Table of Contents

Introduction. 1

The Church in Modernity. 2

Esther 7

The Ephod and David. 17

The Persecution of Christ and The Early Church and Now.. 19

Conclusion. 27

Bibliography. 28

Introduction

            Jesus stated quite clearly that if we walked in unity with him then we would share in his persecution. If the world hated Christ, then the world would hate us. This has been mildly experienced by Western American Christians in relation to other regions of the world, and it appears that this anger against the image of God, which is in us, has finally reach our shores with a purpose driven plan along with the determination to see it accomplished. Over the years, secularism has been slowly creeping into the culture like a frog in a pot of water and the fire below is slowly being increased so not to alarm the frog of its demise. Through this process of incrementalism, the church has grown complacent to its calling, shunned by a new generation, and now are being demonized as ‘the enemy’ in the public square. Many of our congregations appear to be stunned at the water that is now boiling around us.

            This may not be as fatalistic as it sounds if we take the time to see the potential that it holds for our community of faith. Remember the story of Esther, when Israel was held in subservience to the Kingdom of Babylon with internal enemies actively seeking their utter destruction? Remember the plight of the early church as the spiritual powers controlling Rome were instrumental in devising the same systematic extermination agenda toward the body of Christ? How do we understand the persecution of Jesus in relation to the lives we live in the United States of America today, and will it possibly take on a new light of understanding as it did for the early church? The theme that remains consistent through consistent biblical narratives is the apparent force of sudden doom, and how it ultimately strengthened the cause of righteousness. For we have not been given the spirit of fear, rather we have been given the Spirit of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.[1] This study will delve into the ancient narratives of those persecuted before us in the hopes to help shape our mindset for the coming challenges ahead. This study will identify the failings of the Christian community to be the light but rather decided to curse the darkness, and it will also highlight a consistent socialistic behavior in governing rulership and how the emergence of God’s kingdom ultimately becomes a threat to the authoritative powers given into the hands of these stewards of the earth. Lastly, this study will help provide a forward-looking agenda for the body of Christ, having observed the systematic trends in history that offer a pathway to liberation.

The Church in Modernity

            Not so many years ago, there was a majority viewership which held a modicum of respect for the faith of the Christian community. Revivals within various communities across the nation of America were common conversation. Christian Universities were an accepted educational resource, and even in secular institutions of higher learning, theology degrees were respected sources of moral authority which helped fill world leading institutions with academically qualified leadership. Again, this was no so long ago, yet something has shifted in just a matter of fifty to one hundred years or so. Institutes of higher learning have incrementally shifted toward a sociological secularism. Generational understandings and provisional podiums of debate have slowly come under a projected swath of judgement and scorn. This secular worldview believes that religious considerations should not only be challenged, but utterly excluded from civil affairs, public education, and public debate. It is a collision course agenda which is designed to eradicate a targeted voice of opposition to their moral precepts and philosophy. Secularism isn’t interested in being correct, they are interested in being the moral authority which stands above all through methods of authoritative and legal recourse. The secularist agenda is not interested in the free exchange of ideas, rather they are poised to dominate the landscape of any who claim alternative logical perspectives which might threaten the legitimacy of their claims. The secularist is not demonstrating any desire to share the power of the platform. It is also imperative to note that Fundamentalism hasn’t been interested in being correct either, they have been interested in being the moral authority which stands above all through methods of authoritative and legal recourse.[2]      Paul Maltby, author of Christian Fundamentalism and the Culture of Disenchantment, helps give a balanced perspective to the current tide of secularism by revealing it as reactionary. The rise of today’s secularism is an overreaction to early century tenants of fundamentalism in American culture. Maltby describes early fundamentalism as their cultural belief system projected an irrevocable separation between the saved and the unsaved in such a way that created an order of segregation that magnified a severe punishment for the sin of being non-Christian. Maltby states that the fundamentalist worldview rules out compassion for those left behind.[3] This is important to note before moving forward in this study if we are to glean an accurate understanding of why the American war of ideology is unfolding in the manner that we are experiencing today. There are two sides to the story, and as Sir Isaac Newton observed, every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Maltby points out that the inconsistencies within the fundamentalist community have resulted in a caricature mocked by popular media describing fundamentalist as simply a reactionary bigot.[4] Voices from both sides of the isle are demanding to be heard, yet both are demonizing the other. Now that the argument has been made that the fundamentalist hold as much responsibility as the secularist, let’s continue into the current state of affairs that are now being levied against anyone with conservative Christian views.

            This agenda against the religious moral culture isn’t isolated to the realm of higher education, rather these educational interlopers are strategically utilizing the foundation of academia as a source entry into the hearts and minds of upcoming generations. Higher learning is being targeted for its strategic and foundational advantages towards a broader objective. The hearts and minds of the upcoming generations ready to be educated through trusted sources of learning is tactical because it reforms the voter base’s voice from the old fundamentalist political ideology into a replacement secularist ideology. The law of the land, the Constitution, is in the ultimate cross hairs of this secularist political movement, and the youth of America are being groomed as a power base at the polls. It would be safe to categorize the unfolding events as a war of ideology. Where the current narrative appears to be a resistance against a populist view of Christian values, historically the Christian community have suffered the same resistance when their emerging ideology was a minority within the population of various countries and regions. Elizabeth Digeser, author of A Threat to Public Piety: Christians, Platonists, and the Great Persecution, describes the plight of the pioneers of Western philosophy who wrestled with the credibility of the claims of the Christian community. Porphyry from the time of the Byzantine in 263, traveled to Rome under the rule of Gallienus, who enacted a retraction against the Christians by his father in 257. History tells that Dionysius the bishop of Alexandria has convinced the emperor to attack Christians because their activities were interfering with certain Egyptian magoi rituals.[5] This persecution ultimately affected Christians everywhere within the regions. It was Gallienus that, through observation, realized Christianity as a legitimate association within the community of thought and public relevance. Within the regions of Greece and Rome there was an active exchanging of ideas attempting to gain understanding and enlightenment among the philosophers and it was necessary for the evolving communities if they wished to remain relevant with the progress of their age. There have always been elements that seek to destroy the influential argument of the other side of the isle. It is recorded that Porphyry once vehemently debated Plotinus for three straight days over how the soul and body were joined. Porphyry wrote a scathing review of Plotinus which insinuated that Plotinus’ object of thought was outside of the realm of intellect.[6] Later, the two became friends. This Grecian example of societal debate and resistance demonstrates that there is a pressure in discourse that must be levied, and while under pressure the potential desire to silence the other is intrinsic in the heart of humanity. To silence those who oppose your view is instinct, but those who refrain from such baser instincts receive the benefit of growth and increased understanding. It is possible to find friendship with those who disagree with you, however the reality of our day resembles more of the Dionysius motivation to cancel an ideology and those who participate in its activities, and we should continue to press towards a productive narrative of reconciliation as was discovered between Porphyry and Plotinus.

