NOTES ON LAW, GRACE, FAITH, AND OBEDIENCE: POST-MORTEM, PREDICTIONS, AND IMPLICATIONS OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 2024 – (WITH VIDEO)

PREFACE ON 9/11 ANNIVERSARY. Twenty Three Years Ago, Tuesday, September 11, 2001, 19 terrorists hijacked four commercial airliners scheduled to travel from the East Coast to California. The hijackers crashed the first two planes into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City and aimed the next two flights toward targets in or near Washington, D.C., in an attack on the Nation’s Capital. The third team succeeded in striking the Pentagon, the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense in Arlington County, Virginia, while the fourth plane crashed in rural Pennsylvania during a passenger revolt. The September 11 attacks killed 2,977 people, making it the deadliest terrorist attack in history. In response to the attacks, the United States waged the multi-decade Global War on Terror to eliminate hostile groups deemed terrorist organizations, as well as the foreign governments purported to support them, in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and several other countries.” – From the Editors, Wikipedia, Sep. 11, 2024

FIRST PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE. Last evening, on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, the first Presidential Debate took place at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. It was remarkably different from the June 27 Debate between President Biden and Donald Trump. That June debate was a five-alarm fire for Democrats that eventually forced Biden from the race, but after Tuesday’s debate between Trump and Harris, Trump’s people have to be gravely concerned for their candidate. We now have what constitutes a Dead Heat Presidential Contest with a Nation (and Church) more divided than ever before in our history, at least since the American Civil War of 1860-1865. – From Dominic Montenaro, NPR, Sep. 11, 2024

“Bringing Leviathan [The State] under control will be the heart of Global Politics [for the foreseeable future].” ― JOHN MICKLETHWAIT, The Fourth Revolution: The Global Race to Reinvent the State, 2015

THE THEOLOGY

SCRIPTURE. “What if some did not believe and were without faith? Does their lack of faith and their faithlessness nullify and make ineffective and void the

faithfulness of God and His fidelity [to His Word]? By no means! Let God be found true though every human being is false and a liar, as it is written, ‘That You may be justified and shown to be upright in what You say, and prevail when You are judged [by sinful men].’” – ROMANS 3:3-4, AMPC

KEY TERMS:

“FAITHLESSNESS OF MEN.” ‘Apistia’ [ἀπιστία]: “‘Unbelief, disobedience, apostasy;’ untrustworthiness, uncertainty, distrust [of God’s Word]; a weakness or violation of faith; disbelief of the truth of the Gospel, rejection of Christ as the Savior of men, and of the doctrines he taught; distrust of God’s promises and faithfulness.”

“FAITHFULNESS OF GOD.” ‘Pistis’ [πίστιν]: “‘[Unassailable] persuasion, credence, or moral conviction (of the religious truth of God or a religious teacher);’ makes possible complete reliance on that source; assurance, fidelity, belief; results in the transformation of the individual holding to and obeying such faith; a guarantee or warranty.”

QUOTATION. “‘Does it make sense to pray for Guidance about the future if we are not obeying in the thing that lies before us today?’ How many momentous events in Scripture depended on one person’s seemingly small act of obedience! Rest assured: Do what God tells you to do now, and, depend upon it, you will be shown what to do next.” ― ELISABETH ELLIOT, Quest for Love: True Stories of Passion and Purity, 2002; edited

COMMENTARY. “‘The Law could not save in or from sins, yet it gave the Jews advantages for obtaining salvation.’ Their stated ordinances, education in the knowledge of the true God and his service, and many favours shown to the children of Abraham, all were means of grace, and doubtless were made useful to the conversion of many. But especially the Scriptures were committed to them. Enjoyment of God’s Word and Ordinances, is the chief happiness of a people.

‘But God’s promises are made only to Believers.’ Therefore the unbelief of some, or of many professors, cannot make this faithfulness of no effect. He will fulfil His Promises to His people, and bring His threatened vengeance upon Unbelievers. God’s judging the world, should for ever silence all doubtings and reflections upon His Justice. The wickedness and obstinate unbelief of the Jews, proved man’s need of the Righteousness of God by Faith, and also His Justice in punishing for sin.

