NOTES ON THE SON OF SATAN: DOEG THE EDOMITE AND DONALD TRUMP

SCRIPTURE. “Why boast you of mischief done against the loving-kindness of God [and the godly], O mighty [sinful] man, day after day? Your tongue devises wickedness; it is like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. You love evil more than good, and lying rather than to speak righteousness, justice, and right. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! You love all destroying and devouring words, O deceitful tongue. God will likewise break you down and destroy you forever; He will lay hold of you and pluck you out of your tent and uproot you from the land of the living. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!” — PSALM 52:1-5, AMPC

QUOTATIONS

• FULTON J. SHEEN. “Very few people believe in the Devil these days, which suits the Devil very well. He is always helping to circulate the news of his own death. The essence of God is ‘Existence,’ and He defines Himself as: ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ The essence of the Devil is ‘the Lie,’ and he defines himself as:‘I AM WHO I AM NOT.’ Satan has very little trouble with those who do not believe in him; they are already on his side.” ― Life of Christ, 1958; edited

• SAUL ALINSKY. “Lest we forget at least an over the shoulder acknowledgment to the ‘Very First Radical:’ From all our legends, mythology and history (and who is to know where mythology leaves off and history begins – or which is which), the ‘Very First Radical known to man who rebelled against the Establishment’ and did it so effectively that he at least won his own kingdom – ‘LUCIFER’” ― Rules for Radicals: A Pragmatic Primer for Realistic Radicals, 1971; edited

1. FIRST THOUGHTS

One of the most compelling histories of the West was published in 1983 by British Catholic scholar PAUL JOHNSON in his epic work, Modern Times: A History of the World from the 1920s to the 1980s. In Chapter 7, he captures the prophetic essence of where he saw the United States and the Western European powers heading by using a specific French term for the title of that pivotal chapter.

DÉGRINGOLADE: “A quick deterioration or breakdown, as of a situation or circumstance; a precipitous decline as in strength, position or condition.”

He saw that 60-year period as the victim of several forces – economic, political, geographic, and spiritual – including the increasing loss of American Hegemony in the world, a subject with which most thoughtful people would agree. While Mr. Johnson had hoped that the 21^st Century would provide a ray of hope to reverse this Decline, he lived to see it disintegrate right in front of him (he died on January 12, 2023, at the age of 94).

Another British historian, ADAM TOOZE, professor of history at Columbia University recently took up the subject in a piece entitled, “American Hubris” (The New Statesman, Dec. 9, 2022; edited). Here is his opening thought which sets the stage nicely for what I wish to discuss at some length.

“Great powers, both past and present, are haunted by Three Interconnected Preoccupations: They are tempted by a sense of National Superiority and claims to manifest historic destiny. Those pretensions tend to provoke Fears of Decline, which then give rise to Projects of Rebirth …  What is characteristic of these modes of thought is that they are ‘Remedial: Within the diagnosis of Decline there lingers the desire to Restore Greatness, to Make America Great Again. That was Donald Trump’s slogan.’”

Thus is America caught up today in a Whirlwind, a virtual political and spiritual Maelstrom some would say, with the primordial clash between the Socialist Left and the Fascist Right battling for the very soul of the Nation. And given the deep fracture occurring among us, I expect everyone is about to lose all that we have traditionally fought, bled and died for in the past two centuries.

THE CHURCH. Of all the factors contributing to the American Crisis of the 21^st Century is, by theological definition, the Community of Christians usually referred to as ‘Evangelicals’ have been the main cause.

The National Association of Evangelicals defines that important term in the following way:

“Evangelicals ‘take the Bible seriously and believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.’ The term ‘Evangelical’ comes from the Greek word ‘euangelion,’ meaning ‘the good news’ or the ‘Gospel.’ Thus, the Evangelical Faith focuses on the ‘good news of salvation’ brought to sinners by Jesus Christ.” – Website, ret. Mar. 7, 2024; edited

During the High Middle Ages when schools divided classical liberal arts learning into grammar, logic, rhetoric, mathematics, geometry, music, and astronomy, Western scholars coined the phrase: “Theology is the Queen of the Sciences.” This exquisitely High View of God and Scripture was commonly regarded ‘The Holy Bible’ as utterly and uniquely the unrivaled Supreme Authority over all fields of endeavor.

