Spiritual Harlotry

We have to pause and think about what’s happening right now.

I realize that some people are so numb and weary that they’re simply ignoring what’s happening, while others are outraged and being consumed by rage. And I realize that there are those who are still making excuses for the President’s conduct for political purposes, which further fuels people’s numbed indifference and outraged hatred. But this isn’t a moment that we can afford another misstep. The world needs the Church’s decisive response right now.

So, before reacting, we must carefully consider the imagery itself so that we can respond faithfully.

The Imagery Itself

The image presents the President in the role of a healer, with radiant light flowing from his hand into a suffering man. He is clothed in garments resembling traditional artistic portrayals of Christ. Light descends from heaven behind him. Angels appear above. The American flag is prominently displayed. Military aircraft and patriotic symbols fill the background. Those around him look on with hope and reverence.

Taken together, the symbolism is unmistakable: the President is presenting himself as clothed in messianic imagery, and portrayed as a source of healing, salvation, and national restoration, because this is how he conceives of himself.

This isn’t subtle symbolism. This is intentional. And it draws upon visual patterns historically associated with Christ in order to associate political leadership and mission with divine deliverance. This matters because it speaks to how Trump understands himself and his purpose in office.

The Warning of the Prophets

The prophets of old speak in their time with lessons that can warn and chasten us today:

“Your heart became proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor”
(Ezekiel 28:17 CSB)

“I will ascend to the heavens; I will set up my throne above the stars of God… I will make myself like the Most High”
(Isaiah 14:13–14 CSB)

Pride corrupts the mind. Our pursuit of greatness can blind us and corrupt our thinking. How Trump conceives of his role in pursuing our national greatness is becoming a trap for both him and our country. What is plain to everyone else is obscured from our own mind. Our own allies are abandoning us and separating themselves from us in deep and meaningful ways. And there doesn’t seem to be the wisdom necessary to recognize what’s happening and change course.

So the warning of the prophets is that this kind of pride is not only dangerous for the ruler himself, but is also dangerous for the people who are can get caught up in these delusions of national grandeur.

So Scripture speaks:

“Then I heard another voice from heaven: Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins or receive any of her plagues. For her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes. Pay her back the way she also paid, and double it according to her works. In the cup in which she mixed, mix a double portion for her. As much as she glorified herself and indulged her sensual and excessive ways, give her that much torment and grief. For she says in her heart, ‘I sit as a queen; I am not a widow, and I will never see grief.’”
(Revelation 18:4–7 CSB)

I know this passage speaks specifically of Mystery Babylon and specific events about the end of this age, the pattern applies wherever this kind of pride exalts itself in splendor and seduces the nations. The harlot sits atop political power and boasts in her own glory. She adorns herself in luxury and excess. And the nations are made drunk on the wine of her immorality. This pattern repeats itself in smaller scales throughout history.

The end of this pattern is that God ultimately judges the nations for their pride and spiritual harlotry.

So the very real and present danger for the Church residing in America is that we too might drink from this cup and lose our senses. If we drink this cup, we must not think God will show favoritism and spare us his judgment. We are warned in Scripture that we will also receive God’s judgments!

The Pattern of the Early Church

I think we might benefit from looking at how the early Church lived under emperors who openly claimed divine titles such as son of god and savior. Yet the Church refused to grant them these honors. And they suffered for their faithfulness.

Christians did not grant allegiance to political rulers.

Our confession is simple but subversive:

Jesus is Lord.

This confession did not make them revolutionaries.

They honored governing authorities (Romans 13:1), prayed for rulers (1 Timothy 2:1–2), and lived peaceful lives (Matthew 5:9). But they did not confuse the kingdom of God with the kingdoms of this world (John 18:36).

The Church’s profession that Jesus is Lord showed that there’s a higher authority to which the nations of this world must answer. And her submission in honor, prayer, and peace to the ruling powers of this world subverted their authority when they then abused and persecuted the Church. This is how the Church showed that Caesar was not God and heralded the coming of another Kingdom.

Their pattern is clear.

A Principled Christian Response

I believe Scripture is demands that we do not respond with rage, mockery, or partisan reflex. And I believe it’s equally clear that we should not flatter political powers when they blur the line between human authority and divine glory, nor should we remain silent when they do. Instead, we must maintain a clear separation between the kingdom of God and rulers who exalt themselves in their own splendor.

Salvation is not found in national greatness, but in Christ.

Political leaders do not have the power to heal the wounds that sin inflicts upon a nation, nor can they stay the hand of God when he rises up to judge.

Therefore, our witness must remain calm, prayerful, and clear.

I also believe it is especially important for Christians who have been vocal in their support for President Trump to speak clearly on this matter, so that silence does not give the impression that this imagery reflects the Christian witness about him. While many Christians have supported Trump for various political reasons, this depiction crosses a line that no Christian can accept.

On this point, the Church should speak with one voice.