Standard Bearers

Scripture says that when the salt loses its savor, it is trampled underfoot. Salt is the Standard by which a society tells itself . . . this works best. When the Standard Bearers cease to practice the Standard, the society turns on them (the Standard Bearers, hence, the Standard) and tramples it underfoot. Unfortunately, it does so to its own detriment, just like meat rots when it "rejects" the salt that preserves it. At that point, the society is in decline.

Occasionally, when the Standard gets trampled underfoot, a new and purer Standard rises, but not necessarily in time to "bless" the nation that is came from. Nations that have declined have not come back better and purer. The Standard came back better and purer, (example, slavery is no longer an accepted Standard) but not the nation.