On April 10, 2021

NOTES ON GOD’S PREPARATION FOR THE APPROACHING STORMS: WEATHERING WEARINESS BY LONG ENDURANCE Part II

PART II: “CONTENDING WITH HORSES”

SCRIPTURE. “Put in order the buckler and shield, and advance for battle! Harness the horses, and mount, you horsemen! Stand forth with your helmets! Polish the spears, put on the coats of mail!” – JEREMIAH 46:3-4, AMPC

QUOTATIONS

“There are some battles, no matter how much you don’t want to fight them, that you just have to fight. That are worth giving your life for.” – PAULLINA SIMONS, ‘The Bronze Horseman,’ 2009

“Blind terror drove me on, with my flying stirrups whipping me into a frenzy. With no rider to carry I reached the kneeling riflemen first and they scattered as I came upon them.” – MICHEAL MORPURGO, ‘War Horse,’ 2010

“Your eyes meet and you immediately feel yourself shriveling under his gaze. He bears a scale in one hand and appears to be weighing your worth. Finding you wanting, the Horseman of Famine turns his dark steed and trots on.” – A.J. LAUER & DANIEL KEIDL, ‘Armageddon: Pick Your Plot,’ 2013

Selah.

FIRST THOUGHTS

When I was but a wee lad growing up in the high deserts of San Bernardino County in the 1950s (yes, I am that old), my Grandpa Kelly loved and kept horses on his dusty little farm on the outskirts of town. A rough and tumble real estate man from Phillipsburg, Kansas, he had served in the United States Army Cavalry in World War I, who would later teach me and my cousin, Bill (“Willy Lump-Lump”), how to ride young.

My favorite steed was a massive and beautiful animal named, “Easter,” a Golden Palomino about the size of Texas. On those distant, sunny days, we’d trot all about “The Inland Empire,” across the wide flats and slow hills dotted with sagebrush, Joshua trees and old-fashioned tumbleweeds rolling around, without a care in the world.

Interestingly, I had no fear of horses back then, but grew wary of them as I ‘matured.’ Selah.

All to introduce this: Becoming ‘Horse Soldiers’ is the metaphorical Second Stage, if you will, in the development of God’s Warrior, and a terribly important one at that. A favorite novelist-poet of mine whom I have quoted before, CORMAC MCARTHY, beautifully captures some of the special wonder of horses in this lyrical graph.

“What he loved in horses was what he loved in men, the blood and the heat of the blood that ran them. All his reverence and all his fondness and all the leanings of his life were for the Ardenhearted and they would always be so and never be otherwise.” – ‘All the Pretty Horses,’ 1992; edited

ARDENT. “Hot; burning; that causes sensation of burning; as, ardent spirits, that is distilled spirits; having the appearance of quality of fire; fierce; arm, applied to the passions and affections; passionate; affectionate; much engaged; zealous.” – NOAH WEBSTER, ‘American Dictionary of the English Language,’ 1828; edited

Precisely why the Lion of Judah is insisting on His Church become ‘Relit,’ as it were, by the Fire of His Spirit, and to cast off all Lukewarm Pretensions, which He despises, beloved.

Hear His incandescent Words:

“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold (invigorating, refreshing) nor hot (healing, therapeutic); I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm (spiritually useless), and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth [rejecting you with disgust].” – REVELATION 3:15-16, AMP

With this in a most sobered mind then, let’s proceed to the Essentials of the Teaching for this section.

THE VALOR OF THE HORSE SOLDIER

In 2018, actor Chris Hemsworth starred as US Army Green Beret Operational Detachment Alpha 595, Captain Mitch Nelson, in an extraordinary movie, ’12 Strong.’ The film was based a book by DOUG STANTON, ‘Horse Soldiers’ (2009), depicting the true story of how the young captain led 595 brave warriors inserted covertly into Afghanistan to fight the Taliban following the devastating 9/11 terrorist attack on America.

Oddly enough, I recall reading Stanton’s book while teaching at Liberty University from 2006-2016, at the suggestion of then professor of theology, Dr. Don Fowler, a brilliant scholar and war history buff.

