The concept of the 'Handwriting on the Wall' is mentioned in relation to the theme of history repeating itself, as drawn from the Bible. This theme is central to the understanding that historical events follow a rhythmic pattern or cycle, as indicated by Ecclesiastes 3:15. This verse underscores the idea that under God's sovereignty, history exhibits a repetitious nature, though not exactly the same, as names, dates, and locations change with each occurrence. This principle of cyclical history is likened to the four seasons, each with its distinct characteristic, suggesting that generational characteristics also follow a similar pattern over roughly eighty to one hundred years.

In the tradition of beginning each feast with a sermon titled "The Handwriting is on the Wall," a trend is highlighted that illustrates Jesus Christ and His return are right on schedule. This sermon also serves as an introduction to the Deuteronomy theme of this year's Feast of Tabernacles, performing double duty in its purpose. Turning to Daniel 5 for background, the handwriting on the plaster of the wall delivered a message of doom for the Babylonian kingdom. A literal hand wrote this message in Daniel's day, and the phrase "handwriting is on the wall" now suggests reaching a state where a negative outcome is increasingly obvious and likely unavoidable. In this instance, Babylon's defeat was certain, and the kingdom fell that very night. This concept aligns with Jesus Christ's words in Luke 12, where He addresses the importance of discerning the signs of the times. He rebukes the crowds for being so self-absorbed and blind that they missed the significance of His work and message, despite Him being God with us, walking among them. His point is clear: without the right perspective and ability to judge righteously, one might as well be blind to the events and trends swirling around. God desires His people to be aware of the tenor of the times, thinking deeply and often about the direction and ramifications of events, trends, and philosophies. With unprecedented access to information, there is a responsibility to be mindful of what is happening in the world and to consider how it impacts the church of God and the return of Christ, remaining vigilant like a guard on duty.

Brethren, I submit to you that in this era of life we are living in, the handwriting is on the wall. The cycle of war, uneasy peace, fervent spiritual awakening, and gradual unraveling will never change until a solution that addresses the real cause of mankind's dilemma is supplied. The root of the problem lies in mankind's heart and human nature, combined with the earth being governed by the ruler of this world. These issues cannot and will not be corrected according to God's purpose until the return of Jesus Christ. Whether mankind is aware of this, understands, or believes it matters not. Nothing will change until Christ's return. Mankind does not know it, but Christ's return is mankind's hope, for this is what will fix the real problem.

The phrase "the handwriting is on the wall" has come to signify a clear warning of imminent danger, perhaps even the collapse of an institution or a nation, or death for the person to whom the prophecy is directed. In recent years, God has sent numerous warnings of grave danger facing the church of God, with the intensity of these warnings increasing over the past twenty years. These warnings have been sounded within the church, becoming unavoidable, and it is evident that many have heard and recognized them, prompting action in response. Despite this, the church continues to face a grim outlook as scattering persists, with the potential for further atomization into very small groups. The handwriting remains on the wall, as the problem is far from resolved, and based on past and current events, it appears that insufficient attention has been paid to these warnings. God's instruction in such times is clear: it is a call for individuals to take warning, repent of their own sins, and make appeals to God for themselves and for the church as a whole.

The concept of the "Handwriting on the Wall," drawn from the Daniel 5 account during Belshazzar's reign as king of Babylon, serves as a powerful metaphor for recognizing the signs of impending events. This cliché implies that, given the circumstances leading up to a significant occurrence, we should have anticipated the outcome and prepared accordingly. As a nation, there is often a failure to heed such warnings, reflecting a historical tendency to be unprepared for critical moments, much like the unexpected shocks of Pearl Harbor and the 9/11 attacks. As a spiritual body, the church must avoid this pattern of neglect, especially since the warnings come from our God. The ominous signs of the times, particularly as they relate to the difficult period just before Christ's return, echo the urgency of the handwriting on the wall, urging readiness for what is to come.

