CHOSEN NATION

Bishop John D. Ritcheson

Do you feel fortunate that God chose you? Do you feel fortunate not to be governed by outlandish laws, rules, regulations & dress codes? There is nothing wrong with laws, rules and regulations as long as they are God's laws, rules and regulations. There is no name under heaven and earth by which man can be saved except by the name of Jesus. If you have God's agenda you're going to make enemies of anyone that doesn't have God's agenda.

Some people talk about taking God out of the pledge of allegiance, but they will not succeed if we raise our children right. They'll recite the pledge and they'll put God right back in where God belongs. They can't take freedom of speech from us. My kids asked me what to do if they take God out of the pledge at their school. I told them if they did, then when it got to the part where God belonged to put God in there and if they kicked them out of school I would give them a medal and take them on vacation.

I thank God that we're Americans. I thank God that I live in the greatest country that has ever existed on the planet earth. I've visited other countries and I'm glad I'm an American. We could have been born anywhere - Afghanistan, Iran, India - but we were born in he United States. I thank God that I'm not only in the greatest country, but in the greatest church (God's church) at the greatest hour that the world has ever seen. I thank God for that because it is a blessing. There has never been and never will be a nation like America. We, as Christians, are privileged to live in the greatest country and be in the greatest church on the entire planet and all of this happens to be at the greatest time in history. Do you understand who you are? Do you understand there is warfare going on and yes, there is a falling away, but you don't have to be a part of it? You were chosen by God to be in America and be in the greatest country in the world. God chose you to be born an American citizen and He chose you again as He courted you, pursued you and saved you to become a child of God. He pursued you again when He allowed you to become a part of His church. You have been chosen by God. You are not an accident or coincidence. You are a child of destiny. The devil can and will fight the church because he knows his days are numbered, but he cannot change the divine plan and divine will of God. You were chosen of God and you shall fulfill your destiny. It is not by accident that you happened to be born an American citizen. It was a choice, not your choice but God's choice. God chose you to be born. God has a plan for us and we are chosen of God. It is no mistake that you are a Christian. It is no mistake that you are hungrier for God than you've ever been. It's no mistake that there is an anticipation and excitement in you because something is about to happen. You are about to be part of the greatest event on the planet earth because you have been chosen by God.

I Peter 2:9-10 reads: "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people (God's special purchased treasure, JDR insert) that ye shall show forth the praises of Him that calls you out of darkness into His marvelous light which in the time past were not a people of God which had not obtained mercy, but not has obtained mercy." There was a time that I thought this strictly referred to being a new creature in Christ Jesus. The word in that verse for a new creature mean to actually become a new creation, something that actually never existed before. That nation spoken about here is not just the Christian nation, but a country, a particular country. Have you ever wondered why America is hated by the world? Have you ever wondered why we feed most of the countries of this world, provide aid for most of the countries of this world and protect most of this world but the only true friend we have is Israel? I want to share with you that America is not here by accident. America is not the result of someone's great fortitude of the courage of one individual, although it includes all of that. I also want to share with you that America is very likely the nation being spoken about here in this passage. America is in existence because God chose it to be in existence as part of His divine plans. He shaped it, He molded it, He birthed it, He blessed it, He favored it and there was a reason - a Holy Nation. America exists through God's divine intervention for God's divine purpose and I want to show you that America is that Holy Nation. In I Peter 2:9-10 it talks about a chosen generation and that's you and me as individuals. It talks about a chosen generation, so the people making up a chosen generation which could easily be called the church. You are a chosen person/people, a chosen generation, and a chosen church for a certain hour, but all of this exists inside a chosen nation. You have a chosen nation which has people that have been chosen within it and those people chosen within it compromise a chosen generation or church. There are five or six Greek words that are translated into the English language. The word in this passage is the Greek word electos. It means to be preferred, highly favored, to have been chosen out of many. It's the same Greek word from which we get our words elect and election. If you're a Christian, you didn't find God, God found you. How do you know God found you? Because in order for you to find God, it would imply that God was lost at some time and God has never been lost. You were lost and God chose you. We have here a chosen nation, an electos a highly favored nation. We have within that nation a chosen people and a chosen generation. 

I want to share with you some facts that you probably never learned in school. I never learned it in school and I've never met anyone that learned this in school. This will prove that America is a chosen nation, a holy nation, and the reason we exist is to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the entire world. Judgment is at the door. The only reason why judgment has not come against America is to fulfill the prophesy of Jesus Christ. It states in Matthew 24:14 that: "This gospel shall be preached to all the nations, then the end shall come." I want to prove some things to you that you probably didn't learn in school.