PLOT SUMMARY. “‘12 Strong’ is set in the harrowing days following 9/11 when a U.S. Special Forces team, led by their new Captain, Mitch Nelson is chosen to be the first U.S. troops sent into Afghanistan for an extremely dangerous mission. There, in the rugged mountains, they must convince Northern Alliance General Dostum to join forces with them to fight their common adversary: the Taliban and their Al Qaeda allies. In addition to overcoming mutual distrust and a vast cultural divide, the Americans—accustomed to state-of-the-art warfare—must adopt the rudimentary tactics of the Afghani Horse Soldiers. But despite their uneasy bond, the new allies face overwhelming odds: Outnumbered and outgunned by a ruthless enemy that does not take prisoners.” – ‘Fandango,’ ret. April 4, 2021; edited

Toward the end of the movie (and story), the American forces launch a straight-ahead, blood ‘n guts assault into withering fire from the vastly superior Taliban forces – on horseback mind you – shooting and slaying the enemy while at full gallop. They unbelievably overwhelm the Taliban by sheer, in your face, force of Character, Skill and raw Courage.

Here is what one publication said about this stunning military victory.

“In all, less than 100 Special Forces soldiers toppled the Taliban government. Military historians have called it one of the most successful unconventional warfare campaigns in U.S. history. – ‘Legion of Brothers,’ 2017

VIRTUE AND VALOR. One of my favorite words that has defined itself upon and within me is, ‘Intrepidity,’ defined by NOAH WEBSTER (1828) as: “Latin, ‘Intrepidus;’ to tremble. Literally, not trembling or shaking with fear; hence, fearless; bold; brave; undaunted; as an intrepid soldier.” Closely resembling a primary characteristic of the valiant warrior:

“Courage Under Fire.” – ‘CUF,’ so that it’s easy to remember.

This is what God wants, beloved: Those ‘Intrepids’ who will not tremble at the Roar of lions, the hissings of serpents nor the cry of the wolf. There is one particular Biblical Figure, though not mounted on a horse, that teaches us many lessons about what True Valor is all about – and from where and from Whom it proceeds.

THE COURAGE OF GIDEON. Most of know the Story, but listen closely to what the Lord says to this humble man from equally humble conditions.

“Now the Angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth tree which was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it from the Midianites. And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, ‘The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!’…

And every man [of the 300 remaining to fight] stood in his place all around the camp; and the whole army ran and cried out and fled. When the three hundred blew the trumpets, the Lord set every man’s sword against his companion throughout the whole camp; and the army fled to Beth Acacia, toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel Meholah, by Tabbath.” – JUDGES 6:11-12; 7:21-22, NKJV

Let’s now consider some of the important Lessons for Spiritual Combat that derive from the Epic Story.

COMMENTARY. “This method of defeating the Midianites may be alluded to, as exemplifying the Destruction of the Devil’s Kingdom in the world, by the preaching of the Everlasting Gospel, the Sounding that Trumpet, and the Holding Forth that Light out of earthen vessels, for such are the ministers of the Gospel (2 Corinthians 4:6-7). God chose the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, a barley-cake to overthrow the tents of Midian, that the Excellency of the Power might be of God only…The wicked are often led to avenge the cause of God upon each other, under the power of their delusions, and the fury of their passions. See also how God often makes the enemies of the Church instruments to destroy one another; it is a pity that the Church’s friends should ever act like them.” – MATTHEW HENRY, ‘Exposition of the Old and New Testaments,’ 6 vols., 1708-1710; edited

Jesus Himself positions a firm Capstone to Henry’s broadside at those in the Church who dare, dare to Defy the faithfulness of the Intrepids.

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace on the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword [of division between belief and unbelief]. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be the members of his [own] household [when one believes and another does not].” – MATTHEW 10:34-36, AMP

Do not be afraid to Confront Evil inside God’s House! Jesus did it, and so must we, beloved, if we are to ever gain back the ground lost to our convenience, our cowardice, and our ‘doctrines of wicked men.’

SIX LESSONS FROM GIDEON

I shall finish this section with some excellent, practical and tactical Principles of Warfare that we derive from ‘Field Marshall’ Gideon. Taken from the Sermon by DR. LLOYD STILLEY, lead pastor of Jasper’s First Baptist Church in Alabama, on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2014.

