The American Presidency

s the United States of America has once again found itself in the midst of another presidential election, it has also found itself once again in the midst of political and religious controversy. Politics and religion can often make for a very volatile combination, as history itself has often confirmed. There are very few non-doctrinal issues that are as polarizing and divisive to religious communities as staunch political allegiances and partisanship, especially when large or influential religious organizations with their own political agendas begin to advocate one person or party above another based upon a faulty religious or doctrinal premise.

Unfortunately in America, as I am almost certain is the case in many other nations of the earth, there are very powerful religious elements at work to do just that—persuade the Christian community that one candidate is more righteous than the other, or that one political party is more morally acceptable than another based on their perceived values, proposed policies, or political-religious “correctness.”

While many of these religious leaders are zealous like Saul and sincerely believe that they are doing the Kingdom of God a service, others are more sinister and diabolical in their motives, using religion as a cloak to cover and camouflage their true motives. Many of the same religious tactics employed in the last election have been rekindled and revamped in this one. Even so, it is not the purpose of this briefing to debunk these religious approaches, strategies or propaganda that are largely the result of an inaccurate understanding of the Kingdom of God as well as a lack of spiritual sight, but to bring some understanding and clarity in the midst of the controversy so that we can better comprehend God’s divine intent in the midst of this entire process.

God’s Choice for President

our years ago after we had just elected our 44th President into office, there was much chaos and confusion among mainstream religious circles regarding the results. Based upon mainstream Christianity’s response, even God must have been taken by surprise regarding the outcome. Some frustrated and disgruntled religious leaders even issued public statements after the electoral process was concluded that the election was “stolen,” and that the presently elected “unrighteous” leadership in power was as a result of the American Church’s spiritual complacency, lethargy, and unwillingness to pray.

Having been given insight by God several months before regarding the outcome of the election and God’s divine purpose in the midst of it, I decided to withhold the results (as I am doing now) so as not to be misconstrued as attempting to sway voters in any particular direction. However, once the process had been completed and the results were confirmed, I issued a statement through our newsletter in order to quell the massive confusion and controversy that resulted from the new transition in leadership.

Because I believe that the spiritual insight and principles shared in that particular newsletter to our community is vitally important and pertinent to this present election, I have decided to quote it almost in its entirety below now, rather than wait until the elections are over. I believe that in doing so it will provide greater clarity and wisdom for you in the midst of the religious deception and propaganda, as you exercise your democratic right to vote in these elections.

  • The holiday season is almost upon us and another year is drawing swiftly to a close. The United States of America has just elected into office our 44th President in the midst of much chaos and confusion among various circles. Much of the Church was divided on this issue and now many are left feeling a certain sense of defeat and licking their wounds. Even now there are bitter words being spoken by some who felt that the election was “stolen” and that our president-elect, Barack Obama, is too “unfit” or “unrighteous” to hold this high public office. Some still maintain that Senator John McCain was God’s choice from the beginning.

  • Because of the many ignorant and immature responses that have been circulating regarding this issue—even from some well-meaning and notable Christian leaders—I felt led of the Lord to offer a biblical perspective regarding what has transpired, rather than present another opinion or “prophetic” (or rather, pathetic) one. Many of us have been so blinded by our own political, social and religious agendas that we were never able to perceive the writing written so clearly on the wall.

     

  • The Bible makes it abundantly clear that rulers and authorities are established by God—without exception—even when they seized the throne or position through acts of violence, deceit, force and murder, which many of the Roman emperors did (Rom 13:1). When Paul wrote this letter to the church at Rome, they were under the rule of one of the wickedest and most insane emperors of all time (Nero, who also happened to be responsible for the murder of thousands of Christians in the most horrific way imaginable). Was Paul saying that God established Nero in that seat of power? Of course he was! Was it because he was “Christian” or “godly”? No, of course not! Was God endorsing him as a person? Only a psychopathic maniac or moron would do that, and God is neither. Nero was appointed by God to fulfill a purpose. God is not as religious as most Christians are in America. While we think that values are the most important thing to God [regarding a potential candidate or leader], what matters most is purpose.

  • Of course man has free choice and we should choose leaders with proper Judeo-Christian values, but this is one of those cases where God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility create that perfect tension for the execution of His will. So if God says that a certain person is going to be king (president, pope, prime minister, etc), it pre-suggests that it is His will.

     

  • At least two times in Scripture God sent a prophet to anoint and appoint an extremely wicked man as king. The first time He sent the prophet, Ahijah, to prophesy Jeroboam’s (a young rebel) kingship and appointment to the throne, charging him to do righteously because he was establishing him as an act of judgment against David’s house because of the sin of Solomon and the people (1 Kings 11:26-40). Incidentally, Jeroboam became the standard for wickedness in Israel and led the people into idolatry and further away from God. Why did God choose such a man to be king knowing the evil he would eventually accomplish to pervert an entire nation? Obviously he wasn’t chosen because of his godly values; he was chosen to fulfill God’s purpose.

  • Several generations later, God sends Elisha to Damascas to declare Hazael’s future appointment to the throne of Syria. Not only is this a heathen nation with Hazael being a pagan leader, but Elisha knows full well the horrible atrocities this man would one day perform against his people, Israel, and begins to weep. God had sent him to prophetically establish His purpose for one of the wickedest foreign rulers to afflict the children of Israel with horrible injustices, including dashing their children to pieces and ripping open their women with child (2 Kings 8:7-15). Where are the godly values in that?

