By, Dr. Jim Garlow, Skyline Church, San Diego, CA ; With permission from Charisma Magazine
I have been asked “the question” so many times regarding Trump or Hillary. By way of background, I have followed every national convention—Republican and Democrat—from the time I was age 9, and have attended most of the GOP Conventions from 1984 to the present. I have watched the news virtually every day from the age of 8. I have never seen anything like what we are observing.
In spite of the unprecedented nature of this election cycle, I will attempt to respond to “the question.” I am not demanding that anyone else share my view. But I was asked. Here is my best attempt to answer as I am able to see things at this time:
1. The Democratic and Republican party platforms are as different as night and day, in my opinion, as far apart as evil vs. good. The 51-page Democratic platform is the most leftist ever. (I don’t care for the “right vs. left” nomenclature. I am far more concerned with “right vs. wrong.”) The Democratic platform contains many points which are anti-biblical. (Time does not permit me here to identify what is meant by “anti-biblical,” which is covered in my new book Well Versed: Biblical Answers to Today’s Tough Issues.) It is thoroughly socialistic (a socialist is a communist without a gun). The 54-page GOP platform is one of the strongest GOP platforms ever. A biblically alert person could be comfortable with almost all of it. Party platforms are a big issue to me. Although some “blow off” party platforms, I do not. Nor do many people up and down the ballot who are running for office. This is a serious and very important item. I have a hard copy of both platforms in front of me now. Most people have never checked out what the party platforms say. They should. If a person is not drawn to the “top-of-the-ballot” candidate, they ought to at least consider voting for the candidate attached to the best party platform.
2. Analogy #1: Both candidates are flawed. We all know that. But permit me an analogy: As a pastor, I would rather deal with a church attendee who is blatant and brash in his sinning than one who is devious, lying, cunning and deceptive. Both are problematic, but one is easier to deal with than the other. If I were a pastor bringing correction to a parishioner, I would prefer dealing with a “Trump-type” any day over a “Hillary-type.” The chances of making progress with the “Trump-type” are many times greater than the “Hillary-type.”
3. Analogy #2: When my (late) wife’s remarkable and much loved oncologist said, “Don’t take Carol to that alternative (non FDA approved) treatment.” I asked, “Why not?” He said, “The unknown.” I said, “Doctor, your ‘known’ is much worse than the alternative treatment’s ‘unknown.'” I took her to that alternative treatment. One year later that same oncologist went to the alternative treatment doctor to see how it was that Carol had improved so much. While this alternative treatment did not ultimately save her life, it likely stretched two to three years of life to six years of life—by the admission of another one of her brilliant young oncologists who later said, “Without any medical training or scientific fact, you have put together a protocol of treatment that has moved her into the top fraction of 1 percent of survival rates of all patients with Carol’s particular cancer. Application of the analogy: Hillary’s “known” is considerably worse—many times over—than Trump’s “unknown.”
4. Trump has lots of sins in his past (actually, we all do), and—in the present—says things he should not say. I make no attempt to defend any of the things he has said. There is no need to rehearse the wrong things he has said. We know what they are. He should not have thought or said them. But there is no need to rehash them here. So we won’t. But let’s turn to the other candidate. Although America has had some scandal-ridden candidates in its history, we have never seen any one major party candidate more constantly scandalous as Hillary (along with her husband). She seems to exceed all previous boundaries for wrongdoing. The scandals just don’t stop. In the same way we did not take time to list all of Trump’s misstatements, neither will we here rehash the seemingly continuous string of horrific scandals of the Clintons.
5. Trump is slowly being surrounded by increasingly good people. From time to time, I receive encouraging calls regarding this. Can these good people impact Trump? We will see. In contrast, I see no reason for any encouragement regarding the people who surround Hillary.
6. Trump is right on approximately 75 percent of the issues. I wish it was 100 percent. It is not. I am in hopes that those beginning to surround him can help him connect the dots on more issues. Hillary is wrong on 100 percent of the issues.
7. This next issue might be one of the most important, but I suspect few will understand its significance. Trump opposes globalism. Hillary thrives on it. Globalism is far more than “geographical” or “eliminating national borders and boundaries.” It is spiritual and demonic at its core. Few—very few—understand this. This is quite likely one of the main reasons why Trump is hated. Do your homework on this one. Think “principalities and powers.” Serious. Extremely serious.
8. Not voting is not a viable option, contrary to what the “purists” claim. It is not my intention to begin a war of the issue. I know that some radically disagree with this. My view? They have the right to be wrong.
9. Voting for a third party candidate is—regardless of what is said—a complete “throw-away.” No third party candidate will be elected, or even come remotely close to being elected. And yes, that matters to me. And for the record, the Libertarian ticket—Johnson and Weld—is nearly as bad on many issues as Hillary. When I listen to them, I am stunned people of their ability have ever made it to elective office.
10. Trump has moved pro-life. Hillary is pro-baby killing, and prides herself on that, and honors the organization—Planned Parenthood—that actually traffics human parts from dead babies whom they have killed. This is below anything we have seen since Nazi Germany. The gall of Hillary! The Clintons have evaded justice for decades and likely will continue to. But they will someday stand before the Great White Throne. They will have to give account of their support of the ripping babies to shreds in the womb. For the record, those who vote for those who support the genocide of pre-borns will also have to give an account.
11. Trump wants to defend the nation (which is the purpose of government). Hillary has a horrific track record as Secretary of State, and due to hundreds of millions of dollars given to her and her husband’s foundation, she is beholden to those who want us dead.
