Enduring to the end ! A look at the lessons of the presidential election of 2024

 President Donald Trump has gained victory in the presidential election. Many across the nation and the world are shocked and astonished by this extraordinary success. How can a man who left Washington in disgrace in the eyes of many in January 2021 return to the highest office in the land? Many thought at that time that Mr. Trump was politically done and buried; yet, here he stands as the President-elect.

 How did Mr. Trump do it? He had a singular goal—the presidency—and he persevered until the very end. He was undeterred and unrelenting. He "set his face like flint," essentially declaring that no matter what came his way, he would not stop. Even after negative events, he remained motivated to run the race and win what many consider the biggest political prize in the world.

On the way to this triumph, Mr. Trump faced lawsuits, criminal cases, and assassination attempts. He was abandoned by many in his own party after the January 6 debacle and was blamed for Republican losses in the 2022 congressional elections. Yet, he achieved what many call the greatest political comeback in the history of this country. Though he was thought to be politically dead, he has returned stronger than before because he persevered to the end.

 We may say what we want about President Trump’s policies, but if we as Christians were as persevering in our faith as he was in his pursuit of the presidency, we would certainly inherit heaven. Many Christians today lack this enduring faith; we are easily bogged down and discouraged. At the slightest adversity, we want to quit or make excuses as to why we shouldn't keep going. And yet, God is looking for "soldiers" who will fight the good fight.

The Christian life is akin to a political campaign or a race. The Book of Revelation tells us that only those who overcome will sit with Jesus on His throne, just as He overcame and sat down with His Father.

Persevering Until the End As Christians, we are called to persevere no matter the circumstances.

• Sickness comes? Persevere. * Family problems? Persevere. * Immigration or financial struggles? Persevere. * Mental health issues or struggles with sin? Persevere in Christ.

Like the President-elect, we should let nothing—no difficulties, no powers, no angels, no height nor depth—separate us from the love of God. Nothing less than a persevering faith will take us to the greatest prize in the universe: the crown of life.

The more we overcome obstacles through the power of God, the stronger we become. We will face dark days and mountains to climb. We will have sins to struggle with, negative thoughts to overcome, and "Satan’s bullets" to escape. But the greater the difficulty, the closer we should draw to Christ. As we abide in His love, He will make us His elect—a wonder to the universe and the greatest comeback story in existence. From sin to righteousness; from sinner to saint!

Let us persevere until the very end. God bless.

A new American golden age! Prosperity and safety ?

 The 2024 United States presidential election has concluded, and President Donald Trump has prevailed decisively over Vice President Kamala Harris. This completes a historic comeback for Mr. Trump, who survived two assassination attempts and faced numerous criminal cases. His return to the White House is a feat of political resilience not seen since the late 1800s.

 How did Trump manage to do it? Many in the media suggest that the primary driver behind his return to power was the economy. Americans are enduring tough times due to inflation, a difficult housing market, and the rising price of groceries. While mainstream media outlets insisted the economy was performing well, the average person felt otherwise and subsequently rejected the incumbent administration. By focusing heavily on these economic anxieties, Trump propelled himself to victory.

A New Golden Age? In an age of global anxiety, Trump campaigned on a promise of American prosperity. His slogan, "Make America Great Again," promises a secure border, global peace, and an affordable American dream. In his victory speech, he pledged to usher in a "new American golden age."

But will he succeed? While I am not a prophet nor the son of a prophet, I know we are living at the end of time. The Word of God reveals the landscape of the last days so that we may be prepared. One of the specific signs the Bible tells us to watch for is the cry of "peace and safety." Prophecy suggests that when people begin talking about a return to prosperity, we should know that greater ruins may lie ahead.

"For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape." — 1 Thessalonians 5:3

 We are hearing many calls for "peace and safety," yet the Scriptures warn that more calamities are on the way. These disasters are like labor pains, signaling that the Lord is about to return and warning us to turn from sin to find true security in Jesus.

Do not be lulled by the "peace and safety" message or the promise of a new golden age. We are living in the closing scenes of earth's history, and conditions are set to intensify. Soon, leaders may realize they cannot fix the systemic problems sweeping the world. This often leads to a call for religious legislation—an attempt to "return to God" by enforcing a national day of rest that contradicts the Bible's Sabbath commandment.

As noted in The Great Controversy:

"It will be declared that men are offending God by the violation of the Sunday sabbath; that this sin has brought calamities which will not cease until Sunday observance shall be strictly enforced; and that those who present the claims of the fourth commandment... are troublers of the people, preventing their restoration to divine favor and temporal prosperity." (GC 590)

 

Will President Trump deliver the economic era he has promised? We will have to wait and see. However, the prophetic map indicates more financial collapses and increasing calamities. These will not stop until Christ appears in the clouds of heaven to take those who have made Him—not the economy—their safety and prosperity. Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near. Danger lies ahead!

Pride and it's curse

 Pride is something we all struggle with. At its core, pride is an attempt to fill an internal void. We are all born with a sense of emptiness. As we become self-aware, we begin to notice the differences between ourselves and others—our strengths, our weaknesses, our smallness, and our vulnerabilities. Realizing our "nakedness," we quickly seek to cover it with the garment of pride, comparing ourselves to others to determine if we are "better" or "worse."

We internally ask: How can I be better than the next person? How can I exalt myself? Pride is rooted in competition. It manifests in several ways:

1. Striving to be the most beautiful.

2. Accumulating the most money.

3. Being the most intelligent.

4. Dressing in the most expensive way.

5. Believing you do not need anyone else.

 Pride is about promoting the self to fill a void at the expense of others. We feel a temporary "high" when others notice our covering—like someone saying, "You look great in that suit!" However, pride leaves us devastated when our covering is ignored or, worse, mocked. While pride seeks self-exaltation, its glory depends entirely on the approval of others. This makes us slaves.

Pride is a curse because it focuses solely on the external while the internal self is neglected. It prioritizes how the world sees us over how God sees us. Pride will make you:

• Take a job you hate just for the prestigious title.

• Enter a relationship just so society sees you are "married."

• Start a fight just to avoid being called a coward.

• Cheapen yourself just to be thought of as "sexy."

• Work three jobs to pay for a house you have no time to sleep in.

It was pride that caused Lucifer to continue in sin even when he knew he was wrong. He was afraid to admit his faults and confess them to God. Pride destroyed his relationship with the Creator, cast him out of heaven, and forced him to continue a losing battle just to "save face."

Pride destroys love because love requires vulnerability. Pride makes us "frauds"; we don't let people get close for fear they will discover we aren't who we proclaim to be. But if we don't allow others to get close, they can never truly love us. They only love the mask, not the person. Consequently, the proud person feels unloved, unknown, and lonely.

 Pride is a curse because it turns us into "night creatures," hiding from the light of truth. It creates mental trauma because we are constantly presenting a version of ourselves that does not exist. It makes it hard to love others because the proud person sees people as tools to satisfy their own emptiness, rather than as souls to cherish.

Pride leads to financial debt, miserable marriages, and a refusal to turn back from wrong paths. We are all proud, but the hold of pride begins to loosen when we expose our emptiness to God in prayer. We must be honest: "Lord, I feel worthless. I try to cover my feelings by being better or richer than others, but I am still empty. Inwardly, I have nothing of true worth to offer."

Then, the Lord can fill us with things of true value—things better than money or beauty:

1. Love: To love and be loved for who you truly are.

2. Patience: With yourself and others.

3. Joy: That exists regardless of circumstances.

4. Humility: The ability to value others truly.

5. Gentleness: A soft heart toward the world.

6. Integrity: Being true to who you are.

Pride leads to slavery, but the key to freedom is to humble ourselves before God. Acknowledge your nothingness and ask Him to fill your empty soul with His Holy Spirit.

Why is marriage good in our society? 🤵🏾👰🏽

In our current society, marriage often has a poor reputation. To be honest, marriage can look quite intimidating depending on where you look. Divorces are rampant both in the church and the world; for many, the institution seems more like a curse than a blessing. Some have had such hellish experiences that they wouldn't wish marriage on their worst enemy. Indeed, marriage can either make or break you, depending on whom you choose as a spouse.

Marriage is a solemn undertaking that requires deep reflection, much thought, and even more prayer. The worst mistake one can make is to be blinded by raw emotion; reality has a way of making such impulsive decisions lead to regret. However, beyond the frightening aspects of a "bad" marriage lies a beautiful experience—if we understand its true purpose. A successful marriage based on divine principles will still have its challenges, but it is a beautiful thing that our individualistic society needs now more than ever.

Our society is deeply selfish. You can be surrounded by people yet feel utterly alone because everyone is busy chasing their own dreams, leaving no time for their neighbor. Marriage is the cure for this ill. In a rightful marriage, each partner understands their task: to be a lifelong companion to the other. Everyone else may be too busy for you, but your spouse should not be.

In a marriage based on divine principles, I understand that my spouse is my companion. When a person is single—and there is nothing wrong with being single—they must handle most of life's burdens alone. In marriage, life’s tasks are shared. A single man must cook, iron, and do his own laundry. A married man with a good wife can come home to a prepared meal, knowing his needs are met and his household is cared for.

Conversely, an independent woman may have to handle car repairs, rent, lawn maintenance, and financial management all on her own. But a woman with a good husband can simply say, "Honey, I think something is wrong with the car," and know it will be handled. She knows she has a shoulder to lean on during life’s greatest difficulties.

 In this difficult world, a good marriage is a source of strength, comfort, and support. It is the security of knowing, "I am here for them, and they are here for me." I can lift her up when she is weak, and she can comfort me in hard times. It is having a partner to help you on the way to Heaven.

 True love begins when we realize that marriage is not primarily about sex or being treated like a character in a "prince or princess" fantasy. While intimacy and romance are parts of the whole, companionship is the foundation. It is having someone to talk to, someone to share your mind with, someone to travel and experience the world with.

Companionship is what we are all truly looking for. For example, when I preach, my wife may not be on the pulpit with me, but she is involved in the sermon because she often creates my PowerPoints. That is companionship.

Marriage is not bad; it is a good and beautiful thing. We begin to enjoy its blessings when we understand that to be married is to have a faithful companion for life’s journey, through both the good days and the bad. Marriage is about love, and it is about God. With Him at the center, you will enjoy the fullness of its blessings.

Breaking down the door of decency:Paris 2024 last supper mockery ( days of Lot )

 

In the Bible, we read the story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. God had sent two angels to rescue Lot, the nephew of Abraham. The angels appeared as men, and Lot, who was sitting at the gates of Sodom, saw the strangers coming and offered them hospitality. Though the strangers initially resisted, claiming they would rather sleep in the streets, Lot’s persistent concern eventually persuaded them to accept his offer.

"But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? Bring them out unto us, that we may know them. And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him, and said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly." — Genesis 19:4–7

Because the angels had delayed in accepting Lot’s offer, they were noticed by the men of the city. Immorality was rampant in Sodom, and the men soon made their way to Lot’s house with the intent to gang-rape the two visitors, whom they believed to be mere humans. The Bible specifies that men "both old and young, from every quarter" came to the house, meaning this lifestyle had infected every generation of the city. Does this not sound like our society today? Immorality is spreading like a deadly virus, affecting both the young and the old.

 When Lot begged them to stop, offering his daughters in a desperate attempt to protect his guests, the men of Sodom became even more aggressive.

"And they said, 'Stand back.' And they said again, 'This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now we will deal worse with you, than with them.' And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door." — Genesis 19:9

Those who practice evil are often the quickest to accuse those who reprove them of being "judgmental." Just like the men of Sodom, many today use the phrase "Don't judge me" as a shield for their actions. However, a person seeking to live right is not afraid of being reproved; they recognize their shortcomings and go to God in prayer for correction and victory. As the Psalmist said: "Judge me, O Lord; for I have walked in mine integrity..." (Psalm 26:1).