‘Let us do evil, that good may come, is oftener in the heart than in the mouth of sinners.’ For few thus justify themselves in their wicked ways. The [True] Believer knows that Duty belongs to him, and Events to God; and that he must not commit any sin, or speak one falsehood, upon the hope, or even assurance, that God may thereby glorify Himself. If any speak and act thus, their condemnation is just.” – MATTHEW HENRY, Exposition of the Old and New Testaments, 6 vols., 1708-1710; edited

Now we turn to a reduction of these deep structure Theological Principles into a discussion of what they actually mean in real Christian life in these Last Days.

II. THE TEACHING

My contention with the increasingly Postmodern American Church (the belief that there are no absolute truths) is that they have taken the entirety of this Chapter from Romans and made it fit a Hyper-Calvinist Christology. Which is to say that somehow, since Luther, American theologians have transferred “The Faithfulness of God” to mean:

‘No matter what, the “Believer” is saved, despite his many failings of faith or belief or conduct.’

The Apostle Paul’s first and most obvious meaning in this regard was to draw strict doctrinal lines around False Jewish Expectations that they were all “saved” just because that were “chosen,” the people of God. ‘No!’ While their Unbelief nullified their own inheritance of salvation, it did not put a single dent into the immovable edifice of God’s Faithfulness to honor all those who did believe and did obey!

And to all those Gentiles who were tempted to scoff at the Jews’ disobedience, the feisty Apostle wrote this (and I love his feistiness for some strange reason):

“Lest you be self-opinionated (wise in your own conceits), I do not want you to miss this hidden truth and mystery, brethren: a hardening (insensibility) has [temporarily] befallen a part of Israel [to last] until the full number of the ingathering of the Gentiles has come in, and so all Israel will be saved. As it is written, ‘The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will banish ungodliness from Jacob.’” – ROMANS 11:25-26, AMPC

Corporately speaking then, only then – after the Age of Grace is done, and well into the Time of Jacob’s Troubles and beyond, that is when there shall be the ‘Fulfillment of that New Covenant with Israel.’ And it shall supersede (but not nullify) the Law of God that shall stand for all Eternity, and not one jot nor tittle of it shall ever pass away.

FOUR PRINCIPLES. To sum up this important Teaching as summarized by Mr. Henry, I offer the following from my own analysis.

THE LAW. According to the New Covenant, The Law itself cannot save a person, but continues in both perpetuity and eternity to serve as The Standard of Righteousness. Without it, we would have Moral Chaos, as we see in evidence all around us in this Age of Lawlessness.
THE ELECT. Whether we are discussing the Faithful (Believing) Jew or the Faithful (Believing) Christian, the Principle remains the same. ‘God’s “Chosen” were foreknown by Him’ and were carved out for Divine service for all their lives and then forever in the Afterlife.
THE DUTY. However, to restate it in Matthew Henry’s terms: “‘The [True] Believer knows that Duty belongs to him, and Events to God;’ and that he must not commit any sin, or speak one falsehood, upon the hope, or even assurance, that God may thereby glorify Himself. ‘If any speak and act thus, their condemnation is just.’”
THE CONTEXT. “Now in regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to meet Him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, not to be quickly unsettled or alarmed either by a [so-called prophetic revelation of a] spirit or a message or a letter [alleged to be] from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has [already] come. Let no one in any way deceive or entrap you, for that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first [that is, the great rebellion, the abandonment of the faith by professed Christians], and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction [the Antichrist, the one who is destined to be destroyed].” – 2 THESSALONIANS 2:1-3, AMP

INTERPRETATION. The Current Crisis of the American Church in her strong preference for a ‘Duty-Free American Gospel’ wherein all are saved be being “Chosen” via a simple prayer of commitment. This has already resulted in a Cascade of Rebellion and Apostasy throughout the Evangelical, Pentecostal and Charismatic communities.

That in consequential turn has resulted in a ‘Replacement Christ’ who is crafted to fit human desire rather than Divine Command. That Replacement Theology has resulted in the rapid ascent of DONALD JOHN TRUMP to the near pinnacle of American power, who many of us believe is none other than Antichrist, the Man of Sin and Lawlessness prophesied by both Old and New Testament seers.

“Who opposes and exalts himself [so proudly and so insolently] above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he [actually enters and] takes his seat in the temple of God, publicly proclaiming that he himself is God.” – 2 THESSALONIANS 2:4, AMPC

We now return to what constitutes the Elephant and Donkey in the American Kitchen to discuss what is to likely come to America in the wake of last night’s Presidential Debate. I regard this AMERICAN MOMENT as nothing less than a Seismic Confluence of Historical Forces which every one of us is straddling, not unlike a rider on the back of a 2,000-pound heterosis-hybrid Brahman Bull.

