In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, which flooded Texas from Galveston to Houston, in the most costly disaster in history, President Trump signed a proclamation declaring Sunday, September 03, 2017 as a “National Day of Prayer” for the state of Texas. While we should pray for Texas, just what does a legal national day of prayer mean?
Consider the following. The United States has recently adopted legal same-sex marriage with all the rights and privileges of heterosexual marriages; undermining what’s left of the foundations of America’s moral safety and prosperity (i.e. God destroyed Sodom for similar behavior). Houston has been one of the cities that have especially confronted evangelical pastors over their views on some of these very issues. Could the hurricane be construed as punishment on the city for its attitude against God’s principles? Could the enemy of souls stage the national moral decline so that people would eventually see disasters, which he then brings upon them, as divine punishment? Would they then appeal to their legislators to enact Sunday worship laws that would actually cause the nation to honor and worship the dragon, thinking they do God’s service in addressing the liberal attitude toward God’s requirements? (Revelation 13:4)
Mr. Trump has gathered many very influential conservative Evangelicals around him in an effort to get their advice on running the government, and give them more power. They are very unhappy about same-sex marriage, abortion and other liberal directions of the country, which they view as sinful. They also see religious liberty being threatened. These Evangelicals are likely to see Hurricane Harvey as evidence of God’s displeasure –and as a warning to the nation at large – and advise Mr. Trump to work for the restoration of national favor in the eyes of God; hence, the political day of prayer for Houston. But would it stop there? Not according to the Bible. Revelation 13 predicts that there will be severe penalties for not worshiping in the government directed way.
And while we should be praying for the victims of Houston and for Houston itself, the stage is now set to get the nation appealing to God for relief from large disasters. If disasters should continue (i.e. Hurricane Irma doing even more damage), will the wheels of fulfilling prophecy be set in motion so that all that has been predicted in Revelation 13 will come to pass? Once the nation views disasters as divine punishment, there is no stopping leaders and legislators from taking these matters to their logical conclusion.
In changing America’s laws to suit their moral perspective, some of which would be good, national conservatives will likely go too far and force compliance with laws that appear designed to restore America to divine favor.
The enemy is really clever. He is going to act as an angel of light, as if he is Christ himself. To get on the Evangelical bandwagon is not the solution. Only those who are loyal to the word of God will escape being deceived and fall for the enemy’s trap that is so carefully disguised as if it is in the interests of the common good.
While it is good for a nation to follow in God’s revealed will, our times give pause for reflection. Those who understand Bible prophecy see the danger of Satan making himself look like the real Jesus, when they are actually collaborating with the enemy of souls. The polarization in America and the civil war-like conflicts in some of its cities; the moral decline and the liberal legal pressure on religious conservatives; suggest that America is on the brink of political, social and moral chaos. The rise of the religious right and the National Day of Prayer is a reaction, which will bring America way beyond center into religious dominionism.
“Satan is constantly seeking to deceive men and lead them to call sin righteousness, and righteousness sin. How successful has been his work! How often censure and reproach are cast upon God’s faithful servants because they will stand fearlessly in defense of the truth! Men who are but agents of Satan are praised and flattered, and even looked upon as martyrs, while those who should be respected and sustained for their fidelity to God, are left to stand alone, under suspicion and distrust.” The Great Controversy, pages 192 and 193.
Source References
President Trump signs declaration making Sunday a ‘National Day of Prayer’