NOTES ON THE HEAVENLY VISION: REFLECTIONS ON THE LAST BOOK OF REVELATION – PART V: JESUS TO THE CHURCHES

SCRIPTURE. “‘And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.’ Blessed are those who DO His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices ‘a lie.’

‘I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.’ And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”- REVELATION 22:12-17, NKJV

DEDICATION. As I was preparing the conclusions to this Commentary, I was expressly instructed to devote this entire message to the courage and sacrifice and priceless example of the UKRANIAN PEOPLE. As I teared up writing this, beloved, the musical score from the movie, “Saving Private Ryan” came on, as if to put our King’s loving signature upon it – and those all who fight, suffer and die for freedom.

QUOTATIONS

“No matter how hard Evil tries, it can never quite match up to the power of Good, because Evil is ultimately self-destructive. Evil may set out to corrupt others, but in the process ‘corrupts itself.’” ― JOHN CONNOLLY, ‘The Infernals,’ 2011; edited

“The Fates weren’t dangerous because they were evil; the Fates were dangerous because they couldn’t tell the difference between Evil and Good.” ― STEPHANIE GARBER, ‘Once Upon a Broken Heart,’ 2021; edited

“Discernment is the son of good judgment and the father of self-control. When mixed with an already clear conscience, the ability to read the true motives of a critic keeps one’s conscience both clear and at ease.” CRISS JAMI, ‘Killosophy,’ 2015; edited

1. FIRST THOUGHTS

During my undergraduate years at a California State University (Long Beach), I was early on heavy into Philosophy and what was then called Rhetoric, in the non-pejorative sense of that word.

THE RHETORICAL TRADITION. A favorite rhetorician of mine back then – and still today – was Marcus Fabius Quintilianus, (c. 35-100 AD), better known as QUINTIALLIAN, a Roman educator from Hispania. I preferred him not only because he was a Spaniard, but much more, because of what he taught, in a single, sharpened Principle:

“The effective citizen is ‘A good man speaking well.’”

Taken from his monumental work, ‘Institutio Oratoria’ (On the Education of an Orator) in 12 books, composed about 92-96 AD, this encapsulated the previous thousand years of Greco-Roman philosophy of the fully effective member of society. The reason I loved his approach is due to its simple and brilliant juxtaposition of the crucial element of ‘Virtue and Speech’ in personal conduct and professional discourse.

This in diametric opposition to ‘The Sophists’ [σοφιστής],who started out as intellectuals and teachers who would educate the young for a fee. Over time, however, they degraded into practical hired rhetorical guns for whoever could pay the fee.

ANOTHER LOST ART. And despite the pantheon of American Founders and Framers who echoed Quintillian’s Principled Ethos for our then youthful Republic, our Nation seems to have forgotten the Spanish philosopher’s historic wisdom.

So first a Reminder of what we once believed, and then to a contemporary snapshot of what it’s like in American Politics today

• PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON. “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim tribute to patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness – these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. . . . reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principles.” – Farewell Address,”  September 17, 1796; edited

• PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP. “One of the problems when you become successful is that jealousy and envy inevitably follow. There are people—I categorize them as life’s Losers—who get their sense of accomplishment and achievement from trying to stop others. As far as I’m concerned, if they had any real ability they wouldn’t be fighting me, they’d be doing something constructive themselves.” – ‘The Art of the Deal,’ 1987; edited

WHY TRUMP SO MUCH? Because he is the Poster Child for American Decline, corrupt to the core, a living, breathing Simulacrum of American Disorder. He has had the force of a thousand demons or more in leading the Nation and, more tragically, the American Church, into Satan’s lair.

The very reason I have titled my second book:

“THE SIXTH SEAL II: A PRE-WRATH COMMENTARY REDUX ON THE RISE OF DONALD TRUMP AND THE DECLINE OF THE AMERICAN ORDER, 2017-2021.”

