Rev. Franklin Graham (BGEA)
Drawing a parallel between the decline and fall of the Babylonian empire with the decline of the United States “because of sin and disobedience to God’s Holy Word,” Christian evangelist Franklin Graham warned that, “if we don’t turn back to God, I fear that our end will be near.”
“What’s the writing on the wall for America?,” said Rev. Graham in an April 3 post on Facebook. “As a nation we are found lacking because of sin and disobedience to God’s Holy Word. We have not honored Him.”
“If we don’t turn back to God, I fear that our end will be near,” he said.
Leading up to that conclusion, Rev. Graham said, “2500 years ago Iraq was in the ‘headlines.’ It was known as the Babylonian empire and had the largest military in the world at that time.”
“Its king, Belshazzar, was having a big party drinking and boasting with his wives, his mistresses, and his nobles,” said Graham. “While they were partying, the hand of God appeared and wrote a message on the wall, terrifying everyone including King Belshazzar. He face grew pale and his knees went weak.”
“Daniel is called in to interpret the handwriting,” continued Graham, “which says three things: ‘Mene: God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end. Tekel: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting. Peres: Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.’”
“Daniel warns Belshazzar that he is guilty of worshiping false gods,” explains Rev. Graham. “He said, ‘you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life’ (Daniel 5:23). That very night the king was slain and the kingdom was lost to their enemies.”
It is at that point Rev. Graham draws a parallel with the United States: “What’s the writing on the wall for America?”
He then concludes, “As a nation we are found lacking because of sin and disobedience to God’s Holy Word. We have not honored Him. If we don’t turn back to God, I fear that our end will be near.”
Franklin Graham, 63, is the son of world-renowned evangelist Billy Graham. Franklin Graham is married and has five children. He oversees the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and the international Christian aid group Samaritan’s Purse. Rev. Graham also regularly preaches across the United States and around the globe.