God’s Man in the White House
Donald Trump in Modern Christian Prophecy
By James A. Beverley
A Review by Dwight A. Moody
Prophesy is foreign to most Christians in America, except in two places: the Bible study groups that from time to time find themselves reading through Ezekiel or Amos or Revelation, and the Pentecostal Christians who are influenced by the apostles and prophets that are common to their religious networks. In recent days, the goings-on among the latter—Pentecostal Prophets—has been brought to the attention of the rest of us—Bible reading believers. And it has left us in a state of bewilderment!
What is this prophesy stuff all about?
It seems to have been at the center of the political storm that coursed through American life these past five years and played an integral role in the Sacking of Congress on January 6. Prophets had foretold the 2020 re-election of Trump; and when it didn’t happen, Trump and his followers described it as a stolen election—stolen from God and stolen from us—and set in motion the most serious threat to the peaceful transfer of power in the history of the United States.
I picked up this book, recommended to me by its author (James Beverley of Toronto) who will be my guest in The Meetinghouse on March 25) who, in turn, was referred to me by the religion writer Julia Duin of Portland.
I read the book and underlined scores of phrases, sentences, and entire paragraphs. I ended up with far more questions than answers, especially since the book covers the years 2007 through February of 2020. It is a catalogue of what people call “prophesies” uttered or written by various self-described “prophets” scattered throughout the country. Appendix II documents “Selected Prophets and Religious Leaders Listed in this Book” and includes some names familiar to most (Kenneth Copeland, James Dobson, Franklin Graham, even Pope Frances) and many names new to me: Michael Brown, Kim Clement, Jeremiah Johnson, Dutch Sheets, Steve Strang, Mark Taylor, and Lance Wallnau are among other most referenced in the book.
There is very little commentary: just quotes from “prophecies” interspersed with references to public events (like political primaries and elections, speeches, investigations, and international events). But this juxtaposition of prophecies with public events is itself a kind of commentary, seeking to correlate what the prophets are asserting with the events they are predicting or interpreting.
Dr. Beverley does not provide much otherwise in the way of interpretation or critique (and this I hope to seek when we share the microphone on March 25). I can not discern through this book or his other writings whether he is a neutral observer and interpreter of this movement or whether in some way it represents his own perspective of things religious or political.
All I can say is this: these “prophecies” are occasionally impressive—as when the late Kim Clement announced the future presidency of Donald Trump in 2007! This was followed for an increasing number of such predictions, especially during the years 2015 and 2016 when the Republican establishment was publicly set against Trump. For instance:
“I have chosen this man Donald Trump and anointed him as President for such a time as this.” (Mark Taylor, October 7, 2015, Florida).
and …
“I then heard the Lord speak loudly in my dream “TRUMP SHALL LEAD THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA INTO TRIUMPH!!” (Lana Vawser, October 11, 2015, Australia); and
These prophets were persistent!
But there are other elements of these many prophecies that send a very different message. There are consistent themes in these messages: to shut the gate along the border, to pick new justices for the Supreme Court, to prepare for the end time battle, to restore the patriotic spirit of America, to resist the New World Order and the One World Government, to foil the plans of the enemy, the resist the spirit of political correctness, and to give attention to Israel.
Do these phrases and issues sound familiar? Yes, indeed—they parallel with great precision the rhetoric and priorities of both the Republican Party and/or what was formerly known as the Religious Right. All of these prophecies are full of images of the end times, the anti-Christ, and a great revival in which more than one billion people will be converted to Christianity.
In other words, the inspiration for these “prophecies” is rooted, not in the Hebrew prophets of ancient Israel but in the apocalyptic literature such as Ezekiel in the Hebrew Bible and Revelation in the Christian testament. Nowhere is there any language or values that imitates the great prophets of Israel: “Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God” or “Let justice roll down like waters …” which is precisely the message that would bless so many pew-sitting Pentecostals listening to the prophets. Furthermore, the “enemy” is referenced frequently and is easily identified as the government, the deep state, the Democrats, Obama, and liberal judges. Again—sound familiar?
Whether these “prophecies” come from God or from a political vision best described by Republicans or Christian Nationalists is the question. I know my answer, and the false prophecies of Trump’s victory in the 2020 election (which is beyond the scope and chronology of this Summer 2020 book) pushes me strongly in the same direction. As it should you!
Tune in March 25!!
(February 2021)
