History
Columbus Day, Indigenous Peoples, and Middle East Peace
It’s been quite a week celebrating Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples, and Middle East Peace including the release of the remaining Israeli hostages from captivity.
Also, Erika Kirk received the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House on behalf of her deceased husband, and last weekend thousands of believers “broke bread” on a mile-long “Communion Table” on the D.C. Mall.
Let’s examine what is true about these important events.
Truth is always based on evidence.
Columbus Day, Indigenous Peoples, and Peace in the Middle East
When I think about knowing what’s true, several Scriptures come to mind.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
All truth centers in the Person of Jesus who possesses more evidence for his life and teaching than any individual in history. Jesus said:
“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31,32).
He emphasized studying well and holding onto his teaching. A disciple is a “learner” by definition. When we seek to discover truth, its rightness and power sets us free in all areas of life. Finally:
“The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever” (Psalm 119:160).
I determined decades ago to make the Bible my spiritual, moral, and historical compass. It contains perfect truth about reality. I must measure everything by the principles in God’s Word.
Another key point: truth is always based on evidence. It’s not blind, pie-in-the-sky, believe whatever you want to believe. If something is true, then actual evidence will point to it. Thus the Old Testament idea of two or three witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15) and the Western (biblical) practice of using evidence in court to determine guilt or innocence.
This “discovery” in a fallen world is never perfect because human beings make mistakes and certain confirming evidences can be missed. But we believe in due process. 1) Find out as many facts as possible. 2) Lay them out clearly and honestly, and 3) Believe what the evidence reveals (the truth).
For many years, I taught “The Conscience of a Christian” in various parts of the world. It was such an important topic that I turned it into the book Restoring America’s Conscience. It reveals that human beings can develop a “seared conscience” through unbelief and disobedience (1 Timothy 4:2).
When that happens, evidence makes very little impression upon you. You believe what you want to believe. The facts don’t move you to change your position.
That’s an extremely dangerous path because your hardened heart/mind blinds you to the truth.
Now let’s apply these ideas to current events.
Columbus Day
It’s worth celebrating in America because Christopher Columbus was a man of faith who sailed across the ocean for the glory of God, and whose courage and vision led to the establishment of the greatest biblically-based nation in history–the United States of America.
Columbus had his faults (as we all do), but his strengths far out-weighed them in discovering the New World.
For a marvelous set of facts about Columbus’ important role in world history, please read “Christopher Columbus and the Birth of the Modern World” by Rod Martin. (He’s one of my favorite thinkers.)
Here are some excerpts:
Columbus is accused of “ending paradise.” But what did he actually end? He ended the isolation that kept both hemispheres’ peoples impoverished and parochial. He ended a technological and commercial segregation that shackled human advancement. He ended the Middle Ages in Europe, expanded the physical and intellectual horizons of millions, and helped birth the modern world.
Because Columbus sailed, a civilizational exchange unlike any before it was set in motion. The Columbian Exchange eventually sent crops, animals, ideas, technologies, and people back and forth across the Atlantic. It made possible the rise of nations in the New World that would, in time, proclaim and protect the rights of man. It created the conditions for the American experiment, which — despite our sins and struggles — has been, aside from salvation, the greatest blessing to the greatest number in the history of the world.
Indigenous Peoples
The past administration ignored Columbus Day and did all they could to promote “Indigenous Peoples Day” every October. Why? Because of their disdain for America’s godly heritage and desire to create a secular state.
Native peoples in America prior to and after the 16th century were no different than primitive peoples worldwide for thousands of years (including my savage German ancestors). They had many cultural strengths (due to general revelation) because they were made in God’s image. But lacking biblical “special revelation,” most lived in cultural darkness including constant warfare, human torture, child sacrifice, cannibalism, and poverty.
They also owned slaves (like many others)–which today’s history books fail to mention.
Please take time to read Dr. Paul Kengor’s “Indigenous Slavers: American Indians Who Whipped and Owned Blacks” for a an honest perspective on indigenous peoples.
We should honor all the good aspects of peoples that preceded us. But Christopher Columbus uniquely changed the world for good–and should be celebrated.