            The sociological and political landscape being realized in America today is rifled with tempestuous signs of great regress within our Republic. Socialism has developed a strange voice of power from the secularist in dominate universities across the country, the public square (social media), and even in the highest seats in our capital. Democratic socialism is being offered under the guise of compassionate governance, but the legislation offered and enacted is seeking to supplant discrimination through laws designed to enforce discriminatory edicts upon those they decry as bigots against the secularist moral objectives. Evangelist Franklin Graham, president and CEO of Samaritan’s Purse, has recently taken to the public square with a rally cry and warning to the Christian community to unite in a stand against ungodly proposals and executive orders being dictated by President Joe Biden through Executive Orders (EO). Graham stated strongly, “We don’t accept this wicked agenda that they are proposing. We stand in opposition to it, but we want to stand on God’s truth, on his word and what the Bible says”.[7] Graham is calling for believers to begin to pray that God will bring guidance to the Biden administration so to reverse a series of existential threats against religious freedoms. His announcement for prayer was followed with the hope of great things happening. Graham declares that the church doesn’t retreat or hide when faced with persecution, but rather as salt and light we stand for what’s right.[8] This is very much what we will uncover later in this study as we dig into the story of Esther and the plight of the Israelites in Babylon under Xerxes. Graham’s encouragement also came with a stern reminder that the body of Christ wasn’t called to employ the tactics of the world. We are not of this world, and because of that we will see the victory of God emerge. Graham’s approach takes on more of an accurate biblical approach versus some of the Evangelical voices speaking against the rise of secularism. Jerry Falwell, speaking on the Listen, America show, states that we are in a religious war and we need to aggressively oppose secular humanism. Falwell asserts that the secularist is religiously motivated as much as they are filled with the devil. From the other side of the argument, Richard Rorty, Universality and Truth, speaks about arranging the structure and curriculum in such a way to unpack the religious fundamentalist’s worldview with the aim of conversion to the worldview of secularism. Rorty identifies the religious fundamentalist as bigoted, homophobic from first observation.[9] This one hundred plus year ideological war has now culminated into the greatest and deepest divide experienced in America’s history. All weapons of shadow tactical warfare are being waged with the full intention of exploitation. While it may appear on the surface as a war between belligerent Christian conservatism and its authoritarian belief system versus a belligerent Secular liberalism and its authoritarian belief system, it is important to magnify that not all Christian conservatives are fundamentalist and not all Secular liberals are postmodern.[10] The majority of people are simply forging through life with the same hopes, goals, and aspirations as a collective. We must find the middle ground with includes the ‘other’ from both sets of values and belief systems.

Esther

            Throughout a prosperous life of American freedom, Western Christianity has developed a commonality of prose in their gospel understanding that has equated freedom and prosperity with righteousness. This is not all together inaccurate, but without persecution prosperity simply equates favorability as virtue, and therefore the virtuous among us have become favored with prosperity (freedom). This is the product of human rationalization as it attempts to gain an understanding of its current circumstances which provides meaning, placement, and purpose for the experience of life. While Western Christianity has been mildly affected by resistance from the carnal minded worldview, the Christian communities abroad have periodically endured more egregious circumstances from government oppression, warring factions, and persecutions from opposing religious worldviews at odds with Christianity at a deep level. Personal liberties have been removed from Christian communities across many nations, having their property seized, issuance of fines, imprisonment, and even death. History has been filled with countless stories of oppression against Judaism and Christianity among various tribes and nations, perpetually describing the cyclical plight of humanity as it strives together. There is nothing new under the sun, and now it may be the time of a greater persecution for the Christians of the United States of America.

The narrative of the Jewish plight under Babylonian rule, described in the book of Esther, provides a compelling insight into the methodology of the Spirit of God concerning his people during persecution.  Around 486-465 BC, Xerxes ascended the throne of his father Darius, as the King of Persia. It was during this time that the Jewish nation was subjected to the rule of Babylon and its kingship. Xerxes’ rule extended over 127 provinces which spanned from India to Ethiopia, which also included the inhabitants of Israel. His military strength was centered in Persia and Media, and he ruled through all the princes and governors over the provinces within his kingdom. The story of Xerxes’ recorded in the book of Esther begins with Queen Vashti refusing to present herself before Xerxes’ great feast. Eugene Roop, author of Ruth, Jonah, Esther: Believers Church Bible Commentary, describes the Vashti’s refusal to be dragged into Xerxes outrageous banquet of drunken men, and the consequential outcome resulted from Xerxes’ style of governorship. Xerxes was known for never making his own decisions. Even though he held absolute power, he would call upon his counselors for every decision and then immediately implement their advice. This course of governorship thus resulted in the counselors, courtiers, eunuchs, and women actually controlling the direction and the fate of the empire, per Roop.[11]

In a sense, the governorship was being manipulated via mob rule or at least a large group of people with the intentions of destructive behavior if it benefited themselves. This mob consisted of experts in the law and the law’s processes of formation. This is a very chaotic and dangerous method of governing a citizenry when the unjust and power hungry are the ones manipulating the law in such ways that only benefit their agenda’s and aspirations of power and control. The way these counselors managed King Xerxes was with high praise and slick tongues. When Xerxes sought council to sooth his bruised ego, his counselors not only found a way to meet the wishes of their king, but they also included themselves into the insult of Vashti. They set the stage of a shared insult to gain the sympathetic ear of the king, then they presented a legal option that would subject every woman in the kingdom to obey their husband under threat of criminal prosecution. Queen Vashti was banned from ever appearing before her husband again, and every woman in the kingdom was now shackled with greater chains of slavery. Not only did they counsel the king with self-seeking agendas, they were also successful in proposing a king’s imperial law so that it could not be altered or rescinded. Roop describes Xerxes as the one that established the rights and expectations, while the royal advisers decided what constitutes a societal threat, and in one single lawful decree a developing catastrophe ensued.[12]

