On April 30, 2022

VISION OF THE CIRCUIT RIDE COVENANT: THE COMISSION, THE CHARGE, THE MESSAGE, THE PROMISE – WITH END NOTES FROM THE BOOK OF ELI – PART IV: THE PROMISE

SCRIPTURE. “I shall not die but live, and shall declare the works and recount the illustrious acts of the Lord.” – PSALM 118:17, AMPC

QUOTATIONS

LOUNSBROUGH. “These are the times when our Faith is not just an idea or a concept that we throw around. It’s something that has to actually be lived out. ‘We must rise’ to what we say we believe. And when we do, God rises with us. He walks alongside us. The exercise of our Faith never comes back empty.” ― Craig D. Lounsbrough, Author, ‘In the Footsteps of the Few,’ 2022; edited

FIRST THOUGHTS

Man’s greatest fear for most people is the FEAR OF DYING. When I had a myocardial infarction at age 50 in January 1995, it seemed that my entire life and outlook changed.

I became nearly paranoid about when ‘the next one’ would hit. My daily routine revolved around checking my blood pressure about every hour, watching every ounce of cholesterol I took in at each meal, and visiting every specialist in the city at least three to four times a month. Sometimes in one week!

This was not life at all, beloved. This was a living hell, as I became terrified about when I was going to die. This overwhelming ‘Fear of Dying’ has a name.

THANATOBIA. “A persistent and irrational fear of death or dying. This fear may focus on the death of oneself or of loved ones and is often associated with

Hypochondriasis.”– EDITORS, ‘American Psychological Association,’ ret. Apr. 25, 2022; edited

Several studies are available to confirm this particular Phobia, especially in light of the explosion of the Corona Virus Pandemic on the world scene by March 2020. Most surprising however, was how so many Americans ‘refused’ the vaccines that proved to be above 90% effective and comparatively safe, with exceptions of course for unique health challenges.

THEN CAME COVID. “Modern medicine can do amazing things for even the most critically ill patient, but it can’t do a thing if they don’t seek treatment. More people are dying from heart and respiratory conditions which don’t usually lead to death, and avoiding medical care may be why. DR. JOSEPH L. ALPERT, editor-in-chief of ‘The American Journal of Medicine,’ says the cause is simple — ‘Fear.’ His findings reveal more patients with serious illnesses are avoiding urgently needed care over concerns they’ll contract COVID-19 in hospitals.” – CHRIS MELORE, “Scared to Death?” ‘Study Finds,’ Mar. 23, 2021; edited

TOP TEN AMERICAN FEARS. From “The Chapman University Survey of American Fears Wave 7,” ROXY AMARAZIZI, Jan. 2021; edited

1. Corrupt government officials 79.6%.

2. People I love dying (#5 in 2019) 58.5%.

3. A loved one contracting the Coronavirus (COVID-19) 58%.

4. People I love becoming seriously ill (#3 in 2019) 57.3%.

5. Widespread civil unrest 56.5%.

6. A pandemic or a major epidemic 55.8%.

7. Economic/financial collapse 54.8%.

8. Cyber-terrorism (#7 in 2019) 51%.

9. Pollution of oceans, rivers and lakes (#2 in 2019) 50.8%.

10. Biological warfare 49.3%.

THE REALITY. “The U.S. CDC reported late on December 6, 2021, sixty percent [60%] of people 5 years of age and older are now fully-vaccinated in the U.S. This data indicates about 199 million people are better protected against severe COVID-19…Also, on December 6, 2021, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reported 66.4% of Europeans had been fully vaccinated.” THE PROBLEM: According to Johns Hopkins University reported By Drs. Gypsyamber D’Souza and David Dowdy April 16, 2021, “We would need ‘at least 70%’ [others argue for 80-90%] of the population to be immune to keep the rate of infection down (achieve ‘Herd Immunity’) without restrictions on activities.”

