Why are we allowing our government to trample our Christian values?

[tdrew777]

After Richard Nixon won a landslide victory in 1972, he claimed that the landslide was due to America's "moral majority". This immediately became a bus word that the left used to discredit the right. There never, at any time, was an organized "Moral Majority" agenda nor movement. It was a momentary Nixonian description.

 

[LT]

After Richard Nixon won a landslide victory in 1972, he claimed that the landslide was due to America's "moral majority". This immediately became a bus word that the left used to discredit the right. There never, at any time, was an organized "Moral Majority" agenda nor movement. It was a momentary Nixonian description.

ok... then who was Pat Robertson?

 

[just-me]

You are correct. Separation of Church and State is not in the Constitution, and the way it is done is totally unConstitutional.
The problem is that the Constitution is not a chapter in the Bible.
Christians will "influence their environment" for good, if they are sharing the Gospel, and showing the love of Christ to others.

As for the Church not being involved enough... The Moral Majority movement happened during the past 50 years, so your whole premise is moot.

It is important to know what premise the "moral majority" used. I'm not, by any means talking them down, for I was all for them seeing what they we trying to do after I got back from Vietnam, but they didn't have the majority of members that believed that Israel was meant to be the example for the entire world, henceforth rejecting the ordinances that gave Israel peace when they obeyed them. The precedence was weak for that reason even though I supported them. I lived it. As far as "moot" the resolve is in the heart of understanding. We are weak if we say we are going down and there is nothing we can do, and stop fighting for what is right. If we are going to go down, go down fighting. We are soldiers, after all.

 

[CRC]

Bad government does not originate in the human realm of things. The real architects of this madness hides behind the scenes. What we see are mere human puppets. The puppet masters of world governments are unseen to human eyes.
Writing about the Christians’ fight for the faith, the apostle Paul clearly identified their worst enemies. “We have a wrestling,” he candidly said, “not against blood and flesh, but against the governments, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12) Thus, this fight goes beyond the human sphere, since it is carried out, “not against blood and flesh,” but against “wicked spirit forces.”
According to most modern Bible translations, “the wicked spirit forces” here refer, not to an abstract principle of evil, but to powerful wicked spirit persons. Some versions offer such renderings as “the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Revised Standard Version), “the spiritual army of evil in the heavens” (The Jerusalem Bible), and “the superhuman forces of evil in the heavens” (The New English Bible). Thus, the Devil has been exercising his power through other rebel angels who forsook “their own proper dwelling place” in heaven.—Jude 6.
The prophetic Bible book of Daniel discloses how these “world rulers” have been exerting control over the world since ancient times. Deeply concerned about fellow Jews who in 537 B.C.E. had returned to Jerusalem from their Babylonian exile, the prophet Daniel prayed in their behalf for three weeks. An angel, sent by God to reassure the prophet, told him why his arrival had been delayed. He said: “The prince of the royal realm of Persia was standing in opposition to me for twenty-one days.”—Daniel 10:2, 13.
Who was this ‘prince of Persia’? The angel was obviously not referring to Persian King Cyrus, who at that time looked with favor upon Daniel and his people. Moreover, how could a mere human king resist a spirit creature for three weeks when it took one angel only one night to destroy 185,000 mighty warriors? (Isaiah 37:36) This hostile ‘prince of Persia’ could only be an agent of the Devil, that is, a demon who was given control over the realm of the Persian Empire. Later in the account, God’s angel stated that he would once again have to fight against “the prince of Persia” and another demon prince, “the prince of Greece.”—Daniel 10:20.
What can we conclude from this? Simply that there really are invisible “world rulers,” demon princes who share control of the world under the authority of their chief, Satan the Devil. Yes, bad government has an invisble ruler.

 

[just-me]

I came home from Vietnam in 1970 with a bronze star. We never lost a battle, but we lost the war. Rhetorically, Why?
For the most part, society hated us, and people crossed the street so they didn’t have to pass me on the same sidewalk.
Rhetorically, Why?
I never experienced it, but hippies congregated to throw dog feces, and stones at veterans returning home.
Rhetorically, Why?
I’m not complaining, if that’s what you think. What I am saying is that I lived it first hand.
Now we have the same precedence in our administration.
Rhetorically, in a short 140 years, what made the Word of God so weak in a nation that was built on those principles?

 

[just-us-2]

You are correct. Separation of Church and State is not in the Constitution, and the way it is done is totally unConstitutional.
The problem is that the Constitution is not a chapter in the Bible.
Christians will "influence their environment" for good, if they are sharing the Gospel, and showing the love of Christ to others.