From within the cabal of under-rulers enters the character Haman, and from the ranks of Judea enters Mordecai and Esther into the story. Mordecai, a Benjaminite, was born under the heritage of Babylonian rule along with his kin. His ancestors were taken from Jerusalem as exiles who were captured by King Nebuchadnezzar. Esther was under the adoptive care and protection of her cousin Mordecai after her parents died and was chosen to be brought to the palace complex of Susa with many other young women throughout the region after Xerxes began looking for a new wife following the banishment of Queen Vashti. Esther immediately was singled out as a valued candidate within the Harem as she underwent training and grooming for the high courts of Xerxes. The process of prescribed beauty treatments took an entire year and Mordecai would visit near the harem court every day to see how Esther was doing. When the time arrived, Esther was brought before Xerxes, bringing nothing glamorous to enhance her chances, and Xerxes was immediately taken with her. Xerxes had fallen in love with Esther and placed a royal crown on her head and made her his Queen. Throughout this entire process, Esther under instructions from Mordecai had kept her nationality a secret.

Mordecai at this point had now become a common figure near the King’s Gate and in Teresh, then one day outside the Gate he overheard a plot by two of the King’s eunuchs who were devising a plan to kill Xerxes. Mordecai immediately went to Esther informing her of the unfolding plot and Esther went before Xerxes with this information, naming Mordecai as the informant. An investigation ensued and was soon confirmed. Both men were eventually taken to the gallows to be hanged and all of this was recorded in the logbook of the kingly records. Soon after this event, Haman, an Agagite, was promoted as the highest ranking official within the Babylonian government. Haman’s newfound prestige quickly enlarged his sense of self-importance and he began to wield his privileged authority for personal whims. With the stage now set, the paths of Haman and Mordecai would soon collide before the city gates, launching a sinister plot to murder every Israelite residing within the provinces under Xerxes rule. Haman had received a privilege from the king’s command that required all the king’s servants to bow before Haman as he entered the city gates, yet Mordecai would never capitulate. This was a regular occurrence, and the king’s servants, most likely jealous of his resistance as they all submitted in the bowing, tried to reason with Mordecai then complained to Haman. They complained about Mordecai’s disregard for the king’s edict and associated its cause was related to the fact that he was a Jew, which triggered Haman’s egoism and gave him a target larger than one man to enact his vengeance. In his smug ideology of self-importance, he decided that he was important enough to make an example of all the Israelites. Haman then devised a plan to entreat the king with a false narrative concerning all Jews, offering to pay for the entire extermination endeavor of their presence in the kingdom, with the knowing that Xerxes was easily manipulated with royal council. After deceiving and exploiting the apathy of the king, Haman was granted permission to act on his unholy genocidal plot; birthed out of his own spite. With the king’s decree soon stamped with the king’s signet ring, Haman gleefully launched his campaign into action. Bulletins were sent in every province’s town square decreeing that on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, every Jewish man, woman, and child were to be massacred and all of their possessions available to all who would seize them. As the entire region was sent reeling from the news, Haman and Xerxes reclined in the palace, drinking wine.

The question could be asked, How could God let this happen to his chosen people? The government of Babylon is being ruled by a king of weak resolve and with an under qualified character. The king’s vassals and councilors actively orchestrate their own political agendas under the guise of fealty, and the king is so out of touch with reality that he depends solely upon their judgments and insights. Even though America has never suffered a monarch, the current state of America’s ruling class is rifled with the same ill dynamic of subversive partisanship, cooperate lobbyist, and extremist seeking to subvert the legal system to their primary advantage. This unfettered lust for position and power profligates our constitutional solvency in deep and egregious ways, while the nation’s people are sent reeling as they are being subjugated to one extreme power grab after the other. The same corrupt governmental foundation found in Babylon, under Xerxes, is operating in our American government today. If extreme persecution can be waged against the children of God in Babylon, it isn’t impossible to imagine this framework in history as a reality for today.

When the edict of sanctioned persecution was revealed, Mordecai sent word to Esther because her safety was also being threatened. Her identity as a Jew, at this point, was still not revealed. Mordecai and other Jews immediately ripped their cloths to shreds and replaced them with sackcloth and ashes. They stood outside of the King’s Gate and cried out with loud wailings and laments. Many within the Jewish community began fasting and praying as they protested this evil agenda signed into law. Esther knew that she must do something, and upon the possibility of death she decided to approach the king without an invitation. The law was clear that without an invitation, any person would be put to death unless the king extended his golden scepter granting pardon and permission. Before Esther made this life-threatening attempt, she sent word to all the Jews to begin fasting and praying for God to intervene. After they had all fasted for three days, Esther adorned herself in her royal queenly robes and entered into the inner court before the king. When Xerxes saw it was Esther, he was overjoyed to see her, and he extended his scepter before her. He immediately beseeched her to ask anything thing of him, up to half his kingdom. It was apparent that God had already place Esther into a position of great favor for this evil day. Esther simply asked to have dinner with Xerxes and Xerxes called his staff to get Haman to meet them in the dinner hall. Over dinner, Xerxes asked Esther again to ask anything of him, then she simply asked to have dinner again the next day that she would prepare for the king and Haman. She promised that she would give a real answer to Xerxes’ question on that day. This is where God’s plan was set for the redemption and liberation of his children Israel, right at the table of the saboteur and the malleable king.