CDC UPDATE. “As part of its on-going work to track variants, WHO’s Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution (TAG-VE) met yesterday to discuss the latest evidence on the Omicron variant of concern, including its sublineages BA.1 and BA.2. Based on available data of transmission, severity, reinfection, diagnostics, therapeutics and impacts of vaccines, the group reinforced that the BA.2 sublineage should continue to be considered a variant of concern and that it should remain classified as Omicron. The group emphasized that BA.2 should continue to be monitored as a distinct sublineage of Omicron by public health authorities. IN SUM: (1) The BA.4 and BA.5 sublineages appear to be more infectious than the earlier BA.2 lineage. (2) The sublineages have been detected in seven of South Africa’s nine provinces and 20 countries worldwide.” – Feb. 22, 2022; edited

IT AIN’T OVER! Either due to the Fear of visiting a medical facility, or Fear of the vaccine itself (‘Vaccine Hesitancy’), or harder to document, because of one’s fidelity to a Conspiracy Narrative that the vaccine is an agent of Satan – America and much of Europe cannot achieve ‘Herd Immunity.’ We are fully 10-25% distant from that clearly achievable goal.

So do we find the Developed World sustaining its own Crisis! Though it ‘Fears Death’ on the one hand – hear me now – it nevertheless acts in severe ‘Contradiction of medical reality,’ behaviorally dressing itself out for the fulfillment of THE FOURTH SEAL of the Biblical Apocalypse:

“When He (the Lamb) broke open the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature call out, ‘Come.’ So I looked, and behold, an ashen (pale greenish gray) horse [like a corpse, representing death and pestilence]; and its rider’s name was Death; and Hades (the realm of the dead) was following with him. They were given authority and power over a fourth part of the earth, to kill with the sword and with famine and with plague (pestilence, disease) and by the wild beasts of the earth.” – REVELATION 6:7-8, AMP

Behold, the increasingly paradoxical ‘Annihilation of Reason’ in a Last Days World recklessly bent on destroying itself, aided and abetted by FEAR of nearly everything. And concomitantly, vasty more importantly, the worldwide ‘Absence of a Fear of God and Truth.’

The Perfect Storm.

OVERCOMING THE FEAR OF DEATH

What I wish to do now is begin to lay out what the medical research literature says the steps it suggests to Overcoming such Fear. That will be followed with a Personal Anecdote as illustrative of a Biblical Framework for achieving that important goal.

GETTNG OVER IT. This section is taken from a reliable report by journalist JON JAEHNIG, and reviewed by mental health expert, STEPHANIE DEAVER. The article is titled, “[Six] Steps To Overcoming Your Fear of Death,” ‘Better Help,’ April 11, 2022; edited.

SEEK HELP FROM A PROFESSIONAL. “Hiring a professional to help is usually the first step. Because of the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of Death Phobias, those suffering shouldn’t walk the journey to recovery alone. ‘Finding a qualified therapist’ with experience dealing with phobias can be the difference between failure and success.” DK: Remember the Gaussian (Normal) Distribution, however. Only about ‘5.56%’ are ‘best.’

EXPLORE SPIRITUALITY. “Several different studies have shown that those who have strong faith and belief systems are far less likely to suffer from fear of death or dying. Such was the case with Tanishia Pearson-Jones, a wonderful mother and writer who passed away at the age of 36 after a two-year battle with a rare form of cancer. Never wavering in her religious beliefs, she fought to the end but did not fear death when it arrived.” DK: Even the secular professional recognizes ‘the need for God,’ but don’t fully understand it (e.g., “DK’s Shingles Saga,” 1982).

EXPLORE PHILOSOPHY. “Spirituality isn’t for everyone. If you find that belief in an afterlife or a higher power to be a little superstitious, it doesn’t mean that you need to be without comfort. For thousands of years, Philosophers have been talking about the topic of death with all of the vigors of religious thinkers. For example, while trying to calm a friend who was afraid of death, the ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus wrote, ‘Death is nothing to us because when we exist death is not and when death exists we are not.’ DK: Ahem – “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” – COLOSSIANS 2:8, NKJV

MAKE DEATH A PART OF YOUR LIFE. “The ultimate goal of Death Phobia-related therapy isn’t to rid you of all thoughts of death, but to stop these ideas from negatively impacting your life. Instead of seeing death as a negative event, you will see it as positive. ‘The Order of the Good Death’ is an organization striving to do just that. The Order’s “Death Positive” movement embraces many goals. One, in particular, is to break the culture of silence around death “through discussion, gatherings, art, innovation, and scholarship.” DK: You already know, beloved; one cannot heal a fatal wound by applying Neosporin and a Band-Aid.

