WAS TOM HOMAN RIGHT TO REBUKE THE POPE?

In an open letter to the U.S. Catholic bishops, Pope Francis rebuked the Trump administration for its deportation of illegal immigrants. Francis insisted that assigning criminality to illegal status is contrary to Christianity and warned that such an approach will “end badly.”

This is not the first time the pope has taken issue with Trump and his approach to immigration. In 2016 Francis held a mass near the Texas/Mexico border where Trump was planning the building of the border wall. He afterwards declared that anyone who builds a wall, rather than a bridge, to keep out migrants "is not a Christian.”

Trump's Border Czar, Tom Homan, who is a lifelong Catholic, took Francis to task and rebuked him for his criticisms. Here are three reasons Homan is right to rebuke the pope.

Reason #1
He’s Too Far Removed from the Situation

Is it not strange that an Argentinian pope who resides in splendor in Rome feels he has the right to instruct America how to handle its border crisis and immigration system? In his response to the pope's criticism, Homan said, “I have harsh words for the pope. He ought to fix the Catholic Church, and concentrate on his work, and leave border enforcement to us.” As documented in my book, Infallible Pope: Key to Unity or Source of Division, the papal office has a long history of meddling in issues and with people that are of no concern to it.

Reason #2
The Border is Not His Concern

According to Roman Catholic doctrine, the pope derives his authority to speak from Peter through a long line of ecclesiastical succession. However, in Scripture, Peter is presented as a very fallible individual who denies the Lord (Luke 22:55-62), waffles concerning true doctrine (Galatians 2:11-14), and is rebuked by Jesus for trying to meddle in John’s ministry and calling (John 21:20-22).

Concerning being rebuked by Jesus, this occurred in a post-resurrection appearance to His disciples recorded in John 21. In this appearance, Jesus addressed Peter and asked him three times, Do you love Me? When Peter answered in the affirmative, Jesus then exhorted him to Feed My sheep and to Follow Me.

Peter then turned, looked at John, and said to Jesus, But Lord, what about this man? With a gentle rebuke Jesus replied, If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow me (John 21:22).

In other words, there were issues and things about other believers that did not concern Peter. John had a relationship with Jesus that was of no concern to Peter. Peter must give himself to his own task and not meddle in the affairs of others.

In the spirit of the words of Jesus to Peter, Homan said of the pope, “I wish he would stick to the Catholic Church and fix that and leave border enforcement to us.” Yes, as Jesus said to Peter when he meddled with John’s business and calling, What is that to you? You follow Me!

Reason #3
His Actions Do Not Match His Words

The pope’s words would carry more force if he practiced what he preaches. But while rebuking the Trump administration for its deportations and national security, he lives in splendor behind the high walls and tight security of the Vatican. Homan rhetorically asked, “So, he’s got a wall to protect his people and himself, and we can’t protect the people of the United States?”

Pope Francis reminds me of the wealthy elite on Martha’s Vineyard who had proclaimed themselves a “sanctuary city.” But when Governor Ron DeSantis bused illegal migrants to Martha’s Vineyard, the residents there found a way to very quickly have them removed. It is like Hollywood elites who verbally champion the rights of the homeless and illegal migrants to live anywhere they choose . . . except inside the high walls of their gated communities.

Talk is cheap. Leaders must lead by their actions, not just their words. Otherwise, it comes across as mere "virtue signaling."

The Best Way to Lift the Poor 

As Christians we have a responsibility to care for the homeless, the poor, and honest migrants who have been trapped in an unfortunate political situation. One way we do this is by direct charitable actions.

However, we do this on an even wider scale by supporting a form of government that lifts the poor by creating and maintaining a prosperous economy that provides opportunity and well-paying jobs for the greatest number of people. Millions of immigrants arrived to this land poor, but because of the opportunities afforded them, they discovered what has been called "the American Dream."

