The 118th Congress: A View of Our "Messy Democracy" Within The Framework of God's Law

 

If you care about the state of our Republic, then you can't help but be mesmerized by our front row seat to the vote for Speaker of the House on the floor of the 118th United States Congress. As I hope you understand, the United States of America is a republic, but how is that different from a democracy? If you Google that question, you will get a lot of answers that compare the two forms of government in the same terms. So, what is the difference between a Republic and a Democracy? As I understand it, here are the basic differences:

• Republics and democracies both provide a political system in which citizens are represented by elected officials who are sworn to protect their interests.
• In a pure democracy, laws are made directly by the voting majority leaving the rights of the minority largely unprotected.
• In a republic, laws are made by representatives chosen by the people and must comply with a constitution that specifically protects the rights of the minority from the will of the majority.
• The United States, while basically a republic, is best described as a “representative democracy.”

Confused? Did you know that when the delegates of the newly formed United States Constitutional Convention debated the question in 1787, the exact meanings of the terms republic and democracy weren't exactly clear, even in the minds of the delegates! And most of us are probably familiar with the famous story about Ben Franklin ...  upon leaving Independence Hall at the Convention, Elizabeth Powel, wife of Philadelphia Mayor Samuel Powel, asked the esteemed Dr. Franklin, "Well, Doctor, what have we got? A republic or a monarchy?"  "A republic", replied the Doctor, "If you can keep it". Mrs. Powell immediately challenges Dr. Franklin: "And why not keep it"? Ben Franklin replies, "Because the people, on tasting the dish, are always disposed to eat more of it than does them good". 

Fast forward to the 118th United States Congress. As we watch the endless proceedings of vote after vote for the Speaker of the House, there are many decrying the "messiness" of it all. But the beauty of our form of government is this rather simple precept: We are blessed to be held accountable for who we elect as our representatives. In turn, we must expect [and demand] accountability from those in leadership, and insist on it from those who represent us. I think we have forfeited that blessing for too long, and that is at the heart of what you're seeing on the floor of Congress today. 

Two hundred thirty-six years ago, a group of disparate representatives of thirteen colonies who had, heretofore, operated independently of each other, came together to form a constitution that established laws that determined the powers and duties of our government and guaranteed certain rights to the people of our nation. But, alas, we have not held ourselves accountable for electing principled representatives, nor have we demanded these representatives fulfill their obligations to "do the work of the people". And as Ben Franklin predicted, far too many in the government have become addicted to the taste of power. 

And here is a fact that I was unaware of until reading it in an article in Christianity Today. The Constitutional Convention of 1787 completed its task well: it established a central form of government; it preserved the individual rights of the people; and it defined the powers of the states and the nation in their relation to each other. But, they failed to include God in their proceedings. In fact, they deliberately rejected His participation, and when the deliberations became difficult and agreement seemed far off, Benjamin Franklin proposed a motion, stating, "the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, sir, in the sacred writings that “Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.” A footnote to Franklin’s speech tells us that prayers were not thought necessary, and the motion was lost by adjournment.

Perhaps the 118th Congress should revisit Dr. Franklin's motion. If we truly believe that this nation was established through the favor of Almighty God, we must recognize that at the heart of a Christian nation, there is an indisputable tenet: "the Law of God is the Law of the People", NOT "the voice of the people is as the voice of God". I would like to conclude with this statement by the Gospel Defense League in their excellent article, What Does The Bible Say About Democracy? In stating that our nation is a Christian Republic, the article proclaims this form of government "protects basic individual rights derived from the Law of God. These rights are granted by our unchanging God, not by a changing majority vote. Thus these rights are inalienable and eternal. Christianity does not deny 'democratic processes'. A Christian people are to be governed through elected representatives, but only within the framework of God's Law. God's Law, and mankind's Gospel obedience to it, is the check against the tyranny which will inevitably come under a democratic regime".   

So, as we observe the "Messy Democracy" on the floor of Congress today, we contemplate just how far our representatives have come from being responsible to those who elected them. We must recognize that perhaps we are at a crossroads in this nation. Will we continue the status quo of the last 50 years, seeing our national debt rise astronomically; the poor become poorer, while the elite in government grow richer; and the citizens of this nation become increasingly apathetic about acknowledging the part God played in the formation of our great nation. Perhaps, it is prescient that in the final adoption of the Constitution, there is no mention of God, Christ, or the Law of God. While our Constitution is a fine document that seeks to protect the individual rights of all men, it is apparent that "trust was placed in the wisdom of men, rather than the guidance of God".

Interestingly enough, there have been attempts throughout the years, beginning in 1863, to amend the Constitution to "acknowledge God and the authority of His Law". A bill has been repeatedly introduced that reads: “This nation devoutly recognizes the authority and law of Jesus Christ, Savior and Ruler of Nations, through whom are bestowed the blessings of Almighty God.” To date, it has not been adopted. So, what do you think? Can this "Messy Democracy" on display in Congress these last few days be resolved to the benefit of this nation and its people? Can we expect to survive without the acceptance of the truth that God's Law supersedes man's wisdom, and the existence of His Sovereignty prevails over the will of men? I have not given up hope on this nation and its Christian identity. But it is time that we take responsibility and ownership of all that God has blessed us with, hold our representatives accountable, and become the nation we were meant to be.

Here are links to three excellent articles that influenced my blog today:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/messy-business-democracy-stephen-lange

https://www.gospeldefenceleague.org/index.php/articles/96-what-does-the-bible-say-about-democracy

https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/1957/july-8/god-in-constitutional-convention.html

 #118thcongress #messydemocracy #speakofthehouse #republicvsdemocracy #americanpolitics

Psalm 146:3   Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.

 

What Can We Expect In The Coming Year? This Is What The Lord Says!

This is the time of year when men make their predictions and prognostications about the coming year. It's also part of this longstanding tradition to make resolutions of positive changes in the new year. This tradition goes all the way back to ancient Babylonia, and according to Almanac.com, "In 2000 B.C., the Babylonians celebrated the New Year during a 12-day festival called Akitu (starting with the vernal equinox). This was the start of the farming season to plant crops, crown their king, and make promises to pay their debts."

The Romans adopted the tradition of making resolutions, and with the advent of the Julian calendar in 46 B.C., January 1st became the beginning of the new year. Again, Almanac.com records, "January was named for the two-faced Roman god, Janus, who looks forward for new beginnings as well as backward for reflection and resolution. The Romans would offer sacrifices to Janus and make promises of good behavior for the year ahead".

