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With the 2020 American presidential campaign heating up more and more as the months pass; with increasingly more hostile comments appearing on the social networks and in the daily news; and with an outrageous number of politicians currently announcing their candidacy for the highly-coveted position of the American presidency on the Democratic side of the isle; even though I actually began writing this series in January of this current year, I think I am completing it and releasing it at a very opportune time. Why? Because I think a lot of my American Christian friends really need to read -- and hopefully believe -- what I am about to share in the following paragraphs.

Let me begin this series by stating a sure, simple and obvious fact. Even before writing a single sentence here, I already know that some undetermined number of my online Christian friends and readers are not going to be able to accept what I am about to say. They will not agree with me. They may even conclude that I am wrong and misguided in my thoughts. No matter how many Scriptures I present to them in this series, they will still remain staunchly entrenched in their current position. They will do whatever they want to do, regardless of what the Scriptures have to say about it. Of course, that is their right, whether I agree with them or not. After all, we must each live our lives according to our personal faith, our own understanding of the Scriptures, and how we believe we are being led of the Lord. As the Apostle Paul wrote in his Epistle to the Roman brethren:

". . . Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind‭ . . . Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth . . . for whatsoever is not of faith is sin."


Please note that I have only quoted parts of the previous three verses for the sake of emphasis. While the Apostle Paul was discussing an ongoing debate amongst the brethren regarding dietary customs and holy days in that particular chapter, I believe that we can apply this same principle to other areas of our lives as well. As I said a minute ago, in everything we do as Christians, we must be led by our own faith and convictions, as dictated by our understanding of the Scriptures.

The issue at hand -- voting -- is no different. Your faith may be different from mine when it comes to voting and the political process. So be it. Let me emphasize again that it is your right to live your faith as you choose. However, if you do happen to disagree with any of the positions I take in this series, please be aware of the fact that for many years now, it has been my personal policy to not engage in doctrinal or political debates. As I explain in the article "Should Christians Engage in Doctrinal Debates?", I view such discussions as an exercise in futility.

While I have discussed the topic of voting before in a few other articles, shared my opinion concerning it in all of the social networks where I currently participate, and have even written a few poems and made a number of graphics about it as well, I felt that it would be a good idea to bring all of those different pieces of information together into one central place. Thus, the purpose of this current series is to consolidate everything I have stated to date regarding the topic of voting, and then some.

And trust me, my friends, when I say that the "then some" is a lot more than even I realized I would be writing a few hours ago. I was actually standing in the kitchen making my breakfast. While doing so, I was pondering a few verses that I wanted to include in this series. And then, whammy! A lot of different thoughts began to enter my mind as that Still Small Voice began to juxtapose those verses with some actual events from America's past. These were things which I had never even thought of or considered before. Just like that, I began to see certain past events in a very different way. If it was surprising to me, it may be shocking to you. I'll be discussing them later on in this series.

To continue, as I have mentioned a number of times before, I am neither a Republican, Democrat, Independent, Libertarian, or anything else. Because of my understanding of the Word of God, I in fact strive to remain outside of politics. It may surprise you to know that I have never voted a single time in my entire life. As I point out in articles such as "The Heavenly Vision: Have You Got It?" and "One From Beyond: Hebrew of Hebrews", I have for almost fifty years now viewed myself first and foremost as a citizen of God's Kingdom. My sole allegiance is to that Kingdom, and I will only promote that Kingdom. Of course, as per the Scriptures, I obviously obey the laws of the land in which I happen to reside, but I do so with the understanding that it is not my true home. It is simply my temporary home while I am in this body of human flesh. My true home is actually in Heaven, as is yours, I hope. Consider the following verses which explain what kind of a relationship we Christians are supposed to have with secular governments:

"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake."


"These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men."


"Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king."


"Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing."


"They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's."


"And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him."


"And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's."


"If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."


To continue, ever since I was young boy, I have always felt different. I have never fit in anywhere or with anyone. I am sure that many of you who are reading this series have felt -- and continue to feel -- the very same way. You just know that this place is not your home. You are in it, but you are not truly a part of it. And, perhaps just like me, you strive to remain separate from it to some degree. Maybe you are a loner with few real friends, just like me. But you see, that is actually because not only were we chosen by God before the foundation of the world, but also because the truth of God's Word separates us from the world, whether we like it or not. Furthermore, the more we stand up for the truth of God's Word, the more it will separate us from this world. It just can't be helped. This becomes more evident with each passing year, as the world -- including the United States -- turns ever darker in a spiritual sense, and rebels more and more against God's Laws, as laid down in the Bible.

As some of you may already be aware, there is a very strong Scriptural basis for remaining separate from this present world. Sadly, the truth that is revealed in the following set of verses is something which many modern Christians do not want to hear or accept. Why not? Because they are so in love with this world, and with the things which it offers them. They have been caught up in the thorns, "and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word", as Jesus pointed out in the Parable of the Sower in Matthew chapter thirteen. Consider the following group of Scriptures:

"If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you."


"I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil."


"Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence."


"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,"


"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."


"No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier."


"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."


"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."


"These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city."


"And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away."


"While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."


"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:"


"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."


"No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."


So as is quite evident from the previous verses, we are not a part of this present world. We are spiritual pilgrims who are simply passing through it on our way to a much better place. Not only that, but as I mentioned earlier, the Bible informs us that God chose us for this mission before the world even began. He sanctified us -- or separated us -- and reserved us for a special purpose in this world. Again, consider the following set of sample verses. You will find additional similar verses if you take the time to study my KJV Bible Verse List called "Predestinated and Chosen":

"According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love . . . Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will . . . In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:"


"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren."