The men of Sodom tried to break down Lot’s door. This is a crucial point: a movement of immorality is never satisfied until it has broken down every door of decency. We see this today as agendas are pushed into schools and even into the pulpits of many churches. This "breaking down of doors" was on full display at the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony, where many were offended by a display that appeared to mock the Last Supper of Jesus and His disciples.

As Christians studying the Bible, we should not be surprised. Jesus told us in Luke 17 that His second coming would occur when society looked exactly like it did in the days of Lot:

"Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot... the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained down fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus it will be in the day when the Son of man is revealed." — Luke 17:28–30

 When we see these behaviors becoming more bold and daring, we must realize we are in the last days. God is about to destroy not just specific cities known for their lifestyles—be it San Francisco, Atlanta, or Fort Lauderdale—but the whole world with fire.

In the story, the angels pulled Lot inside, closed the door, and struck the men outside with blindness. They then revealed their true mission: they were messengers sent to destroy the city. They urged Lot to gather his family and escape. Today, the message is the same. As sexual immorality increases, do not get angry, but seek shelter in the "secret place of the Almighty."

Escape for your life by praying for victory over sin. Do not look back at the pleasures or comforts of this world. Let us spread the word of salvation to our families so they may find shelter in the Lord Jesus Christ before the fire falls.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.foxnews.com/politics/us-world-leaders-denounce-paris-olympics-opening-ceremonys-mocking-last-supper.amp

Who is to blame for the world's misery? My part in human suffering.

 When we look at the world, we see immense suffering. Everywhere, the cry of a suffering humanity is ascending to heaven. But who is to be blamed for all of this misery? Do I personally play a part in the world's distress? In this post, we will take a brief look at how misery spreads and our individual role in it.

The Origin of Suffering In the beginning, God made humanity perfect; male and female He created them and placed them in a perfect garden. He gave them a simple commandment: do not eat from the forbidden tree. But the serpent came into the garden and tempted the woman. She was seduced, and after being overcome, she went on to tempt her husband to follow her into sin. The man ate of the forbidden fruit, and the rest is history—suffering is now widespread.

The Blame Game After sin came the "blame game." The man and the woman both blamed others for their own actions. The man blamed his wife, the wife blamed the serpent, and God judged them all. From that point on, misery became the norm in our world.

So, why is the world so evil? Why is there such misery in our homes, our workplaces, and our society? Is this suffering merely the result of "other" evil people doing bad things, or do I play a part? The truth is: I do.

How I Contribute to Human Misery I play a part in human misery whenever I allow myself to be overcome by evil individually and then pass that misery onto the life of another. Consider these examples:

1.  Let’s say I had a stressful day at work; customers and co-workers made my day difficult. That is a temptation. If I come home and yell at my wife or speak unkind words to her, she feels hurt. I have just made the world a worse place. I allowed the burden of work to overcome me, and I was too weak to protect my wife from my frustration. Evil spreads when we are too weak to resist it.

2.  If I am a parent who was disrespected or emotionally abused by my own parents, I know how much that hurts. But if I turn around and do the same to my child—yelling at them or abusing them emotionally—I have become a tool in the hands of the enemy to spread more misery. If I am not healed from my own wounds, I will use those wounds to hurt others.

3. Perhaps you were betrayed by someone you loved in the past. If your heart has hardened and you vow to hurt others in return—seducing and abandoning people—you are now an agent of evil. Whether it is a man using women for lust or a woman using men for money, these actions destroy lives and spread the devil's work.

 Evil thrives when I am personally overcome. The devil knows that if he can defeat me, he can use me to lead someone else down with me. If I struggle with lust, anger, or addiction and do not go to God for the strength to overcome it, those very things will be used to bring misery into the lives of others.

There is no neutral ground. I am either a tool in the hand of God for good or a tool in the hand of the devil for evil. To make a positive impact, I must, by the grace of God, overcome the evils in my own heart. A truly strong person is one who allows himself to "suffer" the weight of his own emotions or urges so that others can be safe.

Becoming a Blessing Through Resistance When you resist taking your frustration out on others, you make their lives better. When you break the cycle of how your parents treated you, you protect your children. When you refuse to take advantage of someone else just because you were once taken advantage of, you bring light into the world.