Today, we carry forward the idea of new beginnings and making resolutions for positive change. But it seems to me it has become demonstrably self-serving; focused on what will make our lives better in all the worldly ways. For instance, I've perused various websites who are in the business of seriously predicting the top issues most Americans care about. They range from concerns that the intelligence community and Justice Department will continue to overstep their bounds in surveillance of citizens, to the connections between China-linked companies and U.S. foreign policy, to a possible US-Ukrainian partnership to research and develop bioweapons. As we watched so much of our national position deteriorate in 2022, it is only natural to be concerned about the direction of 2023. To be honest, I haven't heard a lot of hope or optimism for changing our national trajectory. 

As a Christian, I wonder when we stopped treating new beginnings as ways we could honor the Lord and make positive changes to follow His commandments. Wouldn't that be something that would benefit the family of man? While the Bible speaks of new beginnings and the establishment of the Hebrew new year [in Exodus 12:2], nowhere does the Word mandate the making of vows or resolutions at the start of each new year. And this practice has always seemed so short-sighted to me. We make resolutions, hoping that our good intentions will result in dramatic change that will make our lives better. But we never really take responsibility for the situation we are in, nor seek God's guidance and feedback about how we can improve our lives. And things just seem to continue spiraling downward.

So, this morning, I found myself rejecting the traditions of our culture to make another list of things I wanted to accomplish for myself this next year. I wanted to hear what God had to say about the bigger picture -- where are we headed as a nation? So, I asked the Lord to direct me to what He wanted me to know, and just let the Bible open where it would. Not surprisingly [to me], it opened to Jeremiah. I say, "not surprisingly" because God has shown me and my husband that He will use us as He has used men throughout history; to forewarn of coming judgment if His followers do not repent of their ways. So, I read with great interest what the Lord had to say to the nations [through Jeremiah] in Jeremiah.

In Jeremiah 18, subtitled, The Potter and the Clay, this chapter speaks of a vessel of clay that was spoiled in the potter's hand, and He was working it into a new vessel. But it was beginning in verse 7 that the Word really caught my attention ... "If at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it. And if at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it, and if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will relent of the good that I had intended to do to it".

If at any time ... meaning anytime in history, because He is the God of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Pretty sobering, right? It doesn't matter what resolutions we make -- if, as a nation, we are acting in opposition to His goodness, consistently committing evil, then we can expect judgment. The next few chapters continue the saga of the decline of Judah and Jerusalem and their deliverance into captivity in Babylon. God continues to warn them of their heresy and evil deeds, saying, in Jeremiah 21:5, "I myself will fight against you with outstretched hand and strong arm, in anger and in fury and in great wrath". That should strike fear into the hearts of all men who love the Lord!

And what were the sins committed by the nation who professed to love the Lord? Read Jeremiah 22. Among the sins were accusations of building the nation's house by unrighteousness and injustice; making the people serve the nation's needs without proper wages; having the eyes and heart only for their own dishonest gain; for shedding innocent blood; and for practicing oppression and violence [verses 13-17]. But that's not all ... the Lord also says, "I spoke to you in your prosperity, but you said, 'I will not listen'. This has been your way since your youth, that you have not obeyed My voice. The wind [Holy Spirit] shall shepherd all your shepherds and your lovers shall go into captivity; then you will be ashamed and confounded because of all your evil... how you will be pitied when pangs come upon you, pain as of a woman in labor!"

Where have we heard that before? Oh, yeah, Jesus warns us that among the signs of the End of the Age, will be nations fighting against nations, famines and earthquakes. "All these things are but the beginnings of the birth pains..."  the pains caused by the evil deeds of the nation; labor pains that will come when the Holy Spirit will lead the false shepherds into captivity as they experience the shame and confusion of trying to understand where they went wrong. [Read Jeremiah 23].

I know this doesn't fit the "good feelings" that usually accompany the beginning of a new year. But it is vitally important for us Christians to understand that what the Lord says to the nations who have gone astray in the past, holds true for what He is saying to the unfaithful nations today. His character is unchanging, and He demands righteousness and justice of those He blesses with prosperity and good fortune. And no nation has received such tremendous favor than the United States. But, we have not remained loyal to the One who blessed us. We have done all the same things as the apostate nation of Judah did. Can we expect any less judgment if we continue down this path?

So, if you believe that New Years resolutions can change the direction of your life and our country, then I suggest you start declaring what the Lord requires of a righteous nation -- to keep the covenant of the Lord their God and forsake the worship and service towards other gods. Do not keep the Lord's warnings to yourself, but make them known across the land; exhorting the shepherds in the church buildings to speak the Lord's truth; and encouraging those who profess obedience to the Lord to hold to the righteous path. We still have a chance to convince the Lord we are a just and righteous nation. He wants to restore us! But we have to turn the tide in this nation away from the evil projection it is pursuing. And we need to understand that no amount of vows or resolutions will replace authentic repentance and a clean and resolute heart. Cry out: Help us, Lord! Fight for us!

#newyearsresolutions #righteousjudgmentofthenation #2023resolutions #godsjudgment

Jeremiah 30:24   The fierce (righteous) anger of the Lord will not turn back until He has fulfilled and until He has accomplished the intent of His heart (mind); In the latter days you will understand this. 

 

 

2022 In Review ... The Devil Is In The Details

As I often have during the 11 years I have written this blog, I like to take a look back at the events of the year, and see what we can surmise about where our country is headed. I dare to say that, on the surface, my recollection of 2022 seems to point to a year of questionable highs and unparalleled lows. It's also been a year that has seen an increase in the deterioration and degeneration of the American culture. Let me share a few of the events that lead me to this summarization.

• We started off the year under a cloud as the Covid pandemic continued with the repercussions of the Omicron variant. The number of reported cases increased from 55 million to 75 million in one month. Although touted as more contagious but with less severe symptoms, the impact on the American public was devastating and led to continued lock-downs and confusion over effectual health protocols. The strains on the economy and societal structure are evident as workers stay home and collect unemployment.

• The fiasco known as "January 6th" has left such a nasty impression on the collective minds of Americans that it has become a clear setback to our First Amendment rights. Can anyone explain the truth about that debacle? Because it certainly is not what the media [or the government] have promoted. It seems like there were a lot of players, each with their own agenda, and none of them were righteous nor good for the future of the country. Too many secrets, surreptitious actors, false narratives, and coverups. Will the truth ever see the light of day?