From this, Biblically conservative political theorists reasoned that ‘As the Church goes, so goes the Culture.’ This was the essence of the poorly documented paraphrase alleged to belong to French political scientist ALEXIS DE TOQUEVILLE’S epic work, Democracy in America (1835, 1840): “America is great because America is good. America will cease being great when America ceases being good.”

Though that quotation cannot be found in either volume of his book, it does adequately summarize his being powerfully impressed with America’s singular station among the community of the nations during the 19^th century. She truly was regarded early on as, “Exceptional.”

THE PRESENT CRISIS. Without rehashing old ground that I and a small number of religious writers, theologians and political observers have already established described above. Indeed, it can be thoughtfully concluded that the Evangelical Community of Christians is become a Ship without a doctrinal rudder, lost in an ocean of false piety, political infection, soft teachings and some say (I am one of them), historic apostasy.

‘Thus, America is failing because the Church is failing, beloved, ipso facto.’

It has consequently laid itself bare to the seduction and mastery of a Strongman to ostensibly resolve the crisis by sheer force of personality and draconian legislative machinations. The rest of our conversation will discuss the catastrophic American future just months away should the Nation, and her Church, continue in the treacherous course of replacing The Messiah with a False Messiah whom we refer to as:

‘Antichrist!’he “

good news” of salvation brought to sinners by Jesus Chri

II. THE TEACHING

SCRIPTURE. “Why boast you of mischief done against the loving-kindness of God [and the godly], O mighty [sinful] man, day after day? Your tongue devises wickedness; it is like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. You love evil more than good, and lying rather than to speak righteousness, justice, and right. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! You love all destroying and devouring words, O deceitful tongue. God will likewise break you down and destroy you forever; He will lay hold of you and pluck you out of your tent and uproot you from the land of the living. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!” — PSALM 52:1-5, AMPC

KEY TERM: “BOAST!” ‘Halal’ [הָלַל]: From a primitive root: “‘To be clear of sound, to shine; ‘hence to make a show of oneself, making one clamorously foolish!’ to rave, stultify; to celebrate, give light and glory; to praise and make renown; to commend (by shouting); in this context, a dark imitation of the sons of Levi praising Yahweh; to act in this way so as to be perceived as mad; yet deserters from God will praise [and adore] this wicked man.”

COMMENTARY. “The historical background of this Psalm is found in 1 Samuel 21-22. DOEG THE EDOMIITE was King Saul’s chief herdsman. He was present when the fugitive DAVID received food and Goliath’s sword from AHIMILECH the priest. Soon afterward he went and tattled to SAUL, and was rewarded by being delegated to kill Ahimelech and eighty-four other priests of the Lord. Subsequently he massacred the women and the children at Nob and destroyed the village and even the animals …

David’s Opening Question assails the Traitor for taking pride in his extreme evil and for ‘forging wild lies all day against God’s loyal servant.’ This treacherous PROTOTYPE OF THE ANTICHRIST had a razor-sharp tongue that cut people down with its slander. He had a strong bent for evil more than good, and would rather lie than tell the truth. The personification of deceit, he reveled in speech that wrecked other lives.” — WILLIAM MACDONALD, Believer’s Bible Commentary, 1995, p. 631; edited

DK. If ever there were an Historic Template for the ANTICHRIST – and for DONALD TRUMP – it is found here in the life and times of ‘Doeg the Malevolent Edomite.’ Since Trump continues to be the very ‘Epicenter’ of national and world history, this study will cull from my recent book’s sections on detailed descriptions of the ‘Son of Perdition’ in the Scriptures, and apply them chapter, verse, jot, and tittle to Donald John Trump who for me at least, is the ‘American Antichrist’ soon to rule the nation and the world in the years left to us in this turbulent decade.

III. THE ANTICHRIST

One of my favorite aphorisms (a willowy and somewhat arrogant cliché actually) used to be this: “Why, I am not wasting my time looking for the Antichrist! I am looking for the Real Christ!” To the applause and accolades of nearly every Christian within earshot. What pompous grandstanding on my part! Empty of wisdom, but full of sappy, cultural approbation.

No, beloved. Had I thought it through back then, I’d have understood that ‘before Christ comes Antichrist,’ which should have focused my rapt attention on the Signs of the Coming of both men. As evidence, now reconsider the following passage.

“Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.  ^‘Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,’ who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” – 2 THESSALONIANS 2:1-4, NKJV

Note the Sequence of Events. First, the ‘Great Falling Away from the faith’ by multitudes of Christians – or those who claim Christ as Lord. Second, the Man of Sin is revealed – but only to those who, by stark contrast, ‘remain in the faith’ by Spirit-led diligent study, close attention the Signs of the Times, and a lifestyle of holiness. Third, by doctrinal extension, the Rapture of the true, Remnant Church takes place as Antichrist is now positioned to rule with a bloody iron fist for seven years (cf. Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:21).

In Corrected Sum: Look for Jesus, by all means! But for Antichrist as His Malicious Predecessor who shall fool nearly the whole World and the Church!

SEVEN CHARACTERISTICS. Here is a concise and very useful Introduction to the Antichrist compiled by DR. DAVID MURRAY cited recently in a previous Commentary and reviewed in my book (The Sixth Seal II, 2023, pp. 142-145). Dr. Murray is Professor of Old Testament and Practical Theology at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary in his Blog, Head, Heart, Hand, published online, February 20, 2014.

• HE IS LAWLESS. “Paul calls him ‘the Man of Sin,’ literally ‘The Man of Lawlessness’ (2 Thess. 2:3). He will disregard God’s Word and God’s Law and replace it with his own arbitrary laws. He will re-define what is evil and what is good. He will promote doctrinal and ethical lawlessness.

• HE IS A DESTROYER. In the same verse, Paul names Antichrist as ‘the Son of Perdition,’ meaning ‘Son of Destruction.’ He will physically destroy those who oppose him; he will spiritually and eternally destroy all who believe him and follow him.

• HE OPPOSES GOD . ‘He opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God’ (v. 4).  Well, that doesn’t help much, does it? Half the world opposes God and exalt themselves over Him. But what’s unique about this Opposition is that the Antichrist opposes mainly by Substitution.

• HE IS A SUBSTITUTE. As ‘Anti’ can mean ‘instead of’ as well’ as ‘against,’ Antichrist can mean ‘Replacement Christ,’ ‘instead of Christ,’ ‘substitute for Christ.’ Paul confirms this when he says that the Antichrist ‘sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God’ (2 Thess. 2:4). This is not necessarily an Enemy from outside the church, but from inside it. He Opposes Christ by Replacing Him, by taking Christ’s titles, worship, and roles.

• HE IS A DECEIVER. The only other person called ‘the son of perdition’ was Judas (John 17:12). Under cover of professing to be a friend of Christ, He tried to destroy Christ. This Theme of Deception is taken up by Jesus, Paul, and John when describing the Antichrist. In fact, the Dominant Message from passages dealing with the Antichrist is, ‘Don’t be deceived!’ Just as Satan rarely comes painted red with horns, a fork, and a pointy tail, the Antichrist will not come with a big ‘A’ on his forehead. Like Satan, he will come with false signs, wonders, and miracles; he will be so plausible and persuasive that, if it were possible, He would deceive even the elect (Matt. 24:24).

• HE IS A HERETIC. John’s main concern with the Antichrist is his promotion of False Doctrine surrounding the person and work of Christ (1 John 4:3; 2 John 7). Just like the Mini-Antichrists in John’s day, The ultimate Antichrist will not deny everything about Christ, but just enough to Undermine the power of Christ’s gracious salvation.

• HE IS A POLITICIAN. While Daniel and Revelation confirm and expand upon these six characteristics, their main emphasis is on the ‘Political Nature of the Antichrist.’ He will head up a Kingdom, even an Empire similar to other Nation-States or Empires. These books also make clear that this aspect of Antichrist’s work will become clearer and clearer nearer the End of Time. Deception will be replaced with Destruction, Fraud will give way to Force, the Wolf in sheep’s clothing will shed his fleece and bare his Fangs.”

CODICIL. Now these are only Seven Scriptural Descriptions of the Antichrist, and therefore mere introduction, actually. I found one review that listed no fewer than ‘50 Characteristics’ for those who wish even more detail (cf. “50 Characteristics of the Antichrist,” Editors, Above Top Secret Forum, Feb. 15, 2011; edited).