In the account of Belshazzar, God dramatically intervened to show that He is aware of what is going on. During a celebration where God's holy vessels were disrespected, the fingers of a man's hand suddenly appeared and inscribed the words MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN, signaling imminent doom for Belshazzar. Daniel explained the meaning to the Gentile king, who should have known better due to his lineage from Nebuchadnezzar, and that very night the consequences were carried out. This event, occurring around October 9th or 10th in 539 BC, gave rise to the phrase "the handwriting is on the wall," indicating that signs of impending judgment are evident. While the doom was immediately apparent in this instance, often such signs are only clear to those who have been given understanding of the events and their direction. God's awareness and timing of intervention remain evident, as He marks time until certain purposes are accomplished, ensuring that His actions will have the intended impact when He chooses to act.

The church of God has a tradition of beginning each Feast of Tabernacles with a sermon titled "The Handwriting Is On the Wall," a practice started in 1994. These sermons highlight trends and events in the world as signs that Jesus Christ's return is on schedule. This year's focus is on Cultural Christianity as a significant sign of the times. In the context of Daniel the fifth chapter, the phrase "handwriting on the wall" originates from a literal hand writing a message of doom near King Belshazzar, signaling Babylon's defeat. In modern usage, it indicates a point where a negative outcome becomes patently obvious. Examples include legislative actions like the Respect for Marriage Act, which legitimized same-sex marriage, and even sports scenarios where failure becomes evident. Jesus Christ provides a New Testament equivalent in Luke 12, urging discernment of the signs of the times. He rebukes the crowds for their blindness to His identity and mission, despite His miracles and authoritative preaching. This call to awareness extends to all, emphasizing the need to recognize the world's current spirit and direction to make proper decisions. As dangers increase toward the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord, this ability to discern trends could be life-saving. The sermon ties Cultural Christianity to the concept of "handwriting on the wall," portraying it as a modern sign of cultural and spiritual decline. Psalm 50 reinforces this message, warning against using Christianity for personal gain or branding. The handwriting declares that Cultural Christianity has been weighed and found wanting, and its days are numbered.

In the midst of a tumultuous period in Babylon, after the reigns of various rulers marked by intrigue and instability, God sent a profound message to Belshazzar during an impious feast. As they drank wine from the sacred bowls taken from God's Temple in Jerusalem, a mysterious warning appeared, giving rise to the phrase, "The handwriting is on the wall." This has come to mean a clear yet often overlooked warning that, in retrospect, should have been understood at first encounter. God was not asleep on His throne; He observed all the events unfolding in Babylon and chose this moment to deliver His message. Now, as events of global scope unfold beyond our control, with enemies of God massing their forces against the prophesied establishment of His Kingdom under Jesus Christ, the handwriting is on the wall once more. Our task is to hold fast to the faith once delivered, using it as a guide to prepare for Christ's coming.

The handwriting is on the wall for this nation, reflecting a stark picture of moral, economic, and political decline. Just as in the fateful evening of 539 BC when Belshazzar witnessed the mysterious hand writing Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin on the wall, causing his knees to tremble in fear, so too does America face a dire warning. The chaos and irresponsibility observed in the aftermath of a local football game, with debris strewn across a parking lot and abandoned automobiles, serve as a snapshot of the broader condition of the United States. This disregard for responsibility mirrors the national attitude that contributes to economic crises and moral decay. The handwriting is on the wall, signaling that the direction America is heading will ultimately lead to destruction if unchanged. As with the principles in Deuteronomy 28, where God lays out blessings for righteousness and curses for unrighteousness, the choices made by individuals and the nation determine the consequences. The economic slavery resulting from national debt, where foreign entities hold the paper on American debts, further illustrates this warning. Step by step, the nation is being drained of its wealth and pushed into a position of servitude, echoing the scriptural truth that the borrower is servant to the lender. The handwriting is on the wall, urging a recognition of God's active involvement and a call to responsibility before it is too late.