J.R.R Tolkien’s, The Fellowship of the Rings, describes a scene between Gandalf and Frodo depicting how Frodo was overcome with deep regret for the situation he found himself in and the grave urgency of responsibility that he now carried. Frodo expressed that he wished the ring would have never come to him, and that none of the trouble he now faced would have happened. It could be said that Esther, Mordecai, and the entire Jewish community were feeling the same stinging in their hearts. Gandalf in his wisdom replied, “So do all who live to see such times; but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. There are other forces at work in this world, Frodo, besides the will of evil. Bilbo was meant to find the Ring. In which case, you were also meant to have it. And that is an encouraging thought”.[13] The Esther story exemplifies this reoccurring emergence of a foul evil seeking to beset humanity, which is then met with the determine resolve of those courageous enough to take a stand. The great king Solomon lamented in his wisdom that “there is nothing new under the sun”, which should also encourage us to always find hope in evil times as so many before us have demonstrated.[14] The reaction of the persecuted Jewish community was not to attempt to flee or fight, rather their initial instinct was to call upon the name of Yaweh as protest to the king. Esther’s response, from her divine placement, was to call upon her people to pray before she would take a stand, by faith. Eliezer Segal, author of The Babylonian Esther Midrash: A Critical Commentary, states that Haman’s plot was unprovoked and unjustified, and that the Jews were passive victims not deserving of extinction. Extinction was never God’s planned fate for them.[15] The story of Esther holds both a global and historical retelling of something common to the plight of humanity. Esther’s story also encourages us not to faint, rather take a stand. Our scripture encourages us that God will bless what we put our hand to, therefore it is necessary for us to engage and trust.[16] The Christian community of America, in our time, has the same opportunity to resist the evil planned against them. By utilizing the practical theology of history, we can glean from the victories of the past and begin to formulate a plan of action. An old prayer comes to mind; God don’t give me an easy life, please give me the strength to endure a hard life. This type of victory holds a far greater value and significance for us and the generations that lay ahead. Let this meditation ring loud in our hearts while we prepare ourselves to overcome.

After having dinner with Xerxes and the Queen, Haman was beaming with joy. He was especially pleased with the seemingly great honor he was experiencing. Haman couldn’t wait to share the news with his friends and began bragging of his amazing good fortune and his position of power just under that of the king himself. Yet, even with all these blessings, Haman remained undone with contempt for the one Jew, Mordecai, that wasn’t under his delusion of power and control. Haman decided that night to build a special gallows just for Mordecai, then after meeting with the king, Haman was going to order Mordecai’s death upon it. While Haman was gloating in his exaltation, the king couldn’t sleep. Xerxes called upon his servant to give him his kingly records from the day to day activities for him to read. This is where Xerxes stumbled across the recording of Mordecai’s loyal intervention to save the king’s life. He enquired what honor was given to Mordecai, and they replied that none had been issued or decreed. Xerxes, desiring to honor this Mordecai inquired if anyone was in the inner court so he could confer and enact the king’s will on this matter. It just so happened that Haman had just entered the inner court and was then called before Xerxes to address this matter at hand. Xerxes inquired of Haman what would be an appropriate honor for a man the king desired to honor. Haman, still reeling from his own fortuitous reality thought the king was referring to him so Haman’s replied council was geared for his own advantage, as was the way of the shadow governors in Xerxes kingdom. Little did he know of Xerxes desire to honor Haman’s self-proclaimed enemy Mordecai. Haman’s council was to honor him with a royal robe, a horse suited for a noble prince, and have the prince escort him to the city square declaring that this is the honor Xerxes has seen done for such a man as this. Xerxes thought well of Haman’s council and commanded Haman to go a see it done for the Jew outside the city gates names Mordecai, without leaving out even one detail. Haman was mortified with shame and rage, yet he still obeyed the king’s command. After telling his wife and friends about this drastic change in fortune, Haman’s friends recognized that if Mordecai was in fact a Jew, then Haman was as good as dead. Just then, the king’s eunuchs came and escorted Haman to have dinner with Esther and the king.

At this second dinner, Xerxes asked Esther again what gift it was that she desired. Xerxes was now in such a place of anticipation of her request that he would have given her anything. Esther’s request was a shock to both Xerxes and Haman. Esther humbly asked the king for her life and the life of her people be spared from the great and evil slaughter that was legislated through the king’s inner chamber. Esther decried how her, and her people had been sold to be destroyed and eliminated through a massacre. Esther clarified that if they had merely been sold into slavery then she wouldn’t have even bothered the king. Xerxes, obviously caught completely off guard, was furious. In reflection, Xerxes had not been made fully aware of the details of Haman’s agenda when he manipulated the king with evil council. Xerxes wasn’t even aware that Esther was a Jew even at this moment over dinner. Xerxes demanded to know who would enact such an evil plot against his beloved and her people. Esther named Haman as such enemy and adversary of her and her people. Still reeling from this unfolding revelation, Xerxes threw his glass of wine and stormed off into the garden to contemplate the decision he was to make without the council of his advisors and seers, for they (Haman) had betrayed him against his own beloved wife. Haman fell upon the edge of the sofa on which Esther sat and began to beg for his life from a place of fierce dread. Xerxes walked back in and his eyes fell upon Haman groveling at the lap of Esther and let out a great roar, “Will you even molest the queen while I’m just around the corner?” At this moment, all of the blood drained from Haman’s face.[17] Harbona, one the eunuchs that care deeply for Esther, suddenly spoke up and pointed to Haman’s gallows that were visible through the window; it was the same gallows outside of Haman’s house that was built for Mordecai’s neck. Xerxes now declared an edict all on his own, and commanded that Haman be hung upon those gallows immediately. The balance of power had now suddenly shifted with one even stroke. The heart of the king was strengthened with justice, and his voice filled with authority from his own council, and not that of the evil men who had been leeching his power through deception. Xerxes passed a new law that gave full rights and privileges to the Israelites to now defend themselves against the thousands that were hell bent on their total destruction. The tribe of Israel rose up victorious over their enemy with whom they had never invoked strife nor angst for such a cause.[18]

It was Yahweh who caused Queen Vashti to be banished from Xerxes’ side to make room for Esther. It was Yahweh who placed Mordecai in the right place at the right time to hear the plot against the King, which ultimately shamed Haman and exposed him and his friend’s evil plans. It was Yahweh who wove the fabric of restoration and favor for his people even before the plans of the enemy even began to form. God knew before hand of the evil in the hearts of the men who advised the king and God’s will reigned uninhibited with justice for such an evil day as this. Has God changed over the span of mankind’s lives over generations or has He remained the same? The evil aimed at America and its people has not caught God off guard, and from the story of Esther we can be assured that Yahweh has already laid a foundation of protection within the camp of the enemy. When God’s plan is revealed, the blood will drain from their faces and the evil that is intended on an unsuspecting populace will be thrust upon the saboteurs to bear.

