‘Many millions of voters claim God revealed to them that Donald Trump is a modern day Cyrus the Great.’ Photo: bing.com
I just finished reading a very interesting, mind-boggling article by James Gordon in today’s Guardian. Wow! What can I say!
It seems that millions in the US voted for Donald Trump, believing that he was a Cyrus, that is, Cyrus the Great, the King of Persia, and thus, Trump was on the path to fulfil a Biblical prophecy!
I could not believe what I was reading: Trump, Cyrus the Great! Halleluiah, Praise the Lord, I said to myself!
Let me explain a bit more by quoting a passage or two from the said article:
“Donald Trump is anointed by God,” my Indianapolis Uber driver confided. I’d asked why she had Trump/Pence stickers on her rear bumper. It was the day before the presidential election and I would have asked anyone, but I was particularly interested because she was a decorous, middle-aged Black woman.
“Well,” she’d begun, “I’m a Christian and I’m very much against abortion, and I don’t approve of same-sex marriage either. And, Mr Trump has said he’ll appoint Supreme Court justices who agree.”
I told her I understood. Still, I wondered how she could support someone so greedy and self-aggrandizing, so profane and offensive to women and minorities, someone who seemed so “un-Christian.”
“Yessss,” she responded slowly. “You’re right. But he doesn’t have to be a Christian to be part of God’s plan. Our minister says he’s come to tear down the corrupt order just as Nebuchadnezzar did.” And just as the pagan Nebuchadnezzar had the prophet Daniel to counsel him, “Mr. Trump has godly men around him. Governor Pence, Jerry Falwell Jr, Mike Huckabee.”
Did her whole congregation believe this, and who were they? “Oh yes,” she said, “we all do. And we’re multicultural, too. Black and white and Hispanic. Although,” she added, as I was getting out of the cab, “there are also many who believe that Mr Trump is not Nebuchadnezzar but a Cyrus.”
Nebuchadnezzar, I remembered, had destroyed the first temple in Jerusalem, forcing the Jews into the Babylonian captivity.
Cyrus, the pagan Persian king who was called “the Great,” had conquered Babylon in 539 BC, freed the Jews, and returned them to Jerusalem where they would rebuild the temple. He might not have been one of God’s people, the thinking among some Christians goes, but he still served God’s plans.”…
And then, on Wednesday 22nd of March, in an official White House statement, Trump quoted King Cyrus on the occasion of Persian New Year, the Norooz. While most will have regarded this as a routine pleasantry, for others, this message will have considerable significance:
“In a statement for Nowruz, the Persian New Year, President Trump quoted Cyrus the Great — and seemed to suggest a comparison between himself and the ancient Persian ruler.
“Cyrus the Great, a leader of the ancient Persian Empire, famously said that ‘freedom, dignity, and wealth together constitute the greatest happiness of humanity. If you bequeath all three to your people, their love for you will never die.’”
Trump went on, “On behalf of the American people, I wish you freedom, dignity, and wealth.”
The reference could slip by most, but for some of Trump’s fans, it will hold great meaning.
That’s because some Trump supporters see him as a modern-day Cyrus, “anointed” by God to rule.”
Now, Mr. Trump, Biblical prophecy or not, you are no Cyrus the Great. Let me explain and tell you why:
Cyrus was a beloved and benevolent leader, a man of extreme wisdom, compassion, generosity and kindness. He was the architect and steward of a well-run, stable government, championing peace, justice, humanity, fairness, religious tolerance and freedom for all. He did not build walls, but bridges, he did not ban people, but was welcoming and considerate, he was not for water-boarding and torture, but for human and humane policies. All in all, in total contrast to your values, so far, Mr. Trump.
Mr. Trump, do you know, why Cyrus was Great? Have you heard about the Cyrus Cylinder? Perhaps it is time you did:
‘The Cyrus the Great Cylinder is the first charter of right of nations in the world. It is a baked-clay cyliner in Akkadian language with cuneiform script. In 1971, the Cyrus Cylinder was described as the world’s first charter of human rights and it was translated into all six official U.N. languages. A replica of the cylinder is kept at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City in the second floor hallway, between the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council chambers. Passages in the text of cylinder have been interpreted as expressing Cyrus’ respect for humanity, and as promoting a form of religious tolerance and freedom; and as result of his generous and humane policies, Cyrus gained the overwhelming support of his subjects.’
Please read more: The Cyrus Cylinder: Ancient Persia’s Gift to the World
To further your understandings please see below: