EVANGELICAL, SOCIAL CONSERVATIVE TURNOUT HIGHEST EVER RECORDED

[Drew]

EVANGELICAL, SOCIAL CONSERVATIVE TURNOUT HIGHEST EVER RECORDED IN MID-TERM ELECTION

Oh, ye of big faith. Like, really big faith. The largest single constituency in the electorate in the midterm elections was “self-identified evangelicals,” who comprised 29 percent of the vote and cast a hefty 78 percent of their ballots for Republican candidates, according to new findings from the Faith and Freedom Coalition. Turnout by conservative folks of faith was up by 5 percent over 2006 – the largest ever recorded in a midterm election, the group says. The survey also found that 52 percent of all “tea party” members are conservative evangelicals; 57 percent also say both lawmakers and political leaders are “ignoring our religious heritage.” The survey of 1,000 voters was conducted Nov. 2.

“People of faith turned out in the highest numbers in a midterm election we have ever seen, and they made an invaluable contribution to the historic results,” says Ralph Reed, chairman of the 400,000-member group. “This survey, along with numerous exit polls, makes clear that those who ignore or disregard social conservative voters and their issues do so at their own peril.”

Full article:  http://is.gd/gIyy1

[Richard Myers]

Yes, the handwriting has been on the wall for some time. And we ought to see it clearly. Satan put Obama in office not just to destroy morality and the Constitution, but to create and intolerable situation. It used to be the president and the pope were fighting against the tide of evil that has swept through America, but today none with any moral compass can say that. The pope stands alone on the world stage in the battle against "outward" immorality. The president is immoral and has created so much concern over his pushing of immorality that there has been a groundswell that is increasing in intensity and size. The "moral" ones are not going to have their children taught immorality in schools and denied the right to teach Bible principles by those who hate God and His Word.

When I study my Bible I see that this had to happen. The last great cause in America and the world will not be brought about by the outwardly immoral ones, but by those who profess to be moral. Obama's profession is hollow and outwardly in favor of evil. This has created the impulse to do whatever to rid the nation of him and his fellow Democrats who are being pushed by the homosexual agenda and those who desire to protect a woman's right to abort babies, even late term. We could on, but the issues are clear.

And when we look beyond outward immorality, we don't have to look far to see the hypocrisy of many who hold up their Bible's, but do not live what is in them.  They will be the instrument through which persecution will be brought to bear upon God's children as the end comes.

As we see the immoral ones sinking, let us not forget what is about to break upon the world as it seeks to gain God's favor by a false repentance. A repentance to be repented of.

[Larry Lyons]

This may bode well for some of the agenda items that the Evangelicals and others in this voting block share. We can agree with many of their positions such as abortion, homosexual marraige etc. However, as you say, Richard, many, probably a majority, in this same group will not hesitate to push for Sunday laws and will persecute those who are faithful to God and insist on the Sabbath as God's holy day.

I am reminded of a Spirit of Prophecy quote about many Adventists who have come to view things in the much same light as the opposition will find it easy to separate from God's people when persecution starts and join ranks with the enemy. This will apparantly be those who "received not the love of the truth...." I pray that none of us will be among them. There are apparantly many who know the truth, but do not necessarily love the truth.

[Richard Myers]

Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,  And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.  And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:  That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.  2 Thessalonians 2:9-12.

It is sad that all do not love the truth. Many turn away from it.  
The truth is found in Jesus. He is the way, the truth, and the life.

[Drew]

Yes & Amen Brother Richard, it appears as if there is a solid backlash coming upon the Democratic run administration that is perceived to be out of touch with home town American protestant values.  It does not appear that anything major will happen over the next two years, unless there should be some major crisis.  So we are looking at 2012 where the Republicans could possibly take over not only the Executive Branch, but also the Senate - then we could easily see Sunday legislation passed.

Brother Larry stated:

This will apparently be those who "received not the love of the truth...."

Sister White, writing her son on his 19th birthday encouraged him to realize the danger of not fully receiving the love of the truth ==>

The mind must be educated and disciplined to love purity. A love for spiritual things should be encouraged; yea, must be encouraged, if you would grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth. Desires for goodness and true holiness are right so far as they go; but if you stop here, they will avail nothing. Good purposes are right, but will prove of no avail unless resolutely carried out. Many will be lost while hoping and desiring to be Christians; but they made no earnest effort, therefore they will be weighed in the balances and found wanting. The will must be exercised in the right direction. I will be a wholehearted Christian. I will know the length and breadth, the height and depth, of perfect love. Listen to the words of Jesus: "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." Ample provisions are made by Christ to satisfy the soul that hungers and thirsts for righteousness.  ~  2T 265-266

[Mimi]

Haiti is taking another hit with rains. Indonesia continues to take center stage for earthquakes. For the simple layman you have shown how tenuous the economy is ... I believe two years is too long to wait on the Republicans to set up the image to the beast. If we do our work with the gospel and stop being so slack about it, God will make a short work of what must come to be between now and the second coming.