As for the Church not being involved enough... The Moral Majority movement happened during the past 50 years, so your whole premise is moot.

We are told is scripture to tell our Christian brothers and sisters when they are making a mistake. And we are told that if we don’t warn people we are to blame, not those who were not told they were wrong. So, let me start by saying that you are way too young to have experienced enough to make arrogant statements like this. But the error I am pointing out to you is that you just rebuked an elder in a very unbiblical manner, young man.

1 Timothy 5:1 (KJV)
[SUP]1 [/SUP]Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;

I have to say though, that starting with our generation (“baby boomers”) parents have failed to really “raise” the children – they just grew up in their parents’ homes – and public schools have actively taught lack of respect for the older (and wiser) at best, and at worst – disrespect for them. So it isn’t entirely your fault. However, now that you know, there is no excuse for repeating the offense.

Acts 17:30 (KJV)
[SUP]30 [/SUP]And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

 

[crossnote]

The Gov is going to do what it wants to do, and i don't think complaining will do much good, but its ok to vent. i have learned to look at things going on in the world as an illusion, the big movie screen, it has a beginning, and an end. our time watching this movie is short, we will be with our Father soon, as one big happy family, and hopefully we won't remember the wickedness, that we witnessed here in the world.

Oh boy, an added flavor of Hindu/Buddhism.

 

[crossnote]

As a Gentile nation founded on the principles of God, with all nationalities incorporated into this melting pot, we are responsible as Christians, to represent our God of all creation with character, and truth, backed up with our actions. We are to glorify Him by our actions, and understanding of His Word with a sincere, truthful heart. We will fail by putting certain parts of scriptures at different levels of importance, thereby presenting a misrepresentation of His holiness, and righteousness. Live, and walk within the guidelines of ALL the Word of God, and eventually you will be hated as Christ was. In the end, it will be worth it all. Stay away from things that defame the truth to a lost and dying world. We say we are Gentiles and Gentiles never had the instructions that Israel had so that’s for them and not for us. When we turn a blind eye away from the blessings promised to a nation by obedience, we are bound to be judged with curses from above.

2 Chronicles 20:6 (KJV)
[SUP]6 [/SUP]And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?

2 Chronicles 20:17 (KJV)
[SUP]17 [/SUP]Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.


Acts 17:10-12 (KJV)
[SUP]10 [/SUP]And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
[SUP]11 [/SUP]These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
[SUP]12 [/SUP]Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.

Continuing in the spirit of the Bereans, we want to examine the scriptures of the New Testament as well, wondering whether it is safe to proclaim that "Nowhere in the Bible are Gentiles ever condemned for not keeping God’s instructions."

The preaching and ministry of John the Baptist believed such. For instance, in Mark 6:18 John explicitly condemned the Gentile, Herod, for his violation of our Lord’s instructions, in particular for transgressing restrictions on the degrees of acceptable marriage.

Herod Antipas was a Gentile (an Idumaean) who married the wife of his half-brother, Philip. John the Baptist openly confronted this sin by declaring "it is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife" -- thus doing the very thing that some say was never done in the Bible, namely condemning a Gentile for not following these God given ordinances. John's words are pointing out that Herod's behavior is contrary to what is right in the sight of God despite the fact that he was a Gentile,

We have heard for years that "Nowhere in the Bible are Gentiles ever condemned for not keeping law of God.” The words of the apostles are not taken into account when they described the epitome of a wicked Gentile ruler - namely, "the Beast" spoken of in the book of Revelation.

Here John tells us of a Gentile tyrant whom the Lord will punish for trying to replace God's instructions with his own (Revelation 13:16-17; cf. Deuteronomy 6:8). The exact point of Paul's condemnation of this Gentile ruler was that he behaved as a "lawless" man (2 Thessalonians 2:3 -- the very essence of sin, I John 3:4). It is precisely this which ushers him in to conflict with those who "keep the commandments of God" (Revelation 12:17; 14:12). God's judgment rests upon the man of sin, despite the fact that he is a

Gentile, because he will not keep the law of God -- which both John and Paul recognized.
We have found that a detailed reading of God's word turns up many instances where Gentiles are held accountable to the moral obligations of God’s institutions of righteousness revealed to Israel.

Those professing to be in God’s will, and yet deny the moral principles written to the ancient Israelites key premise is thereby refuted, and they have no scriptural, theologically reliable basis for dismissing modern civil magistrates from the relevant dictates of Biblical principles of righteousness.
T
Christian Ethics at Reformed.org

You could have simply quoted ...

Romans 2:12-16 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another
In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

 

[crossnote]

I firmly believe that Christians should be more focused on the Great Commission, and should stop distracting themselves in the affairs of this world.

