This Verse Has Nothing To Do With Donald Trump's Survival
In the search for answers after a near national tragedy many Americans, thankfully, look to God and His Word. We saw much of that after the failed assassination attempt against Donald Trump on July 13th. In the midst of so much chaos, confusion and unrest, a lot of Americans have looked to Jesus Christ and found peace, comfort and direction through prayer and the word of God.
But one particular misuse, and quite frankly, abuse of God’s Word in a few posts shared online, including one even shared by a pastor on stage at the Republican National Convention, have exposed the Biblical illiteracy of our nation. Namely the idea that Bible verses with the same chapter and verse numbers as the time or date of the shooting, or something to that effect, are of particular relevance and insight.
This is called eisegesis.
— Jon Root (@JonnyRoot_) July 14, 2024
Don’t twist Scripture to fit your personal and/or political agenda. https://t.co/p9uZvgGRvF
It is inexcusable for a pastor to be pushing the Ephesians 6:11/Trump shot at 6:11 numerology nonsense… pic.twitter.com/jdgxVaM5HJ
— Jon Root (@JonnyRoot_) July 19, 2024
Here’s why picking random chapters and verses that coincide with the time Trump was shot, is not just wrong, but an abuse of God’s word.
First and foremost, reading ideas into the text that are not found in there, whether for your own personal and/or political agenda or any other reason, is called eisegesis. If you are unfamiliar with the term, here’s a definition:
“Eisegesis is a noun that means interpreting a text by reading into it one's own ideas, biases, or agendas. It's often called "reading into the text". The word comes from the Greek words eis, meaning "into", and exegesis.”
Second, numbers do have significance in the Bible, but not in the way being used here. While the number seven seems to signify completion at times (Genesis 7:2-4; Revelation 1:20, 4:5; 5:1, 5-6), forty signifies trial and/or probation, such as the Israelites wandering for 40 years (Deuteronomy 8:2-5); Jesus being tempted in the desert for 40 days (Matthew 4:2); there being 40 days between Jesus’ resurrection and ascension (Acts 1:3), and the number 666 being the number of the antichrist (Revelation 13). However, using numbers from a specific time (6:11 pm ET) to coincide with a specific book, chapter, and verse in the Bible, when the books of the Bible didn’t contain chapter or verse references when they were originally written, is closer to mysticism and numerology than anything else..
Dr. James White of Apologia Church and host of The Dividing Line said it well in his response to political commentator, Jack Posobiec:
As I have explained to others, this is absurd abuse of Scripture. Please, stop it. It is highly disrespectful to God's Word.
— ππ₯π¦π±π’π π’ππ―π‘ (@HwsEleutheroi) July 15, 2024
The chapter and verse divisions are later, uninspired additions. The current verses were added in 1551. They are not inspired, and it is simply absurd…
When we read God’s Word, which is inspired, infallible, inerrant and authoritative, our focus should be on the context and time period in which it was written, as well as the audience and how it points to Jesus Christ. The Bible doesn’t encourage us to find special, hidden meaning in its pages like in Dan Brown’s “The DiVinci Code”.
The fact is that Trump, who I am thankful is alive, does not bear the fruit of a true Christ-follower. While I’m happy to hear Trump stated in Thursday’s night speech at the RNC, “I stand before you in this arena only by the grace of almighty God,” claiming Trump had the “full armor of God” would imply that he is committed and submitted to Christ. I don’t see evidence of that, which is why I pray that this situation inspires him to turn to Christ.
Another reason this misuse of Scripture is particularly troublesome is that a man was shot and killed in the stands behind President Trump. Corey Comperatore, a firefighter, husband and father, was said to be a “man of God” who “loved Jesus fiercely”. Does this mean Mr. Comperatore didn’t have on the full armor on that fateful day? Of course not. While this may not be the intention of those posting Eph. 6:11 in response, that is an implication in what is being said. But the armor of God does not guarantee protection against physical harm, and even if it did, it would more likely be the faithful Christian who would benefit from it than the non-Christian President.
Pray for the family of Corey Comperatore, who is said to be a Christian and a hero, who shielded his wife and daughter from the bullet that took his life at the Trump RallyππΌ
— Jon Root (@JonnyRoot_) July 14, 2024
Read his daughter’s heartfelt goodbye π pic.twitter.com/ndsB82PPbh
Trump has some good points and done many righteous things in office, alongside many bad ones, and though I consider him to be the clear lesser of two evils, somehow randomly trying to find a Scripture to fit a political agenda in support of him like this is not God-honoring.
But let’s discuss Ephesians 6:11 in a faithful, contextual way that speaks to the state of our nation at this moment:
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
A political system that tells you that, in order to get this country back on track, you must compromise on your Christian faith, or that says you must bend the knee and assimilate to Babylon or shut up, or if you stand against the erosion of traditional values rooted in Scripture that you are “obnoxious, self-righteous purists”, or that says that abortion is just a “spot on the wall” compared to the “holes in the roof” of our nation and therefore babies must be murdered in order to win elections, or that blasphemous, demonic prayers, satanists and porn stars must be platformed in this big, political tent, or that marriage can be redefined - these are examples of “schemes of the devil.”
Christians, “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.” Armor, in and of itself, on a weak man does nothing. Armor on a man who is dedicated and in submission to Christ makes for a strong warrior.
Revival doesn’t happen by electing a lesser of two evils and staying silent as they continually strip away godly values from the nation. Revival comes through repentance to Jesus Christ and recognition that we have individually and collectively turned away from His commands. Submission to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is a prerequisite to revival. There’s a supernatural battle to fight, Christian. You are an exile in a godless land. Stand firm. Now is the time to turn to God, evangelize the lost, pray for peace and unity in our nation.
It is not the time to encourage people to read Scripture irreverently through their own political lens. This kind of biblical numerology is unhelpful and nonsensical. Please, stop this.