But to have such a government and economy, we must return to our founding principles of Faith and Freedom. We must have a secure border and a form of government that facilitates and encourages individual liberty and Christian morality. The church in America has a vital part to play if this is to be a reality once again.

The Key to America's Greatness

The vital role of the church in America's greatness was highlighted in a statement by the French sociologist, Alexis de Tocqueville, after a six month visit to America in 1831. He came to study the nation’s penal system and see if he could discover the reason for the young nation’s rapid rise to influence and power in the earth.

The following quote is not found in Tocqueville’s writings, but it has been historically attributed to him and has the sound and feel of Tocqueville. It was probably included in one of his many lectures, which someone wrote down and it later found its way into the written narrative.

Arriving on the heels of the Second Great Awakening, Tocqueville recounted how he sought for America’s greatness in her institutions of government, her educational system, her factories, harbors, and vast commerce. He then said,

Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great (Hyatt, Pilgrims and Patriots, Second Edition, 177).

America’s problems stem from a devastating loss of morality, truth, and spirituality, and only an Awakened Church can resolve the the current crises and Make America Great Again.

This article was derived from Dr. Eddie Hyatt's books, Infallible Pope: Key to Unity or Source of Division? and Pilgrims and Patriots,Second Edition, both available from Amazon and his website at http://www.eddiehyatt.com.

 

BREAKING THE PROPHETIC CODEPENDENCY

 

A pastor told of an individual approaching him and saying, “You have lots of good leaders around you but you don’t have any prophets.” He insinuated that this pastor should take him on as the staff prophet. The pastor rightly replied, “I don’t need a prophet; I have the Holy Spirit.”

Indeed, the idea has become widespread that God is raising up an elite group of “prophets” who hear the Lord better than the “regular folk” and that they are necessary for giving spiritual insight and guidance to the church today. Those propagating this view love to quote Old Testament passages such as Amos 3:7 that reads, Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.

A Dangerous Trend

I suggest that those propagating this view are producing a setting that is ripe for abuse and disillusionment. It is all too easy for an insecure individual or congregation to put their trust in a man (or woman) who claims to have a special open line with God and says he hears from God on their behalf. 

The people who buy into this kind of thinking are relinquishing their own responsibility to know God and have a relationship with Him. The “prophet” who takes this approach is taking on a role that was never given him by God--that of mediator between the people and God.

It is the perfect setting for an unhealthy codependency and is deadening to the unlimited work of the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ. This is not something new but has happened throughout history as documented in my book, 2000 Years of Charismatic Christianity. And as Winston Churchill once said, “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”

Not Found in the New Testament

This idea of an elite group of prophets that gives guidance to the churches is not found in the New Testament. Paul, for example, addresses his letters to “the saints” in a given locality and never intimates that they are somehow lacking and in need of a “prophet” to guide them. That is an Old Testament concept.

The emphasis of Jesus and the New Testament is on the Holy Spirit being made available to all of God’s people as opposed to the Old Testament where He was given only to certain prophets, judges and kings. Jesus spoke of this when He cried out, If anyone is thirsty let him come to me and drink, He who believes in Me as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water (John 7:37-39).

John then remarks that Jesus spoke this concerning the Spirit whom those believing in Him would receive, for the Holy Spirit was not yet given. “Not yet given,” meaning in the unlimited sense to all of God’s people as prophesied by Joel (Joel 2:28-29) and intimated by Moses (Numbers 11:29).

This unlimited pouring out of the Holy Spirit began on the Day of Pentecost when they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and all began to speak prophetically by the Holy Spirit. I say they spoke prophetically because any speech inspired by the Spirit is prophetic. That is why Peter, in answer to those questioning the speaking in tongues, responded by quoting Joel’s prophecy that predicted that when God’s Spirit would be poured out on all flesh, sons and daughters would prophesy.

All of God’s People Have the Spirit

There is not a single example in the New Testament of anyone seeking out a prophet for direction or advice. There is not a single admonition in any of the letters to churches telling them they need to seek out a prophet to give them guidance.