GOD USES TOUGH TIMES TO GET OUR ATTENTION (JUDGES 6:1-6). “Learn this from Gideon: Every experience in life is ‘A Test.’ And every Trial in the lives of God’s people is tailored to draw us closer to God. Here’s the point: When tough times come, instead of looking at them as if God is punishing you, try to see them as God’s Gift of Grace. PROVERBS 3:11-12: ‘Do not despise the LORD’s instruction, my son, and do not loathe His discipline; for the LORD disciplines the one He loves, just as a father, the son he delights in.’ He loves you too much to let you keep living the way you are. He longs to be at the center of your life. So, He has Designs in our troubles, and they are always for our good. C.S. Lewis said it like this, ‘God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains. It’s His Megaphone to rouse a deaf world.’”

GOD SEES MORE THAN WE DO (6:7-12). “His Plan also included a most unlikely man named Gideon. We meet Gideon in v. 11 where he is threshing some wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. Now some of you know this, but city boys like me don’t. Normally, you would want to thresh wheat out in the open so that the wind could blow away the chaff. But Gideon has apparently been stung before, so he goes into hiding in an underground winepress, hoping to avert the attention of the Midianites. It’s a pitiful sight, full of frustration, discouragement, and fear. In case you ever wonder if God has a sense of humor, read v. 12: Then the Angel of the LORD appeared to him and said: ‘The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.’ Can’t you imagine Gideon around for the man of valor the Lord was addressing! Was God being sarcastic? Or did He see more than Gideon saw? I believe God saw what He was about to make of Gideon. It was time Gideon saw it too.”

GOD CONFIRMS HIS PRIORITIES WITH HIS PRESENCE (6:13-24). “God confirms His priorities with His presence in v. 16, ‘I will be with you,’ the LORD said to him. ‘You will strike Midian down [as if it were] one man.’ Gideon is given an undeniable commission, told the remarkable results in advance, and promised the unrivaled partnership of the Lord Himself. After further confirmation that he was in fact, dealing with God Himself, v. 22 tells us that the pieces fell into place for Gideon. He cries out, ‘Oh no, Lord GOD! I have seen the Angel of the LORD face to face!’ His fears comforted, His calling affirmed. So he builds an altar to the Lord. Gideon needed a Personal Encounter with God. God met him right where he was, giving him a sense of peace and purpose by His promised presence. It was said among Napoleon’s soldiers, ‘When Napoleon takes our hands and looks at us, we feel like conquerors.’ There’s something that changes in us when we listen to His voice and look ‘full in His wonderful face.’ Suddenly, His Priorities become the most important thing on earth.”

PRIVATE FAITHFULNESS IS A PREREQUISITE FOR PUBLIC USEFULNESS (6:25-32). “Before Gideon can be used publicly, he must first clean up his own backyard. His family was breaking the 1st and 2nd commandments, with Idols to Baal on their property. So, the first assignment from the Lord was to take his dad’s special seven-year-old bull and tear down the Idols. Then, Gideon was to sacrifice that prized bull using the wood from the destroyed Idol. What’s the point in telling us this? If you want to learn how to trust God, you must first set your own house in order. Before God can use you mightily, He must be magnified in your own life, in your own home. Private worship prepares us for public power from God. There are no short cuts. So is there anything you’ve been holding on to? Is there any sin that you’re clinging to? Knock down your idols. Confess you sin. Deal with it and return to Full Obedience to God.”

GOD IS FAITHFUL WITH OUR FAITH PROCESS (6:33-40). “Notice vs. 36-37. Gideon says to the Lord, ‘If You will deliver Israel by my hand, as You said, I will put a fleece of wool here on the threshing floor. If dew is only on the fleece, and all the ground is dry, I will know that You will deliver Israel by my strength, as You said.’ I love how loving, tender, and patient God is with us. Gideon is making a deal with God. He wants a confirming sign. And the Bible says the next morning, God gave it to him: The fleece was wet and the ground was dry. Even when this ‘Doubting Thomas’ of the OT reverses the test in v. 39, asking that the fleece be dry and the ground covered with dew, God graciously confirmed His power to Gideon. Our Lord was developing this man into a fully convinced Servant, matching each doubt with kind reassurance. God will show you the same patience as well as you seek His face, allaying your fears to Grow you into a man or woman of God.”

