What's that noise in the distance?

But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:
So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.  Ezra 3:12-13

 
I found this passage interesting this morning. It struck me that the priests, Levites and the older men were weeping at the sight of the new temple. They knew how glorious the old temple was, and the new one didn't compare. They also knew that the glory of the LORD used to be with Israel day and night, but now, even though they had His mercy, they had not His glory.

How much like America is this scenario? The older Christians and the few Fundamental Christians know how much the Glory of the Lord has left this great land. The older Christians remember the revivals that swept our country years ago, and lasted for weeks, not three days. The younger Fundamental Christians hunger for this type of revival, but we're maybe getting crumbs of it here and there. All the while, the contemporary Christians are jumping up and down, waiving their hands, crying out with joy over something they think is great - and they are oblivious to the shouting and cries of sorrow around them.  AND, those who are not considered Christians at all, look at the whole and cannot distinguish the two apart.

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.  
2 Corinthians 6:17-18