• The Russia/Ukraine War is another situation in which I find it difficult to ascertain the truth. Is this a proxy war instituted by Russia, promoting and supplying separatist rebels to bring about the defeat of the sovereign nation of Ukraine? Or is it a proxy war involving NATO and the US, urging Ukraine to deny Russia what it calls its sovereign right to reclaim Ukraine? And if you follow the money [which is always the central factor of any war], where does it ultimately lead? And how will the billions of dollars the US has spent on this war benefit the American people? What is the real purpose of our involvement?

• The Supreme Court overturns Roe v Wade, the decades-old decision that legalized abortion nationwide, shifting focus and the laws governing abortion to the states. And then the misrepresentation of what the Court did caused chaos around the decision. Abortion supporters claimed abortion was no longer legal and womens' right to an abortion had been usurped. "My body, my choice" was their rally cry. Paradoxically, that didn't extend to the vaccine debate. The true and accurate portrayal of the Court's decision is as follows: “The Constitution does not confer a right to abortion; Roe and Casey are overruled; and the authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representatives.” Although not the resounding defeat of the atrocious law that pro-lifers prayed for, it is a step in the right direction of hopefully limiting the surgical murder of innocent babies.

• The wave of violence and crime in the U.S. reached unprecedented levels in 2022. Yes, there were over 600 mass shootings involving firearms in the U.S. this past year, with the most shocking being the killing of 19 students and 2 teachers in Uvalde, TX. But gun violence has now been joined by other forms of out-of-control violence across our population. Knives, bats, automobiles and brute force have all taken their place as weapons in the narrative of violence against our fellow man. Not a day goes by that the mainstream media doesn't record an act of senseless violence against innocent men, women and children. The brutality exhibited makes no sense. It's as if we are watching people whose consciences have been seared and they are operating out of sheer depravity. Mobs descend upon department stores, wreaking destruction and devastation against businesses as they "smash and grab" with seemingly no guilt or shame. We are witnessing the goodness of our society and culture slipping away, as evil puts on a bold face. Where has our empathy and compassion gone?

• 2022 was the Year of the Parent as parents began taking back their rights to raise their own children from an increasingly dictatorial Public Education System. From Critical Race Theory, to rewriting our American history, to promoting gender diversity [without the parents consent], we saw School Boards and Teacher's unions come under fire for commandeering decision-making in the lives of students. Parents became mobilized to stop the interference of government officials and agendas to take away their rights as parents to raise their children according to their personal standards. It became quite clear that parents were being pushed out of their children's lives, and the parents were having none of it! The State's plan to raise your children instead of you was met with determined and organized resistance by brave parents.

• The overreach of government agencies, once revered for their vow to protect individual rights, has become a frightening new reality. At its very foundation, our Constitution limits and diffuses powers of the federal and state governments [in order] to check government power. It also expressly protects certain rights and liberties for individuals from government interference. There lies the beauty [and power] of the Bill of Rights. But 2022 saw an alarming trend of individual rights being dismantled by agencies stepping outside the scope of their influence or enumerated powers. None was been more glaring [and revealing] than the recent data dumps concerning the social media giant Twitter and its ally, the FBI. Where this will lead, no one can say, but pulling back the curtain on this conspiracy will hopefully return some sense of moral integrity to both the internet and government ... or are we too late for that?

• Speaking of moral integrity, the Midterm Elections have shined a light on the growing concern over the efficacy of our election system. Ever-changing rules, combined with inept and dishonest methods of voting have resulted in a loss of confidence in election results. As Americans, it is part of our common dynamic that the legitimacy of our government is based on the consent of the governed. Therefore our civic engagement as a voter is the way we assure that we have a voice in how we are to be governed. But when that process is usurped by greed or graft, our liberties are endangered. It has become increasingly apparent that our elections are no longer fair or balanced. And when a nation's citizens realize they are being manipulated, it is time to rid the process of its corruption, fraud, deceit, and unlawful practices. Unless we restore the integrity of our elections, lawlessness will continue to thrive.

• We are ending the year with the FTX Crypto scandal. For the life of me, I find it hard to understand how so many people fell for Millennial crypto hedge fund founder Sam Bankman-Fried's pitch to invest in his nascent company. What about him impressed them? His free-wheeling, laid back grunge appearance? The fact that he wowed them via Zoom calls while playing video games on another tab [according to the Guardian.com]? Was it his promises to donate to the Democratic Party and their altruistic causes; or his commitment to support the planet and mother earth? I will admit that I know next to nothing about the crypto craze -- the only thing I am certain of is how uncertain it seems to invest in a currency that relies on a digital-only token. When the Wikipedia definition of a cryptocurrency, or crypto, is "a digital currency designed to work as a medium of exchange through a computer network that is not reliant on any central authority, such as a government or bank, to uphold or maintain it", then that doesn't really inspire confidence in me to invest my life savings. Yet that is what many people did ... and on the word of celebrities, who promoted it. Again, does anybody else hear the warning bells? Regardless, we will have to wait for 2023 to see the outcome of this crazy, unimaginable story of greed.

• And that's not all ... carried over into 2023 will be the story of Hunter Biden's laptop and all that it threatens to expose; the inflation that jeopardizes our precarious economy; the efforts to destroy our oil and gas industries in favor of "green energy"; the overwhelming humanitarian crisis on the border and its effects on everything in this nation; the purely evil exploitation of child trafficking underwritten by evil men; and the very deep divide between our fellow countrymen. 

As I look back over the biggest stories of this past year, I have to admit that they paint a pretty dark picture of the world. It seems to me that the cultural and moral laws of our past generations are rapidly disappearing. I'd like to quote from a Washington Times article that parallels my own thoughts ... Titled What Happened To America's Cultural Boundaries, author Cal Thomas asks the question, "What are the consequences to a society that embraces an “anything goes” mentality? Who among us wants to publicly oppose anything for fear of being labeled a bigot? The standard for what is acceptable and what is not is now subjectively determined".

