In the aftermath of the American mid-term elections, we should acknowledge the fact that all sides did what was expected of them. The forces of antichrist were as ruthless and treacherous as ever, going for the jugular in every attack ad. They never let up in their assaults, and brilliantly used their skills of character assassination, slander, lying, spreading half truths, inciting violence and calling for anarchy. On the opposite side, the Christian conservatives rallied around the Trump agenda, stood up for principle and truth, and were rewarded with many victories. This group was stalwart and courageous. They had some unexpected triumphs, as well as some sobering setbacks. Yet throughout all of it, they never flinched. They lifted up the standard of God,just as Isaiah instructed us, “when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him” Isaiah 59:19. And they were rewarded. They can be justly proud of their courage and achievements.
But then there is another group in this scenario. This is a group that would prefer it if you didn’t mention them at all. This is a group that would be happy to get behind the courageous ones who took on the evil ones. Well, just so long as they weren’t required to take a stand on anything important, that is. Ask them to commit to anything and they retreated into the background. They would be happy to ride in on the coattails of victory, as long as the coattails hid their faces and their true character. Some people may well question if this group really wanted to win at all, so lackluster and half hearted were their campaigns. Call them Rinos, call them Sunday Christians. call them patriotic Americans wrapping themselves in the flag. Of one thing we can be certain- they are not in this marathon of faith that we all strive to finish with honor. They are not determined to finish the race, and primarily because they are cowards. And the ones who call themselves Christians, are lukewarm Christians.
“For what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? 2 Cor. 6:14
One of the saddest conclusions of this election is the fact that Americans still believe in what is termed ” divided government” At best, this is a relic from a time long ago when America still had some semblance of basic Christian morality. What is worst about it is that some so-called Christians still endorse this concept, and welcomed the results of the election. It is madness to believe in an equal balance of two political parties, when one party is completely evil and antichrist in spirit. God would rightly ask us all, “How long will you halt between two opinions?” 1 Kings 18:21. So asked Elijah of the Israelites to test their loyalty between God and Baal. Just as the Israelites worshipped the idols of Baal, so have Americans resorted to worship of themselves before worship of God. I would refer you to my video on patriotism in my series on modern day idols.
One of the great ironies of our time is, that while our nation falls deeper and deeper into depravity and barbarism, the louder and stronger is the chorus of patriotic fever. This is very similar to a scene of judgement in Revelation, when God sends His fury out over all men, great and small. The people called out to the mountains and rocks “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb” Rev. 6:16. One has to wonder where we got this conviction of invincibility and divine protection when God clearly promises us that “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” Prov 14:34. There is only one possible answer. America still supports Israel, and God blesses all who bless her. Even so, God looks to the heart of a nation, just as He does to the hearts of individuals. Clearly the judgement of America has begun. At present, it is evidenced by the fires in California. It is obvious that God judges and punishes His people Israel for every one of their misdeeds. The book of Judges is a continuous chronicle of God’s judgement against every evil king that came to rule. God had promised to be Israel’s sole king and lead them every step of the way. But instead, they chose fallen and ungodly men to lead, beginning with Saul. If God holds his own people accountable for every sin, why should we believe that he’ll treat any other nation differently?
Where the cowards huddle
Cowardice, like taxes and death, is a feature of humanity that has always been with us. Sometimes it is centered in individuals who fail in their duties at the most critical time. At other times, it is seen in the mass indifference that a nation or many nations may show to a persecuted group. Of course, the most famous of examples of this is the Holocaust. Currently, it can be seen in vivid detail in countries like England, where passivity and cowardice in the face of evil has come to mark its national character for generations. As a result of their cowardice, they are practically turning into a Muslim caliphate, and endorsing sharia law in places. In America, cowardice is seen mainly hiding in the guise of political correctness. In recent days it has flared up in very ugly and violent ways. Recently, it has metastasized into very aggressive forms of evil- especially in California.