III. THINGS TO COME

So indeed do I turn to an unusual source for this important Political Projection. A few of you have mentioned his work on occasion and I have listened to a few interviews of his analysis on various news broadcasts.

THE ALLAN LICHTMAN REPORT. Dr. Lichtman has been referred to as the veritable “Nostradamus of American Presidential Elections,”having accurately predicted the outcome of nine of the last ten elections. Sporting a Phi Beta Kappa degree from Brandeis University and an award-winning Ph.D. in History from Harvard, this Jewish scholar is a near savant when it comes to electoral matters.

Here is the introduction from a piece by BHAVYA SUKHEJA writing for NDTV World titled, “Harris Or Trump? ‘Nostradamus’ Of US Presidential Elections Makes Final Prediction For 2024” (Sept. 6, 2024; edited).

“‘[Lichtman] predicted that Kamala Harris would win the White House in November’s poll.’ In a video for the New York Times, he said that the US vice president, who became the Democratic party’s nominee after Joe Biden withdrew in July, would defeat former US President Donald Trump on November 5 and keep the White House in Democratic hands …

The 77-year-old explained that he based his prediction on a Historical Index Model he dubs the ‘KEYS TO THE WHITE HOUSE’ This unique system analyses the political landscape through the lens of 13 True-False Statements focused on the incumbent president’s party. If six or more of the statements are false, then the challenger – in this case, Mr. Trump – is predicted to win.”

Party Mandate: Post-midterm elections, the incumbent party secures more US House of Representatives seats than in the previous midterms.

Nomination Contest: There’s no significant challenge to the incumbent party’s nomination.

Incumbency: The sitting president represents the incumbent party.

Third-party Factor: There’s no noteworthy third-party or independent campaign.

Short-term Economic Stability: The economy doesn’t face recession during the election period.

Long-term Economic Growth: Real per capita economic growth equals or surpasses the average growth of the preceding two terms.

Policy Shift: The incumbent administration enacts major alterations in national policy.

Social Stability: There’s no prolonged social unrest throughout the term.

Scandal-Free: The incumbent administration remains free from major scandals.

Foreign/Military Mishaps: No significant failures occur in foreign or military affairs under the incumbent administration.

Foreign/Military Triumphs: The incumbent administration achieves significant successes in foreign or military matters.

Incumbent Charm: The incumbent party’s candidate possesses charisma or enjoys national hero status.

Challenger Appeal: The opposing party’s candidate lacks charisma or national hero status.

Conclusion. Harris gained from: The absence of a strong third-party candidate following the demise of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s independent campaign, positive short- and long-term economic indicators, major legislative achievements enacted by the Biden administration, and the absence of social unrest or scandal attached to the White House.

FIVE DEBATE TAKEAWAYS. I return to that same NPR Analysis cited at the start of this essay, in review of the Key Points that we must remember going into the November 5 Election. As an old debate coach for a time in my professor days, I cannot dispute most of these findings.

This debate wasn’t close. “[Harris] may have seemed nervous at first, but she quickly found her voice and more than acquitted herself well. All of those questions were quickly dispatched.”
The spotlight should now be on Trump’s incoherence and general lack of any serious grasp on policy. “With a more-than-competent performance from Harris Tuesday, Trump’s lies, meandering, conspiracies and often general incoherence was made even more glaring.”
Trump was on the defensive and evasive, even on issues that should benefit him – and didn’t land much, if anything, that stuck. “Harris had Trump on the defensive from the get-go: On the economy (about his tax cuts and tariffs), his jobs record, his handling of the pandemic and Jan. 6. There were times, even on immigration, when Trump decided to address a Harris attack instead of talking about the issue he ostensibly wants to talk most about.”
The moderators fact-checked unlike in the previous debate. “CNN said it was going to leave the fact checking to the candidates during the June debate between Trump and Biden.” ABC took a different approach. Moderators David Muir and Lindsay Davis interjected with fact checks four times – all were of Trump.”
Harris has done everything right – and could still lose! “Trump has a strong and devoted base, and the seven swing states – Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona and Nevada – are more conservative than the country at large. People still are more pessimistic than optimistic on the economy, even if that’s improved some lately, and polls, including the NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll out Tuesday, have shown people trust Trump to handle the economy, immigration and the war in the Middle East more than Harris.”