¿Está claro, mis queridos amigos? The title alone summarizes over six years – since 2015 – of my constant attentions to, experiences of and copious writing about the massive Transformation of America and her Church since his official rise to power in 2017 as President of the United States of America.

Therefore does my work declare in bold print: Because of Trump, America shall never, ever be the same again. And ‘just one man’ is largely responsible for very nearly all of it.

He is that powerful, beloved, for reasons that defy human reason! But that’s the point: He is not fueled nor animated by mere human reason or ability. No, I shall continue to argue that he is the very Son of Satan for all intents and purposes. Very likely, ‘The Antichrist’ of the Scriptures, or operating in that spirit.

Thus, my seeming obsession with all things Trump. No apologies. He has already changed the entire world and the realignment of nations. Now that’s power, beloved. Dark, malevolent, destructive, demonic power, and nothing else.

Yet the Church and most White Americans still love, or at least, prefer him. Selah.

1. WHY SO FEW ‘GOOD MEN’?

THE QUESTION: WHERE ARE THEY? This decrepit moral condition tears at the very Soul of America and her Church. Indeed, where are the Adams and the Bonhoeffer’s, the Reagan’s or the Wilkerson’s, indeed, the Zelensky’s, to lead America’s Church and State?

Where are they!

I know I quote him far too frequently, but I cannot ignore it about here. I refer to JOSHIAH GILBERT HOLLAND’S epic poem, ‘God, Give Us Men!’ first published in 1919, that I offer as a plaintive cry from our hearts.

“GOD, give us men!
A time like this demands
Strong minds, great hearts, true faith and ready hands;
Men whom the lust of office does not kill;
Men whom the spoils of office can not buy;
Men who possess opinions and a will;
Men who have honor; men who will not lie;
Men who can stand before a demagogue
And damn his treacherous flatteries without winking!
Tall men, sun-crowned, who live above the fog
In public duty, and in private thinking;
For while the rabble, with their thumb-worn creeds,
Their large professions and their little deeds,
Mingle in selfish strife, lo! Freedom weeps,
Wrong rules the land and waiting Justice sleeps.”

THE EVIDENCE. So did I begin to research this Question of questions, to see what I could find. You may be surprised at the discoveries, but then again, with this group, perhaps not.

Let me begin with C.S. LEWIS’ acerbic observation of this now normative absence of Men and Women of Virtue, as both the Scriptures and the Founders would describe them. It is necessarily graphic, even grotesque, to drive home the rank Cowardice of the present American Moment.

From his classic, ‘The Abolition of Man’ (1943), in which he derides the destruction of our reverence for Natural Law by which God lays out the foundations of universal Moral Order.

“In a sort of ghastly simplicity, we remove the organ and demand the function. We make men without chests and expect of them Virtue and Enterprise. We laugh at Honour and are shocked to find traitors in our midst. We castrate and [then] bid the geldings be fruitful.”

Now take Mr. Lewis’ sober observation and multiply it by a factor of at least 10,000 and more for an understanding of America’s current dearth of good leaders. Consider still another authority’s response to that dismal condition.

LOSS OF MORAL AUTHORITY. We all have a pretty good idea already of why America and her Church is in a Moral Freefall. I recall the phrase, ‘Loss of Place,’ from the late ROBERT BELLAH, who described it in his modern sociological classic, ‘Habits of the Heart’ (1985; edited).

“In the absence of any objectifiable criteria of Right or Wrong, Good or Evil, the self and its feelings become our only moral guide … There each individual is entitled to his or her own ‘bit of space’ and is utterly free within its boundaries … But while everyone may be entitled to his or her own private space, only those who have enough money can, in fact, afford to purchase the private property required to do their own thing. As a consequence, economic inequalities necessarily delimit our individual ‘rights” to self-fulfillment – or unjustly violate those rights.”