            The Ephod and David

            Dr. Theodore Foote describes the ancient ephod of the Israelites as a garment worn by the priest. It was a heavy garment adorned with wood, clay, under metal, with an overlay of gold, silver, and considered of great value. The wearing of the ephod was a priestly affair, that required a priestly servant to wear it. The ephod was a means whereby one inquired of God.[19] In some text it is described as a makeshift image of God which represented a point of contact with the voice of Yahweh. The priest would wear the garment when they would divine instructions. Moses made the ephod with all forms of finery and established the Priest’s Code to engage in divination with God.[20] The ephod had been an intricate part of Israel’s history for over one thousand years of their national identity by the time that David enters into the narrative.

            David lived through much betrayal from king Saul and his court after Samuel had announced to Saul that God’s favor had been removed and that David would be the king. Even in betrayal, David remained loyal to a fault by refusing to raise a sword against his king that was seeking to murder him. David had fled from Saul’s grasp, and took up company with Achish son of Maoch, the Philistine king of Gath for refuge. With a pledge of loyalty, David was accepted into Achish’s province and called upon to stand with Achish in battle against his enemies. David had Achish’s trust for over a year in this pledge. A day came when all of the Philistines gathered to make council for war against the Israelites camped in Jezreel. When the other Philistine kings discovered that David was in the ranks of Achish they demanded that Achish send him back to the city of Ziklag that Achish had given him. They feared that this band of Jews would turn on them in battle. Achish, pressured by their determined council, came to David and reluctantly sent him away from the battle ahead. David and his men left the next morning for Ziklag while the Philistines marched to war. When David and his men arrived at Ziklag, they were terrified to see that a raiding party had stolen their wives and children away and left the city in flames. David and all of his army were described as crying loudly with great tears until they were too week to cry anymore.[21] This was a defining moment of great sorrow and a soon further betrayal towards David. When David suffered under Saul, he still had Jonathan by his side to strengthen him in the hand of God. When David was forced to flee from Saul and his friend Jonathan, he still had his mighty men by his side. Then when he was forced leave the company of Achish just to return to discover his city and family forcefully ravage by a raiding party, his mighty men then turned to stone him to death in their overwhelming grief. David now stood all alone, robbed of Saul’s favor, robbed of Jonathan’s love, robbed of his family and wealth, and finally robbed from the loyalty of his faithful men.[22]

            Graeme Auld, I & II Samuel: A Commentary, brings the rise of David into clarity saying that David became stronger in Saul’s house as Saul grew weaker as Saul sought to strengthen himself in his own strength. Abner, a servant of Saul, also sought to strengthen himself or become strong in Saul’s house in his own strength. However, David’s power grew precisely because he seeks strength in Yahweh.[23] Auld describes David’s reaction when learning of the danger poised at him from Saul as the same reaction that David made when faced with treason from him army; David called Abiathar the priest to bring him the ephod. Auld writes that “it is hard to read of David’s consulting Yahweh by means of the ephod as anything other than supplying the specific content of how David consolidates his position in or by Yahweh”.[24] Unlike Saul, David sought to elicit a response from Yahweh by any means. David laid hold upon the ephod and asked if he should chase the people that took his family, and would he be able to catch them. Yahweh responded and said to chase them, and that David would catch them, and all of their families would be saved.[25]

The Persecution of Christ and The Early Church and Now

            The primary persecution narrative of Jesus unfolds in the book of Luke, and the persecution of the disciples unfolds in the book of Acts. Jesus even prophesied about his own persecution and the persecution of his disciples before it took place. The Lukan narrative made it abundantly clear that persecution was an integral part of following Jesus. To embrace the call of the Christ was to embrace persecution. It was simply part of the deal. The missional work of the gospel (good news) is an affront to the goal to solidify supremacy through self-aggrandizement. The gospel message promotes true elevation through service, while the message of carnality promotes an unsustainable elevation through dominancy. Those who rule through a dominancy hierarchy are incensed with even the idea of losing their positional power to a servant or a slave, and in the kingdom of heaven the highest praise is given to the one washing feet. Jesus was persecuted by the religious hierarchy who maintained power and authority, under Roman rule, and they utilized their political power to mobilize people within the Jewish nation as a justification through support. The message of Jesus was effectively changing the hearts and minds of the population that propped up the legitimacy of the priests and kings and the dominance hierarchy could not let this stand. When the people began to unite under God instead of the governing statesmen, their only method of recourse was to create an illegitimate prosecution against the leader of this movement if they hoped to remain in control. The early church was persecuted by the Jews, the Roman authority, and even Gentile governing authorities for the same reasons. This community rooted and grounded in the love of God was an affront to all who sought to maintain control through power. Paul Fredriksen, The Origins of the New Testament Images of Jesus, writes that “within two years of the resurrection, their message had spread from the Jewish homeland to the synagogues of the Diaspora; that is so agitated these communities that a zealous Pharisee persecuted his synagogue’s; and that by mid-century a Law-free mission in Christ name existed among the Gentiles, but Israel for the most part had remained aloof from the Gospel”.[26] Imagine a grease fire in a pan on the kitchen stove flares up, and someone attempting to put the fire out throws water on the fire. This best describes the attempts of the surrogate rulership in humanity attempting to diminish the rise of a heavenly culture that delegitimizes their sectarian authority. When the water hits the grease fire, the fire isn’t diminished, it actually spreads at a voluminous rate. Our observation of historical Judaism and Christianity shows over and over that the kingdom of righteousness, through love, cannot be stamped out no matter how many attempts are made, and the war against the truth of such righteousness today is still attempting its failed strategies yet again.