IV. LAST THOUGHTS

Beginning in earnest in 2015 after DONALD TRUMP glided down that golden escalator at Trump Tower in New York City on June 16, 2015, I took acute notice of this man’s daring presence on the American Presidential Political Scene. Writing him off as an incompetent, opportunistic buffoon at first, I was to gradually awaken to an unprecedented National Nightmare that would not go away.

As Trump defied every political algorithm that I had ever been taught about how presidents win elections, I was to become profoundly reeducated and frankly reconstructed as a political analyst as never before. And my TEACHER would not merely be the events surrounding this enigmatic beast, but as I am now convinced, the Spirit of the Living God.

“But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], ‘He will teach you all things.’ And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.” – JOHN 14:26, AMP

THE AMERICAN FUTURE. As I considered many online commentaries that addressed whether or not Donald Trump is the Antichrist, I was frustrated to find that no one, I mean no one, would come right out and say “Yes.” The closest I came was a somewhat agonized rambling podcast interview featuring D. STEPHEN LONG, the Cary M. Maguire University Professor of Ethics at Southern Methodist University. His most recent book is Truth Telling in a Post-Truth World (2019).

Here are his extended comments as reported in the online review of another book on Trump as Antichrist (Experiencia Publica, March 7, 2024; edited).

“CONCLUSIONS. Once Donald Trump is reinstated in the White House, it will restart the ‘Countdown to Armageddon’ temporarily interrupted by ‘the Big Steal’ in November [2020]. In many ways, [DR. RUSSELL] MOORE’S job is to pull his fellow Baptists into the future. In others, it is to try to prevent the culture from abandoning convictions that are several millennia old, some of which–like celibacy outside marriage–no longer seem to make sense to most people. ‘I think the problem with Evangelical Christianity in America is not that we are too strange but that we are not strange enough,’ says Moore. ‘We should be Countercultural in loving God and loving our neighbors in ways that ought not to make sense except for the grace of God’ …

‘He would then rule for seven years’ before being defeated by the Angel Gabriel or Christ and the Divine Armies, prior to the Resurrection of the dead and the Final Judgement. As an object of admiration and a role model, ‘he’s replaced Jesus’ inmany White Evangelical congregations. [This despite the fact that] He watched on TV, like a delighted child, as his followers killed a police officer, sent 140 others to the hospital, and tried to murder the Vice President and Speaker of the House Yet ‘I think it appropriate that reasonable people of faith begin to refer to Trump as Antichrist.’”

CODA. And I haven’t even mentioned PROJECT 2025, the Heritage Foundation’s detailed strategy for the evisceration of the Constitutional Doctrine of the Separation of Powers in order to invest nearly total authority in the Executive. The Objective: ‘To establish Donald John Trump as the First American Dictator who will “Make America Great Again.’”

As anecdotal evidence of the Evangelical Community closing ranks behind Trump by simply ignoring him, I recently offered four signed, complementary copies of my book to the four lead pastors of our local Megachurch here in Colorado Springs some 12 days ago. I have been connected to this church for over 20 years.

The Result: ‘No Response!’  Not even acknowledgement that I had sent both an email and a text. Only that INFERNAL SILENCE that I have been hearing for seven-years running. Therefore will I sadly pen a rejoinder to them next week per the following Severe Instructions from our soon coming Messiah.

“Whatever city or village you enter, ask who in it is worthy [who welcomes you and your message], and stay at his house until you leave [that city].As you go into the house, give it your greeting [that is, ‘Peace be to this house’]. If [the family living in] the house is worthy [welcoming you and your message], give it your [blessing of] peace [that is, a blessing of well-being and prosperity, the favor of God]. 

But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace. Whoever does not welcome you, nor listen to your message, as you leave that house or city, ‘shake the dust [of it] off your feet [in contempt, breaking all ties].’ I assure you and most solemnly say to you, it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that city [since it rejected the Messiah’s messenger].” – MATTHEW 10:8-15, AMP

Though the quotation is much disputed, I close with the incandescent words (or paraphrased thoughts) of DIETRICH BONHOEFFER: “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”

 Speak, Church! Act, Church! Or receive the Wrath of the Lion of Judah who shall tear down your Lampstands should you dare to choose Antichrist over the True Christ one hour longer!

 Selah. Pause, and calmly, deeply think of that, beloved.

YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/hDo4x0xHN-w