PREPARE FOR YOUR PARTING. “One basis of fear of death or dying is a ‘lack of control.’ Because we know that we will have little control over how or when we will leave this world, we feel anxious. A way to combat this is by grabbing the reins and taking control of what you will leave behind. The ‘how’ is much easier than you might think. – Designate a Power of Attorney (POA). Prepare your Memorial Service. Have a Will in place. Use Tech Tools (online apps).” DK: ‘I largely agree,’ as I am doing this very thing with a will, funeral preferences, and life insurance for at least $25,000.

FOCUS ON WELLNESS. “One final way to lose your obsession with death and dying is to focus on the ‘Here and Now.’ Therapy can help you let go of some of the preoccupations that come along with a fear of death. Then, you will be able to turn your focus to what you can do to live your life to the fullest. Eating right, exercising, taking care of your mental and physical health, and focusing on things you enjoy can help you overcome your obsession with fear and enjoy the present.” DK: I would only add that yes, deal with life “one day at a time” (Matt. 6:24), but ‘keep looking up,’ as our Redemption draweth nigh! – Luke 21:28

DK’S TAKEDOWN. Though these are secular suggestions, several of them make practical sense toward the goal of reconciling oneself to the ‘Reality of Death.’ It is part and parcel of being human. However, there is a vastly superior way of doing so, found only in the Christian Canon.

I’ll make this short.

THE FIRING. After serving Christ for around 35 years under the delusion that following Him nearly guaranteed a life of peace, success and pleasure in this life, ‘My Awakening’ began in March 2016. As many of you already know, that is when I was fired by JERRY FALWELL, JR. after a ten-year run at Liberty University. The Reason: I would not stop writing negative Commentary about Donald Trump.

THE VALLEY. That was followed by a three-year Wilderness Journey in which my family and I lost all the normal trappings of the American Dream: Steady income; big house; great job with title; solid credit rating; national popularity. Plus, two subsequent firings by religious institutions that also had to do with my resistance to Trump.

THE FINAL BLOW. Then in October 2019, I was released from the third Christian organization for unstated reasons, though the chairman of the board has also asked me to stop writing about Trump: “That just doesn’t serve our purposes,” he said. As I walked to the car after being ordered to vacate my office in one hour, this is what took place.

THE PROMISE. I stood there, staring at the hills and trees as the sun began to set, still likely in a bit of shock, and asked the Lord: “Father, what is this? What will I tell my family.” And four words I have never heard before or since came as clearly as if He were standing next to me: “I am proud of you.”

THE CONFIRMATION. I reeled and nearly shouted that cannot be God, since I had failed three times running. I asked for confirmation, and went to a Christian film by ALEX AND STEPHEN KENDRICK called, ‘Overcomer’ (2019). Here is a brief Plot Summary to help drive home the point being made. As I watched the film from the back of the darkened theater with hardly anyone else in the audience, I would hear the coach utter these words five distinct times by the end of the film: “I am proud of you.”

LAUNCH OF THE VISION. Based on that Breathtaking Grace, I told my family what happened and along with the “Theater Visitation” – for that is what it was – we together resolved to go forward, trusting in the Lord very imperfectly.

Then came MARCH 2020, when the ‘Circuit Rider Vision’ began to become financially supported, seemingly out of thin air. And the rest, beloved friends, is our personal history, still being writ by an Invisible Hand.

LIFE LESSONS. All of which have taught me THREE THINGS about coping with major adversity as a follower of Christ.

FIRST: That my willingness to ‘remain’ with Christ and Canon were superior to fidelity to a human institution.

SECOND: That God would ‘reward’ such decision in this life and in the Life to Come, faithfully.

THIRD: I found in the midst of all that loss, there was Divine Restoration materially, and a frankly ‘Heady Freedom’ from fear of nearly everything – including death! Think of WILLIAM WALLACE about here, beloved.

THE TEACHING

SCRIPTURE. “I shall not die but live, and shall declare the works and recount the illustrious acts of the Lord.” – PSALM 118:17, AMPC

THE COVENANT. In the ‘Context of Obedience,’ then, let’s go first to the KEY IDEAS in this passage, before turning to the Commentaries and some preliminary conclusions and suggestions for further action.

LIVE! From the Hebrew root word, ‘Chayah’ [חָיָה], or: “(As in ‘L’Chayim!’); to live [life to the fullest; to [truly] exist; to make alive, quicken; to preserve; to rebuild or restore; life that comes from a right relationship to God; completely related to and anchored in the Word of God [and one’s intimate familiarity with it]; i.e., to become ‘prosperous’ (as the Scriptures define it); to return to health.”