[Wally]

Yes & Amen Brother Richard, it appears as if there is a solid backlash coming upon the Democratic run administration that is perceived to be out of touch with home town American protestant values.  It does not appear that anything major will happen over the next two years, unless there should be some major crisis.  So we are looking at 2012 where the Republicans could possibly take over not only the Executive Branch, but also the Senate - then we could easily see Sunday legislation passed.

I am convinced that it will not matter who controls Congress or the White House when the time comes for a Sunday law.  Based on the scenario outlined in Great Controversy, it is the people who will demand it; and the legislators will comply.  I believe that things will have become so bad by then, that the politicians will circle the wagons, so to speak, to defeat the common enemy; which, by then will be perceived to be those who "desecrate" Sunday.

I am wary of Sunday law predictions based on who controls Congress or who sits in the Oval Office.  I well remember a 1992 sermon by one our laymen here in Maine.  He predicted that if Bill Clinton became president it would provoke a monumental backlash among evangelicals, and would result in a Sunday law.  Such speculation is akin to the little boy who cried "Wolf!"  This hurts the cause of truth, rather than advancing it. 

[Larry Lyons]

I agree, Wally. As a people, we Seventh-day Adventists have been blessed with a thorough knowledge of Bible prophecy and with divine counsel through the Spirit of Prophecy, and yet we have been consistently unsuccessful in looking at political trends and developments, and news of the world to make precise predictions in how events will occur and who specifically will be involved. It is interesting, though, to look around and we can't help but understand that things are now in place that could bring about the sudden developments that will bring on what we have been predicting and waiting for. I believe that it is only God's mercy and patience with us that He has held it off this long.

BTW, I saw an article yesterday that quoted Paulsen as saying that in September of '08 there was a sudden massive sell off of stocks and securities etc. that if they had not shut it down temporarily, would have caused the collapse of the entire US financial system within 24 hours, which would have also caused the collapse of the world financial system. It appears that the information that David Gates said had been given to him earlier that year, and which he had shared in a couple of sermons was accurate.

[Wally]

It is interesting, though, to look around and we can't help but understand that things are now in place that could bring about the sudden developments that will bring on what we have been predicting and waiting for. I believe that it is only God's mercy and patience with us that He has held it off this long.

Amen to that!  I believe these conditions have existed ever since the fall of the USSR.

[Drew]

I am convinced that it will not matter who controls Congress or the White House when the time comes for a Sunday law.  Based on the scenario outlined in Great Controversy, it is the people who will demand it; and the legislators will comply. 

I am wary of Sunday law predictions based on who controls Congress or who sits in the Oval Office. 

Wally, it is easy to understand how one could believe that it would have to be the Republicans who would bring in the Sunday Law, because they are the "Christian" party.  It is true that most of the Evangelicals vote Republican, because the party has much more in common with the morality of Christians than the Democrats do.  But I am not convinced that the ONLY way a Sunday Law will ever be passed is if the Republicans do it.  I can see a time coming when a crisis would loom so great upon the minds and hearts of America that BOTH parties would reach across the aisle in bipartisan support for such a bill.  The Democrats may not vote because it is religious in nature, but for a secular reason such as it will help reduce greenhouse gas by restricting vehicle travel, and business and factory activity on Sunday.

Why would I believe that the Democrats and Republicans could agree on such a potentially divisive issue?  Recent history suggests strongly that it is possible.  After 9/11, both houses quickly and without any rancor, disagreement or argument passed the Patriot Act.  And the amazing thing is that it passed without anyone being able to read and digest the wording in the actual bill.  They all voted because - well how could you not - it was after all the PATRIOT ACT, and what politician is going to be "stupid" enough to cast an UNPATRIOTIC vote against it, in the face of the worst act of aggression on the homeland in history. 

Even though it would appear that it will happen with Republicans at the helm, this Country does not need a Republican lead Congress and White House to pass Sunday legislation.  All it needs is another crisis similar to or greater than 9/11, and it could pass as quickly and easily as the Patriot Act.

[Mimi]

Spot on, Drew.