Donald Trump jokes his salvation is dependent upon winning the US presidency
Donald Trump
Donald Trump brought religion into his campaign while speaking to evangelicals:
August 12, 2016
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump joked on Thursday that winning the White House could be his ticket through the Pearly Gates.
“I figure it’s probably, maybe the only way I’m going to get to heaven,” he told a group of evangelical pastors in Florida.
In recent weeks, Trump has been losing a number of key demographics, but most polls show he is still winning the evangelical vote. An NBC poll released this week found 71 percent of evangelicals plan to vote for Trump compared to 22 percent for Hillary Clinton. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/donald-trump-heaven_us_57ad366de4b007c36e4e1214
Trump to evangelicals: I need to win election to get into heaven
Speaking at an event hosted by the Christian group American Renewal Project in Kissimmee, Fla., Trump, the GOP presidential nominee, asked the group to pray for him and do whatever else they could to help him defeat Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in November.
“This will be an election that will go down in the history books for the evangelicals, for the Christians, for everybody of religion. This will be maybe the most important election the country has ever had,” Trump said.
“So go out and spread the word, and once I get in, I’ll do my thing that I do very well. And I figure it’s probably — maybe the only way I’m going to get into heaven, so I better do a good job.”
The crowd laughed at the joke as Trump wrapped up his speech. http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/291170-trump-to-evangelicals-i-need-to-win-election-to-get-into
Various Protestants have suggested that Christians need to vote for Donald Trump. I have taken exception to that (see Ethics professor claims that voting for Donald Trump is moral and essentially a Christian obligation–but what does the Bible say?).
So has Alan Keyes (who was once was the USA’s Ambassador to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations):
August 11, 2016
In a recent article, WND reported that Pastor Carl Gallups is asking Christians who reject Donald Trump: “Can you live knowing you allowed a President Hillary?”Strange that a pastor should think it proper for Christians to fear the one who can only destroy our bodies more than we fear the One who can destroy both body and soul …Even if Pastor Gallups is saying, “Let’s us do evil that good may come of it,” it is logic the Scripture declares to be justly condemned (Romans 3:8).
It does not matter how hopeless it looks to cast our lot with God and His Son. “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength” (1 Corinthians 1:25). By upholding God’s standard, therefore, we bear witness to the fact that we live by the certainty (which all Christians are supposed to share) that God’s standard has already and always prevailed. All we are called to do, in every circumstance, is to prefer His will. …
Clinton and Trump both represent the self-idolatry of human will and power that is the besetting sin of our time. What sense does it make to suggest that Christians are called to choose one or another form of this idolatry, instead of doing what they must to bear witness to the simple truth: Unless America finds a way to restore God’s standard of right by rejecting them both, the way of life that once flourished in light of that standard must wither like the grass, and like the flowers fade away (Isaiah 40:8). For, once removed from the light of God’s Word, it shall not stand, neither shall it endure (cp. Isaiah 7:7). http://www.wnd.com/2016/08/whom-should-we-trust-hillary-trump-or-god/#m7PwBT5txu0UV0wG.99
Alan Keyes is correct that both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have major problems and do not accept God’s standards.
Both publicly have repeatedly lied as well as made statements supporting sexual immorality and violating God’s commandments.
As far as salvation goes, getting elected is not the criteria. Notice what is:
38 “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:38-39)
14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. (Revelation 22:14-15)
Donald Trump himself claims to be a Presbyterian and a Protestant. Yet, as far as repentance goes, Donald Trump has even publicly admitted that he has never done that:
July 18, 2015
(CNN) Donald Trump talked about his Christian faith Saturday, but said he’s never sought forgiveness for his sins. …
“People are so shocked when they find … out I am Protestant. I am Presbyterian. And I go to church and I love God and I love my church,” he said.
Moderator Frank Luntz asked Trump whether he has ever asked God for forgiveness for his actions.
“I am not sure I have. I just go on and try to do a better job from there. I don’t think so,” he said. “I think if I do something wrong, I think, I just try and make it right. I don’t bring God into that picture. I don’t.”
Trump said that while he hasn’t asked God for forgiveness, he does participate in Holy Communion. http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/18/politics/trump-has-never-sought-forgiveness/
Anyway, as far as Donald Trump’s ‘joke’ about needing to be elected President of the United States in order to go to heaven, let’s make a couple of doctrinal points.
First, he is implying that he has led a bad life and currently is not about to be saved. Well, since he has not clearly done what Acts 2:38 states, his implication about this is right.
Second, he is implying that he will be a ‘good’ president and that will earn him salvation. Whether or not he would be a ‘good’ president can be debated, but he cannot earn salvation even if he were. The Apostle Paul made that clear when he wrote:
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10)
While God expects Christians to do good works, they are saved through faith, not those works. However, it does take faith to truly live as a Christian in this age (see Faith for Those God has Called and Chosen and Living as a Christian: How and Why?).
Third, it should be noted that heaven is NOT the reward of the saved and early Christians did NOT believe that they would consciously go to heaven when they died (see Did Early Christians Teach They Were Going to Heaven?).
