The major news this week continues to revolve around the US-Iran conflict. The surrounding region has become a hotbed for military attacks and bloodshed. So far, at least 15 countries have been drawn into this unnecessary, senseless war.
The Trump administration keeps changing its motivation for going into Iran without congressional approval. Instead of following the commands and ways of God, America and Israel have become the oppressors who practice and follow the ways of this evil kingdom we live in:
- Deception
- Greed
- Murder
One of the tragic bits of news this week to come out of the war has been the loss of six American soldiers who were killed in Kuwait when an Iranian drone hit the US command center there. The youngest soldier, Declan Coady, was only 20 years old.
They died, although they were following military protocol and the commands of their earthly leaders. Unfortunately, America and many of God’s people have forgotten God’s warnings to not trust in ourselves or earthly might (Psalm 146:3, Proverbs 3:5-6, Jeremiah 17:5-7).
Growing up as an Army brat, I understand a soldier’s duty and responsibility to follow the commander’s orders; our military commanders also must answer to a higher power, and I am not talking about a draft dodger sitting in the White House.
God’s people are commanded to follow and listen to God’s ways and commands if we are to be different from this power-hungry fallen world (Deuteronomy 6:4-9, John 14:15).
What Does It Mean to Follow
We all follow someone or something at some point in life. Follow is defined as “To proceed, come after: pursue.” That is why we need to be careful about who we listen to and follow. The human tendency is to follow whoever they listen to the most or who they like to hear.
If we aren’t careful, who we follow can lead us astray and away from God. The Bible gives God’s people clear warnings about who we can and can’t follow (Proverbs 13:20, 2 Timothy 4:3-4, 1 John 4:1).
That is why the Bible has a lot to say about who we can follow as God’s people (Hebrews 13:7, James 4:7). And I’m not just talking about following the lost; there are just as many religious people who don’t follow the example of Christ or His teachings.
God’s people are cautioned not to trust their own hearts or understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6; 28:26, 1 Corinthians 3:18-20). Once we come to God, we must stop our old ways of following God’s commands (Romans 6:6, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 4:22-24, Galatians 5:24, Titus 2:11-12, James 1:22-25). The apostles remembered their Jewish education about who and what God’s people must follow.
Rāḏap̄
The prophet Moses tells us that before the fall in the garden, mankind listened to and followed God’s commands and ways (Genesis 2:15-17). God warned mankind about the consequences if they didn’t follow God’s command (Genesis 2:17).
The Hebrew word in the Old Testament for follow is rāḏap̄, and it can also mean “Pursue, persecute, chase, or flight,” depending upon the context it is used in. After the fall, mankind followed its sinful heart and the ways of Satan (Genesis 6:5).
That is why God set His people apart from this fallen kingdom and promised to bless them if they followed His commands (Exodus 19:5-6, Deuteronomy 7:6-8). That is why Judaism stresses certain disciplines so God’s people can be more like Him instead of this world:
- Torah study
- Observing the Sabbath
- Forgiving others
- Having compassion
- Kosher diet
- Charity
Jesus warned His followers not to use force or violence to do God’s will (Matthew 5:9; 26:52). He rebuked His Disciples for wanting to use power to achieve earthly greatness or their selfish will (Luke 9:51-56).
Our Rabbi cautioned His followers that His kingdom is not like this world (John 18:36). True greatness comes through humility, not earthly power in God’s kingdom (Matthew 20:25-28).
Our Lord refused to use force or power to call angels to even save Himself (Matthew 26: 53). God does not force Himself on anyone like this power-hungry, corrupt world does.
Pete Hegseth
In other big news this week that shocked many conservatives, multiple sources have reported that Pete Hegseth and military commanders gave soldiers the order to attack Iran, because President Trump was God’s anointed one and the war would signal for God to send Jesus back to begin Armageddon.
Numerous soldiers from different battalions filed complaints to the Military Religious Freedom Foundation about this Christian nationalist agenda of the Trump administration.
Even conservative firecracker Marjorie Taylor Greene condemned this religious quack conspiracy. This idolatry and blasphemy have been on display for the world to see since President Trump won the election in 2024. Hegseth and the president’s cabinet have been calling Trump the anointed one without hesitation.
I don’t care if you are a pastor, Christian author, or Bible scholar; if you believe this quack conspiracy theory about President Trump’s anointing, then you need to repent now or get out of ministry.
This twisted and deceptive view of a fallen man is idolatry, and that violates both Jewish and Christian teachings (Psalm 115:4-8, Matthew 4:10). Clearly, many conservatives are more concerned about following the world’s way instead of God’s commands:
- No other gods besides me
- love thy neighbor/enemy
- Caring for the least of these
- Forgiving others
- Caring for the foreigner
The scary thing is that many conservatives suffer from Islamophobia and condemn their holy war, but are comfortable justifying their own holy war to do God’s will. They are blind pigs and wolves in sheepskins and nothing more!
This is both hypocrisy and blasphemy on the side of the American church. I don’t know if it is more sad or scary to watch pastors, Christian authors, and Bible teachers ignore the teachings of Jesus because they choose to follow a political party and a power-hungry antichrist.
The Bible warns us that wars and chaos don’t come from God, but from our own selfish desires (Galatians 5:19-21, James 4:1-2). That is why God’s people must be careful who theyrāḏap̄!
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