Election Day in the United States of America is upon us. What should Seventh-day Adventists do?

Three days ago my cell phone rang. “Pastor Steve,” the voice on the other end said, “I want to ask you a question. Do you think we should vote on November 3?” In the next few minutes, I shared a few of my personal thoughts with my friend. Because I think they are valuable, I have decided to share them with my friends at Fulcrum 7, too.

This article is not a comprehensive treatment on voting. I’m also not going to list a lot of issues. Only a few. So keep that in mind. Consider these just a few thoughts from Pastor Steve Wohlberg.

In my 61 years of living, I’ve never seen more intensity, controversy, and polarization over an election. If I openly support Trump (a flawed human), many will scream! On the other hand, if I put in a plug for Biden (also a flawed human), many others may reel in shock. Yes, I definitely do have a preference though; but of course, it is not my place to tell you whether to vote or not to vote, or who to vote for. Also, my ultimate hope is in the soon return of our Lord Jesus Christ, not in governmental leaders. My expertise is in prophecy, not politics. That said, I am still an American citizen. I have a family, with two children, and I am deeply concerned about my country.

So, Here Are a Few Thoughts

First, in the last few weeks, I have been deeply convicted that God’s people should be earnestly praying for His will to be done in this election. The book of Daniel says that God “removes kings, and sets up kings.” Daniel 2:21. Paul also urges “supplications, prayers, [and] intercessions” be made for all men, including “kings” and “all that are in authority.” 1 Timothy 2:1. These Bible verses teach us that God is deeply concerned about governments and rulers, and that we should be praying for our rulers. The angel Gabriel told Daniel, “And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come.” Daniel 10:20. In the days of Persia and Greece, holy angels strove with kings and governing authorities, trying to influence them to make God-honoring decisions. There are good laws, and bad laws. Bad laws can limit our freedom to do God’s work. Unless your head is buried in the sand, surely you know that whoever wins this election will affect life in the USA.

“Should I vote?” my friend asked. In response, I shared with him this quote that I recently read. Take a close look at it:

In our favored land, every voter has some voice in determining what laws shall control the nation. Should not that influence and that vote be cast on the side of temperance and virtue? RH, Oct. 15, 1914

Hmm…I thought when I first read this. Here Ellen White speaks of “every voter” having a “voice” in helping to determine “what laws shall control the nation.” Because this is surely true in America, which she calls “our favored land,” she then encourages “that “influence and “that vote” to be cast on the side of “temperance and virtue.” In this election, “temperance” itself isn’t a hot button issue; but what about “virtue”? Like I said earlier, it is no secret that both candidates are flawed. Everyone knows this. But to me, there are gigantic “virtue” issues facing each of us.

These Issues Are Not Just a Matter of Politics

Instead, they are moral issues which are plainly revealed in the Holy Bible. Even more than this, they are law of God issues.

As a happily married man and as a student of the Bible, it is very clear to me that “marriage” is of deep interest to our Creator. It is also clear that, biblically speaking, God’s plan is that marriages occur between one man and one woman.

“For this cause shall a MAN leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his WIFE, and they shall become one flesh.” Genesis 2:24.

It may not be politically or socially correct to say this in many circles, but the Word of God clearly supports traditional marriage between one man and one woman (see also Hebrews 13:4).

This Is Part of “Virtue”

Sex outside of marriage is called “fornication.” Other kinds of sex, such as “going after strange flesh” (see Jude 7) are forbidden by God Almighty. Jude 7 also tells us that the ancient cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were suddenly consumed by fire for these very sins as “an example” of the just punishment that will soon fall upon the ungodly.

Another major “virtue” issue is abortion. All too often, men and women have sex freely (violating the 7th Commandment), and as a result, women often become pregnant. Often, simply because they don’t want a child, they have an abortion, which kills an innocent infant (violating the sixth commandment). Proverbs 6:16 says “Six things does the Lord hate, yeah, seven are an abomination to Him.”

In that list are “hands that shed innocent blood” (verse 17). This applies to killing an innocent infant in the womb. God hates this. Yes, full forgiveness is available to both men and women who choose abortions out of convenience, but God still hates this barbarous act. I have discussed this topic at length in my little book, Hidden Holocaust: Discover God’s love in the Abortion Nightmare. White Horse Media’s 13-part TV series, The Abortion Controversy: Two Women Tell their Stories of Hope and Healing, also explores it in detail.

In this short article, my final point is this: the battle between Jesus Christ and Satan is raging, not only in our hearts, our homes, our churches, and in our communities, but in the halls of government. The Day of Judgment is upon us all. Every person on earth will soon be judged by the Ten Commandments, and this includes presidents, rulers, and politicians. Yes, they too are responsible to the Ruler of the Universe, and they too are required to keep His law (see Ecclesiastes 12:13,14).

Look carefully at this:

While many of our rulers are active agents of Satan, God also has His agents among the leading men of the nation. The enemy moves upon his servants to propose measures that would greatly impede the work of God; but statesmen who fear the Lord are influenced by holy angels to oppose such propositions with unanswerable arguments. Thus a few men will hold in check a powerful current of evil” (The Great Controversy, p. 610).

This statement informs us that “holy angels” are now working through “the leading men of the nation” [America] and that “statesmen who fear the Lord” can “hold in check a powerful current of evil.” This reminds me of when Gabriel told Daniel that he was wrestling with the prince of Persia. Next he would do battle with evil angels who were trying to control the mind of the prince of Greece.

Make no mistake about it. There is “a powerful current of evil” working right now in America to destroy our families, our churches, our communities, and our nation. As November 3 approaches, God’s people should be earnestly praying for His will to be done. We should also pray that our sovereign Creator will “hold in check” the forces of Satan for a little longer so that His end-time three angels messages of Revelation 14:6-12 can be heard by more people worldwide.

In this time of division, what will unite God’s people is Bible truth, the Three Angel’s Messages, and the love of Jesus Christ who died on a cruel cross for the sins of the world.

In these closing moments of time, make no mistake about it: Freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom to peaceably assemble, traditional marriage, the sanctity of life, the Bible, and the Ten Commandments are all God-inspired principles and holy foundations which Heaven supports.

At this moment, these principles are teetering. They are under fierce attack. Satan and his evil angels are viciously trying to destroy them, along every vestige of decency and morality which Bible-believing, God-fearing Christians hold dear.

In this conflict, such principles need our “influence,” our “vote,” and our support.

I am praying earnestly for God’s will to be done on November 3.

I hope you will join me by praying, too.