Then the article presents an interesting theory proposed by Christian author C.S. Lewis ... Lewis suggests that people make moral claims upon each other, saying you should or should not do such and such, or you ought to say, or not say certain things. In this, Lewis says, they are appealing to a standard outside of themselves. Lewis contends that the man who makes a moral claim on another is not merely saying that the other man’s behavior does not happen to please him. He is appealing to some kind of standard of behavior which he expects the other man to know about. And here is where Cal Thomas and I agree on our current cultural situation ... Today’s “other man” may know about such standards, [or even more alarming, not be aware of standards at all]. But let's say he acknowledges the standards exist. Sadly, he is likely afraid to speak of them lest he be ostracized from what used to be called polite society. Think about that!

And this is where the details are in the Devil! The following is a quote from radio host, writer, and political commentator Tammy Bruce: "If it becomes dangerous to say something, you'll just quit talking. And if [the powers that be] can get you to stop talking about it, then you'll quit thinking". And what happens when we quit thinking for ourselves? Where there is a void, there is always an emptiness waiting to be filled. Where there are no standards that are morally binding, that becomes a standard in and of itself. If our spiritual Enemy can get us to accept no standards -- if they can convince us to let go of all cultural and moral boundaries -- then he can fill that void/vacuum with his own system of government through mob rule, coercion, moral relativism, immoral tolerance, or just plain ol' indifference. And that's how we end up with the Beast System of the Bible. 

So, let's not just accept that the events of 2022 will define 2023 and beyond. It should be evident that we are on a moral precipice here, and the future of our generations, our nations, and the world depend on us reclaiming our moral ground and restoring the moral absolutes of our God. This country and its foundations are worth fighting for, and we have a Mighty Warrior King willing to fight for us. May the end of this year be the beginning of our renewed journey to victory as a righteous nation and people. Amen!

#2022inreview #lookingbackat2022 #bigstoriesof2022 #theyearinreview

Isaiah 58:12   And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in.

 

The True Meaning of Christmas

As Christians around the world wake up to celebrate Christmas this morning, I want to invite you to hear an amazing [and different] viewpoint on this holiday. It is by Kathy Lee Gifford, entertainer and author, who is fearless in presenting and defending her faith. Now, I know that Kathie Lee is not what social media would call "an influencer", but I've always admired her ability to speak the truth about her faith, instead of following whatever the latest "fad" is among the religious heavyweights.

So, allow me to share what she spoke earlier this week on Fox & Friends to the somewhat astonished hosts, who introduced her by saying at this stage in her life, it is all about spreading the Gospel. She responded, "Yes, for me it is about the Kingdom of God ... but here is what is difficult about it [for me] is that like so many Western believers in Jesus, all of my life I believed the Christmas story I'd been told in Sunday School. I believed everything I'd been taught in Church. My father was Jewish so I also had some Jewish heritage, Jewish blood, and there was the Hanukkah [story], but I always knew it was one continuous story". 

Kathie Lee continued, "Unfortunately, we've broken it up along the way. It's become Old Testament ... New Testament. We never should have done that. It's one beautiful love story of Jehovah Elohim, Creator of all things, loving everything He has created ... and creating a world that needed to be redeemed, and about sending His Son, Jesus, to redeem it. But everybody forgets it's a Jewish story! Jesus was Jewish. His mother was Jewish. His earthly father, Joseph was Jewish. All of His first believers -- His disciples -- were Jewish. People weren't even called Christians until Jesus had been crucified, resurrected, and ascended into Heaven! They were called followers of The Way. And Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life". So I celebrate now, knowing after studying for decades, that Jesus was not born in December. Jesus was not born in a stable. Those things are just not true".

She went on to declare, "Jesus was conceived during the Festival of Hanukkah. Right now, the Holy Spirit, during this time of the year came upon Mary. He was born nine months later during the Festival of Sukkot. People say, "You're spoiling Christmas for me"! I don't mean to spoil anything. I just mean to give people a different, a deeper, and more enriching understanding of the Scriptures. Every important thing that every happened in Jesus/s life happened on a Jewish festival day! And we don't even know what those are except for Passover, the day He was killed"! 

At that moment, it became clear that the hosts of the TV show were uncomfortable with what she was saying, most probably because it went against the traditional Christmas story we've all been taught. But oh, how true were her words! I have written for many years on the truth about Christmas, and it is a difficult pill for most Christians to swallow. We've all been brought up with the nostalgia and emotions of Christmas, with its lights, its songs and movies, and the idea of a family-centered day of peace and joy. It has since become highly commercialized, and the holiness of the Christ child's birth must share center stage with Black Friday and all the materialistic ornamentation and embellishment of the holiday.  It is in the midst of this convolution of history, un-Biblical rituals, and human emotions that we must determine how we feel about, and observe Christmas.

But it is equally important to stop and contemplate what Kathie Lee presents as the true meaning of Christmas in the Biblical sense. That is a difficult decision that each individual must determine for themselves. I would challenge you with the following questions:  1) Are we worshiping God in practices that are rooted in mankind’s traditions and decrees, or are we worshiping according to Biblical truth?  2) Which matters most – what it means to us or what it means to God? I will say this ... without exception, it seems as if Christians struggle with letting go of what we have known in our Christmas celebrations.  Somehow, we continue to equate our emotions and memories of the holiday, along with the assault on our senses (beautiful lights, decorations, and festive trees), with the worship of our Savior.  Somehow, it seems difficult to celebrate His birth while letting go of our fleshly desires to look upon worldly delights. 

God was very exacting and clear about how He wished to be worshiped, and to Whom each Feast Day pointed.  Do you see anywhere in Scripture that He commanded the day of the birth of His Son to be a "holy day", which is the origination of our term "holiday"?  Do you see evidence of the Disciples worshiping that particular day anytime after His death?  Yes, both Matthew and Luke give us a beautiful story of the details of His conception and birth, and we should honor all that it signifies for us. Gifts were brought to Him, but as tokens of His Kingship, His Priesthood, and His role as Savior. Nowhere do I see suggestions of what the Christmas holiday has become. 

Let me be clear ... we are not called to become Jews, but as a righteous branch grafted into the true olive tree, we are called to share and spread the message and instructions of the Gospel. We are to point the Jews to Jesus as their Messiah, and as our Savior, Redeemer, and the Light of the World. May that Light never be extinguished!

So, as you contemplate another Christmas, come and gone, I hope that you will be able to dwell upon the true meaning of our Savior's conception and birth, and decide what is right for you in the matter of pleasing God. You will know, because you will feel at peace and all conflict will be gone. That is the true essence of "Peace on earth, and good will toward men." And that is what Kathie Lee was bold and unafraid to share. Merry Christmas!