I have a tendency to be interested in conspiracy theories about government cover-ups and the corporate control of our food energy and water supplies.... but these are TEMPTATIONS to be distracted from my calling.

Are Christians supposed to slowly make the world better until it slowly becomes the Kingdom of God?
Or are we supposed to preach the Gospel to as many as we can before God brings the world to Judgement?

Does this have to be 'either/or'...why not both?

 

[crossnote]

Bad government does not originate in the human realm of things. The real architects of this madness hides behind the scenes. What we see are mere human puppets. The puppet masters of world governments are unseen to human eyes.
Writing about the Christians’ fight for the faith, the apostle Paul clearly identified their worst enemies. “We have a wrestling,” he candidly said, “not against blood and flesh, but against the governments, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12) Thus, this fight goes beyond the human sphere, since it is carried out, “not against blood and flesh,” but against “wicked spirit forces.”
According to most modern Bible translations, “the wicked spirit forces” here refer, not to an abstract principle of evil, but to powerful wicked spirit persons. Some versions offer such renderings as “the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Revised Standard Version), “the spiritual army of evil in the heavens” (The Jerusalem Bible), and “the superhuman forces of evil in the heavens” (The New English Bible). Thus, the Devil has been exercising his power through other rebel angels who forsook “their own proper dwelling place” in heaven.—Jude 6.
The prophetic Bible book of Daniel discloses how these “world rulers” have been exerting control over the world since ancient times. Deeply concerned about fellow Jews who in 537 B.C.E. had returned to Jerusalem from their Babylonian exile, the prophet Daniel prayed in their behalf for three weeks. An angel, sent by God to reassure the prophet, told him why his arrival had been delayed. He said: “The prince of the royal realm of Persia was standing in opposition to me for twenty-one days.”—Daniel 10:2, 13.
Who was this ‘prince of Persia’? The angel was obviously not referring to Persian King Cyrus, who at that time looked with favor upon Daniel and his people. Moreover, how could a mere human king resist a spirit creature for three weeks when it took one angel only one night to destroy 185,000 mighty warriors? (Isaiah 37:36) This hostile ‘prince of Persia’ could only be an agent of the Devil, that is, a demon who was given control over the realm of the Persian Empire. Later in the account, God’s angel stated that he would once again have to fight against “the prince of Persia” and another demon prince, “the prince of Greece.”—Daniel 10:20.
What can we conclude from this? Simply that there really are invisible “world rulers,” demon princes who share control of the world under the authority of their chief, Satan the Devil. Yes, bad government has an invisble ruler.

Yes, and the Sword of the Spirit...God's Word is a vital weapon in that warfare.

 

[Hizikyah]

2 Timothy 4:2-3, "Preach the word Be instant; ready to take your positions in season, out of season. Reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts they will heap to themselves teachers, who will tickle their ears."

Mattithyah 24:12, "12 And because iniquity will abound, the love of the many will grow cold."

iniquity is:#0458 ἀνομία anomia {an-om-ee'-ah} from G0459

Greek Word Study (Transliteration-Pronunciation Etymology & Grammar)
1) the condition of without law
1a) because ignorant of it
1b) because of violating it
2) contempt and violation of law, iniquity, wickedness

END TIME PROPHECY:

Isayah 24:1-6, "Behold, Yahweh makes the earth empty and makes it waste, perverts the face of it and scatters abroad its inhabitants; And it will be: as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his owner; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with him who takes usury, so with him who gives usury to him: The land will be utterly emptied and utterly plundered, for Yahweh has spoken this word. The earth mourns and fades away, the world mourns and fades away, and the haughty people of the earth languish. The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants of it, because they have transgressed the Laws, changed the ordinance, and broken the everlasting covenant. Because of this, the curse has devoured the earth, and they who dwell therein are desolate; therefore, the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left."

 

[crossnote]

I came home from Vietnam in 1970 with a bronze star. We never lost a battle, but we lost the war. Rhetorically, Why?
For the most part, society hated us, and people crossed the street so they didn’t have to pass me on the same sidewalk.
Rhetorically, Why?
I never experienced it, but hippies congregated to throw dog feces, and stones at veterans returning home.
Rhetorically, Why?
I’m not complaining, if that’s what you think. What I am saying is that I lived it first hand.
Now we have the same precedence in our administration.
Rhetorically, in a short 140 years, what made the Word of God so weak in a nation that was built on those principles?

Thanks for your service.
The slide began I believe during the Enlightenment (17-18th century) when the Church and bible were starting to be questioned and man's reason was becoming the measure of all things.

