Exposing the myth of American Democracy

Some of you understand what is meant by the phrase, “between the straits.” If you don't know what means, I'll explain. On the Hebrew calendar, from 17 Tammuz to 9 Av -- a three week period -- Judaism believes God's people are in a potentially stressful, and maybe even dangerous time. In Hebrew this three-week period is called bein haMetzarim -- “between the straits.” The belief is that, for the next three weeks, God's people should consider themselves as trying to navigate a vessel through a strait, which is a narrow water passage between two land areas. As well as being narrow, the route's depth can be shallow and potentially hazardous.

The point is Judaism believes that, in this season, circumstances may arise in life that requires a heightened state of alert, extreme patience and commitment to employ wisdom; to be impetuous during this time could be life-altering, maybe even fatal. The idea is rooted in history and tradition. According to tradition, it was on 17 Tammuz that Moses broke the tablets of the Law when he saw the people dancing around the Golden Calf, indicating that this day would be forever associated with calamity. 

Centuries later, when Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem, it was on 17 Tammuz that the Temple offerings ceased because no animals were available. In the Second Temple period, the Romans breached the city walls on 17 Tammuz. It is also believed that both Temples were burned and destroyed on 9 Av, thus accounting for the three weeks of being in the straits. So what does this tradition have to do with us? Should we put any stock in it? I'll leave that for you to decide but I will make these observations regarding where we are right now as we navigate through current situations.

First of all, the war in Gaza continues; recently Israel struck the Houthis in Yemen in response to a deadly drone attack in Tel Aviv. The Houthis vowed to retaliate for that action. The northern border of Israel has remained active with a back and forth between Israel and Hezbollah. And just recently, Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, was in Washington to address Congress, as well as meet with political dignitaries including Biden and Trump. As he spoke to Congress, hundreds of pro-Hamas demonstrators burned American flags and an effigy of Netanyahu. 

Then there is the recent attempted assassination of Donald Trump, the murder of one man and the wounding of two others, not to mention Trump's defiant response under fire. That event was immediately followed by the Republican National Convention which resulted in Trump's 3rd Republican nomination for the Presidency. Within just a few days of the RNC's conclusion, President Joe Biden announced that he would no longer seek reelection, and followed that announcement with an endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination. Until that announcement, the Democratic Party seemed to have been in disarray. As it stands now, the DNC is set to convene from August 19-22, 2024 and solidify just who the Dems plan to run against Trump-Vance. 

There is a slight wrinkle to all of this, however. Some in the Democratic party are pushing for a virtual roll call by August 7, due to the fact that, if there is no official Democratic nominee by that date, no Democratic candidate for President will be on the Ohio ballot. I point this out only because, August 13, 2024 corresponds to 9 Av on the Hebrew calendar, meaning that if the Dems rush to have a nominee by that time, it will occur within that three-week period. Perhaps this is nothing more than a curiosity but it is an interesting one in my book.

And so there is this confluence of rapid fire historical and potentially life-altering events leading me to believe that the world, and certainly the United States, is sailing through the straits -- whether you believe in the Jewish tradition or not. In my view, we in the U.S. will be sailing through the straits for some time, well beyond August I'm afraid -- certainly into November if not farther into the future. 

On the more temporal side of things, from now until the November election, the news cycle will be saturated with the latest updates, the latest polling numbers and the constant back and forth between the two parties. The fighting will be ugly, and as has already been demonstrated, it could get deadly. To say that there is a fight for America's soul is an understatement; we are at a crossroads and a choice has to be made as to which way we will go forward as a nation. However, I don't necessarily mean that solely in a political context but, more importantly, in a Biblical context. As it is written:

“I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19). 

I would argue that the spiritual condition of the nation is why things are playing out the way they are in the political realm. In short, what occurs in the natural is a reflection of the spiritual. In that vein of thought, it is important to point out that some in the political world literally promote the idea of choosing death over life -- and celebrate it. Of course, I'm thinking of those who are rabidly pro-abortion.

I recently read how pro-abortionists were promoting an effort to store up abortion pills just in case they become scarce in the future. In fact, an AP report said that these abortion pills are being stockpiled in a feverish rate. It said:

“Thousands of women stocked up on abortion pills just in case they needed them.... 'People are looking at looming threats to reproductive health access, looming threats to their reproductive rights, and potentially thinking to themselves: How can I prepare for this? Or how can I get around this or get out ahead of this?' said Dr. Abigail Aiken, an associate professor at the University of Texas at Austin.” 

When I read that, I couldn't help but think, how many of those same people have in times past, or would in the future, ridicule people who store up food, water and other basics necessities of life,  just in case something happens that would prevent them from getting their hands on items their families need? At any rate, the point I wish to emphasize is that we are in a precarious season, especially as America prepares to go to the polls because, like it or not, the outcome will in some way be a reflection of where we are morally and spiritually.

In a political context, please notice that both sides -- Republican and Democratic -- claim to be fighting for the future; both claim to be fighting to save Democracy. Both sides are making the argument that only they can save our way of life. Granted, one side has put forth ideas that advance their argument far better than the other, at least in my opinion. The other side seems only to be fixated on abortion and stopping the other guy at any cost.

Don't take that as a political endorsement; it's just to accentuate the great rift that is present in our country and the fact that this nation has strayed far away, not only from founding principles, but from God and His purpose for the nation. In that light, it is my opinion that both sides are wrong to fight for democracy if that is, in fact, what they believe they are doing. Here is why I say that: the founders -- who admittedly weren't perfect men -- didn't want democracy; indeed, most of the men who gave us the Constitution were adamantly opposed to the idea.

You can clearly see this argument made in the Federalist Papers, which is a collection of articles and essays written to generate support for ratifying the Constitution. The effort was initiated by Alexander Hamilton who was, in turn, assisted by James Madison and John Jay. As for Hamilton, he considered democracy a “disease” and a “poison.” In Federalist No. 10, Madison blatantly rejects direct democracy and factionalism. Instead, he argued for a representative republic which he proposed as being more effective against partisanship and factionalism.  Moreover, Madison concluded that a democracy cannot avoid the dangers of the majority faction because ... “undesirable passions can very easily spread to a majority of the people, which can then enact its will through the democratic government without difficulty.”

In other words, if a majority of people wish to do what is immoral and lawless in the eyes of God, through government, that can enact lawless laws. He continued by saying, “The latent causes of faction are thus sown in the nature of man, so the cure is to control their effects.” His point was, the people cannot be trusted with complete power any more than one man can be trusted with total power. This sentiment is backed up by Scripture which says, “man’s heart is evil from his youth.” 

Because that is a universal truth, Madison concluded that democracy was not desirable; a representative republic was more advantageous if America wished to avoid, or at least slow down, the corruptive influence of selfish and wicked people. That man's heart is evil from his youth is, in fact, the basis for the separation of powers that was established as part of our republic. To be clear, the founders most definitely favored a representative form of government but one that does not necessarily concede to the ever changing, and very often selfish whims of the electorate. Rather it was to be a representative form of government that conformed to the rule of law; the law and standards that everyone, in the beginning, agreed to be subject to -- i.e. the Constitution.

So when I hear someone, whether they are Republican of Democrat, say they are fighting for democracy, I get frustrated and a bit bewildered. Are these people just ignorant of history or careless with their words? This particular situation reminds me of an exchange alleged to have occurred between Mrs. Elizabeth Willing Powell and the elder statesman, Benjamin Franklin, as the Constitutional Convention adjourned. She said: “Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?” He replied, “A republic, if you can keep it.” 

Republic is a word that means “a public concern” or “something that is in the interests of the people.” This, in my view, is to say a republican form of government acts in the interests of the people as a whole, not necessarily with the intent to appease the whims of the people, which change with the wind.

Another of the writers who penned the Federalist Papers, John Jay, counted it a blessing that America possessed “one united people—a people descended from the same ancestors, the same language, professing the same religion.” His point was, all of these common traits makes it easier for everyone to possess the same ideals, relatively speaking, and hopefully to strive for the same goals. But what happens when that situation changes, as it most certainly has. We are a nation comprised of many ethnicities, backgrounds and beliefs. Do we challenge all who come here to conform to the Constitution -- the Law of the Land -- that binds us together as a united people?  Or do we seek to accommodate the different factions, at the expense of the Constitution, and devolve into a large disjointed, fractioned nation? 

And so the point: we most certainly have political factions and deeply divided partisanship: we are squared off against one another in our different camps -- left and right, blue and red, Democrat and Republican. By the way, James Monroe -- one of the founding fathers -- considered political parties to be “the curse of the country, breeding disunity, demagoguery, and corruption.” Say what you want, but these men were pretty smart and insightful.

It is painfully obvious that we have abandoned the vision of the founders, which is to say, to continue as a Constitutional Republic under God. It is my firm belief that we have not “kept it,” as Franklin warned, but have devolved into a Democracy -- a word that essentially means, “the people rule.” And if the people rule, then is stands to reason that, in the hearts and minds of those people, God does not rule. In its' purest form, democracy is mob rule. If you want to see a demonstration of democracy in action, then look no further than the chaos and lawlessness that was a common trademark of the French Revolution.

Radicals, mostly atheists, fueled the revolution which eventually promoted the idea of making “terror the order of the day.” The French Revolutionary government devoured its own in dramatic fashion executing approximately 17,000, some by beheading. What was lawful one day was lawless the next, and the ignorant and unsuspecting were quickly led away to their death. During this democratic reign of terror, there was either acquittal or death -- no in between.

You might not be aware but the French revolutionists who promoted the merits of their democracy decided to come up with their own calendar. The stated goal was to separate themselves from anything associated with royalty and the old monarchy which, in turn, included erasing God from the nation's memory and culture. These so-called enlightened ones of the Renaissance (rebirth) discarded the seven day week in deference to a 10-day week -- with no Sabbath. They made many other changes in how time was calculated but, in the end, it proved to be a colossal failure. The point is -- this is an example of democracy in action. The whims of the people -- people who are evil from their youth -- were translated into lawless laws.

As a footnote I'd like to add that, in the book of Daniel, there is an interesting comment made about the one called AntiChrist. It says: 

“He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law.” (Daniel 7:25)

Democracy, because it is designed to appease the will of the people, or perhaps we should say the will of the loudest and most aggressive faction, submits to the desires of people whether or not they are moral and righteous. Most often they are the opposite which means, pure democracy is quick to remove the connection between government and God. I'm saddened to say that democratic philosophies are alive and well in our country today. 

All of this leads me to this conclusion: because we have strayed from the inspiration that planted republican ideals in the heart of our founders -- that is, Scripture and Biblical principle -- and because we have pursued a society that is democratic, it is my hope that, if God allows, someone will come along and destroy our “democracy” and restore the principles of a constitutional Republic to this land. But why the history lesson? Here's why: 

“Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it.” (George Santayana, writer and philosopher) 

More importantly Scripture says:

“That which is has already been, and what is to be has already been; and God requires an account of what is past.” (Ecclesiastes 3:15)

That last part of this verse insinuates that God expects an account from us if we do not heed the lessons of history and, especially when Biblical history teaches us what God demands from those who have been blessed as we have in this nation. As it is written, “To whom much is given, much is required.”

We are living in a critical time -- as a nation, we are navigating the straits. And because God's people are expected to stand firm in His truth, it will be very important that we do not allow ourselves to be sucked into the black hole of partisanship and division that is focused solely on political power and philosophical agendas. Our agenda is the Kingdom of Heaven; our power is derived from the Supreme Authority.

With that thought in mind, I would say that the most important choice before us is not one of choosing between Republican or Democrat, but the choice between life and death, blessing and cursing -- choosing truth over falsehood. That doesn't mean I am unconcerned for our country because I am. Like so many of you, I am frustrated, even angered by some of the Godless ideas that are advanced and supported by our political leaders. I do hope that this election will result in a change of direction for our country but not just in terms of politics -- but in terms of returning to God and His purpose for as long as He wills for that purpose to continue.

Let me leave you with one final thought to ponder: the last two of the seven congregations in Asia -- Philadelphia and Laodicea -- are very interesting as it relates to our topic. Philadelphia, the congregation of brotherly love, was not rebuked by Messiah. Rather, He praised their willingness to remain faithful to Him and to persevere. In fact, He said this: “You have kept My word, and have not denied My name.”

In contrast, Messiah rebuked the Laodiceans because they were lukewarm, not hot or cold. They saw themselves one way, in need of nothing, but Messiah saw them differently -- in need of much. And so He told them, “Be zealous and repent.” I find it interesting that the word Laodicea means, “the people's rights.” Perhaps that could infer issues of the day: reproductive rights; women's rights, trans rights, etc. You get the idea. Laodicea alludes to those who are more  concerned about their rights than they are about doing what is right. These are the people who, unless they repent, the Lord will spew them from His mouth.

But let's say that they do repent, what would the result be? If Laodiecea -- which is thematically similar to democracy, where the people rule -- turns and goes back in the direction from which they came -- or shall we say, from which they strayed -- the first place they will end up is in the previous congregation mentioned -- Philadelphia, the congregation of brotherly love. Interestingly enough, the Constitutional Convention of 1787 -- the convention that composed the US Constitution -- met in Philadelphia. Coincidence? Or is God trying to say something through history? 

God's Word, His Constitution as it were, was given to us with our interests in mind. Its' not so much about our rights but, rather, encouraging and challenging us to do what is right in His eyes. We don't need someone to lead us in a fight to save democracy; we need people who will stand up and fight for the Kingdom of God, for the return to morality and true justice that we might be, for the time left to us, one nation under God.

Bill Cloud was raised in a traditional Christian home in South Georgia. Yet it was a trip to Israel to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles, in 1990, that truly provoked him to become more interested in his faith. It was during this “appointed time” that God gave him a deep love for the land, the people and the language.

Soon thereafter, Bill began learning Hebrew under the tutelage of a local rabbi and has since spent many hours studying, not only the Hebrew text, but the Hebraic roots of Christianity as well. This interest in the language is tied to Bill’s desire to unlock the hidden treasures within the Word of God and to teach them, along with our Hebraic roots, to believers in Messiah. Furthermore, this insight has allowed Bill to better understand the prophetic element of Scripture. As a result of this study, Bill has developed a variety of media resources dealing with prophetic themes as well as teachings related to our lost Hebraic heritage.

Bill is a featured speaker in venues throughout the country and has appeared with notable teachers such as Perry Stone, Jonathan Cahn, Joel Richardson and Hal Lindsay. He has also made several appearances on a variety of television broadcasts seen on different Christian networks throughout the world. Recently Bill, along with his wife, Beth, and their children started a fellowship in the Cleveland TN area.

Through Shoreshim Ministries, Bill and his family strive to re-introduce Christians to the Jewish Yeshua and to educate believers in the Hebraic roots of their faith. As a result of this information, disciples of the Messiah can more accurately interpret end-time events and better discern our role in these last days.
Bill and his family reside in Cleveland, Tennessee.