            The American culture is currently undergoing a siege of secular culturalism that is bent on total dominancy of control. When the stage of political and sociological debate cannot supplant the opposition view because of the grave weakness of the secular argument, then the only alternatives are to either capitulate or wage war through sheer force. Today we see that this secular partisan culture has decided to make war and their ideology comes from their golden rule; the one who has the gold makes the rules. A position of total control over all governmental and corporate assets is now the reality in which all of America is beginning to endure. For the third time in less than five months, the U.S. Congress has summoned social media companies before them to enact governmental pressure on them, through coercion, to take a stronger stance on censorship against their political opposition. Tyler Durden, a columnist from Greenwald Substack Zero Hedge, writes that through this illegal commission, the house Democrats have made no secrets of their ultimate goal. They seek to exert control over all online platforms to combat what they describe as misinformation and disinformation within the American public square. They stated that industry self-regulation has failed, and they must begin the work of changing incentives driving social media companies that allow or even promote these dangerous narratives online. Durden points out that the Congress is essentially violating the first amendment by requiring private companies to impose viewpoint-based speech restrictions which the government itself would be constitutionally barred from imposing.[27] Recently, just before Black History month, Amazon Prime stopped streaming Clarence Thomas Documentary about his amazing life. Clarence Thomas is the second African American to serve on the Supreme Court, and the longest-serving member of the court with a tenure of 29 years and known as the courts most conservative member.[28] Sephora, a French makeup company, publicly cuts ties with a conservative Christian social media influencer because her Christian political views didn’t align with their secular beliefs. Amanda Ensing, comes from a Puerto Rican family who immigrated to America who sacrificed everything to escape being silenced, censored, or denied work because of their political or religious views. Ensing is now experiencing what her family fled from, and the cultural statement is now clear that anything other than the established and approved political beliefs will be crushed through censorship and the removal of income.[29]

            This demonizing of a cultural populace within our country isn’t just relative to the power of the corporations, it is rapidly expanding into congressional legislation designed to make war. Rep. Jared Huffaman (D.Calif.), stated in the Congressional Record on January 13 described rioters who stormed the U.S. Capital on January 6 included people carrying thousands of ‘Jesus’ signs, banners, and flags. Huffaman’s purpose in identifying Christians in his legislative speech was to delegitimize the conservative voice of Christians by tying them into the protest at the capital. Huffaman stated that conservative Christians are choosing to distort the true definition of religious freedom, in order to allow the proliferation of discrimination under the guise of what they refer to as ‘religious liberty.’[30] Huffaman is specifically labeling ‘White Christian Nationalist’ as criminals who stand against the ‘equity’ agenda of the Congress of the United States. This, in effect, is a foundational statement designed to name them an enemy of Congressional American legislative and military power. Christianity is the enemy of the State, and Congress is moving legislation to legitimize their war on domestic terror groups under the banner of the Christian flag. The Librety Loft recently posted a political cartoon of a large paint brush labeled as Domestic Terrorist, as the brush is painting on a wall. The stacked labels left in the painted wall state, Trump voters, conservatives, Christians, Libertarians, pro-lifers, gun owners, small business, My Pillow customers.[31]

            To the uninformed, this may seem like a conspiracy theorist group gone wild, however to those paying attention, it is the actual reality being unfolded before our eyes. Soon after the Capital riot on January 6, the Democrat leadership under Biden, Pelosi, and Schumer demanded that the National Guards troops, sent by various state governors, were to be vetted for extremist views. Their concern was that any troop member who voted for the Republican ticket was considered a radical threat to the safety of the United States sovereignty and the transfer of power into the new Democrat Administration. The FBI is working with the Army to vet all service members sent to support the Inauguration National Special Security Event, which numbers between 25,000 to 30,000 troops. MSN correspondent Abraham Mahshie writes, “Fears have emerged that some Guard members may hold extremist views, such as the white nationalist and “anti-government” views espoused by rioters.”[32] Both of the terms are in reference to the same fear held by those in power currently, which states that any anti-government views are now labeled extreme, and these extreme views are now subject to the power of military legal prosecution. Mike Ford, columnist for the conservative RedState publication, reports that the Pentagon is, through uncertainty, attempting to process this call for identifying extremist in its ranks. The Pentagon has recently issued a stand-down order for every military branch to discuss the threats posed by white supremacy, and other similar extremism within its ranks. The push is to remove military members based on political affiliations opposed to the secularist ideology now usurping the law of the land. Ford writes, “So, let’s recap. We have the military, using extremism as an excuse to rid itself of Trump supporters, or anyone else who won’t march lockstep in support of efforts to undermine the Constitution. We have a former military and long-time CIA officer advocating the treatment of U.S. citizens as insurgents. What does all of that add up to? Nothing good.”[33] The department of Homeland Security just issued a bulletin alert asserting that Homegrown Violent Extremist (HVEs), and Domestic Violent Extremist (DVEs) opposed to First Amendment-protected, non-violent protest, are their new target. The extremist motivations range from anger over COVID-19 restrictions, the 2020 election results, and police use of force.[34] What is extremely telling is the call for the Federal agencies, by the previous administration, to stop the riots in Democrat run states and counties were being decried as racist and dictatorial. However, such tactics are now being aimed at the capital rioters responding to a contested electoral vote. The department of Homeland Security wasn’t interested when rioters flooded the hall during the Kavanaugh confirmation hearings, nor were they labeling the BLM riots pre-election, but now the white conservative Christian model has become the target of America’s legislative and governmental agencies purposed attention. Even the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is utilizing his platform to declare the overwhelming threat of “white supremacy” that is planning a fascist revolution fueled by hateful ideologies. They are specific to align pro-Trump mobs into the label of a ‘growing danger’ of white supremacist and right-wing extremist groups which are a “bane on our existence and demented” according to Joe Biden.[35] According to Debt.org, the Republican party is almost exclusively Christian. GOP candidates earn 59 percent of all Protestant votes, 67 percent of all white Protestant votes, 52 percent of the Catholic vote and only 25 percent of the Jewish vote.[36] To truly defeat their political opposition, they are now focused on the populist power behind the political party standing in their way.