"But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:"


"Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?"


"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:"


"Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you."


"So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen."


"For many are called, but few are chosen."


"And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed."


So, it is in large part due to my awareness of the profound truths which are found in all of the previous verses, that for many years now, I have strived to remain apart from the world, inasmuch as lies within me. It is for this very same reason that I will not participate in any of the political systems which have been devised by man. I refuse to support them, promote them, or vote in any of them. But that is not all. It is my personal belief that every single one of said systems is corrupt, imperfect, inefficient, and ultimately doomed to failure, because they are the constructs of weak, sinful and imperfect men. In fact, as some of you will know, the Scriptures plainly inform us that all of the governments of the world are doomed to fall. Only a literal Kingdom of God on Earth, ruled by none other than Jesus Christ himself -- who is the Rock from Heaven -- is destined to remain; as is made evident by the following sample verses:

"Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces . . . And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure"


"I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel."


"And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father."


"And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne."


“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."


"Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."


"And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever."


"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."


"Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? . . . And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them."


"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock [referring to Himself ] I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."


"And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ."


"This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner."


"Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,"


Taking into consideration all of the previous verses, perhaps you can better understand why I personally have chosen to not participate in the political process, and in the governments of men. As we have seen, they are all destined for eventual destruction anyway. We need to be honest about this. None of them are ever going to change. They'll never cease from their corruption. They will never cease from their oppression. They will never cease from their deception. They will never cease from their never-ending wars. And I seriously doubt that any of them will ever surrender their power, and submit to Jesus Christ willingly. What do you think? If you honestly believe that the so-called great "Christian" nation of the United States of America is going to willingly bow before the Lord, you really deceive yourself and are in for a great surprise.

The truth of the matter is that all of the so-called "great powers" of the world are founded upon blood, guts and war; and that certainly includes the United States of America. If you doubt that this is so, consider the following shocking list. This list demonstrates the price of engaging in carnal, earthly warfare. Tragically, it is only a very small picture of what has happened the world over. It is nothing short of outrageous what man has done, and is willing to do, to his fellow man for a variety of reasons.

Please note that the totals listed below include the number of deaths which occurred in actual combat, as well as by other causes such as accidents, disease, suicide, and murder. These totals also include those individuals who were wounded. Obviously, I cannot vouch for the accuracy of these numbers. This short list only comprises the major conflicts in which a lot of American citizens died or were wounded:

American Revolutionary War	50,000
War of 1812	20,000
Mexican–American War	17,435
Civil War	1,031,881
Spanish–American War	4,068
Philippine–American War	7,126
World War I	320,518
World War II	30,314
Korean War	128,650
Vietnam War	211,454
War in Afghanistan	22,266
Iraq War	36,710
Total	1,880,422

As I said, the previous list only consists of the major conflicts in which a lot of American citizens have died or were wounded. It does not include a lot of other conflicts and wars in which smaller numbers of deaths occurred. This is not meant to minimalize, demean or de-emphasize those other conflicts and deaths. It is simply meant to keep this list short. If you want to see a fuller list, then please proceed to the following Wikipedia web page:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_military_casualties_of_war

In addition to the previous list, you may also want to refer to my fourteen-part series entitled "Fulfilled Prophecy: The Beginning of Sorrows" for more information regarding the casualties of war, along with a lot of other very interesting topics.

As some of you are already aware, it is an established fact that some of the Founding Fathers of the United States appear to have embraced certain Christian values. This seems to be indicated by a number of historical documents. However, while they may have mentioned God in some of said documents, and in their personal writings as well, it is a deception for anyone to believe that when it comes to the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783) -- which was also known as the American War of Independence -- they were actually fighting for some holy, just cause, or for the Kingdom of God. Let's be clear about this issue. They most certainly were not. They weren't any different from the misguided Christian Crusaders who many years earlier claimed to be fighting for the Kingdom of God, or from the Roman armies of Constantine who painted crosses on their shields, as if to suggest that God supported their cause.

In reality, the Thirteen Colonies were fighting against both the Native Americans and the British to establish a physical kingdom right here on the Earth, which would eventually be known as the United States of America. Their stated goal was freedom from King George III, King of Great Britain and King of Ireland. It was a bloody, violent war, just like many wars which came before it, and many other wars which have occurred since that time. There's absolutely nothing holy or righteous about modern warfare, so please don't buy into that deceptive nonsense. Believe God's Word instead.

While we often hear stories regarding the Pilgrims, the Puritans and the Native Americans around Thanksgiving time, which make us feel all warm and fuzzy inside, as we have now seen, the simple truth of the matter is that since the very beginning, the United States was founded upon blood, guts and war. Furthermore, Miss America has continued to engage in slaughter after slaughter, and one war after another ever since that time. In fact, as some of you will already know, once the Colonists had won their independence from Great Britain, they next turned to waging war against the Native American populations as the European white man expanded his domain ever westward. It has been all about America hanging on to her piece of the Earth, and spreading her sphere of influence throughout the world, by whatever means necessary. That, my friends, is the ugly truth. There's really nothing Christian about it whatsoever. The truth is not the sanitized versions which our children read in school history books.

Please go to part two for the continuation of this series.

⇒ Go To The Next Part . . .

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