For approximately 1,500 days straight, the militant liberal politicians, news media and entertainment crowds of this once great country have been chewing on President Donald Trump like a ravenous wolf on a dead carcass. I’ve always thought I was one who could take a great deal of pressure in the working world, but the constant badgering President Trump has had to deal with would have caved me in a long time ago. Maybe God knows that it would take someone with a super ego along with thick skin and a tough hide to survive (God provided this with Ezekiel, by the way; Ezekiel 3:8-9), which leads me to repeat that I am in no doubt that God placed this man in the position of President of the United States of America in 2016. So, what is going on in 2020?
President Trump should never have won the presidential race in 2016, but by the grace of God, he did. I’m not sure he knows why he won, but he was put in office by the power of God.
“He [God] controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars” (Daniel 2:21).
So, if God put this man in office four years ago, why does it seem God is now allowing the God-haters of this country to have their way? Why is He allowing the malfeasance of public officials, the media, et al. to determine the outcome of an election?
President Trump has strongly supported Israel, the right to life, Christianity, and America. He does not support a one-world order, illegal immigrants and violence from thugs. He has made us totally oil independent, has brought jobs back and uplifted the economy. He has not wrapped the White House with rainbow colors or openly pushed the slaughter of innocent children.
Is this not what God would want for a country that puts Him first (I’ll get back to this)? I think so, but all of this will be reversed if the Democrats regain power in the White House once more. Will God allow this political faction, one that hates everything that is of God, to take over?
President Trump reminds me in some ways of Nebuchadnezzar. He (Nebuchadnezzar) was intelligent, and he would keep his word (unlike Zedekiah; 2 Kings 25:4-7). He was wealthy and powerful, and he was also full of himself. As a side note, I believe after God humbled Nebuchadnezzar, then brought him back to his senses, there is a possibility he worshipped God from that point on. Could this be what God is doing with President Trump? I don’t know. Maybe that’s a possibility.
Let us consider another scenario from the following Scripture passages.
“For the wicked boasts of his heart’s desire; He blesses the greedy and renounces the Lord. The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts” (Psalms 10:3-4).
“Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, ‘Let us break their bonds in pieces and cast away their cords from us.’ He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure” (Psalms 2:1-5).
These few verses certainly sum up the attitude of the unrighteous in this nation, and in every nation for that matter. The “Anointed” spoken of in these verses, of course, is Jesus the Messiah. The world hates the Son of God, and its rebellion is growing more fierce each day.
I feel many of us have recognized that the sin problem has been growing exponentially worse in this country for the last twelve years. It has reared its ugly head for all to see and is no longer nearly as invisible as it was in years gone by. What has made rebellion against God gain such a hold since the sixties and race to the forefront today with such fierceness? That question leads me to the next Scripture verse found in the book of Revelation.
“Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short” (Revelation 12:12).
Keeping in mind that the background for this verse is the Tribulation era, could it be Satan has everyone all fired up against God because he knows his time is closer than you and I are aware? Is God getting ready to usher in the “time of Jacob’s trouble,” the seven-year Tribulation? We can’t answer this question, but there is one thing that is certain; we are closer today than we were yesterday.
The good news for every true, born-again believer in Jesus Christ is that the Rapture is even closer since our Lord will remove us before He brings down His wrath upon this fallen world.
I know some Christians are concerned that we may have to endure some unpleasant times that will be brought on by political leaders who have no regard for God. I wish I could reply with, “No, we won’t,” but I cannot. Only God has that answer, but we are assured that we are not alone.
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age‘” (Matthew 28:18-20, emphasis mine).
“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me” (Psalms 23:4).
If the Democrats regain control, and they may, they will disavow any and everything that is Godly. In my opinion, this will simply hasten God’s judgment that will come in the Tribulation. So keep this in mind: politicians can make the lives of the citizens unpleasant, but they cannot direct our destiny. If our faith is in Jesus Christ, our destiny is secure in His hands. We belong to the King of kings and Lord of lords, and He will protect His own.
“For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us” (1 Thessalonians 5:9).
Earlier I asked, “Is this not what God would want for a country that puts Him first?” Obviously, we have not put God first in a long time. As individuals who make up the bride of Christ, we have nothing to fear; but as a nation, we are headed for judgment just as surely as every nation in history has been judged that has rebelled against God.
Perhaps the outcome of the election has little to do with President Trump, from God’s point of view, and more to do with us. God warned us in Romans 1:24, 26 and 28 that He has given us over to our own desires, and the day of reckoning is fast approaching. Three times it is said, “God gave them over.” Throughout history, this process has been repeated, and the nations just don’t get it. History keeps repeating itself, except now, we stand at the threshold of God’s final judgment.
Our Lord says in this next passage concerning Israel that their religious hypocrisy was bringing judgment down upon them.
“Put the trumpet to your lips! An eagle is over the house of the LORD because the people have broken my covenant and rebelled against my law. Israel cries out to me, ‘Our God, we acknowledge you!’ But Israel has rejected what is good; an enemy will pursue him. They set up kings without my consent; they choose princes without my approval. With their silver and gold they make idols for themselves to their own destruction. Samaria, throw out your calf-idol! My anger burns against them. How long will they be incapable of purity?” (Hosea 8:1-5).
The eagle flying over the house of Israel is actually a vulture, i.e., Assyria. Israel says she is righteous, but she rejects what is good. She cries out to God, but why?
She doesn’t listen to God anyway. She sets up her own leaders, contrary to God’s approval, and worships her own riches instead. Judgment came down upon Israel hard and swift via the Assyrians in 721 B.C.
Will there be a date listed after our name, i.e., America 20?? A.D. Will we be taken into captivity by our own greed and ego, maybe even to a foreign land? Israel didn’t think it would happen to them either, but it happened. Neither did Judah, but it happened.
So I ask:
- Is God trying to persuade President Trump to refocus his adulation?
- Is He giving His enemies more rope to hang themselves?
- Is He showing He can take an impossible situation (Trump’s supposed loss) and defy the odds with Trump’s victory, even against all the underhanded maneuverings of the left? The race is not over yet.
- Or is He simply allowing the world to step closer to the day of wrath?
I certainly don’t have the answer, but I am confident our God knows what He is doing, and with that, I am content. Instead of looking toward Washington D.C., perhaps we should be looking up. Our redemption is drawing nearer with each passing day (Luke 21:28).
Grant Phillips
Email: Phillip5769@twc.com
Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com
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