FROM CANON TO CONVENIENCE. Now in that one little observation of the culture wide transfer from Virtue to the Veneration of ‘material gain,’ America, over time, carved out an ‘American Gospel,’ if you will, from the original Canonical Gospel. Thus was birthed what many experts call, ‘Civil Religion,’ distinctively American, best defined this way:

“As anticipated by JEAN-JACQUES ROSSEAU in The Social Contract (1762), ‘Civil Religions’ — with their quasi-religious rituals, liturgies, collective narratives, holidays, myths, heroes, symbols, and sacred places, as well as their empowering and galvanizing images, slogans, and principles — have become the Cement of modern societies …

Civil Religions are alternative ways in which people can express their Religiosity, and they generate that ‘collective effervescence’ whereby a society venerates itself (Durkheim 1954). The Cult of Secular Institutions, which grows stronger when there is low demand for the available forms of Religion and a rise of material welfare, sometimes varies from the Orthodoxy of metaphysical religions; at other times it becomes exceedingly difficult to draw a boundary between Civil Religions and politicized faiths.” – DR. STEFANO FAIT, “Civil Religion,” The First Amendment Encyclopedia,’ 2009; edited

Are you getting this, beloved. According to these insightful analyses by at least two experts on sociological trends, America departed from what our Founders often referred to as “True Religion,” to Civil Religion. That is to say, from Christian Canon to ‘Cultural (American) Christianity.’

THE IMPACT. You already know, my friends, you already know. We’ve been talking and reading and praying about it for three to four years running now. Trump. Covid Denial. White Christian Nationalism. Prosperity Gospel. The Doctrine of Triumphalism. And best of all, QAnon.

The utter ‘Loss of the Christian Center’ indeed, down to our Foundations. 

More to the present American Moment of Crisis is an otherwise nondescript ‘Super Summary’ of Bellah’s most important ideas. Listen to this concluding remark, and be thinking of the powerful sway that Donald Trump has had on our Nation in only 5 years.

“Bellah relies heavily on the expertise of French political scientist Alexis de Tocqueville who penned one of the most provocative sociological analyses of culture. Tocqueville argued that ‘Individualism’ would, if unchecked, lead to a new form of Despotism: ‘The idea of a single national leader holding absolute power.’ While Bellah’s book does not conclude that America is in immediate danger of this [in 1985], he does indicate that the long-range prognosis is not positive.” – EDITORS, “Habits of the Heart,” ret. Mar. 14, 2022; edited

SELAH. Or: ‘Pause and calmly think about that.’ Buried here in the oft forgotten annals of a brilliant, though thoroughly secular, sociological anthropologist, is a Prophecy of stunning insight and magnitude:  Civil Religion’s canonization of Religious Individualism would ultimately lead to an ‘American Führer‘holding absolute power.

Enter Donald John Trump – or his Heir Apparent.

This is where we very nearly are, beloved, almost arrived at his assuming control over both Church and State. The Law, the Prophets, the Apostles and Christ Himself foretold that it would be like this, ‘In the Last Days.’

“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], 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 2:3-4, AMP

I believe he is not only near, but he is already here. Should he (or his proxy) rise to power in 2024 as I expect, then Dr. Bellah will have become a prophet indeed.

1. THE TEACHING

“‘And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.’ Blessed are those who DO His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices ‘a lie.’

‘I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.’ And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”- REVELATION 22:12-17, NKJV

KEY TERMS. Straight to business then, to dive into the passage’s central ideas which define the core of our Lesson for today.

• COMING QUICKLY. (Redux) Derived from the term, ‘Tachu’ [ταχύ]: “Speedily, without delay, by surprise; promptly; moving or functioning rapidly; literally, ‘very soon;’ after a short time; early; lively, to make alive with haste; swiftly, hurriedly; like lightning or at the speed of light; momentarily, instantaneously; abruptly; ‘like the wind.’”

• REWARD WITH HIM. Every human being shall receive, in the Greek, his or her ‘Misthos’ [μισθός]: “Pay, wages, salary, punishment; a recompense that appropriately compensates a particular decision (or action); dues paid for work rendered (good or bad); to give something to by way of reparation or payment (as for a service rendered or damage incurred).”