SUCCESS IS DETEMINED BY GOD’S POWER, NOT OURS (7:1-8). “Gideon’s now ready to rumble but God has other plans. In Judges 7:2, the Lord said to Gideon, ‘You have too many people for Me to hand the Midianites over to you, or else Israel might brag: “I did it myself.'” God proceeds to give Gideon a couple of tests to whittle the number down. The First Test culled 22,000 men out of the army, leaving 10,000. Still too many, said God…9700 were out, leaving only 300 men…God is looking to glorify Himself on earth through people who are fully dependent on Him, who believe He is with them and are ready to charge the hill in the name of the Lord! God doesn’t need a majority vote from us on this. He doesn’t need us at all. But He invites us to join Him in doing His will. When we do, we reap the Benefits and He gets the Glory. The saying is often attributed to D. L Moody: ‘Give me ten men who fear nothing but sin and love nothing but God, and I shall change the world.’”

PRE-WRATH BOOTCAMP. The most significant thing that the good Reverend Doctor said at the outset was: “Every experience in life is a Test,” superintended by a loving but demanding Sovereign, toward our growth and good. Until our Pastors start to teach this again, we shall remain Forever Flaccid: “Soft and weak; limber; lax; drooping; hanging down by its own weight; yielding to pressure for want of firmness and stiffness; as a flaccid muscle; flaccid flesh.” – WEBSTER, 1828

Thereby rendered as easy grist for Satan’s muscular ordinance, led to spiritual slaughter – as is taking place right before us as I type these words, beloved. We must act to save lives, therefore, right now, today, this very minute.

THE TEACHING

“Put in order the buckler and shield, and advance for battle! Harness the horses, and mount, you horsemen! Stand forth with your helmets! Polish the spears, put on the coats of mail!” – JEREMIAH 46:3-4, AMPC

You will immediately note the Urgency of this message, reflecting my statement above. We must act now! Not until still another series of Bible Conferences take place with big name Christian Leaders, nor after we finish still one more Christian Concert that gets the Spirit moving (sometimes), but then leaves us completely uninformed about what to actually DO with that mighty presence.

SEVEN WARFARE DISCIPLINES. Possibly my favorite Call to Spiritual Arms is in the Words of the Messiah in this passage: “We must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work.” I say again: ‘When no one can work’ – JOHN 9:4, AMP

Which comports perfectly with Jeremiah’s Wise Instructions.

ORDER BUCKLER AND SHIELD! The Prime Directive of Spiritual Warfare Prep is taken from the word for “Order” in the Hebrew, ‘Arak’ [עָרַךְ], translated as: “Arrange oneself in full battle array, with Shield and Buckler gripped tight. That last phrase refers to a Battle Shield for protection against the enemy’s attacks.” Taken from the word, ‘Magen’ [מָגֵן], used today in proud combination with the name, David, becoming the historic identifier of Israel: ‘The Magen David,’ or Star of David, emblazoned upon virtually all that belongs to Israel, as a remembrance of the price of freedom to honor Yahweh, or the more personal, ‘HaShem.’

ADVANCE FOR BATTLE! Taken from the Hebrew term, ‘Nagash’ [ נָגַשׁ]: “To draw near, approach close enough to touch [or engage the battle]; the main idea is to come near in proximity to where the war is being fought [as with first responders who ‘run to the danger’ instead of retreating]; denotes fearless, direct contact with the enemy [as with traditional teaching on the Just War Theory, one approaches the enemy with due respect of his weaponry and skill].” Also, WEBSTER (1828) again observes, it is “a moving forward, or towards the front,” effectively becoming the tip of the sword. It is what an Intrepid does, fully prepared for it of course, when he or she “runs to the roar of the lions.” It is the muscular opposite of cowardice or timidity.