Middle East Peace
The State Department argues that President Trump ended seven wars in seven months–and just completed the eighth–an amazing peace accord between the Palestinians (Hamas) and the nation of Israel. How touching it was to see the remaining hostages united with loved ones after two years in terrorist hell.
No one can honestly argue about Trump’s record. The fast accomplishment of these diplomatic victories is unprecedented. And the final victory–Trump’s 24-hour whirlwind to Israel and Egypt to sign the peace accord, accompanied by various world leaders–is a stupendous accomplishment.
He should have been a shoo-in for the Nobel Peace Prize.
But the Norwegian group has a seared conscience. The evidence of Trump’s triumphs made no impression on them.
Here’s the main reason. It’s not that they dislike him for his flamboyant past or bellicose temperament. No, the primary reason for the secular world’s hatred comes from his strong commitment to renew the biblical foundations in America and beam that light around the world.
The heart of this Administration was most clearly seen in the array of national leaders who talked about God/Jesus at Charlie Kirk’s memorial service.
It was like an American tent revival.
Satan hates Donald Trump for delaying his plans to destroy faith in America. So do many others (world leaders, secular media and academia etc.) who’ve allowed the demonic world to sear their consciences.
As I stated in a former post, President Trump is Resetting the World. Like it or not, that’s reality.
President Trump said in Jerusalem:
“This is not only the end of a war. This is the end of an age of terror and death and the beginning of the age of faith and hope and of God… It’s the start of a grand concord and lasting harmony for Israel and all the nations of what will soon be a truly magnificent region. I believe that so strongly. This is the historic dawn of a new Middle East.”
What Trump has accomplished short term is probably best summed up by Newt Gingrich in “The President of Peace.” Gingrich lays out the truth based on evidence.
It’s the same with Columbus Day, indigenous people, honoring Charlie Kirk, and Communion Table on the Washington Mall.
Don’t miss the revival of truth God is bringing to the USA and the world.
His truth march includes you.
Did God Take The World’s First Selfie in 33 A.D.
Resetting the World
The world’s best-selling book–the Bible–explains God’s mission to save the world while giving an overview of the first four thousand years of human history.
It describes in detail the war between good and evil (God, Satan, Israel, Jesus, and the Church). That’s one reason I accepted “The Book” as my life compass many years ago. The Bible’s worldview fits reality far more than any other.
It also records the rise and fall of nations/civilizations while using many diverse metaphors to describe it.
A modern term for “rise” might be “reset.”
In 2025, God is using the Trump administration to reset the world.
Resetting the World
Scripture uses many word pictures to describe the salvation story and renewal of human societies. Here are a few:
- Light and darkness. Light signifies good, righteousness, and renewal. Jesus is the light of the world. The Reagan presidency touted “Morning in America.” We are to be “children of light” in a dark world.
- Water/waves. God judged and saved an evil world through the Flood. There can be waves of righteousness or torrents of evil. YWAM was founded on a vision of waves of young people evangelizing the continents.
- Faith and unbelief. Abraham is the father of faith as opposed to those you turn away from God.
- Death and resurrection. Wickedness is “death-like” as it separates us from God and others. Being severed from God is eternal demise. Jesus came to save and resurrect our hearts on earth and bodies in heaven one day.
- The godly and the ungodly. These are the basic words in Proverbs for living right or wrong.
- Destruction/transformation. The devil is the destroyer. Jesus transforms individuals and nations.
- Revival and decline. People and nations that turn away from God suffer many negative consequences. When they awake to God’s ways, they experience social/spiritual renewal.
The six books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles tell the history of Israel over a five-hundred-year period. During that half millennium, God’s people rose and fell in their walk with God–often following their leaders. Some bad kings brought the nation into decline (e.g. Saul, Ahab, Manasseh). Others brought seasons of spiritual and social awakening (e.g. David, Hezekiah, Josiah).
The 21st century A.D. dawned with great hope after the Ronald Reagan’s “Morning in America” renewal, the fall of Iron Curtain, and the Good News of Jesus exploding into many nations. But by 2008, I feared that the United States and the world in general were lurching toward the dark side.