Instead, Paul admonished them to realize that they are now the sanctuary of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in them both individually and corporately (I Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19). This is a reality of the New Covenant. They are a sort of “prophethood of all believers” as expressed in I Corinthians 14.

When Paul discusses the function of prophecy in the congregation, the assumption is that all of God’s people are included (I Corinthians 14:23-32). There is no elite group of prophets to whom everyone else must bow. When he uses the word “prophets” in vs. 29 it is functional language meaning “the one prophesying” or “the one with a prophecy.”

This is borne out by the fact that the entire Christian community is being addressed and inclusive language is used throughout, as in vs. 32 where he says, For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. Commenting on this passage, Dr. Gordon Fee says,

This does not mean, of course, that all will or do prophesy. It is simply to note that Paul’s concern here is not with a group of prophets, but with the functioning of prophecy in the assembly. The noun “prophets,” therefore, is to be understood as functional language similar to the use of interpreter in v. 28.

Paul’s assumption is that all of God’s people have the Holy Spirit and there is no need to seek out a prophet as in the Old Testament. They themselves are now the sanctuary of God and the Spirit of God dwells in them (I Corinthians 3:16-17). They merely need to realize who they are as God’s New Covenant people.

Time to Awaken

I pray that Christians everywhere will awaken to who they are in Christ. I pray that they will awaken to the blessings and benefits that are theirs through the cross of Christ. I pray that they will awaken to the fact that they, individually and corporately, are God’s dwelling place and His Spirit dwells in them. I pray that they will awaken to the fact that they have a direct line to God through the one mediator, Jesus Christ. I pray that this Divine awakening will spread across America and the world. 

To read more on the gift of prophecy and the role of prophetic ministry in the New Testament, get a copy of Dr. Eddie Hyatt's book, Prophets and Prophecy, available from Amazon and his website at www.eddiehyatt.com.

ARE WE ON THE VERGE OF A 5TH GREAT AWAKENING?

On Monday January 20, Donald J. Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States. Two Bibles, both held by Melania Trump, were used in the ceremony. 

One Bible was owned by Abraham Lincoln and the other was given to the president by his mother, and this Bible has an amazing story of Spiritual Awakening behind it. With his right hand raised, Trump repeated these words after Chief Justice John Roberts. 

I, Donald J. Trump, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, so help me God.

It is obvious that the Founders saw the Constitution as a sacred document. That is why George Washington took the first oath of office with his hand on a Bible, and with his hand on the Bible, solemnly swore to protect and defend the Constitution. Although not in the Constitution, Washington is said to have added the words, “So help me God.”

Indeed, many of those who were part of the Constitutional Convention, saw the hand of God in the formulation of the Constitution. James Madison, the Constitution’s chief architect, declared,

It is impossible for the man of pious reflection not to perceive in it a finger of that Almighty hand which has been so frequently and signally extended to our relief in critical stages of the Revolution (Hyatt, 1726: The Year that Defined America, 127).

Benjamin Rush, a signer of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, was even more blunt, declaring that the Constitution was a work from heaven. A physician from Philadelphia, he declared,

I am as perfectly satisfied that the Union of the United States in its form and adoption is as much the work of a Divine Providence as any of the miracles recorded in the Old and New Testament (Hyatt, 1726: The Year that DefinedAmerica, 155).

This sacred view of the Constitution was obviously inherited from those earliest immigrants, beginning with the Pilgrims, who considered their founding documents to be sacred oaths between their communities and God. This covenantal attitude became a part of the psyche of colonial America and was clearly present in the attitude of the Founders toward America’s founding documents. Historian, Benjamin Hart, says,

The U.S. Constitution has worked because there has been a sacred aura surrounding the document; it has been something more than a legal contract; it was a covenant, an oath before God, very much related to the covenant the Pilgrims signed. Indeed, when the President takes his oath of office he places his hand on a Bible and swears before Almighty God to uphold the Constitution of the United States. He makes a sacred promise; and the same holds true for Supreme Court justices who take an oath to follow the letter of the written Constitution. The moment America’s leaders begin treating the Constitution as though it were a mere sheet of paper is the moment the American Republic—or American Covenant—ends (Hyatt, 1726: The Year that Defined America, 133).