HARNESS THE HORSES! We now turn to the next Order of Preparation. From the Hebrew, ‘Asar’ [אָסַר]: “To tie or bind oneself to [a swift mount for battle] figurative of absolute authority (to proceed); to gird oneself [with the armor needed for the war]; to make ready, prepare; to set in array; to begin the battle, or make the attack; figurative of one’s oath or vow [to God or an ally, as with a point of honor]; to be taken prisoner [to the mission, as with a slave].” WEBSTER (1828) writes: “To harness in rugged steel; the whole accouterments or equipments of a knight or horseman; originally perhaps defensive armor, but in a more modern and enlarged sense, the furniture of a military man, or offensive, as a casque, cuirass, helmet, girdle, sword, buckler, etc.”

MOUNT UP! In a direct reference to the ‘Horse soldiers,’ or Cavalry, here we have a rather poignant word, both literally and symbolically; ‘Alah’ [עָלָה], meaning a number of things including: “To go up, ascend, or climb; to go from a low place to a high or sacred place; to rise up (to war); to extend (a boundary); to be taken away [to an ordained location]; to mount up (as with the wings of an eagle; Isaiah 40:31]; to be lifted up, become high (as when is offered a task or duty).” This is the base word for the Jewish concept of ‘Making Aliyah,’ which refers to: “The immigration of Jews from the Diaspora to the Land of Israel historically, which today includes the modern State of Israel. Also defined as ‘The act of going up’—that is, towards Jerusalem.—’Making Aliyah’ by moving to the Land of Israel is one of the most basic tenets of Zionism” (‘Wikipedia,’ March 4, 2021; edited).

STAND FORTH! Then follows the subsequent command, from the term ‘Yatsab’ [יָצַב]: “To set or station oneself, take one’s (firm) stand; to stay or remain; continue; present oneself [for duty]; to offer to persevere or endure [in firm resolve to not give up the fight].” Webster (1828) again: “To be upright or erect, supported by the roots, as a tree or other plant; to be on its foundation; not to be overthrown or demolished; to remain upright, in a moral sense; not to fall.” It is, in the very final analysis, the Remaining at one’s post, absolutely refusing to give ground to an enemy, even at risk of one’s blood or treasure. To be, in a word, ‘Intrepid.

POLISH THE SPEARS! From the Hebrew, ‘Maraq’ [מָרַק], meaning: “To scour or otherwise sharpen; to keep them clean and glistening [ready for battle in perfect condition]; to rinse, keep bright or furbish.” Webster (1828) elaborates: “To make smooth and glossy, usually by friction; to burnish; as, to furbish a sword or spear; to furbish arms.” Also, “to clear from stain or taint; to renovate and keep at the ready [in perfect working order]; to purify; to restore to freshness or appearance or good condition.” The United States Army training protocol says this, by analogous instruction: “Soldiers depend on their weapons, and when one fails, it could mean the difference between life and death. But by taking precautions like thorough preventive maintenance checks and services and proper storage, they greatly reduce the likelihood of malfunction and possibly an accident” (LORI YERNDON, ‘US Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center,’ October 30, 2021

PUT ON COATS OF MAIL! Finally, there is this command from the term, ‘Labash’ [לָבַשׁ]: “To put on, wear, clothe, be [fully] clothed (with one’s proper armor); to wrap all around, arm or array [oneself for mortal combat]; to wear more or less habitually; to put on ‘the spirit of Gideon;’ in full apparel, lacking nothing.” One lexicon (STRONG’S, 1890) reminds here of the Prophet’s powerful lines, in a perfect way to end this section of definitions: “He wears His desire for Justice like body armor, and His desire to Deliver is like a helmet on His head. He puts on the garments of vengeanceand wears Zeal like a robe” (Isaiah 59:17, NET). Selah.

