Today, January 20, 2025, the 47th
President of the United States of America (USA) has been inaugurated. Donald J.
Trump was sworn to the office of the President at approximately 11:40 AM—Eastern
Time (ET). J.D. Vance was sworn in as Vice President at approximately 11:25 AM.
The event took place in the Rotunda of the Capital Building. This event made
Trump the 45th and 47th President of the USA.
As many viewed the event on TV
and the Internet, the President delivered a favorable inauguration speech. He
spoke about improving the American economy, fixing the southern border, and
deporting illegal immigrants starting with the criminal element. He promised to
make America great again (MAGA). His goal is to rebuild the military as he strengthens
America’s sovereignty. His agenda is to put America first. He desires to bring
back prosperity, peace, and security. He declares that he will begin a new golden
age in America. With the people that he has appointed to positions in his administration,
he should make America prosperous again. They should make America a country of prosperity,
peace, and safety again. When that happens, it should make the Western world a
place of peace and safety. As goes America, so goes the World. When Trump was
the 45th President he was able to make peace with the World’s
dictators. This was something the Left never gave him credit for. So, now that
he is the U.S. President again, he should be able to settle down a lot of the
chaos that was initiated and grew during the Biden administration.
Trump’s agenda has many people excited
with hope and optimism. This hope and optimism are generated with the thought
of great things to come. Over the last few years, hearts have become fearful
with all the chaos that has exploded everywhere. Crime has flourished as
criminal gangs from other countries have overtaken the streets. Left-wing politicians
have protected the criminals while harassing the innocent. Trump promises to
change all that, giving law-abiding citizens security and justice.
With a new Sheriff in town, the
streets may experience safety again. The pro-Hamas protestors could be shut
down or even deported. If that happens in America it could happen in Canada and
Australia too. Trump may even insist that the UK gets their act together. He
may convince Putin to withdraw his troops out of Ukraine. Trump will cut off
all money to the mullahs in Iran which will stifle Hamas and Hezbollah activity
greatly. There is optimism for peace in the World as the USA grows stronger
under the Trump administration.
With the possibility of
prosperity, peace, and security ahead, I am reminded of what the apostle Paul
recorded in his 1st epistle to the Thessalonian church. He had written
them while in Corinth (Acts 18:1-18). He said they were loved by God the Father
and that he had chosen them (1 Thess. 1:4). The Thessalonians had become imitators
of God and the apostles, as they received the word of God in much tribulation (1
Thess. 1:6). They had turned to God and stopped worshiping idols as they waited
for the rapture to happen (1 Thess. 1:9b-10a)—they were waiting for the appearing
of Jesus even in their day. Paul had taught them how the rapture of the body of
Christ would unfold (1 Thess. 4:13-17). He had written them again to clarify when
the church would be gathered to Jesus (2 Thess. 2:1-8) because some false
teachers were teaching that the rapture had already taken place and they had
been left behind (2 Thess. 2:2).
In his 1st epistle to
them, he reminded them that he had told them about the χρόνων καὶ τῶν καιρῶν (chrónon
kaí tón kairón) “years and times” (1 Thess. 5:1, mGNT), that the rapture would
occur. And when it happens it will come like a thief in the night, suddenly the
trumpet will sound. Paul called it the ἡμέρα κυρίου (iméra kyríou) “Lord’s day”.
Some believe this phrase refers to the beginning of the 7-year Tribulation. But
this phrase is used in the Scriptures to indicate different times and seasons
that have a miraculous or great impact on either God’s people or the world. In
this context, I believe it refers to the rapture of the body of Christ (Matt.
24:36-44; 25:13; Mk. 13:32-37). I say this because, the Lord comes to the
clouds to rapture his church, he does not come to the earth to begin the 7-year
Tribulation. Paul warns the church, that
when the world is living in εἰρήνη καὶ ἀσφάλεια (eiríni kaí asfáleia) “peace
and security” then destruction (ruin and death) will come upon the world
suddenly—without warning (1 Thess. 5:3a). It will be like when a woman’s labor
pains begin, it cannot be stopped, and the world will not escape what will
happen (1 Thess. 5:3b). In other words, once the church is raptured then the
7-year Tribulation will follow. It cannot be stopped. Therefore, once the rapture
occurs without warning the Tribulation Period will follow soon after. The
rapture will happen when the world is prospering, and living in peace, and
security. And then everything will change.
The world has no clue what is
coming because they are not being taught prophecy. False prophets are
announcing to the world that they see visions of everything getting better under
President Trump’s leadership. No one in the realm of government is warning the
world that the rapture is about to happen or that the Tribulation is coming. The
three clergymen who prayed at Trump’s inauguration address never mentioned the
rapture or the Tribulation even once. Only that everything is going to get
better, as they prayed. The Trump presidency will implement his agenda of
prosperity, peace, and security, and his vision of a golden age will take form quickly.
They will have to fight the deep state while they do it. But the church cannot get
caught up in all that. The church is not of this world, so more than ever we should
be looking and praying for the rapture to happen even during Trump’s golden age
(1 Thess. 5:4-5). As the golden age of Trump begins to take shape the church cannot
be asleep as the world is asleep. But it must stay awake and be sober (1 Thess.
5:6). The church cannot get drunk on the excitement and joy of the golden age
of prosperity, peace, and security (1 Thess. 5:7). God has promised that the
church will not suffer his wrath that is about to come – the Tribulation – but rather
he will complete the body of Christ’s salvation (1 Thess. 5:9). The church is
not to get caught up in the world’s golden age, we are to stay awake and be sober,
putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and wear the hope of our
salvation’s completion as a helmet (1 Thess. 5:8). It is God’s will that we
live with him (1 Thess. 5:10). Therefore, be of comfort and be inspired (1
Thess. 5:11).
Picture: Former Presidents announced at Trump inauguration (CBS News)
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