remained non-aligned with either NATO or the Communist Bloc. The United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Western European nations and their allies represented the First World, while the Soviet Union, China, Cuba, and their allies represented the Second World.
Increasingly, “third world” (at least in popular usage in the United States), has come to mean “poor,” “backward” or “least developed.”
It should be pointed out that “living in a third world country” (and what is popularly meant by the phrase) is TOTALLY a matter of whether one is rich and celebrated or not.
IF one is very wealthy (and willing to spend the money), there are few–if any–amenities unavailable.
No matter where one makes one’s home.
Is the USA a third world country?
THAT question is HIGHLY subjective.
Being “third world” is in the eye of the beholder.
However, the mere fact that the idea (once unthinkable!) that the United States has regressed to third world status is being bandied about should be enough to alert folks that perhaps circumstaces are quite different than even twenty years ago.
And that should cause those who place GREAT value on the things of the world (most Americans) to pause.
IN CONCLUSION
It might be accurate to say that the USA has undergone MANY changes over the past 20 years and many of those changes are not viewed as positive ones.
It might be MORE accurate to say “Third World? The USA has become a one-world country.”
MORE: New World Order: Observations on the Future One-World Government
It might be MOST accurate to say First World, Second World, Third World: the judging appears to be based on the availability of the things of the world–and that is a very untrustworthy guide to whether on is on the right path or not.
Regardless of which “world” one thinks he lives.
“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
–1John 2:16
DOES the reader judge the times by the material comforts (or lack thereof) he once enjoyed?
It is not YET too late: there is still time to change direction (repent), place your faith for the future entirely on Jesus Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven.
DOES the reader believe he is saved?
Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival
DOES the reader believe he is NOT saved?
Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: Making a Choice
- The Gospel of Jesus Christ
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: The Power of God Unto Salvation
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: The End Times Power of God Unleashed
THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-8
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16
MORE
- USA, AMERICA: List of ETPR Articles
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: The Power of God Unto Salvation
- The Nature of Spiritual Deception
[Portions of this piece appeared originally in End Times Prophecy Headlines: July 24, 2018.]
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- The Normalizing of Illegitimate Supernatural Power in the End Times
- The Powerless Churches: Church Folk and Their Lack of God’s Power
- PRAYER: A Few Thoughts on Prayer and Praying
- Constructing One’s Own Reality Begins with Self-Deception
- Satan Has Counterfeited the Christian Church
- The Deceptions of Demonic Power
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: The Power of God Unto Salvation
- The Nature of Spiritual Deception
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by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier
image: Wikimedia Commons/pd
© Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report, 2012-18. © Mondo Frazier and End Times Prophecy Report, DBKP 2007-2018. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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