Christopher Columbus said in his personal journal after three trips to the new world that "God spoke clearly to me that I had been chosen to bring the light of Jesus Christ to the new world." (www.law.ou.edu/hist). The man who discovered the nation that we live in said he only discovered it because God chose him All of this took place well over five hundred years ago. Columbus also wrote a book of prophesies. He wrote, "It was the Lord who put into my mind, because I could feel His hand upon me, that it was possible to sail from here to the Indies." The only mistake he made is he thought the United States was going to be called the Indies. "All who heard of the project greeted it with laughter and ridiculed me. There is no question that the inspiration was from the Holy Spirit because He comforted me with the rays of inspiration from the Holy Scriptures. I am an unworthy sinner but I have cried out to the Lord for grace and mercy and grace and mercy have covered me completely. I have found the sweetest consolation since I have made it my purpose to enjoy His presence." (The Libro De Las Profeias of Christopher Columbus: An En Face Edition (Columbus Quinentenary Series.Translated by August Klug.) Columbus' purpose in life was not to sail around the world, not to make King Ferdinand of Spain famous, not to discover America, but his purpose was what our purpose ought to be - to find the presence of God and stay in the presence of God. When you do that, God will begin to direct your life and you will do great exploits for God. Columbus didn't discover America for Spain, Italy or himself. He discovered America because God had a plan. God said He was going to raise up a country and that country would take this gospel around the earth. We are not going to get nuked. We need to get out of that spirit of fear. We're not going to get taken over because God chose us, picked us and ordained us as a country. Columbus also wrote, "In the execution of the journey to the Indies, I did not use intelligence." (Columbus' Book of Prophesies, previously cited) That did not mean that he just wondered aimlessly. What it meant was that he didn't make use of the resources of men that had sailed that way before. Why? Because God gave him a vision that he could do it and all that man could say was that he could only go so far an then fall off the earth. "I did not make use of intelligence. I did not use maps or mathematics. It is simply a fulfillment of what Isaiah has prophesied. No one should fear to undertake any task in the name of our Savior if it is just and its intentions are for His holy service." (source previously cited) The greatest nation on the planet earth, the only nation that has enjoyed 200 consecutive years of religious freedom, the most powerful, most blessed nation was discovered by a man that didn't use intelligence, maps or mathematics He was led and directed by the Holy Ghost. We are favored, we are preferred, we are the electos of God. It thrills me because I am in a chosen nation, a highly preferred elected nation, and in a chosen church. God did those supernatural things for the country to get discovered and exist and He will do supernatural things for us to finish what He called us to do. 

America has gotten so far from the truth that it is time we revisit the past to discover the truth so the truth can make us free. On November 11, 1620 the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock after seven weeks of religious persecution and ridicule. They had to guard their women at night because the sailors wanted to harm them and rape them. All of this persecution and ridicule only made them pray harder and draw closer to God. Aboard the Mayflower, they drew up a document called the Mayflower Compact. It became the foundation of our Constitution and our Declaration of Independence. It read, "Having for the glory of God and for the advancement of the Christian faith, do we by these present sign in the presence of God and covenant and have combined ourselves together into body politics." (www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/amerdoc/mayflower) You may ask, "What is so important about that?" It is the first time in world history that a nation was established by free and equal men and it was established for the advancement of the gospel and for the glory of God. We are a holy nation, a chosen people, the electos, the preferred and the highly favored. God has chosen America to be the bright light in these last days. He has chosen America to win the world and affect every nation across this world.

In 1630 the Puritans set sail in five ships for America. John Higginson wrote, "We go to practice the positive part of church reformation and to propagate the gospels in America." (www.capo.org/Mather) Governor John Winthrop preached on the deck of the flagship Arbella in 1630 that, "The Lord shall be our God and delight to dwell amongst us, for we consider that we shall be a city upon the hills and the eyes of all people shall be upon us." (www.dylee.keel.econ.ship.edu/ubf/winthrop) Four hundred years ago, a prophet going to the wilderness declared that the eyes of the entire world would some day turn every day to see what this country would be doing. There is no way he just thought that up. There is no way he was just being a visionary. God let him see and he said, "I'm going to take America and out of the wilderness and out of nothing I'm going to raise up the greatest nation that ever existed because I have chosen them, I have preferred them, I have favored them." (John D. Ritcheson interpretation) 

Let us look at how God has used America. The Great Awakening of 1740 preceded the Revolutionary War and the writing of the Declaration of Independence. At every great awakening there is a theme. In Brownsville it was the power of praise and worship; in Toronto it was the joy of the Lord. There is always a primary message that God is trying to send His people. Preachers like Jonathan Edwards and George Whitfield preached from the pulpit that all men were created equal and that God was no respecter of people, no matter what their level of education, race or wealth. That very revival became the basis of our Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights where it says, "we find this truth self-evident, that all men are created equal." 