DECLARE! The word use here is, ‘Saphar’ [סָפַר]: “To score as with a special mark; to count, recount, relate; to inscribe in order to celebrate; to make known as praise of God; to speak, to polish; refers to a Writer or Scribe, or one who records and recounts the deeds and greatness of God; thus the ‘Sopherim’ were to preserve the Truth of the Scriptures, passing them down to subsequent generations (as they did during the Babylonian Captivity); given into the care of learned men.”

GOD’S ILLUSTRIOUS ACTS! Here are specified the things to be Declared to the people – both to (1) the children of God, and (2) to those who listen, who would yet become the children of God. From the Hebrew, ‘Maaseh’ [מַעֲשֶׂה], or: “A [miraculous] deed or act; to take action (in order to move or transition a condition from one state to another); to labor, especially in deliverance or in judgment; issues from righteousness; the (illustrious) workmanship of God; conspicuous actions; distinguished by the reputation of greatness and honor; renowned; eminent.”

COMMENTARY. “The account the Psalmist here gives of his troubles is very applicable to Christ: Many hated Him without a cause; nay, God Himself chastened Him sorely, bruised Him, and put Him to grief, that by His stripes we might be healed. ‘God is sometimes the strength of His people, when He is not their song;’ they have spiritual supports, though they want spiritual delights. Whether the believer traces back his comfort to the everlasting goodness and mercy of God, or whether he looks forward to the blessing secured to him, he will find abundant cause for joy and praise.” – MATTHEW HENRY, ‘Exposition of the Old and New Testaments,’ 6 vols., 1708-1710; edited

MY TAKE. From all this we get INSTRUCTION to remember for future reference to put into daily action.

LIVE! Real life, a full life of joy and purpose and fruitfulness and strength to ‘persevere under hardship’ can only be found by fully belonging to Christ – lock, stock and barrel, as we used to say it. That is the very first step, which in time, if you will continue, gets you into ‘The Zone’ that we talked about in our last Commentary. The “Sweet Spot,” if you will, where things just flow, even though you be surrounded by trouble on every side. – cf. Philippians 1:21

DECLARE! For me, the most effective way to share Christ and Canon is through telling ‘those outside’ My Story. The Story of how He rescued me from an alcoholic’s death. The Story of how He has helped me overcome additional weaknesses and strongholds. The Story of what He can also to for that person. I love to ‘challenge’ a willing listener to this: “What is the greatest struggle you are having right now?” Then I ask permission to pray for them right there. He never disappoints, though some answers take longer than others. – cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

BOAST! This is the best part: That you never brag on yourself, but always and forever honor and glorify HIM by continuously boasting on the goodness of God, ‘avoiding jargon’ at every cost! People love stories (more than pedantic lectures, or recitation of the Four Spiritual Laws, yo). ‘Tell it naturally,’ and God will give you the words and even recall of Scripture as you do so, under His influence. But yes: Brag on the wonders of God. I promise, ‘some’ will listen. – cf. Matthew 10:19; 1 Corinthians 1:31

JOHN PIPER. In his admittedly controversial teaching, he defines the motivation to share God as that of the “Christian Hedonist”: “[T]he shortest description of Christian Hedonism is ‘God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.’ And that is achieved by getting to a place in our life when we absolutely love to obey Him. And that is found in – wait for it – The Zone! – “What Is Christian Hedonism?” ‘Desiring God,’ Aug. 1, 2015; edited

To every ‘sold out’ believer, He promises to get you to that point – if you are willing to undergo His ‘Renovation’ of you as Divine Preparation for your Mission. Selah.

LAST THOUGHTS

ONE MORE STORY. When I was a very young man living in the high deserts of South California, I remember Mom and Dad bought us the first television set in the neighborhood in the early 1950s. It was a huge Motorola console, about the size of Cleveland, and we only had three channels then: CBS, NBC, and ABC, all black and white of course, all of which signed of at midnight.

One of the very first shows we would watch, besides The Howdy Doody Show (my personal favorite), The Lone Ranger, The Adventures of Superman, and the I Love Lucy Show, was one that I grew to love a bit later in my Inland Empire matriculation:

‘The Life of Riley’ (1953-1958).