There is a perfect object lesson on the warnings of cowardice that I cannot resist telling. It is known as the state of Virginia. I would do better to call it the late, great state of Virginia. It was once known as the state of presidents, such as Washington, Adams, and Jefferson. It was once a bastion for religious liberty and the place where the true battle for the separation of church and state took place. This occured when independent religious groups, such as baptists, took on the Anglican church as it sought to establish itself as the official state religion of the colonies. One of the champions in this cause was none other than Thomas Jefferson. But oh how the mighty have fallen.
For most of the country, the mention of Virginia will likely bring up memories of its famous slogan of the 70’s, “Virginia is for lovers” It was a brilliant ad campaign for the state, and likely brought in throngs of visitors and tons of tourist dollars. Perhaps it was a bit too successful and all the attention went to its head. That is because, ever since then, the state has been bending over backwards to redefine itself as a more “progressive” place to live. It soon became more apparent that the very religious appearance of the state was really just a facade. It may be true that visitors are struck by how many churches there are on every street corner- but does that accurately reflect the religious fervor of Virginians? Certainly not.
The candidates in the mid-term elections are a perfect representation of what Virginia is today. First, there is Tim Kaine, the senator who ran as the running mate of Hillary Clinton, the most corrupt figure in all of this country’s history. Nothing more needs to be said. His hapless opponent, Corey Stewart, sat by and said nothing as he was linked very cleverly with Judge Roy Moore of Alabama. This man argued that the time of slavery was the best in American history and that it was a good time when women didn’t have the right to vote. Stewart said nothing in response but argued for preserving of confederate statues using the redneck slogan that they were an expression of ” heritage and not hate” Now do you see why I suspect that these candidates never wanted to win in the first place? And then there is the congressional candidate from our district, Scott Taylor. He, like Stewart, said nothing as wave after wave of attack came his way, and all but called him the devil himself. He touted his military background and reputation as a navy seal. You might say he played the “patriotic card” He came off like a frat boy who spent a lot of time at the gym working on his six pack abs. Now that he is no longer associated with Trump’s party, he can return to whatever he did before. Maybe this frat boy and his friends can take his catamaran out on the ocean and have a few “cold ones”.
Playing Catch Up with California
Sadly, the state of Virginia has become like a geeky kid in grade school who desperately wants to fit in. There was a dumb song out recently, that expressed a teenager’s aching need to “be like the cool kids” who always “fit in”. For decades, the model for what was seen as “cool” had been California. Ever since the “summer of love” in 1967 , this was where the counter culture movement got stated People in Virginia may have been the last on their block to get a smoothie cafe with all the different flavors, but now they are determined to catch up with California by showing just how “cool” they can really be. There is a festival of some kind every weekend here, celebrating some kind of diversity or deviation from the norm. While people are leaving California in droves to escape the madness there, Virginia has advertised itself not only as California light- but as yet another meth lab of social experimentation. Step aside Colorado or Oregon. Virginia has arrived! This is where PETA,( or People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) got started. This area has had an active LGBT presence for almost as long as anything in San Francisco. The next step will undoubtedly be legislation for legalizing marijuana. Then probably you will see transgender bathrooms pop up. Virginia shows, beyond a shadow of a doubt, just how quickly Satan can use lukewarm Christianity to his advantage. We have always heard that “nature abhors a vacuum” and Virginia exemplifies just how quickly and completely the vacuum can be filled. One of my favorite quotes of Jesus is from the Sermon on the Mount. It precedes the famous verse warning against trying to serve two masters. It reads. “If thine eye be evil, thy whole body is full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness” Mt. 6:23. In other words, once you corrupt a pure vision and twist it into something else, the darkness of that perversion will be very great indeed. And once again, the enemy is lukewarm Christianity. Praise be to God. May we all come to the true and uncorrupted faith, and follow all the leadings of the Holy Spirit.