During the inauguration ceremonies on Monday, several ministers, including Franklin Graham, prayed for Trump and America "in the name of Jesus." Members of Trump's cabinet, such as Marco Rubio, Pam Bondi, and Pete Hegseth, are not hesitant to proclaim their faith in Jesus. Rubio, who is the new Secretary of State, immediately ordered all LGBTQ and BLM flags be removed from America's embassies abroad. 

Trump has vowed to protect religious liberty and freedom of speech, the first two freedoms guaranteed in the Bill of Rights, indicating that America's Founders saw them as having priority. This gives American Christians a renewed political freedom to proclaim the Gospel and teach God's word without government interference.

Could this be the time the American Covenant with God is renewed? Are we on the verge of a Fifth Great Awakening? (see Hyatt, America's Revival Heritage, 101-108). Much depends on how we, the people of God, respond to this wonderful window of opportunity that has been opened to us. We must seize the moment!

This article was derived from the books 1726: The Year that Defined America and America's Revival Heritage by Dr. Eddie L. Hyatt and are available from Amazon and his website at www.eddiehyatt.com.

HOW DR. KING WAS INSPIRED BY AMERICA'S "SACRED HERITAGE"

Writing in 1963 from the Birmingham City Jail where he had been incarcerated, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. expressed his conviction that his fight for civil rights would succeed because of America’s unique and godly heritage. He wrote,

Our destiny is tied up with the destiny of America . . . We will win our freedom because the “sacred heritage” of our nation and the eternal will of God are embodied in our echoing demands.

Calling America’s heritage “sacred” indicated that Dr. King believed that there was something special and godly in the founding of America. He obviously considered the Jim Crow South where he lived and worked to be a sharp departure from America’s founding vision.

Frederick Douglass (1816-1895), the former slave and abolitionist, came to the same conclusion 100 years before Dr. King. In his early years, Douglass felt he had no part in America; but after years of research he completely changed his thinking. In a July 4th speech in 1852, he called the U.S. Constitution “a glorious liberty document,” and declared,

I am not wanting in respect for the fathers of this republic. The signers of the Declaration of Independence were brave men. They were great men too—great enough to give fame to a great age. It does not often happen to a nation to raise, at one time, such a number of truly great men.

Douglass called the founders “brave men” because they took a bold stand against slavery at a time it was accepted and practiced in most of the world. The eminent Black scholar, Dr. Thomas Sowell, has said,

Slavery was just not an issue, not even among intellectuals, much less among political leaders, until the 18th century–and then it was an issue only in Western civilization. Among those who turned against slavery in the 18th century were George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry and other American leaders. You could research all of 18th century Africa or Asia or the Middle East without finding any comparable rejection of slavery there (Hyatt, 1726: The Year that Defined America, 90).

It was the Great Awakening (1726-1770) in Colonial America that shattered racial and cultural barriers and unleashed anti-slavery outrage throughout the Colonies. This Christian Awakening resulted in virtually every founding father, even those who owned slaves, taking a public stand against it.

For example, in an April 12, 1786 letter to Robert Morris, George Washington wrote, "There is not a man living who wishes more sincerely than I do to see a plan adopted for the abolition of slavery" (Hyatt, Abolitionist Founding Fathers, 41). By the time of the writing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and the U.S. Constitution in 1787, virtually every founder agreed with John Adams, America’s 2nd president, who declared,

Every measure of prudence ought to be assumed for the eventual total extirpation of slavery from the United States. I have throughout my whole life held the practice of slavery in abhorrence (Hyatt, Abolitionist Founding Fathers, 36).