WILLIAM BENDIX. Played the lead character as a blundering “Chester A. Riley,” wing riveter at the fictional Cunningham Aircraft Plant in California, his frequent exclamation in the midst of still another boondoggle or caper was: “What a revoltin’ development this is!” Always uttered in a bewildered Brooklyn accent. – cf. EDITORS, ‘IMDB,’ ret. Apr. 27, 2022; edited

The Reason I mention this is because the title of the sitcom is because of the Two Subtexts underlying the many story lines: (1) No matter how many times Riley committed still another gaffe, his family was always there to love and support him with compassion and often, a good laugh. (2) He was a transplanted New Yorker chasing that elusive but every present, distinctly American Holy Grail:

‘The American Dream.’

DEFINITION. “The term ‘American Dream’ was coined in a best-selling book in 1931 titled, ‘Epic of America,’ written by JAMES TRUSLOW ADAMS, who described it as ‘that Dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement… Homeownership and education are often seen as paths to achieving the American Dream. Though the definition of the American Dream has changed to mean different things to different generations, it’s undoubtedly part of the American ethos, and likely always will be.” – ADAM BARONE, ‘Dictionary.com,’ Mar. 28, 2022’ edited

So, to my Closing Point: Americans (and all of us) seek as our Personal Mission the pursuit of “THE GOOD LIFE,” the ‘Life of Riley’ as it were. Indeed: “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” as the fiery ‘Declaration of Independence’ wrote of it in 1776. It is entirely normal for people to desire a happy existence, whatever that means from person to person, household to household.

MATERIAL SUCCESS. For Americans, however, including nearly all Christians, we operate almost wholesale from the original premises of The American Dream. I know I did for nearly all my Christian life, and it very nearly destroyed me.

One particular definition of that important concept is STEVE MUELLER, a speaker and life coach writing for ‘Planet of Success’ (Feb. 3, 2020; edited). What I loved about his essay was the crucial distinction he made between ‘Two Types of Vision’:

“‘The Good Life’ is a term that refers to a (desirable) state that is primarily characterized by [I] a ‘High Standard of Living’ or [II] the ‘Adherence to Ethical and Moral Laws.’ In its two different expressions, living The Good Life can be either expressed through an abundant/luxurious lifestyle full of material belongings or the attempt to live life in accordance with the ethical, moral, legal and religious laws of one’s country or culture. As such, the term can both be understood as: ‘The quest for wealth, material possessions or luxuries, [or] the quest to create a worthwhile, honest and meaningful existence.’”

CAN YOU DO BOTH? Consider the very Word of The Christ, beloved, and listen ever so closely to how He dispatches this the matter so very easily, clearly, and inexorably.

“But if your eye is bad [spiritually blind], your whole body will be full of darkness [devoid of God’s precepts]. So if the [very] light inside you [your inner self, your heart, your conscience] is darkness, how great and terrible is that darkness! No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord].” – MATTHEW 6:23-24, AMP

Consider one succinct Commentary by WILLIAM MACDONALD, so very appropriate to the rampant Materialism and Trump Nationalism virtually consuming the American experience and Church.

“The impossibility of living for God and for money is stated here in terms of ‘Masters and Slaves.’ No one can serve two masters! One will inevitably take precedence in his loyalty and obedience. So it is with God and Mammon. They present Rival Claims, and a CHOICE must be made. Either we put God first and reject the Rule of Materialism, or we must live for temporal things and refuse God’s claim on our lives.” – ‘Believer’s Bible Commentary,’ 1995, p. 1226; edited

So, how we doin,’ Church? You already know, but let me confirm it.

THE INDICTMENT. A rather gentle (for once) remonstrance for this nearly culture wide Sin is delivered by DR. FREDDY DAVIS, founder and president of something called ‘Christian Faith Ministries,’ a Christian Worldview based discipleship program.

He begins with what I first thought was a collapse into the lap of American Dream luxury, he sets up the reader, then delivers a loving left hook to our unsuspecting jaws in his excellent piece, “The Christian Worldview and the American Dream” (2012; edited).

Yet at the last, he fails a second time. Wait for it.

“There is certainly nothing inherently wrong with The American Dream (sic). It is simply the idea that all Americans can have happy and successful lives if they work hard and persevere. In fact, the Bible encourages people to take responsibility for their lives and to work hard. Unfortunately, many people (even many Christians) equate the blessings of the Material World with the blessings of God. This is not necessarily true. In some cases, there will be some overlap. That being said, there are wealthy and powerful people who are far from God and many in lesser circumstances who are being used mightily by God.

The American Dream and the Christian Worldview are not interchangeable…In every part of life we should always strive to do our best, whether it is to make money or advance in our business or career. But ‘the motivation’ is critical.”

CODA. Now then, as I clear my throat and warn of a harsher conclusion than that the good Dr. Davis offers. He writes this:

“It is apparent that Americans have become ‘very materialistic.’ It is even an issue in many churches. This does not mean that materialistic Christians are not saved, but does mean that many are living lives which run ‘contrary’ to the purposes of God and are not receiving the blessings that He wants to bestow.”

I view this as subtle error, at best, and a ‘theological contradiction’ at worst. Why?

Because he can be found guilty of having it both ways! That is, we can live for our ‘Idols for Destruction,’ as DR. HERBERT SCHOSSBERG put it in his classic 1993 book of the same name, so long as we “strive to do our best” at it. What?

A MORE EXCELLENT WAY. If I am right, then the Schlossberg’s Conclusions are more Biblically accurate, however severe.

THESIS. “In a society in which Idolatry runs rampant, a Church that is not ‘Iconoclastic’ is a travesty. If it is not against the Idols, it is with them!” – edited

ICONOCLAST. “Iconoclasm (from Greek: εἰκών, eikṓn, ‘figure, icon’ + κλάω, kláō, ‘to break’) is the social belief in the importance of the ‘destruction of icons’ and other images or monuments, most frequently for religious or political reasons. People who engage in or support Iconoclasm are called ‘iconoclasts,’ a term that has come to be figuratively applied to any individual who ‘challenges cherished beliefs or venerated institutions’ on the grounds that they are erroneous or pernicious.’” – ‘Wikipedia,’ Apr. 17, 2022; edited

Thus do I think of The Remnant as the ‘New Reformers,’ called by God to hold the Religious Elites to Scriptural Account. As we have argued and documented for the last two years or more, that the American Church lives overwhelmingly FOR the ‘Idols of Materialism and Trump Nationalism.

To the extent that we have utterly ‘annihilated our Witness’ for the True Christ. It no longer exists for those who have succumbed to these Twin Devils.

THE LION’S CRY. So does our King increasingly Roar to His own people, a single, piercing Shout, indeed, a ‘Command’ that we have quoted for decades, then roundly ignored it, reducing it to a religious cliché and little more.

“Then the Lord appeared to Solomon by night and said to him: ‘I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. If I shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or if I command locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence and plague among My people, and [IF] My people, who are called by My Name, humble themselves, and pray and seek (crave, require as a necessity) My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear [them] from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land.’” – 2 CHRONICLES 7:12-14, AMP

This entire passage presents us with a much fuller, richer and more telling story about what King Solomon received, and what America must be taught vigorously and speedily, if we are not to inherit The Whirlwind we have sown to for at least 120 years, or longer.

JOSEPH BENSON take us home with this incisive and insistent Commentary, leaving no room for confusion.

“Thus, National Repentance and Reformation are required. God expects, that if his people, who are called by His name, have dishonoured His name by their iniquity, they should honour it by accepting the punishment of their iniquity. They must humble themselves under His hand, must pray for the removal of the Judgment, must seek His face and favour: and yet all this will not be sufficient, unless they turn from their wicked ways, and RETURN TO HIM from Whom they have revolted. National mercy is [only] then promised.” – ‘Critical Notes on the Old and New Testaments,’ 5 vols., 1811-1815; edited

And all, every single bit of it, ‘Begins’ – or does ‘not’ begin – with The Church (1 Peter 4:17). IF The Church will not rise to this challenge, THEN it shall fall to The Faithful Remnant to rescue not a Nation, but as many ‘individuals’ as possible, before inevitable National Destruction comes. – cf. Jude 1:20-23

BOTTOM LINE. So why are we here, beloved? What does God intend for us to actually DO with these Last Days that are now swirling all about us with increasing intensity and velocity? Just two words:

“Stand! Speak!” Tell them, my friends, while it is still Day. Even if yours is the only voice left.

Ever your servant, DK

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