COMMENTARY. “‘Order ye the buckler and shield’…Both signify one and the same sort of armour, only of a different form, the one being lesser and lighter than the other. Jarchi makes the difference to be, that the former was made of skin, the latter of wood; they were both used to defend the body in war. To Order them is not only to Prepare them, and get them Ready; but to Fit them to the body, and to put them on, that they might be in a Readiness to engage in battle…’And draw near to battle’… Engage the enemy briskly, and with the greatest courage, and use all your military skill. [But if ye have not GOD FIRST], all ye have done, it will all be in vain.” – JOHN GILL, ‘Exposition of the Old and New Testaments,’ 1748-1763; edited

Selah, beloved. All of what preceded to make a final, searing Point, by which I will close our discussion.

LAST THOUGHTS

On October 25, 1854, a military battle took place that is regarded as either the most courageous efforts in the history of warfare – or the most reckless, foolish and consequently deadly.

THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE. “In an event alternately described as one of the most heroic or disastrous episodes in British military history, Lord James Cardigan leads a charge of the Light Brigade cavalry against well-defended Russian artillery during the Crimean War. The British were winning the Battle of Balaclava when Cardigan received his order to attack the Russians. His cavalry gallantly charged down the valley and were decimated by the heavy Russian guns, suffering 40 percent casualties. It was later revealed that the order was the result of confusion and was not given intentionally. Lord Cardigan, who survived the battle, was hailed as a national hero in Britain.” – EDITORS, ‘History,’ July 21, 2010; edited

Now I want you to read the following assessment of this historic slaughter, laced with the horse soldier’s unmatched Courage, for its relentless Indictment of INCOMPETENT LEADERS – the very bane of the American Church today.

“By all accounts, the Charge itself was a Disaster. Someone spotted what they thought was an effort by the Russians to move artillery they had recently captured from the British and friends. The order was given: The Cavalry, both Light and Heavy Brigades, plus infantry, would assault the ridges and recover the heavy guns. ‘The Cavalry commander dithered,’ waiting for the Infantry to show up. The Infantry didn’t. Orders were given to ‘advance rapidly to the front.’ But no one defined which ‘front’ was the target for the assault. The officer delivering the order was asked to clarify, and he vaguely waved toward what Alfred would call ‘The Valley of Death.’

Which wasn’t where he should have waved.

Orders being orders, and soldiers being soldiers, the order was given to the Light Brigade to charge through the North Valley, a distance of a mile and a quarter across open country, which featured enemy firing positions on three sides, though not all three fired on the Cavalrymen at the same time. Not that that made much difference; of the 670 men who rode in, 140 died and 110 were wounded. And let’s not forget the horses: Nearly 400 mounts died that day.

They reached the guns but couldn’t hold the position. Then they had to ride back — you know, through the Valley of Death. There’s no question that the British soldiers acted with extreme courage in the face of ‘Incompetent Leadership.’ And in a note of irony (or justice, depending on your perspective), the first to fall was the message bearer who’d waved his arm in the wrong direction. The Russians must not have gotten the memo about ‘not shooting the messenger.’” – ERIC MEISF JORD, “The Tragic True Story of the Charge of the Light Brigade,” ‘Grunge,’ February 21, 2020; edited

DITHER. “A trembling; vibration; a state of flustered excitement or fear; to act irresolutely; vacillate; to tremble with excitement or fear; to act nervously or indecisively; a state of indecisive agitation; to be nervously irresolute in acting or doing; to be nervously excited or confused.”

There’s a classic poem about all this penned by British laureate, ALFRED LORD TENNYSON in December of 1854, that offers this iconic lament:

“Theirs not to make reply / Theirs not to reason why / Theirs but to do & die / Into the Valley of Death / Rode the six hundred.”

TOXIC FOLLOWERSHIP. In twisted synchrony with Incompetent Leadership is the equally venal sin of Blind Obedience among the members of the congregations, the very poison that sent the Christian Church (both Protestant and Catholic) to aid and abet the Jewish Holocaust in the 1930s and 40s in Nazi Germany.

Both conditions sustain my confessed and irrepressible Outrage. And I am not alone in this sustained anger at my own Church. DAVID FRENCH, a courageous voice for Moral Sanity in an otherwise vacuous Christian Leadership Landscape ends one of his many fiery yet eloquent critiques of this historic Scandal in this way.

Written prophetically, just 17 days before the January 6 Christian Insurrection in the Nation’s Capitol in January. Here him, Church, hear him! Quoted in full for maximum impact.