#meaningofchristmas #truthaboutchristmas #jesuswasajew #christmastraditions

Isaiah 9:6-7     "For a CHILD IS BORN to us, and a son is given to us, and the government is upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counsellor, God the Mighty, the Father of the world to come, the Prince of Peace. His empire shall be multiplied, and there shall be no end of peace: he shall sit upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom; to establish it and strengthen it with judgment and with justice, from henceforth and for ever: the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

 

Do Not Become Entangled In The Defilement Of The World

As I sit here, less than a week before the Christian world celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, I am honestly astounded at what I see happening in the realm of faith and religion. Has the world just decided to dismiss what God has to say in the Bible? And what's even more alarming, has the Church?

It's been hard to ignore the headlines this week. Mind you, I try not to pay attention nor obsess over the news of the world and how its controversies conflict with my faith. I am acutely aware that I am in this world, but not of it, so I expect to be at odds with mainstream and secular opinions. But that doesn't mean I am not saddened when I see another precept of God's Word abandoned or mocked. Kirk Cameron, former child TV actor and current Evangelist is having trouble booking speaking engagements at public libraries to read his faith-based children's books during Story Hour. Yet, these same libraries have had no problem hosting drag queen story hours, claiming they are open to celebrating the diversity of opinions ... as long as it's not Christian apologetics. What happened to following Psalm 78:2-4 ... I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.

Then there is the shocking news that the Catholic Church has defrocked a priest for his pro-life beliefs. Father Frank Pavone, is the National Director of Priests for Life, a pro-life organization not run by the Catholic church. His "defrocking" means he will no longer be able to wear the clerical collar, he can no longer conduct Mass, hear confessions or administer sacraments such as the Eucharist. Additionally, he is no longer required to recite the Liturgy of the Hours (a set of prayers marking each hour) nor obey his bishop. Although, he is still a priest, it is more in terms of being a layman, and he will not be able to teach in a Catholic school. As astounding as this pronouncement is, there was the statement issued that said "there was no possibility of appeal", which seems to indicate the action came at the behest of the Pope, himself. When the leader of the Catholic Church defies the Word of God, I fear the Restrainer's hand will soon be removed! Does the Holy Father of the Catholic Church not recall the righteous Commandment, Thou shalt not murder? Does he not remember Matthew 5:29 ... whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven...

And it was reported on one of the social media news sites that there has been an error in the Bible's translation. The claim is that the word "homosexual" is not correct in the Biblical translation of 1 Timothy 1:9-10, which says, the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound (healthy) doctrine. PLEASE DON'T MISUNDERSTAND the point I am trying to make -- I believe that all sin is denounced by God, and the purpose of bringing this verse to your attention is the attempt to change the truth of God's Word and misdirect its meaning.

In fact, the researchers say, the word "homosexual" is an incorrect translation. They claim that the word homosexual has only come into vogue in 1946 in the Revised Standard Revision. They assert that in Martin Luther's original German translation from 1534, the word was translated as "boy molester". Therefore, they claim, this mistranslation has led to the denigration of homosexuality as a sin. I totally agree that it is wrong to assume that every homosexual is a molester of boys. But I also find it interesting that the 1599 Geneva Bible translation of this verse says, the Law is not given unto a righteous man, but unto the lawless and disobedient, to the ungodly, and to sinners, to the unholy, and to the profane, to murderers of fathers and mothers, to manslayers, to whoremongers, to buggerers, to menstealers, to liars, to the perjured, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to wholesome doctrine. So what does buggerer mean? According to the references in the Oxford English Dictionary, Webster's Dictionary, and the Cambridge Dictionary, the word "buggerer" usually refers to anal intercourse. So, while I can understand the desire of homosexuals to not be categorized as "boy molesters", it does not change the intention of Scripture, nor can we deny the Word when it says, You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you (Deuteronomy 4:2). 

The same attempt to soften the commandments and statutes of the Bible is apparent when contemporary Christian singer Amy Grant rationalizes hosting a same-sex marriage at her home. She justifies her decision by saying, "Jesus, you just narrowed it down to two things: love God and love each other." But isn't that an over-simplification of the Majesty and Sovereignty of God? I agree with the Reverend Franklin Graham who says yes, God calls Christians to love one another but John 14:15 says, If you [really] love Me, you will keep and obey My commandments. And what is His commandment regarding marriage? Let's look at Mark 10:6-9 ... But from the beginning of creation God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother [to establish a home with his wife], and the two shall become one flesh; so that they are no longer two, but [are united as] one flesh. Therefore, what God has united and joined together, man must not separate.”

All these instances I have cited just touch the surface of our preoccupation, distraction, and entanglement with a world that is slipping further away from the Truths of God. Sadly, much of the Church has not protected those truths, and in some cases, have compromised with them. I am so thankful for the Remnant who is conversely growing closer and stronger in their relationship with the One who will soon appear to judge all mankind on earth. Let us not veer from the path we have been set upon. The world needs us to stay the course! Please take the closing Scripture to heart!

#defilement #biblicalmisinterpretation #thewordofgod

2 Timothy 4:1-2     I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word [as an official messenger]; be ready when the time is right and even when it is not [keep your sense of urgency, whether the opportunity seems favorable or unfavorable, whether convenient or inconvenient, whether welcome or unwelcome]; correct [those who err in doctrine or behavior], warn [those who sin], exhort and encourage [those who are growing toward spiritual maturity],

From a Lamb to a Lion

What I'm going to talk about today comes from personal experience. Lately, I've been discerning an awakening among the family of God. It's not explosive and certainly not widespread, but still, it is undeniable. There is a remnant in the Body of Christ that is realizing that the religious normalcy bias we've been operating in, is not our reality. We've come to know that Scripture speaks plainly that judgment is coming on the nation that continues to rebel against God. In Amos, Chapter 4, God reminds His nation of Israel that He sent famine; drought; plagues of insects to kill their crops and plagues of sickness to kill their people. He also overthrew and destroyed the depraved [as a warning to all], "Yet you have not returned to Me in repentance". And his last statement in Chapter 4 is chilling ... "Prepare to meet your God [in judgment], O Israel"!

That is what happens to an idolatrous and corrupt nation who turns away from YHWH. We should take note. It doesn't matter whether we were founded as a Christian nation or not. Our actions throughout the two-and-a-half centuries of our existence speak louder. And over the last half century, this nation has shown flagrant contempt and scorn for God. He is absent from the halls of Congress, our schools, our entertainment industry, from corporate America, and from many families. It is not enough to say that He is still alive in the churches of America when the churches are run like businesses, the leadership approves of ungodly lifestyles, and Jezebel controls the congregation. 

I know this sounds harsh. And I know there are Godly pockets of the Remnant that seek to establish His Kingdom in this nation. And God will honor that and give us favor! But stop for just a moment and look at the big picture this nation presents to God as He sits on His throne. The corruption, the greed, the immorality, the perversion and depravity, the murders, the disdain for law and order ... all of this threatens to overcome the standards of goodness and decency that were once the hallmarks of our society.

I have been ruminating on these thoughts for awhile, and asking the Lord to show me that what I am discerning is wrong. I desperately want to be wrong! I would love to bask in the belief that we will somehow escape the ramifications of the falling away from God. But the Holy Spirit spoke to me in the early hours before dawn and showed me that unlike the Jews, who rejected Jesus as the Lamb of compassion and mercy because they wanted a Warrior King, the Church of Jesus in the 21st Century wants to reject the idea of Him as the returning Warrior King, in favor of keeping Him as the Lamb of Grace! The Church wants to keep Jesus as the Lamb and keep Him stuck in His role as peacemaker and pacifist. 

As I've said so often, it is difficult when your discernment and Biblical worldview doesn't match the normalcy bias of most modern-day Christians. We are so comfortable with our view of Jesus as our Savior when He's the Lamb. But when He becomes the Warrior King dispensing righteous judgment, that image threatens to destroy the joy in the Lord. You can point out that the Bible, itself, shows us a deteriorating world that will lead Him to return as a conquering Warrior King with His robe dipped in the blood of the wicked for the judgment of mankind [Revelation 19:13]. And you can show them that there will be a sword coming out of His mouth with which to strike the nations [Revelation 19:15], and He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty [Revelation 14:17-20]. Still they cannot accept Him in this role. Anything but the image of the loving Lamb of God brings offense, and I surmise a good amount of fear.

But I take great comfort in knowing that He will finally go to war as the Commander of the Heavenly Host against Satan and his army of fallen angels. I recognize that my Lord is full of compassion and grace and mercy, but when the cup of God's wrath against Evil is full, I know Him to be the Warrior King, who from Genesis 3:15 forward, is the Defender of His bloodline and His people. He appears throughout the Old Testament as the Angel of the Lord, with sword in hand, ready to fight to defend those who belong to Him [Joshua 5:13; 2 Kings 19:35; Psalm 35:5-6]. And as Exodus 23:20-33 shows us, when YHWH sent the Israelites into the Promised Land, where lived the Nephilim giants, He sent an Angel [the pre-incarnate Jesus] before them, to "keep them and guard them on the way and to bring them to the place He had prepared". Jesus was a Giant-killer! And since He is the same today as He was then, we have nothing to fear about the Judgment that is coming. 

And don't you think God is going to keep and guard on us on our way to the Millennium Kingdom and eternal life in the new Heaven and Earth? He is sending Jesus, the Warrior King to go before us, defeating Evil once and for all and bringing us to the place God has prepared for us. So, it is my prayer and my hope that the Body of Christ comes to embrace the truth and knowledge that Jesus is coming to judge the world in righteousness and wage war against Evil. Our faith and hope in a glorious future in Heaven must overcome all fear about what might happen in this world. It will be our privilege to do spiritual battle (and physical, if necessary) alongside our Savior. He will be a formidable Captain of the Angelic Army and our Defender! We will see the Lamb of God become the Lion of Judah and Righteousness and Justice will rule the world!

#endtimeswar #endtimesjudgment #jesuswarriorking #endtimesprophecies #dayofthelord

Revelation 19:11   And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who was riding it is called Faithful and True (trustworthy, loyal, incorruptible, steady), and in righteousness He judges and wages war [on the rebellious nations].

 

Judgment Is Prophesied: Even The Stones Will Cry Out and Accuse

 

I recently read a fascinating article by Coach Dave Daubenmire, titled Are The Rocks Crying Out. Known for his fearless and outspoken commentary on the state of our culture and the faith of Americans, Coach didn't disappoint when he called out the condition of the Church. As he said, himself, "Are  you sitting down? America already has enough cookie-cutter Christians". This statement was made in support of his supposition that instead of the lukewarm Church leadership leading the way, perhaps God has chosen Elon Musk and Kanye West (as different as they are) to be the useful instruments of His revelation in this corrupted world.  

Are these the men who we would expect to be spokesmen for God? I'm pretty sure most of us would say "no". Obviously, their words and their methods don't look like they come from God either. In fact, I'm conflicted as to where Elon Musk stands in God's redemptive plan for humanity. While I applaud him pulling back the veil on Big Tech's censorship and violation of our First Amendment rights, I'm suspicious of his work in the area of artificial intelligence and brain chip interfaces in the name of "medical science". I've never heard nor seen evidence that he has a relationship with God. And then what is there to say about Kanye? His inflammatory rhetoric is stirring the conscience of the culture, to be sure. And his declaration of faith is certainly passionate. Yet his justification for both his faith and his rhetoric is causing an uproar in the national dialogue. How can either of these men be representatives for God and his plan for mankind?

But as Coach Daubenmire points out, "God's ways are not our ways". There are many examples in the Bible where God used ungodly men and ways to change the course of history in accordance with His will. Think Nebuchadnezzar, Darius the Mede, King Cyrus, the false prophets of Baal, and the lying spirit sent to King Ahab. Remember, when God's offers for repentance and forgiveness are rejected time and again, His cup of wrath becomes full. And God is not restricted as to who or how He will see His holy purposes fulfilled. He is Sovereign and can use both good and evil men to accomplish His plans and bring glory to His Name. Are Musk and West divine instruments of God? I can't say for sure, but this I know ... they are revealing the ugly underbelly of our culture and pulling the curtain aside to uncover the corruption in all our ways. 

And that's when the Coach calls our attention to Jesus's comment to the Pharisees in Luke 19:40: “I tell you, if these [disciples] were silent, the very stones would cry out.” NOTE: Daubenmire uses this quote to call out the silent leaders in the Church, who have not "led the charge" in summoning attention to the unrighteousness and immorality in this nation. It's been left to God to use unorthodox men like Elon Musk and Kanye West to shake us out of our tepid response to evil. Therefore, he makes this challenge: with the continued silence from the pulpits, will it be left to the rocks to cry out for justice?