• BLESSED ARE ‘DOERS.’ There is Divine exclusivity here, defined by the term, ‘Poieó’ [ποιέω]: “To make, manufacture, construct; act, cause; to endow a person or thing with a certain quality; appoint or constitute; to perform an act once and for all [implying follow through, endurance, perseverance until the thing is done]; to make a path, to create or form; to labor, exercise activity [opposite of sloth]; to provide for oneself; to produce; make ready or prepare; i.e., ‘to make things happen.’”

• THOSE OUTSIDE. Here we have those tragically ‘left outside’ or ‘behind’ at the Rapture, by their own choices. From the Greek, ‘Exó’ [ἔξω]: “Without, as in ‘out of doors;’ estranged, far away; those who do not belong to the [true] Christian Church (including apostates); foreigners, strangers, outsiders; excluded from membership; alien, outcast, wanderer; interloper; those whom the Christ shall call, ‘the never known’ – especially Liars!

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” – MATTHEW 7:21-23, NKJV

• WHOEVER WILL. From ‘Theló’ [θέλω]: “Whoever earnestly desires (thirsts after), intends or designs; resolved to do the will of God [no matter what]; sincere elective affirmation; to desire (wish, will), wanting what is best (optimal) because one is ready and willing to act [as with a disciplined soldier obeying the commands of his superior]; to be determined, to purpose; equivalent to real love; to be fond of doing; take delight in [pleasing one’s master].”

COMMENTARY. “It is a Book that ‘shuts out from Heaven’ all wicked and unrighteous persons, particularly those who love and make lies, therefore cannot itself be a lie. ‘There is no middle place or condition.’ Jesus, who is the Spirit of Prophecy, has given his churches this morning-light of Prophecy, to assure them of the light of the Perfect Day approaching. All is confirmed by an open and general ‘Invitation to Mankind,’ to come and partake freely of the promises and of the privileges of the Gospel. The Spirit, by the sacred Word, and by convictions and influence in the sinner’s conscience, says, ‘Come to Christ for salvation’; and the bride, or the whole [true] Church, on earth and in Heaven, says, ‘Come and share our happiness.’ Lest any should hesitate, it is added, ‘Let whosoever will, or, is [sincerely, fervently] willing, come and take of the water of life freely.’ May everyone who hears or reads these Words, desire at once to accept the gracious invitation. All are condemned who should dare to corrupt or change the Word of God, either by adding to it, or taking from it.” – MATTHEW HENRY, ‘Exposition of the Old and New Testaments,’ 6 vols., 1708-1710; edited

DK’S TAKE. As I was reflecting on all this today, and from my past 2-3 years of Commentary, it is clearer to me now that one major objective of my messages is to offer a vitally needed COUNTERWEIGHT to the feel-good, self-indulgent pap that has been served up in our churches for decades. To this fiery point:

‘No! Not everyone gets to go!’

Just because you said the prayer. Just because you tithe faithfully. Just because you attend church regularly. Just because you teach Sunday School. Or even just because you feed the poor and praised like David praised.

It is not enough!

Brings to mind something I read long ago that I never hear in Church any longer, as the Prophet spoke to a disobedient King Saul, that drives home an Eternal Principle long forgotten from the American Pulpit.

“Samuel said, ‘Has the Lord as great a delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry and teraphim (household good luck images).’” – 1 SAMUEL 15:22-23, AMPC

JOSEPH BENSON. “‘For rebellion’ — Disobedience to God’s command; ‘is as the sin of witchcraft’ — Or the using divinations, and consulting familiar spirits, is as plainly condemned, and as certainly damnable and destructive. ‘Stubbornness’ —Contumacy, persisting in sin, justifying it, and pleading for it; ‘is as iniquity and idolatry’ — Or, rather, ‘the iniquity of idolatry,’ the highest degree of wickedness. The meaning is, that as Saul had wilfully disobeyed the command of God, he was guilty of rebellion against Him; and that wilful, peremptory disobedience to any command of God is, for the nature of it, a most heinous sin, though the matter in which it is manifested be ever so small. 