A TIME FOR ANGER. “I’m not writing to engage in a serious theological debate with those who’ve committed themselves to dreams and visions of dark conspiracies. I’m writing as a warning and as a call for action. Here’s the warning: While I hope and pray that protests remain peaceful and that seditious statements are confined to social media, we’d be fools to presume that peace will reign.

Here’s the call to action: It’s time for conservative Christian leaders to shed any form of fear and to speak against conspiracies and against slander with the same boldness that many of them spoke for Trump. Again, this isn’t just about ‘Witness.’ It’s about Justice. It’s about Law. It’s about Peace.

Why do I keep mentioning Fear? Because we all know exactly what happens when a prominent conservative opposes Trump. It’s been the same playbook for more than five years. They receive vicious personal attacks. Trumpists try to intimidate dissenters into silence. Trumpists try to destroy dissenters’ reputations, destroy their careers, and sometimes even destroy their lives…

One last thing…I’ll be honest. I wrote this newsletter Angry. I don’t like to write Angry. But there are times when the lies are so blatant and the dangers so profound that Anger isn’t just appropriate, it may even be necessary. I believe now is one of those times.” – “The Dangerous Idolatry of Christian Trumpism,” ‘The Dispatch,’ December 20, 2020; edited

Recall that Jesus Himself said, in angry revulsion:

“So because you are LUKEWARM (spiritually useless), and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth [rejecting you with disgust].” – REVELATION 3:15-16, AMP

Any questions, beloved. Pastors? I should hope not – but we would welcome them nonetheless, if that could advance our Cause for Truth.

CODA. I remember reading FRANKY SCHAEFFER’S prescient broadside at Evangelicals in his controversial book, ‘A Time for Anger,’ published in 1982. As an admirer for his dad, Dr. Francis Schaeffer, I thought him to be a lunatic. Turns out he was right – at least his Fury at the Politicization of the Gospel.

It has festered and metastasized like a cancer to this day, and threatens to destroy what life is left in our tragically insipid, detestably Lukewarm, happy talk little churches today. So yes, I line up with the likes of evangelist Beth Moore, Baptist ethicist Russell D. Moore, attorney David French, and all those ‘lesser magistrates,’ who dare to Shout “Fire!” in the midst of our pathetic Ocean of Silence.

Lastly, consider Nehemiah in these crucial regards.

“Now there arose a great cry of the [poor] people and of their wives [driven to borrowing] against their Jewish brethren [the few who could afford to lend]…I [Nehemiah] was very angry when I heard their cry and these words. I thought it over and then rebuked the nobles and officials. I told them, ‘You are exacting interest from your own kinsmen.’ And I held a great [public] assembly against them.” – NEHEMIAH 5:1, 6-7, AMPC

What’s that now? The august Jewish leader Nehemiah dared to Rebuke the elders openly, in public? Indeed, and here’s why, at a time when men were still men.

“When such disorders came to the knowledge of the Governor [Nehemiah], his Honest Indignation was roused against the Perpetrators of the Evil. Having summoned a public assembly, he denounced their conduct in terms of just severity.” – R. JAMIESON, A.R. FAUSSET & D. BROWN, ‘Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible,’ 1871; edited

Since our American Pastors refuse to do this, and the primary reason we have an increasingly Lawless Nation is, to be bloody and perhaps brutally honest: We have a de facto Lawless Church!

So, to paraphrase the honored Pantheon of the Christian Faithful from Polycarp to Luther to Wilkerson and beyond: ‘Here we Stand, we can do no other, so help us God. Amen.’

Ever your servant, DK

DK BLOG-VLOG LINKS

YOUTUBE VIDEO – SUBSCRIBE!

FACEBOOK BLOG

https://www.facebook.com/DrCWKelly/

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

Dr. Cliff “DK” Kelly

Digital Circuit Rider

PAYPAL: https://www.paypal.me/clifsuzkelly

GOFUNDME: https://www.gofundme.com/f/dk-ministries-inc

CHECKS TO:
Dr. Cliff Kelly
PO Box 62612
Colorado Springs, CO 80962

CONTACT: