'Conspiracy Theories, Vigilante Christianity' Rule in a Post-Trump America

President Joe Biden (Charisma News archives)

Post-Trump America. If those three words have you screaming from the depths of your agitated soul, "Joe Biden is not my president!" you have stumbled upon the right article.

I voted for Donald Trump, and I am quick to shout from the rooftops that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have teamed up to create a terrible disturbance in our nation. The first several days in office have proven this as they are aggressively and without apology promoting the immorality and wickedness for which the liberal left is so famous. Christians should be deeply grieved, yet so many are actually celebrating the ousting of Trump and the establishment of our new president and vice president. In fact, I'm sure many who are reading this are among those who are rejoicing over the new administration. I honestly am more troubled and grieved by professing Christians supporting such a devious political party than I am the fact that the left is now leading our nation.

Based on what I've seen on social media, there are millions of professing Christians who are vigorously applauding President Joe Biden's election. I'm talking about radical believers who are known to be deeply devoted to Jesus. I'm stunned.

I don't believe it's a stretch to suggest that the blood of millions of future dismembered children will be on the hands of those who voted for a pro-death politician. As I've often asked, if a political candidate admitted they would promote legislation to make the killing of any child under the age of two allowable, would you vote for him or her?

If they believed parents had the right to tear off their toddler's arms and legs as they bled to death if caring for them became too inconvenient, would it be right to support their candidacy? Of course not. It would make both the politician and the supporter horrid monsters. This is why Christians (or any sane person) supporting a pro-death party simply makes no sense.

This among many other disturbing "values" of the left, including an alleged stolen election, should be enough to make any support laughable.

Joe Biden Is Our President

It would seem, given what I have already written, that I would be right alongside those who are plastering all over social media that "Biden isn't my president." I'm not. In fact, I don't believe any honest Christian who lives a life of integrity can. The truth that cannot be debated is that Joe Biden is the president of the United States of America. He's living in the White House. Donald Trump isn't. You might argue the "clear and obvious" voter fraud, the corrupt courts and all sorts of other accusations of illegal activity, and you may be right (and you may be wrong). However, none of that has changed the legal outcome of the election. Joe Biden is our president.

Left-leaning George Stephanopoulos said the following: "No election is perfect. But there were 86 challenges filed by [former] President Trump and his allies in court. All were dismissed. Every state certified the results."

He also insisted that former Attorney General Bill Barr even said that there was no "evidence of widespread fraud."

I'm personally disappointed by the #notmypresident mantra that so many Christians have adopted. Better said, Christians have borrowed this phrase from the left.

Check out this from The Washington Post: "Hillary Clinton dismissed President Trump as an 'illegitimate president' and suggested that 'he knows' that he stole the 2016 presidential election ..."

And, from another source online: "They are clapping back with the trending hashtags #NotMyPresident and #ImStillWithHer, simultaneously decrying Trump's win and showing support for his opponent, Hillary Clinton."

A post on Twitter summed it up:

I refuse to accept that a racist, homophobic, pig is going to be president. #NotMyPresident #ImStillWithHer

— Brennyn (@UnicornsSlay) November 9, 2016

To employ such a juvenile attack strategy by kicking feet, pouting and whining and slapping #notmypresident all over the internet is embarrassing, especially for God's holy church.

Hocus-Pocus Prophecy

As a charismatic Christian who strongly believes in the importance of embracing legitimate prophecy, it's easy for me to admit that we need reformation in today's prophetic movement. So much of it has become bizarre hocus-pocus released by unleashed ministers without any of the weighing and judging that Scripture demands.

You might be shocked at the personal attacks I've experienced simply because I am doing what the Bible mandates we do by weighing and judging prophetic words. One lovely Christian told me that God has turned his face from me. Others have accused me of not having faith. Some have let me know that I don't know how to stand in the midst of trial. Someone called me ignorant and accused me of perpetuating the lies of the left. My agreement with the hell's agenda makes me complicit, said another.

Why is there so much hatred coming out of the mouths of Christians over this election?

An intense, negative reaction to the results of the election should terrify you. It reveals where your hope rests. It exposes your lack of readiness for the end times. It opens the door of your soul to the antichrist spirit and, in the near future, the Antichrist himself.

Understand, I'm not talking about being passive or not being aggressive against the enemy. I'm talking about triggered people. Depressed, angry, mean, rude, divisive people. Those who have become unhinged and nearly hopeless. Those who will shame, assault and divorce anyone who doesn't join them in their emotional crisis.

In fact, I've called people to pray for our new president, and I'm so disheartened by many people's replies. Some refuse outright to pray for him as he's an "imposter." Others refuse to pray anything but God's judgment on him. It's madness! The state of the church must be very bad indeed if this type of response to a call to lovingly pray for someone is so common.

I believe a key reason for this intense, unrighteous reaction is partly due to the unbalanced, unrestrained prophetic movement that had such an influence on gullible people during the election.

Remember, I'm a promoter of healthy, biblical prophecy. We need more, not less of it. A holy prophetic spirit must emerge in the American church if we have any hope of surviving the vicious wickedness that is both here and on the horizon. But, too much of what has been labeled prophetic in this current season is either flat out wrong or was handled wrongly.

Mario Murillo said: "There were true prophets and false prophets. And, while their messages about Trump seemed the same, there was a stark difference. The true prophets rightly coupled the promise of Trump's victory with a call for the church to repent. But the false prophets spoke as if we were entitled to an automatic victory."

Mario's point is extremely important. Prophecy is conditional. It must be presented with the conditions so the hearers know how to respond. This is part of the prophetic reformation that is so necessary today.

Conspiracy Theorists and Christian Vigilantes

Has anybody else noticed the morphing of recent prophetic words about the election and the QAnon style conspiracy theories? In one breath someone is declaring they are standing on the words of the prophets about Donald Trump's reelection, and in the next, they are attempting to prove their positions by sharing various videos and left field news stories.

Am I saying all of these reports are false? Of course not. Do I believe there is no fraud, secrecy, corruption or illegal and unconstitutional activity surrounding the election? I actually believe there may be.

The problem comes with the way Christians are handling their suspicions.

Does that mean we can't keep hunting for fraud? No.

Does that mean we can't be hopeful for a dramatic, miraculous turn of events? No.

But, let's do so honestly and with integrity. Joe Biden is our president. Saying he's "not my president" is simply false, and those who are saying it are surrendering their credibility.

All you have to do is consider what is required for someone to be legally elected president of the United States. Joe Biden fulfilled every obligation.

Many of you remember the trial of the century as O.J. Simpson was accused of the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. Many (most?) would argue that the evidence that Simpson was guilty was absolutely overwhelming. In fact, some would suggest you'd have to be a fool to believe he didn't kill them.

However, in our nation, in our judicial system, little matters other than the verdict. The verdict is superior to the facts. No matter how convincing the evidence was, Simpson was found innocent, not guilty. That was the judgment. He was a free man. It doesn't matter whether you believe it or not or whether he did it or not. It doesn't matter what the evidence was. He was free, and he could never be tried for those crimes again. It was settled.

The same principle applies with the election. Once the verdict has been delivered, the evidence doesn't matter. What we believe doesn't matter. The suspected fraud doesn't matter. The courts refused every single case. Of course, you might argue that the courts are biased or even corrupt. You may be right, but it doesn't matter. The decision of a biased or corrupt court is still the only decision that matters. All we can do is take it to a higher court. And, as Christians, it sure would be nice if we stormed the courts of heaven over this instead of hurling accusations against everyone who doesn't dance to the drum the conspiracy theorists are incessantly beating.

The vigilantes are out in force. Cross them with any suggestion that we should move ahead under the leadership of Joe Biden and his administration and you will be outed, mocked, shamed and assaulted with all sorts of conspiracies and supposed proofs. Get ready for your Facebook Messenger to be flooded with stories and videos that prove their point. This is no way for loving Christians to act.

Remember, I believe there may have been some improprieties; I agree there may have been fraud. But conspiracies and goofy prophecies have hijacked too many people. They drank the Kook-Aid (I meant to type Kool-Aid, but I think I'll leave it as I wrote it) and they have lost their balance as if what they were drinking was spiked with an intoxicating and wicked potion.

Dr. Michael Brown wrote regarding the failed election prophecies:

What you prophesied did not come to pass.

There is not an alternative, spiritual reality in which Trump is still functioning as president.

Nothing is going to change in a month or a year.

It's over.

Even if there was massive electoral fraud, the results of this election will not be overturned.

Donald Trump will not serve a second, consecutive term.

Face the facts, be accountable before God and man, take the hits that will be coming, and humble yourself before the Lord and His people.

This is not the time for excuses. This is not the time to concoct spiritual myths. And this is absolutely not the time to blame others.

If you prophesied falsely, you and you alone are to blame.

More than any other Christian voice today, in my opinion, Brown brings wisdom and biblical balance to this volatile situation.

He also said: "So many of God's people are hurting, and the world is mocking us, thinking that our faith in Jesus is just as false as these failed Trump prophecies."

He's right.

Leaders like Murillo and Brown are needed more than ever today when conspiracies and divisive Christians are multiplying every moment. Sadly, I've heard Christians proudly declare they have stopped following Dr. Brown because of his stance. I'm sure many will unfollow or block me too.

Oh, and by the way, if the conspiracy theorists are correct and the election is somehow overturned and Donald Trump is restored as president. I'll celebrate, but sadly too many of the Christian vigilantes will be filled with pride, pointing fingers and puffing themselves up as spiritually superior.

How do I know this? Nonstop I've heard from them predicting their victory in this strange, divisive battle. "You'll see!" "Your faithlessness will be exposed!" "Just wait, the prophets are right!"

Well, I hope those who are prophesying God's heart are right. I'm ready to celebrate with my vigilante brothers and sisters in Christ. Break out the confetti. {eoa}

For the original article, visit thestream.org.

John Burton is a sought-out teacher, prophetic messenger and revivalist. He has authored 10 books, is a regular contributor to Charisma magazine and directed one of the primary internships at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City. He has planted two churches and has initiated two city prayer movements and a school of ministry.

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John Burton has been developing and leading ministries for over 25 years and is a sought out teacher, prophetic messenger and revivalist. John has authored ten books, is a regular contributor to Charisma Magazine, has appeared on Christian television and radio and directed one of the primary internships at the International House of Prayer (IHOP) in Kansas City. A large and growing library of audio and video teachings, articles, books and other resources can be found on his website at www.burton.tv. John, his wife Amy and their five children live in Branson, Missouri.


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