            The legislative agendas being rammed through congress at this time are the polar opposite of the Christian community, and beyond. Even non-Christian communities are agasp at the incoming laws designed to punish anyone that doesn’t accept the minority views being championed in Washington. The house of Representatives just passed the radical HR1 election bill that makes into law all of the questionable election elements that have been called into question by the Conservatives, Libertarians, and even Democrats. The Equality Act was just passed, designed to fundamentally transform every aspect of the American life. Gender identity has been completely erased from the rules of legislative language. The terms mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, male, and female are now deemed offensive and are being replaced with parent, sibling, and them. All areas of business and social life are being targeted which require employment, housing, education, public accommodations, ‘credit’, and jury service to comply with the anti-discrimination sexual orientation laws or suffer the full weight of the law. California for example, just made a law requiring a non-gendered section for gender neutral toys to ensure a ‘safe environment’ for children.[37] This bill would make it illegal for retailers to put up signs saying ‘boys’ and ‘girls’, rather the law instructs them to use terms like ‘kid’, ‘unisex’, or ‘gender-neutral’. The Equality Act ends the federal recognition of complementary male and female sex in favor of gender identity. It eliminates the traditional right to privacy of women and girls in public facilities, in favor of gender identity. It is fundamentally diminishing women’s and girls’ sports by allowing transgenders to compete through ethics but foregoing genetics. It mandates school curricula to affirm and promote sexual orientation and gender identity views and removes custody rights from parents who refuse to have their minor children undergo transgender medical interventions and procedures.[38] These radical laws on the books now are demanding that religious institutions (private schools, churches) fall in line with their agenda or face legal recourse in fines, criminal prosecutions, removal of federal funding, and removal of tax provisions. The new law of the land is discriminating against anyone that would discriminate against their worldview. Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) stated his objections before congress by saying “The gender confusion that exists in our culture today is a clear rejection of God’s good design. Whenever a nation’s laws no longer reflect the standards of God that nation is in rebellion against him and will inevitably bear the consequences, and we are seeing the consequences of rejecting God here in our country today.” Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) replied, “What any religious tradition describes as God’s will is no concern of this Congress.”[39]  

Conclusion

            The current State of the Union is in deep disrepair. Now is the time for prayer as the Israelites in Babylon. Now is the time to lay hold of the ephod for God’s direction by any means necessary. Now is the time to build up community and stand up for civil liberty. Wishful thinking isn’t going to produce anything of value. The fundamentalism and secularism epoch are a clear and defining sign of a human condition that we all have a tendency to fall into.  We must approach the coming days ahead with courage as those before us that stood against their evil days. A theology is a study of God, but a practical theology demonstrates a life transformed through a relationship with God. There will be no strength to emerge from a mere concept never given to realization through actionable living.  The life of a Christian is a life directed by the Holy Spirit. It is this same Spirit that lived in Jesus the Christ, that lead him through persecution and empowered him to stand for righteousness as so many were hellbent on his demise. Righteousness is never about demonizing the ‘other’, but as Jesus taught. Pray for those who persecute you, do good to those who despise you. Love your enemy and watch for the Esther’s that God has placed in our time and expect the day of deliverance as we continue to do our part and trust God’s commitment to his covenant agreement.

Bibliography

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Auld, A. Graeme, and Cox, Jennifer K.  I & II Samuel: A Commentary. Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press, 2011. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost).

Bill Fay. “Economic Demographics of Republicans,” Accessed August 10, 2012. https://www.debt.org/faqs/americans-in-debt/economic-demographics-republicans/

CNS News. “Nonbeliever Congressman: Rioters Who Stormed Capital Carried ‘Thousands of “Jesus” Signs, Banners and Flags’.” Accessed February 8, 2021. https://cnsnews.com/article/washington/cnsnewscom-staff/nonbeliever-congressman-rioters-who-stormed-capitol-carried.

Digeser, Elizabeth DePalma. A Threat to Public Piety: Christians, Platonists, and the Great Persecution. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2012. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost).

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Foote, Theodore Clinton. “The Ephod.” Journal of Biblical Literature 21. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost).

Fredriksen, Paula. From Jesus to Christ: The Origins of the New Testament Images of Christ. Yale Nota Bene, 2000. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost).

Homeland Security. “National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin,” Accessed January 27. 2021, https://www.dhs.gov/ntas/advisory/national-terrorism-advisory-system-bulletin-january-27-2021

Kathy Murphy. “California Bill Would Require Gender Neutral Sections in Department Stores,” Accessed February 2, 2021. https://www.politico.com/states/california/story/2020/02/21/california-bill-would-require-gender-neutral-sections-in-department-stores-1263029

Maltby, Paul. Christian Fundamentalism, and the Culture of Disenchantment, (Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2013). eBook Collection (EBSCOhost).

Mark Paoletta. “Amazon Prime Stops Streaming Clarence Thomas Documentary During Black History Month,” Accessed February 25, 2021. https://www.breitbart.com/entertainment/2021/02/25/paoletta-amazon-prime-cancels-justice-clarence-thomas-documentary-during-black-history- month/?fbclid=IwAR3EOvTNd1YZv2RQJk6o1JP_NAn0SuqcXBuefx0VAXHc5iVPoOYcLTwOPdg

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Todd Starnes. “Nadler: “What any Religious Tradition Describes as God’s Will is No Concern of This Congress”,” Accessed February 25, 2021. https://www.toddstarnes.com/faith/nadler-what-any-religious-tradition-describes-as-gods-will-is-no-concern-of-this-congress/

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[1] (II Timothy 1:7, KJV)

[2] Secular Dems, “Secular Democrats of America, America Blueprint Biden Harris Transition, Restoring Constitutional Secularism and Patriotic Pluralism in the White House,” accessed November 30, 2020, https://seculardems.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/SecularDemocratsofAmerica_Blueprint_BidenHarrisTransition_11-30-20_FINAL.pdf

[3] Paul Maltby, Christian Fundamentalism, and the Culture of Disenchantment, (Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2013), preface, eBook Collection (EBSCOhost), ix.

[4] Maltby, Christian Fundamentalism and the Culture of Disenchantment, x.

[5] Elizabeth DePalma Digeser, A Threat to Public Piety: Christians, Platonists, and the Great Persecution, (Cornell University Press, 2012), chap. 3, eBook Collection (EBSCOhost), 77.