In 1857 through 1859 there was the great revival just before the Civil War where people were saved in America. In 1900 there was the great revival which preceded World War I where people were saved across the world. What am I trying to say? I'm trying to tell you that just before God's judgment He will always send a time of outpouring of grace and mercy. Before judgment gets here today, the trump of God is going to sound. There is always a space of mercy before the judgment of God and we have been chosen as a nation to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ before the judgment comes.

On July 4, 1776 the men used of God to write the Declaration of Independence said, "We therefore, the representatives of the United States of America with a firm reliance on the protection of a divine province." (www.libraryofcongress.gov/declarationofindependence) One of the governors of the thirteen colonies wrote a letter to the King of England that said, "These people say they have no King except Jesus Christ." (www.libraryofcongress.gov/chronologyushistoricaldocuments) This became the battle cry of our armies during the Revolutionary War. When they charged into battle, they charged in singing, "We'll have no king but Jesus Christ, we'll have no king but Jesus Christ, we'll bow to no man but Jesus Christ" (previously cited) This should be our battle cry of the church today. We're chosen, we're elected and we're preferred.

Patrick Henry wrote on March 23, 1775, "We have no choice but to ask God to help us in the fight. We are invincible with God on our side." (www.yale.edu/law/web/avalon/patrick) We were taking on the biggest super power at the time, the great British Army. Approximately one year from that date was the Battle of Bunker Hill where a bunch of rag tag volunteers with squirrel guns and muskets wiped out England's lean, mean fighting machine. It shouldn't take a genius to figure out why we got the victory. It is because God chose us, He preferred us. Anyone who tells you that God and the Bible had nothing to do with the birth of this country is sadly mistaken they don't know their history. This nation was birthed by the miracle working power of God and the word of God. In that same speech Patrick Henry stated, "It is up to us to appeal to the people to fight and to the God of hosts. In this holy cause of liberty we are invincible against any force the enemy shall send against us for we shall not fight alone, but God presides over the destiny of man." (sources previously cited) It is no accident that you are in this country.

During the framing and writing of the Constitution, God graciously kept His hand on this country. There were two prominent men who fought to keep the Constitution from being written as it is now. Scholars consider it to be the greatest governmental document ever written. I believe this is because God inspired the writing of the Constitution. The two men were Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Paine, a deist. They fought George Washington every inch of the way in the forming of the Constitution. During the very first Constitutional Convention, where the framework was written, these two men were in Europe and couldn't get back because of the weather. God has been using the weather to postpone trips for years. The first Constitutional Convention was held without Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Paine because, I believe, God wanted the Constitution to be the greatest document of freedom ever written. (www.publicbookshelf.com/public/The_Great_Republic & www.nara.gov/exhall/charters/constitution/confath)

Benjamin Franklin was not known to be a Christian for most of his life and at 83 years of age made a speech that got everyone working together to frame the Constitution. "In the beginning we relied on God's favor. Have we now forgotten this powerful friend or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance? I have lived a long time, sirs, and the longer I live the more convincing proof I see of this truth. God governs the affairs of men. If a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, it is probable that an empire cannot rise without His aid." (source previously cited) God blessed America. God favored America. God birthed America. Iraq is not going to take us out, Iran is not going to take us out, and the devil is not going to take us out because there is still a remnant in this country that belongs to God. America is God's country. God chose us, He framed us and He birthed us. Ben Franklin continued, "We are assured sirs in the sacred writings that unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of heaven and its blessings on our deliberation be held in this assembly every morning before the start of business." (sources previously cited) 

George Washington was a devout Christian. He wrote in a prayer journal during his presidency. This was written his first day in office, "Direct my thoughts, my words and my work. Wash away my sins in the immaculate blood of the Lamb and purge my heart by the Holy Spirit. Daily frame me more and more into the likeness of Thy Son, Jesus Christ. Thou gaveth Thy Son to die for me and have given me assurance of Salvation upon my repentance and sincerely endeavoring to conform to His precept and His examples." (Library of Congress, Washington Papers) George Washington was a born again Christian who knew you have to live right. In a speech to a group of war patriots he said, "To the distinguished character of a patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the distinguished character of a Christian." (source previously cited) This is a man who has bullet holes in his jacket that hangs in the Smithsonian (www.citizensoldier.org/oldfrench). There are bullet holes all over the chest and back of the his jacket. Scientists can't figure out how he could be wearing that jacket without being blown to pieces. I'll tell you why - it is because he was a chosen man for a chosen hour for a chosen country and you can't kill God's chosen. George Washington also said, "It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible." (sources previously cited) 