In the context of significant events signaling the end times, the phrase "the handwriting is on the wall" from Daniel chapter five serves as a powerful proverb. It indicates that even before an event reaches its conclusion, clear signs should have warned us of the inevitable outcome. This concept underscores the urgency of recognizing the times we are living in, as evidenced by various global and leadership activities. The phrase has become a customary reminder each year during the Feast of Tabernacles, emphasizing the need to heed the obvious warnings surrounding us.

In our day, the phrase "handwriting on the wall" suggests reaching a point where the outcome, usually negative, is patently obvious. When that point comes, we say the handwriting is on the wall, indicating failure or an inevitable downfall. For instance, the handwriting was on the wall during the so-called Summer of Love, when a generation's participation signaled that the sexual revolution would not be stopped. Similarly, in sports, once the Pittsburgh Pirates fell 10 games under 500, the handwriting was on the wall that they would not make the playoffs. In Daniel 5, the literal handwriting on the wall was a sure sign of Babylon's defeat. This concept parallels the New Testament idea of discerning the signs of the times, as seen in Luke 12:54-56, where He rebukes the crowds for failing to understand the greater significance of His presence and message. Likewise, in Matthew 16:1-3, He directs similar criticism toward the Pharisees for their blindness to the signs before them. God desires us to be aware of the spirit of the times, to think about the direction and ramifications of events and trends, and to be vigilant like a guard on duty, discerning the times we live in and reacting appropriately to dangers as they approach.

The cultural calamity addressed in this sermon, titled "Handwriting on the Wall," reveals a profound social disruption within the United States and Britain, as well as other Israelitish nations, on a scale nearly comparable to the destruction caused by war. This calamity is evidenced by the rapid destruction of the family, a foundational institution created by God as the primary building block of culture. The family, established over four thousand years before the Church, is central to God's purpose, as seen in the Bible's narrative beginning and ending with marriage. The historically swift decline of family life signals that the handwriting is on the wall, indicating that these nations have been found wanting, and their days as viable and influential entities are drawing to a close due to the immense cultural and social ramifications. Statistical evidence underscores this decline, with the nuclear family—once the largest segment of American households—slipping to second place behind single adult households by the year 2000. Despite population growth, nuclear family households decreased from 25 million in 1990 to 24.5 million in 2000, while single adult households rose to 27 million. Projections suggest single adult households could reach 34 million by 2010, highlighting a revolution in American life that promises greater bondage rather than liberty. This trend, combined with the growing number of married couples without children, reflects a societal shift away from prioritizing family. The destruction of the family from within is attributed to a cancer of neglect of true values that foster strong families—values that respect life and uphold right principles of conduct. This neglect is further compounded by societal attitudes and influences that have subtly torn family life apart over decades. The breakdown of family, particularly the father's role, is identified as a primary cause of social issues such as high crime rates, unwed birth rates, and low academic achievement in certain communities. God holds fathers primarily responsible as heads of households, yet many neglect this duty, often due to cultural portrayals and personal attitudes that diminish their role. This sermon emphasizes that the family is intended by God to be an environment of nurture, combining feeding, training, and loving care with clear objectives for the well-being of all members. The failure to uphold these responsibilities, rooted in ignorance and neglect of God's instructions, is a key factor in the cultural decline. As a nation, the evidence of this failure is clear, and the handwriting on the wall warns of impending consequences for continued disregard of God's design for family life.