Because of this cosmic shift, America’s founders formulated founding documents that contain no classifications based on race or skin color. The words “slave” and “slavery” are nowhere to be found. Instead, the Constitution speaks of “citizens,” “persons,” and “other persons.”

America’s Founders believed they had set the nation on a course for the soon elimination of slavery at a time it was practiced throughout the world. They did not, however, anticipate the invention of the cotton gin in 1798 nor how succeeding generations would backtrack on their vision of liberty for all.

Abraham Lincoln (1809-65) understood this and insisted that his fight against slavery was a continuation of the fight begun by America’s founders. He said,

In the way our Fathers originally left the slavery question, the institution was in the course of ultimate extinction . . . All I have asked or desired is that it should be placed back again upon the bases that the Fathers of our government originally placed it upon (Hyatt, Abolitionist Founding Fathers, 59-60).

Like Lincoln, Dr. King believed his fight for racial equality to be rooted in America's founding vision--in her "sacred heritage." Modern secularists have almost destroyed this heritage, scrubbing it from textbooks and classroom lectures. This is why this present generation must rediscover and reconnect with this "sacred heritage" if the America of Washington, Douglass, Lincoln and King is to survive.

This article is derived from Dr. Eddie Hyatt’s books, 1726: The Year that Defined America and Abolitionist Founding Fathers, available from Amazon and his website at www.eddiehyatt.com.

2025 IS A SIGNIFICANT YEAR FOR THE "1726 PROJECT"

http://www.eddiehyatt.com/project1726.html

In 2010 I thought God was through with America and I had given up hope that she would ever see another great, national spiritual awakening. That all changed with a 7-hour visitation from the Lord in which my hope was renewed, and I saw that the Great Awakening, which began in 1726, had a direct bearing on the founding of the nation and the ending of slavery. Out of that experience came a commission to recover America’s godly heritage, which has led to the publication of several books, such as 1726: The Year that Defined America," and the creation of a PowerPoint presentation depicting these important and inspiring facts about America’s origins. This information concerning our Christian past is vital for as George Orwell said, “Whoever controls the past, controls the future.”

The election of Donald Trump has opened a window of opportunity that we must maximize. To do our part in ensuring America’s future, we will continue to educate America about her overt Christian birth with articles and by getting the books in the hands of Christian leaders, educators, and politicians. I also plan to prepare a new book, entitled Sacred Heritage, and have it ready for the widespread celebrations of America’s 250-year birthday in 2026. If you would like to schedule me to bring the PowerPoint presentation about America’s unique Christian birth to your church or ministry, email me at dreddiehyatt@gmail.com. And please pray for the success of the "1726 Project" in 2025.

http://www.eddiehyatt.com/project1726.html

Dr. Eddie L. Hyatt is a revivalist, Bible teacher, and ordained minister. He is the author of over 20 books on revival, which can be found on Amazon and his website at www.eddiehyatt.com. He is also the founder of the "1726 Project" with the goal of educating this generation about America's godly heritage out of a great, spiritual awakening.

THE ORIGINAL AMERICAN VISION

 America's founding generation envisioned a land of religious and individual liberty from whence the Gospel would be spread to the ends of the earth. This is documented in several of my books including 1726: The Year that Defined America. Check out our mandate to recover this original American vision at http://www.eddiehyatt.com/project1726.html.

THE KEY TO BEING AN OVERCOMER IN 2025

An Important Lesson from Paul and Trump

I am in no way comparing Donald Trump with the great Apostle. I am merely pointing out a characteristic in Trump that was highlighted by Paul in his letter to the Philippian believers.

This characteristic came alive in my heart New Years Eve while enjoying a quiet time of prayer and fellowship with the Lord. When I asked if there was anything He wanted to say about 2025, I was immediately drawn to Paul’s exhortation in Philippians 4:12-14 about the importance to, “Press On!”

