The Declaration of Independence - A Miraculous Human Rights Document 
Just prior to July 4 th , 1981, Parade Magazine asked President Ronald Reagan to write an article which he entitled, “What July 4th Means to Me.” In his own words, he penned the message which included the following account:
“There is a legend about the day of our nation's birth in the little hall in Philadelphia , a day on which debate had raged for hours. The men gathered there were honorable men hard-pressed by a king who had flouted the very laws they were willing to obey. Even so, to sign the Declaration of Independence was such an irretrievable act that the walls resounded with the words "treason, the gallows, the headsman's axe," and the issue remained in doubt.
“The legend says that at that point a man rose and spoke. He is described as not a young man, but one who had to summon all his energy for an impassioned plea. He cited the grievances that had brought them to this moment and finally, his voice falling, he said, "They may turn every tree into a gallows, every hole into a grave, and yet the words of that parchment can never die. To the mechanic in the workshop, they will speak hope; to the slave in the mines, freedom. Sign that parchment. Sign if the next moment the noose is around your neck, for that parchment will be the textbook of freedom, the Bible of the rights of man forever."
“He fell back exhausted. The 56 delegates, swept up by his eloquence, rushed forward and signed that document destined to be as immortal as a work of man can be. When they turned to thank him for his timely oratory, he was not to be found, nor could any be found who knew who he was or how he had come in or gone out through the locked and guarded doors.” (Parade Magazine, June 1981)
John Adams Independence Day Prediction
Because of what these principles would do for future Americans and the world, one of the committee members assigned to write the document, John Adams, later penned this prophetic insight about how future generations would honor this document:
"I am apt to believe that it [Independence Day] will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations , from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward for evermore."
As we approach another July 4th celebration, it seems an appropriate time, as we have done in the past, to review the principles of liberty, the basic beliefs, and the principles of independence which are contained in this marvelous document of freedom. Surely, if Americans really knew and held to what was contained in the Declaration of Independence, it would be held up reverently as a most priceless National Treasure.
The Declaration of Independence Part of American Law

Professor John Eidsmoe , Professor of Law at Faulkner University School of Law, writes:

“The role of the Declaration of Independence in American law is often misconstrued. Some believe the Declaration is simply a statement of ideas that has no legal force whatsoever today. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Declaration has been repeatedly cited by the U.S. Supreme Court as part of the fundamental law of the United States of America .

“The United States Code Annotated includes the Declaration of Independence under the heading 'The Organic Laws of the United States of America' along with the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution, and the Northwest Ordinance. Enabling acts frequently require states to adhere to the principles of the Declaration; in the Enabling Act of June 16, 1906, Congress authorized Oklahoma Territory to take steps to become a state. Section 3 provides that the Oklahoma Constitution 'shall not be repugnant to the Constitution of the United States and the principles of the Declaration of Independence.'” (Christianity and the Constitution, pp. 360-361)

Identifying the "Ancient Principles"“…all men are created equal… ”

If we believe in a Supreme Creator and that He created us, then we must be His children and we must all be brothers and sisters. As such, no one has an inherent right to rule over any one else. This is our personal declaration of independence not only from the King of England but also from our own fellow citizens who might attempt to force control upon us in the form of regulation or licensing. Why should I need to gain my neighbor's permission (or his agent, the government's permission) in order to go into a particular business or occupation? Anytime we set up someone to give permission to another, we have basically said we are unequal. Of course, this does not preclude having rules in society for the enjoyment of jointly owned property such as roads, public buildings, etc.

This phrase presupposes, as a self-evident truth, that the Creator made human beings equal in their rights, equal before the bar of justice, and equal in his sight. Of course, individual attributes and personal circumstances in life vary widely. Is there room here for classes of people, each with certain rights? No. When we begin to classify people, as rulers and dictators must always do for control, we deny the very equality we claim to have.

“…. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”

The purpose of government is to protect the rights of the people. When people join together to hire a policemen or a fireman, they have created government. But where does a policeman get his authority? From the only place where all authority is - from the people themselves. It is interesting to note that there is only authority in individuals not in groups. Groups are only empowered as individuals come together into groups and delegate to the group some of their authority. Even then, groups of people in cities or states or nations can only do what individuals can do. This is an idea which is seldom understood. Somehow most Americans have the idea that groups take on additional authority just because they are a group. All we have to ask is, "From where does the additional authority come?" If an act is wrong for an individual to do it (like taking money from one person and giving it to another) then it is wrong for two people to do it or for a whole community or nation to do it.

If we could just get our legislatures to understand and agree to abide by just this one principle, our legislative sessions would be cut to just a few weeks and the American people would be spared the burden of hundreds of new laws each year.

Another interesting part of this ancient principle is that no agency of government has any right to exist except with the consent of the people. The people have consented to what is written in the Constitution, but where in the Constitution (or the plan of government) have the people given permission for the hundreds of offices of government which are overwhelming our people? It is true that Congress has created them, but where did Congress get the authority from the people? We must answer – nowhere

 

Acceptance of the Declaration of Independence is Acceptance of God as Our King

The true spirit of the Declaration is the spirit of liberty. It severs all ties to any earthly authority, except those whom the people choose for the protection of their unalienable rights. The Declaration of Independence is a declaration of individual liberty. It is a declaration of our individual belief that God is our one and only King.

When we reject the Declaration or let it fall into oblivion by our ignorance of it, it seems we are putting ourselves into the same position ancient Israel did when the people asked for a king. In other words, we willingly give up our independence. Samuel was the last great judge of Israel . The Israelites seemed to fall for the one-world philosophy and began to ask for a king so they could be like their neighbors. Samuel pleaded with them to stay free and independent of the rest of the world and of a king, but they refused to listen. When he went to the Lord, Samuel was told, "they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them." (1 Samuel 8:7)

Benjamin Franklin described the plight of ancient Israel , which is the fate America seems to be experiencing as we reject the freedom saving principles of our precious Declaration of Independence. Said he: "Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters." In other words, they lose their independence.

With all our celebrations this Fourth of July, perhaps we can spend a few minutes with our families and friends and read and ponder the world's most meaningful human rights document outside of Holy Writ--the Declaration of Independence.

Sincerely,

Earl Taylor, Jr.