But I want to take a look at the context in which Jesus's statement to the Pharisees is made. Jesus has entered the city of Jerusalem on His way to the Cross. The crowds receive Him as a King and the multitudes of Disciples greeted Him with shouts of praise, adoration, and joy. But the Pharisees wanted them rebuked for their boisterous adulation. But in this moment, Jesus exults in His true identity as the Messiah. I love the following commentary provided in the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible regarding this occasion: Hitherto the Lord had discouraged all demonstrations in His favor; latterly He had begun an opposite course; on this one occasion He seems to yield His whole soul to the wide and deep acclaim with a mysterious satisfaction, regarding it as so necessary a part of the regal dignity in which as Messiah He [for this last time] entered the city, that if not offered by the vast multitude, it would have been wrung out of the stones rather than be withheld [my emphasis]. 

What's interesting is that Luke 19:40 is a direct reference to Habakkuk 2:11. And to understand the context in which the Lord speaks in verse 11, we need to back up to verse 9:
“Woe (judgment is coming) to him who obtains wicked gain for his house [and thinks by so doing] to set his nest on high, that he may be rescued from the hand of evil. Verse 10: You have devised a shameful thing for your house by cutting off and putting an end to many peoples; So you are sinning against your own life and forfeiting it. And now, verse 11: For the stone will cry out from the wall [to accuse you—built in sin!] And the rafter will answer it out of the woodwork". 

Read those three short verses again carefully. To how many in the halls of our government and our churches, do these verses apply? How many men charged with the physical and spiritual welfare of peoples have accumulated unclean gain for their own house at the expense of the health, happiness and fortunes of those who have trusted them? Little do they know that their sins do not go unrecognized by the Sovereign God of the Universe, and the wicked gain [profit] they possess will be forfeited [along with their inheritance] in the life to come. And then comes the culmination of the warning: they will not be able to escape the consequences of their sin; the stones of their house -- their enterprise, venture, operation --  will declare that they were built in sin and will cry out in accusation. And the rafters of their house will answer in agreement. 

And this is where I'm afraid we are, my friends. I have to agree with Coach Dave Daubenmire who reminds us that God has promised that "there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed". I think we all feel it ... God is doing something. We must give up our "normalcy bias" and expect that whatever He is doing will look like we think it should look. So, for now, we must not discount the unconventional, the unusual, or the nontraditional as being from God. Judgment is coming and we must not let it catch us unaware. And make no mistake ... should the Disciples of Jesus remain quiet, then God will use other means -- an Elon Musk or a Kanye West; even the stones will cry out! But He will not be silenced!

#endtimesjudgment #thestoneswillcryout #thesilentchurch 

Proverbs 1:18-19  But [when these people set a trap for others] they lie in wait for their own blood; They set an ambush for their own lives [and rush to their destruction]. So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; Greed takes away the lives of its possessors.

 

 

What Is Christo-Facism?

Christo-Facism ... is this a new term for you, as it was for me? I had to do a little digging to find out what it means and why it is a dangerous label to be tossed around. When asking the internet, What is Christo-Facism, you will get a variety of definitions that all come from a term coined by German liberation theology proponent, Dorothee Steffensky-Solle. The next obvious question is what is liberation theology? Here is the Wikipedia definition: Liberation theology is a Christian theological approach emphasizing the liberation of the oppressed. In certain contexts, it engages socio-economic analyses, with "social concern for the poor and political liberation for oppressed peoples". In other contexts, it addresses other forms of inequality, such as race or caste.

So, if I am understanding correctly, Christo-Facism appears to align [at least in some fashion] with the political theory of Social Justice. Now, I know that term has many variations, as well, among them Jesus's Biblical exhortation to care for the poor, the fatherless, the widows, and the sojourners. But this admonition by our Lord to care "for the least of these" is directed to the individual believer, and I do not believe it is meant to be applied as a contemporary, secular and corporate [group] ideology for the masses of society. 

Another aspect of the Biblical worldview and understanding of social justice is that Jesus never says wealth is evil, as the secular/political notion of social justice claims. On the contrary, much can be done for the Kingdom of God when one has been blessed with the financial means to rightly steward godly-obtained wealth for the good of people. When one is aligned with the Spirit of God, you are able to discern how to give, who to give to, and where to wisely bless others by the redistribution of the wealth which God has given you. But we seem to have entered an age where a Biblical worldview has been supplanted with a "government knows best" system who decides how much wealth you can keep and where it will be allocated.

And we cannot go further with this discussion on Christo-Facism without considering the current meaning of the word Fascism. Historically, I think of Hitler, and the Wikipedia explanation of Fascism ... authoritarian, ultra-nationalist political ideology and movement, characterized by a dictatorial leader, centralized autocracy, militarism, forcible suppression of opposition, belief in a natural social [and racial] hierarchy, subordination of individual interests for the perceived good of the nation and race. 

But, now, with Jesus and God being systemically removed from the heart of our national conscience, we find that the concepts of Christian and Fascism are combined to form a new definition that reflects a revisionist order seeking the strong regimentation of society and the economy. This revision has created the term Christo-Facism to represent [according to the Urban Dictionary] "an evangelical, semi-theocratical movement or temperament of Americans who stand against abortion, sexual education, homosexuality, science, anti-Zionism, and the separation of church and state... It's a pejorative term that inherently accuses its object of disloyalty to democracy".  Therefore, we Christians who are pro-life; who are for protecting our children from sexual exploitation; who believe God's covenant of marriage is between a man and a woman; who believe that science is not separate from God's creation; and who believe in the Biblical identity of Zion have now become "a threat to democracy". 

Not only are we described as enemies of democracy, but we are perceived as opportunists who only participate in the political arena when our Biblical worldview of moral issues is supported. We are painted with a broad brush as indifferent and apathetic when it comes to the issues that affect the nation as a whole, such as the economy and national security -- which is patently discriminatory. Then this view is carried to its [illogical] conclusion that Christians are proponents of extreme far-right Fascism, which equals social inequality, racism, mysogynism, homophobia, hate speech, nationalism, etc. And this is how Christo-Fascism was born. 

Make no mistake, I am not naive enough to think that there aren't Christians who fit this description, just as there are members of every social group that are fundamentalists for their social causes. But it is unjust to categorize any entire class of people in general terms, without specific cause or attention to individual variations.