 

[Married_Richenbrachen]

I came home from Vietnam in 1970 with a bronze star. We never lost a battle, but we lost the war. Rhetorically, Why?

Everyone loses in war, except international bankers and profiteers.

For the most part, society hated us, and people crossed the street so they didn’t have to pass me on the same sidewalk.
Rhetorically, Why?

I'm not sure. When I avoid people, it's usual a non-violent protest at their actions. I'm not saying it's right, but it does come naturally. Do you not feel uncomfortable being close to someone whose actions are opposed to everything you believe is good, right and true?

I never experienced it, but hippies congregated to throw dog feces, and stones at veterans returning home.
Rhetorically, Why?

I often wonder about this. If I were alive at that time, and didn't know what I know now, it is possible that I would have gone along with this war, had I been conscripted. Although, if I knew what I know now, I'd have risked jail time or even death rather than become involved in another man's war. Either way, I certainly wouldn't have thrown anything at veterans, let alone excrement. I would expect other like minded supporters of peace to have behaved in the same way. Did most of the soldiers want war to begin with?

It wouldn't surprise me to learn that CIA provocateurs were involved in these and similar incidents between peace supporters and veterans/soldiers, to divide the two groups, who probably shared a common interest (e.g. the safety of the soldiers, and staying out of foreign wars).

I’m not complaining, if that’s what you think. What I am saying is that I lived it first hand.
Now we have the same precedence in our administration.
Rhetorically, in a short 140 years, what made the Word of God so weak in a nation that was built on those principles?

Sin, and the acceptance and support of sin.

 

[Brother_Don]

Crossnote, what a thing to say, calling my post a hindu budah thing. Because i don't let the cares of this world concern me. Christ Jesus is my Lord and Savior, so be careful with the mocking and scorning. i hope others are not jumping on your band wagon. If you wish to spin your wheels in the mud, when its better to keep our eyes on the prize. Then so be it, but don't point finger at me like i'm doing some thing wrong, since i won't trouble my self with the cares of the world.

 

[Brother_Don]

i really want to say this the right way. Was Jesus trying to change the gov here? or was Jesus establishing His Kingdom? my belief is that Jesus came to teach us the way we will live with Him in His Kingdom. Then after Jesus showed us, He went to prepare a place for us. i really don't think Jesus ever tried raising an anarchy.

 

[just-me]

i really want to say this the right way. Was Jesus trying to change the gov here? or was Jesus establishing His Kingdom? my belief is that Jesus came to teach us the way we will live with Him in His Kingdom. Then after Jesus showed us, He went to prepare a place for us. i really don't think Jesus ever tried raising an anarchy.

John 17:11-20 (KJV)
[SUP]11 [/SUP]And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
[SUP]12 [/SUP]While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
[SUP]13 [/SUP]And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
[SUP]14 [/SUP]I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
[SUP]15 [/SUP]I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
[SUP]16 [/SUP]They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
[SUP]17 [/SUP]Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
[SUP]18 [/SUP]As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
[SUP]19 [/SUP]And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
[SUP]20 [/SUP]Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

 

[XYZ]

October 24, 2013

Soldiers attending a pre-deployment briefing at Fort Hood say they were told that evangelical Christians and members of the Tea Party were a threat to the nation and that any soldier donating to those groups would be subjected to punishment under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

A soldier who attended the October 17 briefing told journalist Todd Starnes the counter-intelligence agent in charge of the meeting spent nearly a half hour discussing "how evangelical Christians and groups like the American Family Association were 'tearing the country apart.'"

The soldier said he fears reprisals and asked not to be identified. He said there was a blanket statement that donating to any groups that were considered a threat to the military and government was punishable under military regulations.
Another soldier who attended the briefing alerted the Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty. That individual's recollections of the briefing matched the others in attendance.

But this is not the first time an Army briefing has labeled evangelicals as extremists. Last April an Army Reserve briefing classified Evangelical Christianity and Catholicism as "religious extremism."

Two weeks ago, several dozen active duty troops at Camp Shelby in Mississippi, were told the American Family Association, a well-respected Christian ministry, should be classified as a domestic hate group because it advocates for traditional family values.

Too many times, military leaders are calling these "isolated" incidents. To the contrary, AFA is seeing a pattern of anti-Christian threats by military trainers.

U.S. Army threatens Christian soldiers with the brig | Liberal Logic 101

The way i see it, if you join an army, particularly one of a nation, that army looks after the (usually) monetary and military interests of that country. There are other interests but for the sake of nowadays wars, those two stand out.