QUESTION. Okay, boys and girls: “What Now?” What do we do with all these data ‘as Christians’ going into what is inarguably the most important five years in American History: 2025-2030? While I am certainly no prophet here, I am nothing if not a sometimes, Harsh Realist. So here we go.

IV. LAST THOUGHTS

IF TRUMP LOSES. Since we already know what Donald Trump will do to turn America into The Fourth Reich if he wins (cf. Agenda 47, Project 2025), Old Dr. Apocalypse weighs in with FOUR POSSIBLE SCENARIOS ranging from the Least Threatening to the Most Dangerous.

These are taken from Three Different Analyses by reputable reporters and students of the American political process.

ONE: STATE TO STATE CHALLENGES. “Before voters even begin casting ballots, Democrats and Republicans are engaged in a sprawling legal fight over the 2024 election through a series of court disputes that could even run past Nov. 5 if results are close. Republicans filed more than 100 lawsuits challenging various aspects of vote-casting after being chastised repeatedly by judges in 2020 for bringing complaints about how the election was run only after votes were tallied.” – From Nicholas Riccardi, PBS, Sep. 5, 2024

TWO: SEIZE POWER. “A majority of Americans (56%) agree that America is in danger of losing its culture and identity, compared with 42% who disagree. This number has not significantly changed since the question was first asked in 2016 … Over one-fourth of Republicans (27%) today believe that true American patriots may have to resort to violence to save the country, compared with 15% of independents and 8% of Democrats. Republicans who are Trump supporters (32%) are more likely than all Republicans (27%) and about three times as likely as Republicans who hold unfavorable views of Trump (11%) to support political violence. Americans who trust conservative news outlets are the most likely to support political violence (43%), followed by 26% of those who most trust Fox News, 18% of those who do not watch any news, and 12% of those who most trust mainstream news.” – From the Executive Editors, PRRI, Sep. 10, 2024

THREE: GREAT CONFLICT. “As I have written previously, based on my study of history, America is approaching the point in the Big Cycle of internal order/politics where people should be prepared for the arrival of increased conflict, potentially even some form of Civil War … If a close Trump loss occurs the odds of a Big Fight happening are even higher because the Democrats denying Donald Trump the presidency would be, to many Republicans, akin to Democrats preventing the Second Coming of Christ … If the Democrats are able to manage the transition of candidates well and Trump loses as a result, it is probable that we will see some form of Civil War. By the way, the markets are increasingly reflecting this shift.” – From Ray Dalio, Time, July 22, 2024

FOUR: WAR GAME (2024). “In the Scenario [that movie producer Jesse Moss] games out, a presidential candidate refuses to accept the 2024 election results. With the support of a few Authoritarian-minded generals, the hypothetical candidate activates paramilitary groups, as well as breakaway units within the Army and state National Guard units, to prevent Congress’s certification of the Electoral College vote and to take over capitols in key swing states. In this scenario, savvy social media denizens, an entirely amoral presidential candidate, and a handful of top military brass convinced that their iron fist is being wielded at the behest of God, are able to hugely amplify their impact and compromise the chain of command, essentially through a sophisticated use of information warfare against the federal government and its beleaguered, insular, president.” – From Sasha Abramsky, The Nation, Sep. 6, 2024

CODA. So, beloved, these are the Hard Realities of America in September 2024, and what we must all confront in Biblical Truth. This Commentary therefore is not designed to tell you ‘What’ to Do so much as ‘How’ to Decide what to do in the Election on November 5, 2024 – and beyond – from 2025-2030.

‘The one will largely mitigate and determine the other.’ Selah.

The Author of the Book of Chronicles reminds us that both observant Jews and faithful Christians are to have: “Understanding of the times, to know what Israel [or America in our case] ought to do” (1 CHRONICLES 12:32, NKJV). To be fully informed! Of the spiritual, political and historical realities of our world.

Not like the New Luddites we seem to find everywhere!

Thus this Detailed Essay to help you follow The King as led by His Word and Spirit, to do what pleases Him. As He promises from the Old through the entirety of the New Testament, ‘He shall be Faithful to show us the Way of Holy Truth.’

Beginning with The Laws of Moses and finishing with the Ways of The Christ, I consequently lay all of these facts at the Lord’s Feet in highest Heaven, and fervently plead for Him to adjudicate every word, jot, tittle, for:

‘The Decision of His faithful ones.’ SELAH.

YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/UNKETR2OUGs