Getting back to Alan Keyes assessment that one should not vote for evil, obviously that is correct.
What is the morally good choice for Christians?
Prayer.
Notice what the Apostle Paul wrote:
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior (1 Timothy 2:1-3).
Notice that we are to pray for worldly leaders and those that have authority over us so that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life. Nothing like this is said for voting that many falsely claim is their “Christian” duty–prayer for leaders is.
As Alan Keyes also indicated, we also are to pray:
14 The will of the Lord be done (Acts 21:14).
Similarly, Jesus taught:
8 … pray:
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:8-10).
And that, I believe, should be the type of prayer that Christians have about elections. Followers of the true God are also told to:
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the LORD and depart from evil (Proverbs 3:5-7).
People often do not have the faith in God and prayer, so instead feel that they must do something else, like vote.
Voting for one promoting evil (abortion in the case Hillary Clinton and “country first,” in violation of the first commandment, in the case of Donald Trump) is not a Christian thing to do.
To learn more about prayer, check out our free online booklet: Prayer: What Does the Bible Teach?
Many people, however, apparently are not satisfied with the biblical admonitions to trust God to choose political leaders. This is not new (1 Samuel 8:6-7).
We are to pray that God’s will is to be done. We should also pray for leaders.
As Alan Keyes indicated, we should not kid ourselves that it is moral to vote for immoral candidates.
Whether Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, or someone else becomes the next President of the United States, without national repentance the USA is doomed.
Since national repentance is not likely, the only real solution for the USA is the Kingdom of God.
As far as Donald Trump’s salvation, or Hillary Clinton’s for that matter, personal repentance in this age is possible. But getting elected does not in any way bring salvation.
Some items of possibly related interest may include:
Donald Trump in Prophecy Prophecy, Donald Trump? Are there prophecies that Donald Trump may fulfill? Are there any prophecies that he has already helped fulfill? Could a Donald Trump presidency be apocalyptic? A related video is titled Could Donald Trump be Apocalyptic?
Living as a Christian: How and Why? In what ways do Christians live differently than others. What about praying, fasting, tithing, holy days, and the world? There is also a YouTube video related to that also called: Living as a Christian: How and Why?
Faith for Those God has Called and Chosen What is faith? Can faith be increased? Are you saved by faith? What about works? Do Christians need to keep the Ten Commandments? What is the ‘faith chapter’? How do the just live by faith? Is faith one of the weightier matters of the law? How does faith come? Marque aquí para ver el pdf folleto: Fe para aquellos que Dios ha llamado y escogido. In German: Glaube für die von Gott Berufenen und Auserwählten. In French: La Foi pour ceux que Dieu a Appelés et Choisis. Here is a link to a related sermon titled: Faith for the Called and Chosen.and here is a link to another sermon Faith and Courage. Here is a link to shorter version of the written article in Mandarin Chinese 一篇关于信仰的小文章.
Did Early Christians Teach They Were Going to Heaven? What do the Bible and scholars teach? What about ‘near-death experiences’? Here are links to a related sermons: Heaven and Christianity and It’s not heaven.
Prayer: What Does the Bible Teach? This free booklet contains 28 biblically-based tips on improving the effectiveness of your prayers. This is a pdf. A related two part sermon is available: What Does the Bible Teach About Prayer? and What does the Bible Teach About Prayer (& Healing)?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2016, 2017, or 2018? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: ¿Puede comenzar la Gran Tribulación en 2016 o 2017? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon videos: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives and Can the Great Tribulation begin before 2020? A shorter video is: Can the Great Tribulation Start in 2016?
Just What Do You Mean — Repentance? Do you know what repentance is? Have you truly repented? Repented of what? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? You can also see a YouTube video sermons Why Teach the Kingdom of God? and The Gospel of the Kingdom.
Hillary Clinton in Prophecy Prophecy, Hillary Clinton? Are there prophecies that Hillary Clinton may fulfill? Are there any prophecies that she has already helped fulfill? Could Hillary Clinton be apocalyptic? Could Hillary Clinton be the final Antichrist? A video of related interest is titled Hillary Clinton and Bible Prophecy.
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo-Saxon nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-América & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel. Information is also in the YouTube sermons titled Where are the Ten Lost Tribes? Why does it matter? and British are the Covenant People. A short YouTube of prophetic interest may be Barack Obama and the State of the Apocalypse.
Will the Anglo-Saxon Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people? Here is a link to a video titled Will the USA and other Anglo-nations be Divided and Their People Made Slaves? Here is a related item in the Spanish language ¿Serán divididas las naciones anglosajonas?
Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States This is a 200 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Hillary Clinton and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also discusses Republicans. The physical book can be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States, 2nd edition: Is Hillary Clinton Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Hopi, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Donald Trump? $11.99.
Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Amazon 2nd Kindle edition This electronic version of the 200 page print edition is available for only US$3.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Hillary Clinton, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Amazon 2nd Kindle edition.
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