The account of the handwriting on the wall in Daniel 5 serves as a powerful warning of impending disaster, a concept that has woven itself into common language to describe situations where all signs point to an unavoidable calamity. In that ancient context, Belshazzar profaned sacred utensils from the Temple, ignoring the lessons of God's dealings with his grandfather Nebuchadnezzar, which led to a divine message of judgment appearing on the wall. This historical event mirrors the current state of the world, where actions no less impious are evident, suggesting that the handwriting is on the wall for many nations and perhaps the entire globe. The increasing frequency of catastrophic events like earthquakes and wars, alongside pervasive violence and moral decline, reinforces the notion that a great crisis looms on the horizon. Just as Belshazzar faced consequences for his disregard, so too does humanity face a critical juncture, with signs of judgment becoming ever more apparent in the escalating turmoil and loss of freedoms. The handwriting is on the wall, signaling that serious times, unmatched in human history, are upon us, urging a recognition of the urgent need for change before an even greater calamity strikes.

The phrase "the handwriting is on the wall" originates from the book of Daniel and has become a byword in the English-speaking world for a message of great portent. It signifies an event or trend that warns of impending disaster, urging preparation for what is to come. While this concept once focused on specific events, it now encompasses broader topics, reflecting significant warnings and the need to be alert to the signs of the times.

Brethren, the handwriting is on the wall for this nation, as we witness a profound moral and economic decline. The lies and deceptions that permeate our society, from political campaigns to widespread scams, signal a dire warning. Those running for office evade the truth, failing to confront the American public with the severity of our situation, which mirrors a form of lying by omission. This deceit reflects a deeper immorality that has distanced us from God, contributing to the bottom falling out of our national foundation. The prevalence of fraud, as highlighted by reports of scams costing billions annually, further illustrates this culture of dishonesty. Lying sets the stage for such fraud, exploiting human greed and gullibility, and reveals a nation overrun with cons. This pattern of deception extends to the highest levels, where leaders and candidates have been accused of perpetrating hoaxes on the public, gaining power through falsehoods. As a nation, we have been scammed by lies, much like Adam and Eve were deceived by a murderous con artist. This great liar, the ruler of this world, continues to push untruths upon us, leading the United States toward potential collapse. The handwriting on the wall warns of judgment falling upon us for accepting and perpetuating these sins without action to rid ourselves of such corruption. We are living in sobering times, where lies pave the way to a pit of destruction. Our challenge is to endure to the end, persevering through this moral decay while holding faithful to God. We must make special efforts to keep our minds and lifestyles centered on Him, for it is He who saves us from the effects of lies. Let us give thanks often for the love of His truth that He has graciously given us, recognizing the clear warning before us.

The concept of the Handwriting on the Wall, drawn from Daniel 5, serves as a powerful metaphor for recognizing inevitable outcomes, often negative, as they become increasingly apparent. In its original context, it was a literal sign—an actual hand carving letters into the plaster of a wall, signaling the imminent defeat of Babylon that very night. Over centuries, this phrase has evolved to indicate a clear warning of impending doom or failure, as evident in modern examples like a sports team's poor performance foretelling their exclusion from playoffs, or a criminal recognizing the inevitable consequences of their actions and seeking a plea deal. In the current context of widespread unrest across American cities, with riots, looting, and violence marking the streets, the Handwriting on the Wall emerges as a sign of deeper societal and philosophical currents at play. This imagery aligns with the New Testament call in Matthew 16 to discern the signs of the times, urging awareness of significant events and trends. God desires His people to be vigilant, not blinded by self-absorption like the Pharisees who missed the Messiah's first coming, but alert to the direction and ramifications of contemporary happenings. The ongoing civil unrest, with over 12,000 incidents across 47 states between May and September, many involving violence linked to groups like Antifa and Black Lives Matter, underscores this warning. Thus, the Handwriting on the Wall today reflects a critical moment, a visible sign that challenges us to stay awake to the tenor of the times and to anticipate the potential outcomes of these turbulent events.

In Daniel 5, we encounter the renowned account of the handwriting on the wall, a significant narrative that sets a tone of warning and reflection. This chapter captures a pivotal moment where a divine message appears during a feast, signaling judgment and the consequences of pride and disregard for God's authority. It serves as a reminder of the importance of heeding God's will and recognizing His sovereignty over all earthly powers. As we gather, this story urges us to remain vigilant and committed to serving Him, understanding that our actions and responsibilities are under His watchful eye, guiding us to align with His purpose and to prepare diligently for the roles He has destined for us.