John Quincy Adams said, "So great is my regard of the Bible, the earlier my children begin to read it the more confident will be my hope that they will prove useful citizens of my country and responsible citizens of society." Abraham Lincoln said, "I believe the Bible is the best gift that God has ever given mankind."
http://www.forerunner.com & related links . . . America's Christian Rulers) 
We're in a chosen nation, a chosen country formed by God, blessed by God, chosen by God, raised up by God, sustained by God, empowered by God and protected by God.

There are three reasons that I know America is that chosen nation:

1.  Matthew 16:18 reads, "I also say unto thee that thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it." What does that have to do with God choosing America? Jesus asked Peter, "Peter, who do men say that I am?" Peter answered, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God." Jesus said, "Upon this truth I am going to build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it." America is the only country in the history of this world that has every enjoyed over 200 years of continued religious freedom America is the only safe haven for Christians who are fighting persecution; America has been the protector of God's church ever since it came into existence and America is protecting God's church today Jesus said, "Upon this rock I'm building my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it." America is going to prevail because we are the protector of the church. 

2.  Matthew 24:14 reads, "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all nations, and then the end will come." Eighty-five percent of all missionaries have come, and are still coming, out of America. Make no mistake about it, America deserves to be judged for abortion and embracing sin, but God said that this gospel is going to be preached to all the world and as long as we keep a mission minded church and keep preaching the gospel to all the world, God will not judge America. If we ever drop the ball, there will be judgment. Everything that is happening is because God has chosen this nation, this people and this church for a chosen moment in history. America exists by divine intervention.

3.  Genesis 12:3 reads, "I will bless them that bless thee, I will curse them that curse thee and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed." God was talking to Abraham in this passage. We all know that out of Abraham comes twelve tribes of Israel, one of those tribes is the tribe of Judah and out of that tribe is Jesse. Jesse has a son named David and out of the seed of David comes a man named Jesus; out of that man named Jesus entire families all over the world have been blessed. God promised Israel that the Messiah would come through them and He is still intent on blessing every tribe of the world and anybody that blesses Israel. America is the only true friend that Israel has and we'd better stay their friend. As long as we bless Israel and as long as we take care of and protect Israel, God will bless, protect and take care of America. God has raised America up to propagate and fulfill the prophesy of Jesus Christ to bring the gospel to the world. God raised America up to protect the church and Israel. As long as we do those things, America will be preferred by God. 

There is document after document that proves that God birthed this nation. If you believe that you are in a chosen nation and in the chosen church, then you have to believe that you are in a chosen generation, preferred, highly elected. That means that God knew that you would be alive right now in the church, in this country, for this moment. This means that you are already anointed. If God chose America, chose the church, chose this generation and if you're in the church, in this generation in America then you are anointed already to do what God has called you to do. 

Jesus said, "The spirit of the Lord is upon me . . ." If you say, "God, I will do what you have chosen me to do," the spirit of the Lord will come upon you and when it does supernatural things will begin to happen - not because you chose God but because God chose you The Bible says, "many are called, but few are chosen." If you are going to do the work God has called you to do, then it will cause every area of your life to be immensely blessed because you can't do God's work without His blessing - preferential treatment. He highly favored us, He preferred us, and He chose us. You have to have the anointing for the last days. The spirit of the Lord will confirm that you are the chosen, the preferred. You can't go down because you've been chosen; you can't stay in the position you're in because you've been chosen; you can't stay bound because you've been chosen; you can't stay sick because you've been chosen; you can't stay in poverty because you've been chosen.

When you've been tried by fire, that means you're about to go to war and you've been through boot camp. The spirit of the Lord comes upon you because you are the chosen of God, in the chosen church and the Chosen Nation. 

Prayer: Father God I thank You that You have brought all of us together from the North, South, East and West and that You have chosen us for the greatest hour that the world and the church has ever seen.


All scripture quotations are from the King James Version unless otherwise noted.

This is the first article of a three part series. Following will be Chosen People and Chosen Church.

Please Note: The multiple research and study hours for this work were done by Rev. John D. Ritcheson. Please do not reprint or publish this in any form without his written permission. To obtain permission, please contact vodcoordinator@comcast.net.