‘The Lord hath rejected thee from being king’ — That is, hath pronounced the sentence of rejection; for that he was not now actually deposed by God, plainly appears in that not only the people, but even David, after this, owned him as king. Indeed, he continued to be king till the day of his death. He was only actually rejected and deposed when he was slain in battle. But the expression may chiefly respect his posterity, to whom God would not suffer the kingdom to descend.” – ‘Notes on the Holy Bible,’ 5 vols., 1811-1818; edited

‘WAGON TRAIN’ FAITH. Beloved of God – and those of you who would come to know and love God – He is merciful to a thousand generations, gracious very nearly to a fault to overlook a multitude of our sins, so long as TWO THINGS HOLD: One, that you sincerely ‘desire’ to please Him, though you fail much. Two, that you ‘hold nothing back’ that you would place higher than Him.

Themes held high in the old Wagon Train westerns on 1950’s television – Christ first. Family second. Neighbors third. Self, last. – cf. Matthew 22:37-39

1. LAST THOUGHTS

We began much of this discussion from the Spanish philosopher’s declaration that an effective citizen was: “A good man speaking well.” I shall for now dispense with that last part about skill, and conclude our discussion with some reflections on a last question:

WHAT IS ‘A GOOD MAN’? I was reminded of a Scripture that I have not seen in quite a while. Drives right to the start of our inquiry, but first – let’s see what the Secular Literature has to say, then on to a more Biblical View.

• THE GOOD MEN PROJECT. Founded in 2009 by TOM MATLACK and later contributed to by Lisa Hickey, as a way to allow men to tell stories about the defining moments in their lives. The hope was to spark a “national conversation” around the question of ‘What does it mean to be a good man?’ Guest Writer SHAWN DOYLE proposes Seven Qualities of “A Good Man:” (1) Loyal to his people. (2) A man of his word. (3) Protects his loved ones. (4) Treats everyone with respect. (5) Takes responsibility for himself and his actions. (6) Willing to express his emotions. (7) Doesn’t believe in or hold on to stereotypes. – ‘Good Men Project,’ 2018; edited

• MARK YOUNG. Writing for the publication, ‘The Odyssey Online,’ on February 23, 2016, we get just a bit more Christianity in this take from Messiah College (now University). He lists “The Five Qualities” that define a Good Man.” (1) Responsibility. (2) Level-Headed/Handles Emotions. (3) Committed/Loyal. (4) Defender. (5) Wild and Free. DK: Oy, that last expression reflective of the work of JOHN ELDREDGE, ‘Wild at Heart’ (2001), who I replaced at Focus on the Family’s Leadership Institute in 2000. Lots of stories here about our differing views, but neither time nor place for them.

• ROD HALIBURTON. Writing for ‘Braggs Church of Christ’ on February 12, 2011, this pastor-author draws straight from the Scriptures to define “The Good Man.” He outlines Seven Characteristics based on JEREMIAH 5. (1) Careful in his dealings with others , ‘doing justly.’ – 5:1 (2) Committed to seeking the truth. – 5:1 (3) Careful in his speech, keeping his word. – 5:2 (4) Receives correction when in error. – 5:3-5. (5) Is morally pure. – 5:7-8 (6) Places his confidence in God. – 5:17, 24 (7) Concerned for the welfare of others. – 5:8

THE RIGHTEOUS MAN. ‘A good man deals graciously’ (PSALM 112:5).  From ‘Chanan’ [חָנַן]: “Deals in the bestowal of redemption from enemies and evils. That is, one who rescues or gives aid to the downtrodden or afflicted.”

Thus combines Courage and Compassion in service to God and others.

Here we have the essence of “A Good Man,” by the Scriptures. The Hebrew term used here is, ‘Tsedaqah’ [צְדָקָה]: “‘One who does the right thing,’ whether morally or legally; displays rectitude, is just, honest and walks in his integrity; moderately prosperous; holds fast to the truth.”

