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The Two Wings
by Francis Frangipane
As American elections close, many Christians
have felt discouragement with the outcome.
Yet, let me remind you that, even in what
seems like loss, God continues to work all
things for good. Yes, we've been praying
for our nation, desiring to see the country
return to a moral, God-fearing culture.
Yet, I hope we all know that the kingdom
of God is not limited to a political party!
What
encourages me is that among those Democrats
who won Republican seats, most were either
moderate or very conservative in their moral
outlook; they were not liberals. In other
words, the Democratic party, which for years
seemed to resist any advance toward traditional
moral values, picked conservative Democrats
to run against Republican conservatives.
Indeed, in a number of contests, pro-life
Democrats ran against pro-life Republicans.
I
personally interpret this as a good sign.
The reality is, both political parties realize
America has a strong percentage of God-fearing
people whose views and convictions cannot
be ignored. Today, both parties recognize
the increasing influence people of faith
have to determine our nation's future.
America
in the Bible
"The
two wings of the great eagle were given
to the woman, so that she could fly into
the wilderness to her place, where she
was nourished for a time and times and
half a time, from the presence of the
serpent" (Revelation 12:14).
For
many years this verse has served to help
define my vision for America. I wouldn't
call my view an unbendable doctrine, but
more a faith-text: a revelatory adaptation
that adds to my already God-inspired motive
to pray for the USA.
In the above text, two symbols need explaining:
The woman and the eagle. Who is the woman?
According to verse 17, she "and her children"
hold "the testimony of Jesus." Thus, her
confession of Jesus reveals that the woman
is a symbol of the church. But what does
the eagle represent? It is quite possible
that this text points to the eternal destiny
of God for the USA, whose national symbol
is, in fact, the "great eagle."
Consider
also that at the core of America's self-identity
is its role as a place of refuge for persecuted
peoples. We have not always lived up to
our standards here in the States, but our
ideal remains true. In many ways, America
was actually founded by people fleeing persecution.
Thus, it is not unreasonable that America
will again offer protection to persecuted
Christians and peoples in the last hours
of this age.
Would
such action be inconsistent with the historic
vision of America? Not in the least. Consider
the Stature of Liberty and its famous poem,
The New Collossus, written by Emma Lazarus
(a Jewish American poet/author).
Not
like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land
to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall
stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles.
From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes
command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities
frame.
"Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!"
cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your
poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe
free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to
me
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
The
Statue of Liberty, here called the "Mother
of Exiles," welcomed the world's persecuted.
This is not a political issue, but something
deeply embedded into the DNA of the American
psyche. John says "the two wings of the
great eagle" were given to the woman: the
right wing (Republicans) and the left wing
(Democrats).
Thus,
I welcome the increase of godly leaders
into the left wing of the great eagle. May
the Spirit of God increasingly be represented
in every level of government! I am also
thankful that thirty Jewish politicians
were elected (an all-time high).
Yes,
some things might have gone better in certain
elections and trends, but we must never
doubt God's plan nor His ability to work
all things for good. Let us keep the vision
of a holy nation, cleansed by the blood
of the Lamb. Let us believe our nation can
be made pure by the fires of revival, fanned
by the presence of a holy God.
Regardless
of which side of the political divide you
fall, let us pray that both wings of the
great eagle shall be lifted to the service
of God.
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Francis
serves as senior minister of River of Life
Ministries in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 
