These words, “Are You Not entertained,” were spoken by the one-time Roman general Maximus played by Russell Crowe in the movie Gladiator. It has been said that line was ad-libbed, but has remained as a crucial and noteworthy line. He shouted these words after being forced to fight opponents in the arena. Maximus then asked, “Is this not what you came for?” He had been cast into slavery as a gladiator for his refusal to give his allegiance to the new emperor Commodus. He had previously given his allegiance to Commodus’ father, Marcus Aurelius. But Commodus was not a man deserving of favor. And today we see a similar fate to anyone who does not show blind faith to a wanna be emperor in Donald Trump.
America is watching as our White House is being further debased as Trump has the seat of our nation’s capital turned into a UFC fighting ring. This is to be a distraction from all the blunders of a war started to distract us from his personal foibles. This in turn has led to high prices for gas and staple items, leading to further discontent in America. The political backlash of people speaking against him and plummeting poll numbers has led Trump and his cronies to once again look for a diversion. So, like the emperor Commodus, he uses a spectacle of people fighting to gain appeal. One can see the similarity of Trump striking out against those he feels have slighted him.
I sincerely doubt Trump has ever pondered the words of Franklin Delano Roosevelt saying, “I never forget that I live in a house owned by the American people and that I have been given their trust.” If only someone would read to him the words of David in Psalm 101: 7 saying, “He who works deceit shall not dwell in My house. He who tells lies shall not continue in My presence.” This would scare a seeker of the Lord. Trump has his own god.
We are watching a combining of Flag Day, our Nation’s 250th year of independence, and Trump’s birthday. And we are seeing who he is in the display of this garish spectacle. In actuality, this is no different than his grifts of selling phones that won’t be delivered, to sneakers, to bibles, to watches, to digital trading cards, to victory gold medallions and so much more. All under the guise of God and country. All the while injustice increases. Proverbs 28:5 says, “Evil men do not understand justice.” We are told to abstain from all evil, not follow it.
Commodus used similar ploys to distract the public. Increase in brutality in the Roman Colosseum. Some said a million animals were sacrificed in fights with gladiators. And then the start of using Christians as fodder for wild animals. There was money for those in power, but the country was being bankrupted. The cost of the games put on to distract was exorbitant. All the while allies were falling away and invaders like the Goths, Germanic tribes, and other invaders took advantage of a nation weakened by greed and excess. This was the beginning of the end of the Roman Empire. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
We already have allowed barbarians at our gates. We turn a blind eye to extreme brutality and murder by ICE agents. We see foreigners gain quick acceptance into our country if they are of the same mindset as Trump and willing to do his bidding. And some of them have the billions to do this before our eyes. And they must show an affinity for the political maneuvering acceptable to Trump. And yes, they are usually white. Our acceptance of the sin of racism, elitism, maligning those without power to fight back, stealing from the poor to further pad the pockets of the uber wealthy, sitting back while the anti-Christ work of Christian Nationalism gains traction, and closing our eyes to the evil of pedophilia has opened our gates to evil. We have basically allowed the Vandals to do as they want as long as they don’t hurt us. Delusion has dulled our senses to what is before our eyes.
So, do we hear the words, “Are You Not Entertained” from one who resembles all the evil in Roman rulers like Commodus, Domitian and Nero? Could we even imagine what words we would hear if our founding fathers like Jefferson, Adams, Madison, Washington, and Franklin could attend this display of debauchery? Yet, here we are. We must stand in this time of adversity. We must remember that to be silent is to be complicit. We must remember the words of Peter in Acts 5 telling us we must obey God rather than men.
Paul warns us in Ephesians 5 to let no one deceive you with empty words for God’s wrath will come upon the sons of disobedience. Do not partake. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather expose them. We must be ever vigilant. I have no part in this ungodly spectacle other than to speak to it. Nor should you. Stand and pray without ceasing. Blessings.
Stand My Watch 