And by stereotyping an entire group of people as Christo-Fascists there is an unrighteous consequence of such deliberation ... it becomes the weaponization of language and words against the believer who follows in the footsteps of Christ. The ultimate goal is to dehumanize Christians and remove their positive human qualities and characteristics. But should we be surprised to see this happening? Does not the Bible tell us that Christians will become persecuted as the world careens towards the final judgment of mankind? Let us join together in fervent prayer that this latest attempt by the Anti-Christ spirit to eliminate the Christian influence will be defeated and conquered, in the Mighty Name of Jesus! We cannot continue to go down this troubling road without causing irreparable damage to the heart and soul of our nation.

#endtimespersecution #christofacism #christianpersecution #understandingchristofacism

Matthew 5:11   Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account.

 

Give to Caesar and Come Out of the World

 

There is an ongoing debate in our house (as I suspect there is in many homes in the country) as to how we are going to solve the ailments of our nation. Both my husband and I agree that America suffers from spiritual issues, and that politics will never be the answer to a spiritual problem. That being said, we are conflicted over the following scenario: how do we reconcile "Render unto Caesar, what is Caesar's" with "Come out of her, my people"?

Let me break this quandary down from our perspective ... In this world, we are subject to the laws of this nation and a constitution that was written to define the powers of government, while at the same time, protecting the rights and liberties of us, the citizens. In Matthew 22, the Pharisees seek to trap Jesus in a question that had the potential to expose Him as a fraud, depending on His answer. They asked Him, “Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” The question was designed to accuse Jesus of either disloyalty to the government of Rome, or disloyalty to the Jewish people and YHWH. Jesus asked to see a denarius, the coin used to pay taxes to the Roman government. He asked, "Whose image is on the coin"? The Pharisees answered, "Caesar's". Jesus's answer was quick, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 

This answer is anything but simple. You see, the Caesar's of Rome were considered "divine" gods, and the coins that bore their images were, in all respects, a form of idolatry. They violated the Second Commandment, Thou shalt have no other gods before Me. Jesus understood that men on earth are caught in a battle between two governments -- the government of this world, and the government of Heaven. His statement to give to Caesar what is due him, and to give to God what is His due, is challenging us to know the difference. 

So, I acknowledge that being a citizen of the world, and specifically of the United States, I have certain obligations to its government, which necessarily means that politics will play a part in what those obligations will look like. I also recognize that the state of my nation, in many ways, is in spiritual decline. The unrighteous decisions and laws of my government have led to this downfall and as long as politicians continue to act unrighteously, politics will never correct our spiritual deterioration. That doesn't mean that I can't hope and pray for God to raise up righteous men and women to change the direction of our country.

And I am well aware of the warnings that God gives us in the Bible if we continue to go down the road we're on. Jeremiah lived in idolatrous Babylon and the Lord used him to warn the inhabitants of the vengeance that was His if they did not turn from their wicked ways. God used Jeremiah to issue warnings regarding the idols that Babylon worshiped; that they were false, worthless, and a work of delusion... and a time of punishment was coming in which they would be destroyed. The Word of the Lord, through Jeremiah, was "Therefore, behold, the days are coming when I will punish the images of Babylon; her whole land shall be put to shame, and all her slain shall fall in the midst of her". Then comes the plea of the Most High God: Come out of her my people! Let every one save their life from the fierce anger of the Lord!

The Lord is saying have nothing to do with the worldly Babylon and her idolatrous ways. And He tells us to do the same thing in these End Times, as stated in Revelation 18! An angel is prophesied to come down from Heaven and declare:

Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!’
    She has become a dwelling for demons
and a haunt for every impure spirit,
    a haunt for every unclean bird,
    a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal. 

For all the nations have drunk
    the maddening wine of her adulteries.
The kings of the earth committed adultery with her,
    and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.

Come out of her, my people! 

Scripture goes on to say that Babylon's sins are piled up to Heaven, and God has remembered all her crimes. She will pay double for all she has done, and she will receive as much torment and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself. Obviously, we as righteous Christians, will want to separate ourselves from that Babylonian system. I suggest you read all of Revelation 18 and see if you do not recognize this End Times Babylon as our own nation. And if you do, then you will recognize the tenets of the aforementioned debate in my house and among our family and friends.

If we are to come out of the destructive and anti-Christ Babylonian system, [which is of the kingdom of this world], and separate ourselves by committing our lives to the Kingdom of God, "rendering unto God what is His" [as Jesus suggested to the Pharisees], then can/should we do both? If politics is not the answer to a spiritual breakdown in this country, do we forsake politics all together for the sake of fighting the spiritual battle for the Kingdom of God? If we discern that there are righteous men among the worldly government who want to legislate for Godly justice and morality, should we not stand with them, trusting God to lift them up for His purposes? 

Of course, we must also consider that the Enemy is not going to just lay down and abdicate his throne among the halls of Congress. So have the crimes and injustice perpetrated by his minions been heaped so high that God has determined [as is stated in Revelation 18:8, that in one day her plagues will overtake her: death, mourning and famine. She will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her? Maybe it is to be our time of judgment and it is time we "come out of her". What does that look like? Let me propose this to you: we recognize that without the intervention of God who appoints righteous men to civil service, politics will never be the answer to restore our nation. So we continue to do what Jesus commanded, giving Caesar what is Caesar's -- we vote, we follow the laws, and we pay our taxes as mandated. 

Yes, we are citizens of the world in these fleshly bodies, but our citizenship in God's Kingdom is our greater commission. So we come out of the world's system as much as we can, and transfer to the spiritual kingdom of God on earth; living our lives following His statutes and committed to not sharing in the sins of this world nor receiving any of its plagues. That calls for understanding "the big picture" ... what we are to give to Caesar, even as we come out of Caesar's system. It's just the reality of our existence here on earth. We are in the world, but not of the world. Once we understand that, we do not need to become embroiled in the political arena, but enter the Kingdom of God, yoking ourselves to His righteous government. It is possible to fulfill our responsibilities as citizens of both the world and Heaven, knowing to whom our highest allegiance belongs. It is then that we can join together, declaring "Rejoice, you people of God"!

#givetocaesarwhatiscaesars #comeoutofhermypeople #endtimesjudgment #endtimesbabylon

Jeremiah 51:45-46   Go out of the midst of her, my people! Let every one save his life from the fierce anger of the Lord! Let not your heart faint, and be not fearful at the report heard in the land,