  • What makes it even worse is the fact that Elisha’s prophetic word seemed to accelerate and empower Hazael to take the throne from his master, because after receiving the prophetic word he immediately goes out to fulfill it. Were God and Elisha endorsing this wicked man and his future actions? Of course not! God was establishing his purpose. God had planned to establish Hazael all along as king, and had even commissioned Elisha’s mentor, Elijah, to do it—which he didn’t (1 Kings 19:15).

  • Not only was Elijah commissioned to prophesy his kingship, but he was to anoint him as well. How could God commission a prophet to anoint someone like that? His ways are above our ways—we think values while He thinks purpose. Purpose will trump values every time. Had Elisha not followed through with this original command given to Elijah, Hazael may have never become king. Elijah’s disobedience may have actually prolonged the former king’s (Ben-Hadad) life and delayed God’s purpose in the earth. Thank God that Elisha was not religious and was obedient to God.

  • If something as radical as this had happened during our time, we would have quickly condemned that prophet and never forgiven him, claiming he was endorsing sin and wickedness, or even executing him for treason against his God and nation. But this was never about the person being established in power, but about God’s purpose being established in the earth. And if anybody should be able to discern the heart and mind of God for the people and the direction He is leading them, it should be his prophets. But only prophets who have completely divorced themselves from any political, social or religious agenda are able to receive the clear mind of God during situations such as these.

  • Anyone who fools themselves into believing that God is a Republican is greatly deceived. If you think He is Democrat then you’re deceived as well. God is neither! He may or may not endorse the person, and He never endorses a particular party, but He always endorses His purpose.
    Am I saying then that our president-elect, Barack Obama, is a wicked and unrighteous man like the leaders described above? No, I am not! Neither am I saying that he is holy and righteous. The truth is that only God knows his heart and his true spiritual condition. In due time we will be able to tell the type of man he truly is as he puts his hand to the plough to lead this nation. In the meantime, it is our responsibility to pray for him and to offer him our support in anything and everything that does not violate the principles of the Kingdom. Let us not be divided, but rally behind our duly elected Commander-in-chief.

Our Responsibility as Citizens

Clearly God had a purpose in mind for selecting Barak Obama to be the president of the United States for the last four years. Clearly this was not because of religious Christianity’s spiritual lethargy or lack of prayer. And clearly his political persuasions or moral values were not the deciding factors in God’s selection of this candidate for office. The same applies to the present elections and the two candidates. Governor Mitt Romney is no more disqualified by God from this high office because of his Mormon beliefs than president Obama was because of his stance on gay marriage and abortion. The question that should be asked of God is, “What is Your divine purpose and intent in the midst of this process?”

Forget all of the propaganda you have been hearing, religious or otherwise, and prayerfully trust the Holy Spirit to direct you in selecting the candidate that is best suited to fulfill God’s purpose for America for the next four years. You must learn to put aside your racial prejudices and party loyalties if you are to hear God correctly. Whatever the case, just remember to do your part and vote. And if the final results prove to be disappointing to your hopes or expectations (as many will experience), learn to quickly get over it and put aside your disappointments to rally around and give full support to the president for the next four years. To do otherwise is unethical, unbiblical and a violation of Kingdom principles and standards.

I am deeply ashamed by the behavior of professed Christians, religious leaders and organizations during these present elections who have sought to verbally attack, dishonor and even jokingly threaten the president of the United States. It is morally appalling and disgraceful to the Kingdom of God to conduct ourselves in such a manner. Many of you would never dream of publicly insulting or criticizing your local pastor like that, so why choose to do so with governmental leaders appointed by God? The only difference between these two God-appointed “offices” is your religious mindset. To dishonor them and/or speak evil of them is offensive to God as it is offensive to me.

Within the last few weeks, I have had to unsubscribe from or block the social media posts of several professing believers and friends (even pastors and religious leaders) who have sought to defame the president by posting or sharing status updates that are dishonorable and insulting to this office. Those who choose to support this garbage by “liking,” sharing or positively commenting on these updates are just as guilty as the person(s) who originally posted them.

We would do well to follow the example of Joseph, Daniel and others who, in the midst of a pagan, idolatrous, ungodly and oppressive regime—even when forced to live under foreign rule against their free will—chose to honor rather than reject or criticize these ungodly rulers who were responsible for their enslavement, separation from families, destruction of their people and nation, and even desecration of their holy temple. These godly examples dedicated themselves completely to the success of these oppressive foreign regimes without compromising their faith, and as a result God’s Kingdom was advanced in the midst of these kingdoms on account of their honor and obedience.

When we choose to do the opposite, we misrepresent God and become a hindrance or impediment to true Kingdom advance. You lose your credibility as a witness and your access point for Kingdom influence. When you dishonor someone you lose their respect, and when you lose someone’s respect you lose your place of influence. It is that simple!

If you have been guilty of such behavior, I call on you to repent. If you have associated yourself with other “Christians,” groups or communities who have been guilty of the same, you can make a stand against it now and/or disassociate yourself from them if necessary, or become a partaker of another’s sins and face the same judgment. The choice is yours. The line of separation has already been drawn. Choose today who you are going to serve and whose kingdom you are going to build. As for me and my house—including this Kingdom community—we will serve the Lord by honoring His appointed leadership regardless of ethnicity, popularity or religion!

So what are you really worth? And where are you placing your greatest investment? The spiritually blind and shallow minded of this world—and there are billions—may choose to reject, scorn or despise you based on your physical appearance. But if the nature of God has been developed in your life, you are worth more than them all, and you will be valued by the hosts of heaven.

Conversely, you may be loved, valued and accepted by the masses due to your beautiful or handsome physical appearance, but how will you measure up when you stand before God? Where will you find value when the years begin to erode your external beauty?

In the words of king Lemuel’s mother, “Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the fear of God” (Prov. 31:30 MSG).