We did–for the next 17 years.
Increasing darkness. Waves of evil. Growing unbelief (the “nones”). Celebrating abortion (killing babies). Vulgar speech. Cancel culture. Growing totalitarianism.
The early 2000’s were a slow but heart-wrenching time of decline.
God gave me a message in 2008 called “The World is About to Change.” I foresaw the Western World rejecting its godly roots, becoming increasingly secular/atheistic, family decay, many moral evils, and the rise of globalism (secular elite one world rule).
The Covid years only advanced the secular march toward tyranny. When a mentally diminished Joe Biden won the presidency in 2020, it seemed like a social tsunami of evil might usher in the Last Days.
Then a very unlikely figure, Donald Trump, was saved from an assassin’s bullet and providentially voted back to the White House for a second, non-consecutive term.
For the past six months, during a flurry of activity rarely seen in an American presidency, the Trump administration is doing nothing less than resetting the world.
For how long only God knows.
“Resetting” is a fitting digital age description of what’s happening as “reboots” of technology are common. Trump’s team is resetting nearly everything in America life. His amazing work ethic and policies are impacting the globe.
In what areas is the Trump team resetting the world?
Faith & Morality. Trump talks about faith constantly, gives God credit for saving his life, and most of his policies are based on the biblical worldview including the right to life, personal liberty (free speech), family strength, religious liberty, reigning in progressive education, and keeping biological men out of women’s locker rooms.
Love of Country. Trump loves America and its heritage. He erected two large American flags on the White House grounds, and is preparing the nation to celebrate our 250th birthday on July 4, 2026. America first, not last. Patriotism is back–not hating the USA.
Peace through Strength. The July 4, 2025, military parade was glorious. Military recruitment has soared and all the woke policies of the past administration are being eradicated. Iran was de-nuclearized in a brilliant strike. Hamas will be eliminated from Gaza. Syria fell, and the Abraham Accords may expand to other nations. Trump has worked peace deals in Rwanda—DR-Congo, India-Pakistan, and the EU has upped its game in NATO. Putin will eventually be forced (with stiff sanctions) to stop his unprovoked atrocities in Ukraine. The USA is back as a global peacemaker.
Economic Renewal. Trump’s strength shines through his business savvy and negotiating skills. The OBBB will turn our economy around in the coming months (no tax hike). Tariffs are changing the global economic playing field to the benefit of the American worker and other nations. Why did no other president in my lifetime have the wisdom and guts to create fair trade worldwide? This action alone will bring China to the bargaining table (soon) and slow the march of their Silk Road Initiative.
China. The world’s largest totalitarian threat is being brought to the tariff negotiating table (they need us more than we need them) and their global influence is being stunted. Eric Durneika writes:
Amid China’s growing role in Africa, however, comes a marked transformation in the U.S.’s Africa policy under President Trump—one that prioritizes stability and trade over endless, unaccounted-for aid. The Trump administration is actively challenging the Chinese Communist Party’s grip on the continent that is home to some of the fastest-growing economies, the fastest-growing population, and abundant natural resources.
Same with the Pacific, South Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
There are hundreds of other changes taking place in the U.S. and around the world that have been ignited by the Trump administration. If they are combined with the growing “Baptism Revival” and Generations Z and Alpha showing a significant interest in Jesus, then a full-blown spiritual awakening could be before us.
If you have 30 minutes, please listen to the following discussion between Eric Metaxas and Rod Martin on the global changes now underway. Metaxas is one of my favorite historians, and Rod Martin, a brilliant pundit/entrepreneur.
It’s hard to see historical change with clarity when you’re living it (especially if you have a negative bias toward its leaders). We also don’t know for how long or how deep this American reset with last. Our key tasks are to pray, fulfill our personal assignments, and ride the growing wave.
But it’s only a preview of coming attractions.
The greatest reset in the cosmos will take place when Jesus Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords, will return to the earth to restore all things.
Ephesians 1:9,10 tell us with certainty:
[God] made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.
The Consummation. An eternal reset.
Until then, we must “occupy until he comes” (Luke 19:13).