12. Hillary claims “everything is fine” in America. This defies every single fact, but facts have never been an interest of Hillary’s. Trump understands that it is 11:59 p.m. on the “cultural clock.” America is near the end—morally, economically, militarily and, sadly, spiritually. There are very clear identifiable indicators—measurable ones—that America is no longer the world’s leading power. That day is over. Hillary will hasten the final destruction. Trump could either slow that down—or possibly, with God’s help—reverse it. Maybe.
13. Trump will address the massive government spending. Hillary will expand it above the existing unsustainable debt the U.S. currently is carrying (almost $20 trillion plus unfunded liabilities to Social Security, etc).
14. Trump will expose—and I pray, bring down—”the systemic evil” (crony, deceitful, misuse of capitalism) that reigns among many high-dollar lobbyists. Hillary thrives because of them.
15. Trump will stop the massive overreach of government. Hillary will extend it.
16. Freedoms come in “threes.” Political freedom, economic freedom and religious liberty coexist together. Take one away and the other two will eventually disappear. One cannot exist without the other two. The genius of America is that it had all three, until recently. Trump fully grasps the loss of religious liberty. I have heard him speak on it in person on several occasions. He knows that economic and political freedoms are evaporating. He will reverse that. Hillary will decimate all three.
17. Every rational person knows the Supreme Court appointments are paramount. Trump has listed 11 superb potential nominees. Hillary’s appointments would snuff out the tiny vestige of the three freedoms that are left (mentioned in the statement above).
18. I make no excuse for wrongdoing or wrongful, hurtful words from either candidate. Candidly, I want King Jesus. He rules in my heart. And yours too, I suspect. And I want Him to rule here—now. But that day is not fully manifested—yet. In the meantime, we prayerfully, carefully navigate this challenging election season, with great concern that above all, we honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in every arena of our lives, including the voting booth. That is my hope. I believe it is yours as well.
Read the original article at Charisma News.
I will be voting for trump! We cannot afford to hand the WH over to the level of corruption and evil that has taken over the lives of Hillary and Bill Clinton….Yes HE will be in the WH if she wins. We MUST save our Republic and our Constitution and IN GOD WE TRUST. The Clinton machine is guilty of murder, lying to the FBI and Congress, Bribery, pay for play, failure to execute her duties as Sec. of State, lying to the American Public, and TREASON. Now she has been caught mocking all Christians and Catholics alike and saying that we must give up our faith. Who does she think she is?
Me and my Wife want Trump for President.When those 4 Men got kill in Benghazi Hillary said What difference does it make she gave them no help at all. She could care less, All she want is money and power to do what she want,We hope very much that the Ladies don’t volt for her cause she a woman.Hope God will have Trump for President .IF Hillary is President,, Our poor United States be really bad off then what it is now..
Hillary Clinton is a Globalist and proponent of the New World Socialist Order which is laying the foundation for the future rule of The Antichrist. It is VERY CRITICAL that she not be elected POTUS or else this Country is doomed and the Christians living here will undergo great persecution of a type and pogrom not unlike that seen perpetrated upon the Jews during the rule of National Socialism in Germany during World War II. Hillary must be stopped. Period.
Our country is on the brink disaster as a whole. We need to seek GOD FIRST before we vote. Forget being Politically Correct, it is time to Biblically Correct.
I tried to tie this into a Biblical analogy: Trump seems more like Samson. He went after what he wanted, but in the end, returned to God. Hillary (and Billary) are exact dupilicates of Jezebel and Ahab. Greedy, underhanded, anti-Christian and in tune with the world moreso than with God. Have fun with this.
The plain fact to remember when voting……..Hillary stands for abortion of the unborn down to the day of delivery……A vote for Hillary will be a vote for the wrath of God to be poured out upon this Country as never been seen in history. May God have mercy on us!!!
I totally agree that it is better to deal with a “Trump type” vs Hillary type”, You don’t have to constantly look for hidden messages in what Trump says. He was not my first choice out of the group of Republicans, but he is my choice for President of the United States. I do like the way he surrounds himself with good people and knowledgeable leaders. I especially like the fact I believe he will re-ignite our solid stance with Israel.
Deception and many decades, administrations have created our reality. The last ten years turned this country upside down. Many of us have been cheated and wronged, but still don’t quit on Gods Plan. Blaming one person/decade for all the current “evils” is misleading. The history of this country and the power to rule has been in the hands of Men. Both parties are bent on manipulation, both parties are guilty. Women of faith, daughters of The Living God, continue to be dismissed, disrespected and many left carrying the weight of raising and providing for their families. The “world” is not kind and believers are persecuted. Many churches have failed to teach and live the Word, scripture. The government is people, citizens fail to recognize their own opportunities to create change, hold others accountable. Americans treat each other poorly and then whine when they don’t get their way. God’s will be done. Let him be our judge. I’m very tired of both sides judging each other, when seeing, no one has been perfected. One party does not determine the faith of anyone, the heart of a man or woman. Compassion, we are to lead people to Jesus. Treat one another with kindness. The church is too political and commercial. Jim and Lori, never forget how you have been forgiven and blessed, we are all sinners. Everyone has fallen short and undeserving of God’s grace. His Will be done. A cheat and a liar does not change, without spiritual discernment, people are easily swayed and sold by the words of men. You accept the misdeeds of one and not the other. This is a difficult time and prayer would be the best “item” to sell. Encourage others to look to God for wisdom. Gods will be done. Amen
Very well said. I won’t be wasting my vote! =D
God help us all , pray pray before you vote I like Trump but pray