Now, by joining that army and taking orders from its command, you should probably be aware that your rights arent like those of everyone else. You are to follow orders, regardless of your beliefs.

Therefore, as a person with christian values, why would you ever join an army to begin with?


Who comes first for you? God or country? Im betting that's a tough question for many american christians to answer.

 

[know1]

October 24, 2013

Soldiers attending a pre-deployment briefing at Fort Hood say they were told that evangelical Christians and members of the Tea Party were a threat to the nation and that any soldier donating to those groups would be subjected to punishment under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

A soldier who attended the October 17 briefing told journalist Todd Starnes the counter-intelligence agent in charge of the meeting spent nearly a half hour discussing "how evangelical Christians and groups like the American Family Association were 'tearing the country apart.'"

The soldier said he fears reprisals and asked not to be identified. He said there was a blanket statement that donating to any groups that were considered a threat to the military and government was punishable under military regulations.
Another soldier who attended the briefing alerted the Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty. That individual's recollections of the briefing matched the others in attendance.

But this is not the first time an Army briefing has labeled evangelicals as extremists. Last April an Army Reserve briefing classified Evangelical Christianity and Catholicism as "religious extremism."

Two weeks ago, several dozen active duty troops at Camp Shelby in Mississippi, were told the American Family Association, a well-respected Christian ministry, should be classified as a domestic hate group because it advocates for traditional family values.

Too many times, military leaders are calling these "isolated" incidents. To the contrary, AFA is seeing a pattern of anti-Christian threats by military trainers.

U.S. Army threatens Christian soldiers with the brig | Liberal Logic 101

I believe all this is in preparation for the take over of the enforcing agencies so that the commander in chief won't have those in the ranks to defy his orders.
I believe there is going to be a take over of the United States of America. That we will no longer be a free society, but a police state like the communist states. These things are just preparations. And all Christian will be on the hit list. Why else would the government send out 26000 letter to churches telling there congregations to obey the government. Like they're not now. The current administration has done more against Christian and their values than all prior administrations combined. There is a hate for the Christian with this current administration, just like the Muslims have a hate toward Christians and Jews.

 

[posthuman]

are we surprised that the secular government of a capitalist, humanist state doesn't put Christ first in everything they do?

notwithstanding i don't consider anonymous statements on "liberallogic101" or fox to be particularly reliable news sources. statements from the CO's and other soldiers in attendance don't match what you've quoted.

all that's beside the point though; where is our focus?

if we put all our energy into being afraid of and angry with the government or 'the man' are we walking in the light? God hasn't given us a spirit of fear! did Christ rally all the people up to speak out against Rome? did He teach us to spend all our time deriding Caeser? did Rome look kindly on religious extremism?

i think our focus ought to be elsewhere. regardless of how the authorities view the gospel, we ought to continue in it, and as much as possible live at peace and to respect & obey the authorities where they do not keep us from obeying the law of God. stirring up vitriol against the government is a diversion & a snare IMO, when we should rather be doing the work of the kingdom.

be careful that the politicians don't turn your love for Christ into hatred towards men. they've got an agenda that doesn't include magnifying the Work of the Cross.

 

[RedTent]

Nazi Germany had some lessons we can learn. Here is how he got German people to be part of his government of immorality.

He was once a Catholic, he did not discourage people from attending church, as long as it didn't interfere with people agreeing to his government policies. The church was to have no influence in what he did, it was to be completely separate. School prayers were banned, carols and nativity plays forbidden. The word Christmas was changed to Yuletide. Easter was the arrival of spring, based on that church was to have nothing to do with how people lived.

He announced that he gave churches freedom, as long as they kept their place.

The churches liked his attitude and his use of the words freedom and tolerance in relation to them. Some Lutheran pastors even decided to eliminate the OT from the bible based on that it was too Jewish.

A lady moved to our town after WW11 who had been part of Hitler's Youth. I asked her how she could be part of something so wicked. She said that it seemed wonderful to march and sing as part of something greater than she was. She felt that God builds this desire in every person, Hitler used that. She was told it was good.

We are slowly being groomed the same way Hitler groomed the Germans. It will result in a call for civil disobedience if we do like Daniel did when the Babylonian government asked him to obey something against God. These policies are warning us, are we ready? The German people were not, they even helped Hitler murder. Already there have been lawsuits against Christian organizations and churches not being part of homosexual marriages based on discrimination.

Hitler ordered pastors to teach Romans 13, asking us to obey the government. Pastors have been approached by our administration, also, to teach this chapter. They are not to teach that government is not to legislate against what God asks of us, and as Daniel led the way for us, we are to stand on the words of our Lord first.