I’m seeing polls showing that a “yuge” number of voters for the Comboverlord in his South Carolina primary win identified themselves as Evangelicals. I’ve spent the day perusing tweets ranging from incredulity to outright anger. As a believer in lex parsimoniae, I’d like to apply it in my take today.
What if, assuming that people were being straight with the pollsters upon their exit, an overwhelming swath of evangelicals actually did ignore almost all the tenets of their faith and gave the Orange Man their vote?
How could solid, Bible-believing Christians actually support a thrice married, much bedded, abortion supporting, casino running, foul mouthed charlatan?
My ex-sister-in-law was a staunch evangelical Christian, so I might have some insight.
In addition to her devout faith, the overwhelming focus of her church was “End Time Theology”.
That set of beliefs is that the world is entering (or is already in, to some sects) the Seven Years of Tribulation that will end with the return of Christ to earth and the final battle at Armageddon.
What if these good people have persuaded themselves that, by supporting the man who may well be the “Deceiver” of the end times, they will hasten the Rapture?
“For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NLT)
Could there be a better description of the false prophet who is hoodwinking good people by filling their “itching ears” with exactly what they want to hear?
Religious leaders have preached for decades, if not centuries, that the world will be misled by the greatest false prophet in human history in the years leading up to Christ’s return.
The prophet Daniel tells us: “He will be a master of deception and will become arrogant; he will destroy many without warning.” Daniel 8:25 (NLT).
Sound like anyone we know?
Very much like the radical Islamists in Iran are awaiting the return of the Mahdi (who will usher in the final battle between good and evil in their religious texts), what if, just possibly, those hard-core Evangelicals are “playing long ball” and knowingly and overwhelmingly voting for a snake in hopes that the end times will come sooner rather than later?
What could possibly go wrong with that ever so well intentioned, albeit naive theory?
Perhaps, rather than blanket condemnation of our misguided brothers and sisters in Christ, we should remind them that the Apostle Paul warned: “He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them. So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies. Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth.” 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 (NLT)
If they blindly believe that their actions will eventually save the world, perhaps it’s worth reminding them that it will be at the cost of their immortal souls.
As a lifelong Christian, and ardent Ted Cruz supporter, I’d like to offer an alternative for this frustrating development. Since you brought up the end times, a couple of verses come to mind.
First: Jude 1:18 & 19 “..In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.” 19These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit.…
Second: 1 Timothy 4:1 “..But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, 2by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron,…”
In both cases, this speaks of the those who put something else in front of the importance of Christ. I have never known a single Christian who EVER even considered doing something (or NOT doing something) to bring about “the end of days”. See, the central theme is “for God so loved the world he GAVE his only son…so that none might perish”. What Christ – from 2000 years ago – told his followers needed to be their motivation as time wound down: it is to go about telling others of Christ’s sacrifice and provision for them. NOT to “hunker down and actively participate in bringing about the end” – because what is fundamentally misunderstood about Christians and Christianity – is the central theme. The point is, Christ brings salvation to us. We cannot do a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g to earn our salvation, it’s a free gift for all who believe Him to be who He said He is, ASK Him to forgive them, and wish him to be the Lord of their lives (read His word and follow His example). Here’s the crux of it: if THE central theme is that man can do absolutely NOTHING to improve his condition with God – how then can man do anything to move their God’s hand to hasten the end times?
All Christian’s know this – if some argue this – then they’re not Christians. Before you think that disavowal is a convenient/expedient move…several years ago Billy Graham estimated that 70% of the Christians in the pews on Sunday probably would NOT make it to heaven. It wasn’t a ploy when he said it, it means that a lot of folks who go to church on Sunday and argue that they’re “good people” – may be – but they’re not Christians.
Now, muslims? That’s a completely different story – no, really – moving their eschatology forward actually does require their action…but that’s a story for another day.
Hope that is welcome insight – the #trumpling “evangelicals” are motivated politically – they don’t know what time it is.