To resist personal evil is an act of love and strength. You are like a person holding back falling debris so that the vulnerable can flee to safety. Evil thrives where weakness exists, but true strength protects.

 We are all responsible for human suffering to some degree. As long as I keep my wounds and brokenness away from God, they can be weaponized against those I love. Eve was seduced and then unknowingly became an instrument for the ruin of her husband. If I allow the devil to tempt me into sin, I become his agent.

The only way to start making the world a better place is to "submit yourself unto God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). Let us ask God for the strength to resist the evil within so that we may truly do good for those around us.

A new Constantine: Will Trump become more religious ?

On October 28, 312 AD, the Battle of the Milvian Bridge took place between Roman Emperors Constantine I and Maxentius. Rome was in the midst of a civil war. Constantine won the battle, starting the path that led him to become the sole ruler of the Roman Empire. But something significant happened before the fight: Constantine, a pagan at the time, claimed to have received a vision from God.

On October 27, with the armies preparing for battle, Constantine claimed a vision led him to fight under the protection of the Christian God. According to Eusebius of Caesarea, around noon, Constantine saw a luminous cross in the sky with the Greek inscription, "In this sign, thou shalt conquer." Constantine also claimed a dream in which Christ commanded him to use the sign of the cross against his enemies.

Constantine became the first emperor to convert to Christianity. He ended the policy of persecuting Christians and, in 313 AD, issued the Edict of Milan, proclaiming religious freedom. It sounded like a victory, but this nominal conversion allowed paganism to walk into the church. As noted in The Great Controversy:

"Paganism, while appearing to be vanquished, became the conqueror. Her spirit controlled the church. Her doctrines, ceremonies, and superstitions were incorporated into the faith and worship of the professed followers of Christ." (GC 49.2)

 This compromise led to the development of the "man of sin"—the papacy of Rome. In 321 AD, Constantine introduced the first civil legislation concerning Sunday, decreeing that all work should cease on that day (except for necessary farming). The emperor brought a Sunday law in opposition to the Bible Sabbath. Eventually, the church became the persecutor of those who opposed its false teachings. This brings us to the present day.

A Modern "Sign to Conquer"? By many definitions, Donald Trump has lived a secular or "pagan" life; his lifestyle has not historically reflected Christian values. However, he has been leading a fierce ideological civil war between the Left and the Right. He has been indicted and convicted, yet he continues to fight. On Saturday, July 13, 2024, he may have found his own "sign to conquer."

During a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a twenty-year-old assassin fired at Trump, grazing his right ear. A timely move of his head saved him from certain death. Trump and many evangelicals are calling this a miracle—a sign that he is ordained by the Lord. Trump has promised to give the church more power, and Christian Nationalism is now firmly in his camp.

History Repeats Itself Could this event be the "sign of the cross in the heavens" for Mr. Trump? Could it lead to a nominal conversion where he becomes more religious to unite Church and State? Bible prophecy teaches that in the last days, the United States will transform into a religious tyranny that sets up the "image of the beast," forcing worship just as the papacy did in the past.

While I cannot be certain if Mr. Trump will introduce a Sunday law like Constantine, he does look like a man of destiny fulfilling a mission. It would not be surprising if he continues to promote Christian Nationalism until a Sunday law is established, leading to the persecution of dissidents.

Conclusion We are living in perilous times. The ideological civil war in America is moving toward a final battle. Is it possible the attempted assassination was Trump’s signal to "go and conquer"? Time will tell, but it appears the triumph of apostate Christianity over godless secularism is near. The Sunday law, the Mark of the Beast, and the return of Christ are drawing ever closer. Let us find shelter in Jesus, lest we be found wanting in these final days.

May God help us stay true to Him.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/article/2024/jul/18/to-his-supporters-trump-is-a-martyred-messiah-resurrected-after-crucifixion

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/jul/18/trump-rally-shooting-religious-right

https://www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/study-guide/e/4998/t/the-usa-in-bible-prophecy