[6] Digeser, A Threat to Public Piety, 78.

[7] Todd Starnes, “Franklin Graham reacts to Biden’s wicked agenda: ‘Time for the church today to stand up’”, accessed February 12, 2021, https://www.toddstarnes.com/faith/franklin-graham-reacts-to-bidens-wicked-agenda-time-for-the-church-to-stand-up/

[8] “Franklin Graham reacts to Biden’s wicked agenda,”

[9] Maltby, Christian Fundamentalism, and the Culture of Disenchantment, 1.

[10] Maltby, Christian Fundamentalism, and the Culture of Disenchantment, 2.

[11] Eugene Roop, “Ruth, Jonah, Esther: Believers Church Bible Commentary, (Scottdale, Pa: Herald Press, 2002), episode. 1, eBook Collection (EBSCOhost), 177.

[12] Roop, Ruth, Jonah, Esther, p. 178

[13] J. R. R Tolkien, Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, (St Leonards, NSW, Australia: Allen & Unwin, 1979), 473.

[14] (Ecclesiastes 1:9, KJV)

[15] Eliezer Segal, The Babylonian Esther Midrash: A Critical Commentary, (Brown Judaic Studies, 2020), chap. 5, eBook Collection (EBSCOhost), 208.

[16] (Deuteronomy 15:10, KJV)

[17] (Esther 7:7-8, MSG)

[18] The story of Esther was referenced from the (KJV), (MSG), and (NIV) versions.

[19] Theodore Clinton Foote, The Ephod, (Journal of Biblical Literature 21, 1902), no. 1, eBook Collection (EBSCOhost), 2.

[20] Foote, The Ephod, 8.

[21] (I Samuel 30:4, NCV)

[22] The story of David was referenced from the (KJV), (MSG), and (NIV) versions.

[23] Graeme Auld, Jennifer K. Cox, I & II Samuel: A Commentary, (Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press, 2011), chap. 3, eBook Collection (EBSCOhost), 341.

[24] Auld, Cox, I & II Samuel: A Commentary, 341.

[25] (I Samuel 30:8, NCV)

[26] Paula Fredriksen, From Jesus to Christ: The Origins of the New Testament Images of Christ, (Yale Nota Bene, 2000), chap. 2, eBook Collection (EBSCOhost), 135-136.

[27] Tyler Durden, “Greenwald: Congress Escalates Pressure on Tech Giants to Censor More, Threatening The First Amendment,” accessed February 20, 2021, https://www.zerohedge.com/political/greenwald-congress-escalates-pressure-tech-giants-censor-more-threatening-first-amendment?fbclid=IwAR2Gul2Xn-i1ctKQp9UXnI8RCZ6RLn4UFWmbWJu3J27JdEiXjNM9FQVnn9o

[28]Mark Paoletta, “Amazon Prime Stops Streaming Clarence Thomas Documentary During Black History Month,” accessed February 25, 2021, https://www.breitbart.com/entertainment/2021/02/25/paoletta-amazon-prime-cancels-justice-clarence-thomas-documentary-during-black-history-month/?fbclid=IwAR3EOvTNd1YZv2RQJk6o1JP_NAn0SuqcXBuefx0VAXHc5iVPoOYcLTwOPdg

[29] Tre’ Goins-Phillips, “Sephora Cuts Ties with Conservative Christian Influencer, Says Views are ‘Not Aligned’ with Company,” accessed February 1, 2021, https://www.faithwire.com/2021/02/01/sephora-cuts-ties-with-conservative-christian-influencer-says-views-are-not-aligned-with-company/?fbclid=IwAR3IbO63X3E3corLi4j8rtcVdfd3sfYovr2CDAgLQoW1IP5KAwx4zK4aD8A

[30] CNS News, “‘Nonbeliever’ Congressman: Rioters Who Stormed Capitol Carried ‘Thousands of “Jesus” Signs, Banners and Flags’,” accessed February 8, 2021, https://cnsnews.com/article/washington/cnsnewscom-staff/nonbeliever-congressman-rioters-who-stormed-capitol-carried

[31] The Liberty Loft, “Democrats Label the Right as Domestic Terrorist,” accessed February 8, 2021, https://thelibertyloft.com/label-the-right-as-domestic-terrorists/

[32] Abraham Mahshie, “National Guard Protecting Biden Inauguration Vetted for Extremist Ideologies,” accessed January 18, 2021, https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/national-guard-protecting-biden-inauguration-vetted-for-extremist-ideologies/ar-BB1cRGwZ

[33] Mike Ford, “Opinion: The Military is Targeting the Wrong Groups & Using Non-Existent Threats in an Attempt to Deprive Americans of their Rights,” accessed February 5, 2021, https://redstate.com/darth641/2021/02/05/opinion-the-military-is-targeting-the-wrong-groups-using-non-existent-threats-in-an-attempt-to-deprive-americans-of-their-rights-n322113

[34] Homeland Security, “National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin,” accessed January 27, 2021, https://www.dhs.gov/ntas/advisory/national-terrorism-advisory-system-bulletin-january-27-2021

[35] Matthew Brown, “UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warns of ‘threat’ posed by White Supremacy,” accessed February 22, 2021, https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/un-secretary-general-ant%C3%B3nio-guterres-warns-of-threat-posed-by-white-supremacy/ar-BB1dUiA7

[36] Bill Fay, “Economic Demographics of Republicans,” accessed August 10, 2012, https://www.debt.org/faqs/americans-in-debt/economic-demographics-republicans/

[37] Kathy Murphy, “California Bill Would Require Gender Neutral Sections in Department Stores,” accessed February 2, 2021, https://www.politico.com/states/california/story/2020/02/21/california-bill-would-require-gender-neutral-sections-in-department-stores-1263029

[38] Dr. Susan Berry,”7 Radical Demands in the Equality Act,” accessed February 25, 2021, https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2021/02/25/7-radical-demands-in-the-equality-act/

[39] Todd Starnes, “Nadler: “What any Religious Tradition Describes as God’s Will is No Concern of This Congress”,” accessed February 25, 2021, https://www.toddstarnes.com/faith/nadler-what-any-religious-tradition-describes-as-gods-will-is-no-concern-of-this-congress/