Leading Evangelist Franklin Graham has warned the United States that "arrogantly disregarding God's authority always has serious consequences" following last Friday's U.S. Supreme Court ruling, which legalized same-sex marriage throughout the United States.
Graham, the president of both the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse, shared his prayerful thoughts several days after the high court ruled 5-4 in favor of legalizing the practice across all 50 states.
"'Pride goeth before a fall.' Supreme Court Justice Scalia used Proverbs 16:18 in his comments regarding the court's disappointing and dangerous ruling about same-sex marriage. He rightly called the decision 'a threat to the American democracy.' This is so true. Arrogantly disregarding God's authority always has serious consequences. Our nation will not like what's at the end of this rainbow," Graham wrote in a Facebook post.
The 62-year-old evangelist, who regularly prayed that God would "touch the hearts of [the] justices and that they [would] rule in accordance with His standards" prior to Friday's ruling, also said that President Barack Obama's decision to light up the White House with rainbow colors celebrating the ruling is a "slap in the face" of "millions of Americans" who did not agree with the decision.
"This is outrageous - a real slap in the face to the millions of Americans who do not support same-sex marriage and whose voice is being ignored. God is the one who gave the rainbow, and it was associated with His judgment. God sent a flood to wipe out the entire world because mankind had become so wicked and violent. One man, Noah, was found righteous and escaped God's judgment with his family," Graham said in a separate Facebook post on Monday.
"The rainbow was a sign to Noah that God would not use the flood again to judge the world. But one day God is going to judge sin - all sin. Only those who are found righteous will be able to escape His judgment," he continued.
On Friday, President Obama called the decision "a victory for the allies and friends and supporters who spent years, even decades working and praying for change to come."
"This ruling is a victory for America. This decision affirms what millions of Americans already believe in their hearts. When all Americans are treated as equal, we are all more free," Obama said.
"I know that Americans of good will continue to hold a wide range of views on this issue. Opposition, in some cases, has been based on sincere and deeply held beliefs. All of us who welcome today's news should be mindful of that fact and recognize different viewpoints, revere our deep commitment to religious freedom," Obama added.
Graham said in a separate statement following the decision that religious freedom will now be challenged and warned Christians nationwide to be ready to face persecution if they do not agree with the high court's redefinition of marriage.
"Our nation has a spiritual problem and we need God's forgiveness and we need to repent of our sins and turn from our sins because I do believe that God's judgement will come on this nation," the evangelist said.
"When we read in the Scripture, we see how God judged Israel time and time again, when they would turn their back on Him and begin to worship other gods, foreign gods, and God would bring judgement on Israel. I believe God could bring judgment on America."
