​The inspiration for “One Nation Under God”.

 

In this painting, Jesus Christ is on the throne at the capital while a host of 120 patriots fill “the upper room”.

 

While there has been much debate recently about our nation's Judeo-Christian roots,  the original 13 American colonies required a religious oath to hold public office, often including professing belief in Jesus Christ.  Our public officials are sworn in on a Holy Bible.  Not long ago, all those witnessing in court were required to swear in on the Bible.

 

From the first to the last sentence of The Declaration of Independence, it boldly credits God as the guide for our nation and the source that endows humans with unalienable rights.

 

• The first sentence reads: The source of power is "the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God" 

• The last paragraph reads: "And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor"

 

• Most famously the Second paragraph reads: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness"  

 

While I would argue that this and many other things definitively point to our nation's foundation on Godly principles, I would say that our current state is far from that.  

 

America has fallen away from its roots and wickedness has been allowed to reign for far too long.  Our nation is largely dead in Christ…we have forgotten who we are and have become “lovers of self”, just as the word of God prophesied.  As a nation, we must humble ourselves, repent (turn around), and seek God’s wisdom in ALL things.  

 

We cannot win any battles against the “woke mind virus”, or any other evil, without God.  "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14).  We are nothing apart from God.  Without roots, the vine withers and dies.  But, with God…” we are more than conquers”.  “If God is for us, who can be against us”?

 

We’ve been conditioned to believe that it is impolite to discuss politics and religion.  But I ask you, should the Godless, govern the Godly?  If the God-fearing believers in the Gospel of Jesus and Holy bible do not impact our governance with righteous biblical principles…then does that not mean that the God”less” govern them and all of God’s people?   Would it not be a much better country, if more TRUE followers of Jesus stepped up to lead our nation?

 

On November 5th 2024, the freedom bells rang once again.  By overwhelming majority, a mandate to STOP the madness, and to restore TRUTH and JUSTICE (who is Jesus).   Common sense has been uncommon as of late.  God has used what His enemy meant for evil to wake up a host of sleeping lions…and we are ready to take our country back and save America! 

 

THE UPPER ROOM:

 

Why 120 people in the painting?

 

The number signifies the passing away of the age of the flesh and the beginning of the age of the Spirit. According to the Holy Bible, 120 were gathered in the upper room when to the Holy Spirit came upon them.  This is often referred to as the day of “Pentecost”.

 

The Church was born in the upper room.  The baptism of the Holy Spirit was to mark the birth of the infant Church; and for ten days this company were gathered in the place of united prayer, until the heavens were opened and they were all “filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:4). 

 

During this time, Peter stood up in the company—there were about 120 of them in the room at the time—and said, “Friends, long ago the Holy Spirit spoke through David regarding Judas, who became the guide to those who arrested Jesus. That Scripture had to be fulfilled, and now has been. (Acts 1:15-26)

 

Just before he ascended to heaven, Jesus told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they received power from God. 120 people were waiting. 

 

The Upper Room where Jesus appeared to His disciples is the same place where He washed His disciples' feet, instituted the Eucharist, and gave the “Great co-mission” to go and preach the good news to all nations and people.  After the Ascension, the Eleven “went up to the upper room” (Acts 1:13). There, the Holy Spirit descended in the form of tongues of fire on the day of Pentecost.

 

120 is also interestingly found in Genesis 6:3, “Then the Lord said, ‘My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.’” 

 

Jesus taught that the Kingdom would start out small like a mustard seed and work invisibly like yeast. He also said that there would be unbelief even if someone rose from the dead. He also said that his disciples would do greater works then he did. (Matthew 13:31–33; Luke 16:19–31; John 14:12).   120 may seem like a small start, but the very first day of Pentecost 3000 more were added…and that number continues to grow around the world today.  

 

Similarly, the movement of truth and common sense, anti-globalism, and anti-evil is growing here in America daily…and around the world.  People are waking up the “fake news” propaganda, and demanding a responsible, fair, just, and TRANSPARENT government.  A government “by the people, FOR the people.”

 

There is so much biblical prophecy being fulfilled in these days.  Many believe that we are in the end times…and the fourth quarter of that.  After much hardship and a fierce battle, in the end times, Satan will be bound, and Jesus will return and reign for 1000 years as the Messianic King. His reign will be perfectly just and fair. (Revelation 20:1–10)

 

So, what should we focus on if Jesus is returning soon?

 

God has chosen to work through Jesus’ followers empowered by his Spirit to change the world by the message of the Gospel and the witness of godly lives.

 

Live your lives by the word of God.  Act as if every word you speak and deed you do is being recorded by God…because it is.  Yes, when we believe in Jesus and follow Him, all of our sins are forgiven…but when the Holy Spirit dwells with us, we no longer desire to sin against God.  

 

His greatest commandment is to “Love the Lord God with all your heart, mind, and soul”, and secondly, to “love your neighbor as yourself”.  

 

So go out, be fruitful, and multiply for the Kingdom of God is at hand!