The rapid increase of Gentile populations within our borders is seen as a curse, much like historical displacements caused by cultural invasions. God warns in Deuteronomy 28:43 of strangers becoming stronger, forcing their will upon the majority, creating discomfort and tension. The mention of language in Deuteronomy signifies deeper cultural differences, acting as a leaven within our North American Israelitish culture, proving costly and likely to lead to open clashes. This cultural influx, spurred by the 1965 Immigration Reform Act, has led to millions of legal and illegal immigrants entering annually, straining economic and social systems. God is sending these populations into Israelitish countries like the United States, Canada, and Britain, not as an armed invasion, but as a movement of people breaking the economic back and creating cultural hardships. We are paying the price for our conduct before Him, witnessing the beginning of significant economic and social burdens due to this immigration. God's concern, as shown in historical movements, is to prevent the mixing of diverse cultures that inevitably leads to conflict and idolatry, shaping nations in ways that clash with His will. Despite these pressures, our citizenship is in heaven, and we must follow the directives of God Almighty, maintaining a wall of separation from this world and responding to His will with faith.

Tonight's message sets a foundation for the messages to be given during this Feast of Tabernacles, focusing on why the Church of the Great God is doing what it is doing. The pattern of life exemplified by Abraham and Sarah serves as the spiritual handwriting on the wall for every Christian child of God. Their lives, marked by faith and a refusal to build a permanent home despite great wealth, reflect a vision of a city with foundations, whose builder and maker is God. They lived as aliens in the land of promise, not putting down roots, driven by a vividly-held perception and anticipation of their future. This pattern of living by faith, as seen in Abraham and Sarah, is the handwriting on the wall that provides overall guidance for their spiritual children to follow. God commands us to look to Abraham and Sarah, to see their example as the mold into which we are shaped. Their intense focus on a future promise, living in tents for 100 years, shows a life ordered by faith in God's word and vision. This handwriting on the wall signifies that, like them, we must prioritize our spiritual future over worldly stability, trusting in God's sovereignty and provision as we navigate an increasingly unstable world.

The biblical narrative provides clear examples of individuals who, despite their significant roles, sometimes strayed from the path God outlined for them due to impatience or personal flaws. Among these lessons is the concept of not getting out in front of God, a recurring theme that illustrates the consequences of presuming to act beyond one's assigned role. Satan, as the forerunner of this error, deviated from the purpose for which he was created, choosing instead to oppose God's plan and leading a third of the angels in a destructive rebellion. This act of self-appointment set a precedent for others who followed a similar path of impatience and hubris. Abraham and Sarah, in their attempt to resolve Sarah's childlessness, took matters into their own hands, resulting in consequences that echo through generations. Their decision to act without waiting for God's timing serves as a cautionary tale of presuming beyond what was assigned to them. Korah, a Levite with significant responsibility, allowed discontent to drive him and others into rebellion, seeking more than what God had given. This led to chaos, and God turned the resulting disorder back upon them as a witness to the dangers of overstepping divine boundaries. King Josiah, despite his early zeal and reforms in restoring true worship, succumbed to hubris later in life. Ignoring clear warnings, he forced himself into a battle not meant for him, paying the ultimate price for his presumptuous pride. These examples underscore a vital lesson in faith: waiting on God with confident, dependent trust. The Bible frequently commands waiting, which is not passive but involves actively following God's established patterns and responsibilities. To wait is to adhere to His leadership, to comply with His plan, and to avoid pushing forward into unassigned activity. This principle of following without getting out in front of God ensures that one remains within the scope of His sovereign will, trusting Him to assign and adjust responsibilities as He sees fit.