Paul “Pressed On” through Every Trial and Difficulty

In Philippians 3:12-14, Paul delineates how this was so important in his own life. He wrote this while under house arrest in Rome, chained to a Roman soldier. He said,

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has laid hold of me. I do not count myself to have apprehended, but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

The word “press” in this passage is from the Greek word diokow, which is a very intense word that means to "chase," "pursue," and "hunt down." In vs.12, he tells what he is pursuing. It is to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus had laid hold of him.

Christ Jesus had laid hold of Paul for a purpose and he is now pressing on to lay of that purpose, which is his Divine destiny and calling. To fulfill his Divine destiny, he must continually “press on” and not yield to the attacks, challenges, and disappointments. Consider some of the things from which Paul had to press on.

In Antioch Pisidia he was persecuted and expelled from that region (Acts 13:50). He pressed on!

In Iconium he had to flee a mob that wanted to kill him (Acts 14:5-6). He pressed on!

In Lystra he was stoned, dragged out of the city and left for dead (Acts 14:19). He pressed on!

In Philippi he was arrested, publicly beaten and jailed with his feet in stocks
(Acts 16:22-24). He pressed on!

In Thessalonica he had to leave town at night to escape a vicious mob
(Acts 17:5-10). He pressed on!

In Jerusalem he was attacked by a mob but then rescued by the Romans who sent him to Rome for trial where he was placed under house arrest, chained to a Roman guard (Acts 21:30-31; 28:17-31). He pressed on!      

As Paul Pressed On He Saw the Hand of God at Work

It was from this Roman imprisonment that Paul wrote the Philippian letter exhorting his readers (and us) to press on. As he pressed on through each challenge and difficulty, he saw God work mightily all along the way.

For example, when he and Silas prayed and sang praises to God at midnight in the Philippi jail, a mighty earthquake came that shook the foundations of the prison, caused everyone's chains to fall off, and opened every prison door. There was also a spiritual earthquake with the jailer and his entire household turning to Christ as well as many of the prisoners who refused to leave the presence of Paul and Silas, even when all the prison doors were opened.

Now under house arrest in Rome, he is guarded by the elite Roman unit known as the Praetorium, which also was assigned to guard Caesar’s palace and household. A rotation of these soldiers was chained to Paul 24/7 but he was free to receive visitors and write letters (Acts 28:30-31).

It is obvious that many of these guards are coming to Christ and spreading the word about why Paul is incarcerated—because of his faith in Jesus Christ. Paul spells this out in chapter one where he says that the things that have happened to him have turned out to the furtherance of the Gospel.

Then, in his closing, he says to the Philippian believers, All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household (Philippians 4:22). Because Paul continued to press on through every challenge and difficulty, there are now Christians in Caesar’s household.

Trump Pressed On

Whether or not you voted for Donald Trump, you cannot help but admire his resilience, perseverance, and “never quit” attitude. He "pressed on" through two impeachments, numerous lawsuits and indictments, his home being raided by the FBI, continual attacks and smears by the media, two assassination attempts, and so much more.

While many would have given up along the way, he pressed on, won an overwhelming victory in November and is now the 47th president and far more popular than he was during his first term.

Final Exhortation

So, no matter what kind of disappointment you experienced in 2024, you must press on in 2025. No matter what kind of loss you suffered in 2024, you must press on in this New Year. As we press on in 202,5 I believe God will surprise us with unexpected blessings and breakthroughs, for Ephesians 3:20 says, Now to Him who able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all we can ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

Dr. Eddie Hyatt is a revivalist, Bible teacher, and revivalist historian. He is the founder of the "1726 Project" whose purpose is to educate the nation regarding America's overt Christian birth. He has written over 20 books, including 1726: The Year that Defined America, which documents how the First Great Awakening had a direct bearing on both the founding of America and the ending of slavery on this continent.