(A six minute read)
Confusion reigns. Or does it?
There’s a huge uproar in charismatic Christian circles right now about prophecies saying that Donald Trump will be a two term president.
Some of today’s prophetic voices were saying this even before Trump became a candidate for the 2016 race. Many of them continued to say it, right up to the beginning of this month. Some are still saying it.
However, with Trump very apparently on the losing end, these same people are now tying themselves in knots trying to justify their words, or backtracking and apologizing, or in one case, backtracking and apologizing and then recanting – sort of. It’s a mess. In truth though, I’m not criticizing anyone. Prophetic culture is often messy.
Let’s step back a bit.
There is much to consider here, and it must begin from a position of humility. Consider three things.
First, be assured I have no skin in the game. Oh, of course I desired a particular outcome from the election. Didn’t we all? But it doesn’t matter who I voted for or who you voted for. Point number one is that I have no call to criticize your choices any more than you have a call to criticize mine. Unless of course we’re in a close enough relationship that we hold one another accountable. This should be the Golden Rule of social media, but I digress…
I will pray for my president, whoever it may be, and think you should too. Christians are called to it. And if you aren’t a Christian, I’ll suggest that praying for someone is still a good thing, especially if you dislike them.
(Check back for next week’s essay, called Love Your Enemies, which will come, appropriately enough, on Thanksgiving Day).
Second, prophecy is real, but let’s remember it must be tested. ‘Do not despise prophecies. Examine all things. Firmly hold onto what is good.’ 1 In my time I’ve seen prophetic words that soar through the heavens and come true, and others that immediately crash to earth with a thud. Read my latest memoir for one full accounting. In sum, prophecy as a phenomenon is real and active today, but not all words claimed as prophetic are actually from the Lord.
Finally, we must remember that God is not captive to a 24/7 news cycle. Humans may be addicted to it, but He is not. He works on His own timetable, not ours. While certain circles may be holding on for an electoral or judicial ‘miracle’ for Donald Trump, God may have another plan that could still see prophetic words fulfilled. Or they may be no more than wishful thinking, or may simply be duds. We get to wait and see.
How are we to consider these things?
God ‘removes kings and sets up kings’. 2 To Him, ‘one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.’ 3 The Father didn’t have Isaiah prophesy about ‘The Suffering Servant’ 4 and then have Jesus show up the following Thursday. Israel waited several hundred years for that one to come true. Just an obvious example.
Modern life makes it easy to believe the lie that everything happens ‘now’ (or should happen ‘now’). We forget about the value of ‘waiting on the Lord.’ The Bible has much to say about this. It should be our guide, not the media’s Daily Drip of Despair.
‘Wait on the Lord; be strong and may your heart be stout; wait on the Lord.’5
‘Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of those who prosper in their way, because of those who make wicked schemes.’6
‘But as for you, return to your God, hold fast to mercy and justice, and wait on your God continually.’7
That’s enough of that. Two or three witnesses are enough to establish the truth of the matter. Please note I’m not imputing ‘wickedness’ above to any individual or group – I’m just quoting Scripture. One person’s wickedness is another’s virtue, but that’s a discussion for another time.
Testing the prophecies
There is speculation Donald Trump will run for president again in 2024. If he were to win a non-consecutive term it would not set a historical precedent. But it would fulfill any prophecy that he would be a two-term president. We may hear more about that from certain people after Joe Biden is sworn in come January!
In sum, we are wise to let things stand. We shall all find out soon enough, whether we waste endless hours speculating on it or not. Whoever the President is come 2021, let’s pray good things for him and his team. I know I will. Whoever is elected in 2024, let’s do the same. God is still sovereign anyway, and will continue to remove kings and raise kings up worldwide until the world ends.
Let prophetic words work themselves out. They will either soar into the heavens to the amazement of all. Or they will fall to the ground and decompose. They belong to God anyway – not to us – and He will do with them as He sees fit.
1. 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21
2. Daniel 2:21
3. 2 Peter 2:8
4. Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12
5. Psalm 27h14
6. Psalm 37:7
7. Hosea 12:6
Public domain photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jette Carr via Wikimedia Commons