• THE TEXT (VV. 1-10, KJV). “Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in His commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and His righteousness endureth for ever. Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. ‘A good man’ sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion. Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies. He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour. The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.”

• THE “GOOD MAN.” Taken from the key term, ‘Towb’ [טוֹב], or: “Pleasant, agreeable, beautiful; excellent, joyful, fruitful; virtuous, honoring the ‘summum bonum;’ fair to the sight; sweet to the taste; given to the higher nature; does what is pleasing in the sight of God, first and foremost; makes the right choices, judgments and discernments; valuable in estimation; lives with knowledge [and wisdom], intellectually sound, possessing understanding; bountiful; at ease.”

JOHN GILL. “‘A good man showeth favour, and lendeth.’ – Without usury, hoping for nothing again: he pities those that labour under difficulties, for want of a little money; and he generously lends it till they are able to pay him again; which oftentimes is of as much service as if it was given; see Psalm 37:21. A good man is not only a man that has the good work of grace in him, and is ready to every good work; but one that is munificent, bountiful, and liberal; in which sense the word is used in Romans 5:7 and so in Latin writers.

He will guide his affairs with discretion; his civil and domestic affairs: He will act the part of a good economist; so that he may be able to support his family with credit and reputation, and have something to give to the relief of those in want. Some restrain this to his acts of charity. He lends to some, and gives to others: He takes care that they to whom he gives are proper objects of charity; he gives to persons seasonably, and in proportion to his own ability and their wants. It may be rendered, ‘He shall guide his words with judgment’; take care of what he says, and before whom; and that it be at a proper time and place; and especially when speaking of spiritual and religious things.” – ‘An Exposition of the Old and New Testament,’ 6 vols., 1746-1763; edited

CODA. So do I close with the echo of Josiah Gilbert Holland in my ear: “God give us men!” Who, according to NANCY KOEHN, James E. Robison Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School, are always ‘Forged in Crisis.’ This, the title of her piercing essay in ‘Harvard Business Review’ published on April 3, 2020, in the very throes of a then-uncontrolled Covid-19 crisis of unprecedented historic proportion.

She quotes Pulitzer Prize winning author and professor, DAVID FOSTER WALLACE: “Real leaders are people who ‘help us overcome the limitations of our own individual laziness and selfishness and weakness and fear and get us to do better, harder things than we can get ourselves to do on our own.”

That is to say, they make us ‘a better man,’ or ‘a better woman.’

I think here of course of VOLODYMYR OLEKSANDROVYCH ZELENSKYY, Ukraine’s President under the bloodiest siege since World War II, standing fast in the City of Kyiv, risking all in order to inspire his brave people to resist VLADIMIR PUTIN’S brutal genocide.

I will close with his stirring words, while literally “under siege,” where real men are ultimately to be forged, defined and deployed for intrepid leadership.

“I know that a lot of misinformation and rumors are being spread now. In particular, it is claimed that I have left Kyiv. I remain in the Capital, I am staying with my people. My family is not a traitor, but a citizen of Ukraine. According to our information, the enemy marked me as the number one target. My family is the number two goal. They want to destroy Ukraine politically by destroying the Head of State … We will not give up and we will not lose. We will fight until the end. At sea, in the air. We will continue fighting for our land whatever the cost. We will fight in the forests, in the fields, on the shores, in the streets.”

Neither shall we ever, “give up” the Cause of our Christ, beloved, whose eyes the Scriptures tell us “run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong in behalf of those whose hearts are blameless toward Him” (2 Chronicles 16:9).

May such courageous men and women be found in our Hour of Decision, before the Last Trump sounds, before Final Darkness falls to swallow up all who are not walking in His Marvelous Light.

More like, I daresay, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. More like this man, Lord. Please, Father – lest Sunset is fully come in the days ahead.

Ever your servant, DK

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