US Political Life 2021: Lessons Learned from 5 Roman Emperors

Unlocking the Bible,
 by Pastor Colin Smith
A study of Romans 12 during these troubling, uncertain political times.

"Overcoming Evil with Good"




5 Roman Emperors:
(spans approx. 70 years after Christ's birth)

1.  Emperor Augustus  ( 23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14)
     Reigned from 27 BC until his death in AD 14

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (Luke 2:1)

2. Emperor Tiberius (6 November 42 BC – 16 March 37 AD)

   Year 29 AD: the start of Jesus' ministry.
    Reigned from 14 AD to 37 AD

Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene ... (Luke 3)

3.  Emperor Caligula (31 August 12 – 24 January 41 AD)
     Reigned as emperor from AD 37 to AD 41.  
    4 traumatic years

He had an illness that affected him deeply and turned him into a tyrant, thus increasingly losing his mind.  Ordered an altar built for himself.  Believed he was a god.  
Roman secular historian, SUETONIUS wrote that Caligula ordered all statues of gods from around the Roman empire should be brought back to Rome.  Heads cut off, images on faces and new heads s/b of Caligula.  A golden statue in the temple had to be dressed like him daily.  There were excesses, indulgences, orgies.  Caligula spent all of the assets/money of the state passed on by Emperor Tiberius.  

 A man ought to be either a good economist, or an Emperor - - Caligula

Four years later, Emperor Caligula was assassinated by 2 members of his Guards

4.  Emperor Claudius (1 August 10 BC – 13 October AD 54)
reigned as Emperor  from AD 41 to 54

Gave edict regarding Jews -- that all Jews depart from Rome.  Yet, there was somewhat of a relief after Emperor Caligula.  Priscilla & Aquila had moved to Corinth because Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart Rome.

 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;

 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. (Acts 18:1,2)

5.  Emperor Nero (15 December 37 – 9 June 68 AD)
The year was 54 AD.  His Uncle was Emperor Claudius.  Nero ruled for 15 years.  He committed suicide at age 32.  

•  Nero had a good singing voice.  Historian, Suetonius, wrote that spectators even pretended to be dead in order to be carried out of Nero's ego-filled shows
• Nero was a man of extraordinary cruelty.  He arranged for the murder of his first wife, his aunt, and of his mother.
• Nero married 5x ... to 3 women ... and to 2 men ... over the course of 15 years.

"The whole of [Nero's] life was one continual scene of lewdness, sensuality, cruelty and folly." -- Suetonius

What were the CHRISTIANS up to?

At 33 AD the Church was "born".  The next 30 years, as recorded in the Book of Acts, were years during the reign of Caligula, Claudius, and Nero.

The Book of Romans, was written by the Apostle Paul in Corinth during Winter of year 56-57 AD.  Romans 12 was written when Nero was Emperor - - wow!!  Apostle Paul wrote Believers to submit to governing authorities (during the reign of Nero!). 

Shortly after the Book of Romans was written, false charges were brought against the Apostle Paul in Caesarea and he was arrested.  But Paul was a Roman citizen.  Any Roman citizen charged with a crime had the Right of Appeal to be tried in Rome itself, rather than in a conquered province.  See Acts 25:11 

"... I appeal unto Caesar." 

Two years after AD 60-61, the Apostle Peter was in Rome.  While he was there, he wrote 1 Peter.  Moved by the Holy Spirit, Peter writes in 1 Peter 4:12 (AD 63)

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

Peter was prophetically speaking about the great fire of Rome which happened in AD 64 -- one year later.

Tacitus, Roman historian, wrote that only 4 of the 14 Roman precincts were unaffected by the fire.  As Rome burned, Nero sang.  Thus, the famous saying,  "Fiddling while Rome burned."

People knew that Nero was behind the fire.  Thus, Nero needed a scapegoat -- Christians!

Tacitus:  To scotch the rumour, Nero punished with utmost cruelty, a class of men whom the crowd styled, "Christians".  Christians were arrested ...  vast majority convicted ... for hatred of the human race.

Their death was made a matter of sport... Hence there arose a feeling of pity toward Christians.  Their death was to satisfy the savagery of one man ...

This was only 6 years after Paul's appeal to the Emperor.

Christians have been here in these evil, uncertain times before.  

Christians are here today, but the ROMAN EMPIRE is not -- Pastor Colin Smith

Tertullian (c. 155 – c. 240 AD), Christian writer, was the first to call Nero the first persecutor of Christians.

"Examine your records.  There you will find that Nero was the first that persecuted this doctrine." (Tertullian, wikipedia).

Emperor Augustus

Emperor Tiberius

Emperor Caligula

Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus

Emperor Claudius

Emperor Nero

Publius (or Gaius) Cornelius Tacitus

Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus

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Survey Winner: Best Luxury Hotel in the World

Although Donald Trump’s presidency has brought a lot of controversy and disagreements among the American people, it seems there is one thing that luxury travelers all agree on. The Trump Organization runs a good hotel. According to voters in an exclusive luxury travel magazine, the Trump International Hotel and Tower in Manhattan was voted the best hotel in the world, beating out other great locations including those in the Middle East.

Donald Trump’s NYC Hotel Was Just Voted The Best In The Entire World - AWM American Web Media

The property, which overlooks the southwestern corner of Central Park, narrow beat out the amazing  Vatuvara Private Island in Fiji that has entertained guests including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. That Pacific Island resort was named the second-best hotel in the world.

pc: AWB

The reader survey that asked well-traveled people to rate their “travel experience” at certain locations resulted in the Trump Organization property being labeled the “best hotel in the world.”

The second-place winner was the resort in Fiji while third place went to the immaculate Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, which won the best luxury location in the world in the same survey last year.

pc: Vatuvara

Other top rated places include the Burj Al Arab in Dubai, which placed fourth and the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort, which took fifth place.

According to Daily Mail, the remaining properties on the list were Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas (sixth); The Langham, Sydney, Australia (seventh); The Dorchester, London (eighth); Trump International Hotel Washington, D.C. (ninth) and The Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois, Basel, in Switzerland (10th).

pc: Emirates Palace

The magazine is based in the United Kingdom and features readers who love shelling out thousands of dollars for luxury travel. They’re among the best-traveled people around the globe.

According to Trump’s winning hotel’s website: “At Trump International Hotel & Tower, we are renowned for our iconic building, unparalleled views, and luxurious amenities. The newly designed guest rooms, suites, and hallways create an ultra sophisticated ambiance capturing the hotel’s vibrant New York City location. Offering a more contemporary look, the design is inspired by our view of the Central Park, and the energy of Columbus Circle. From your first step off the elevator, the woven wooden wall, sparkling crystal chandeliers, and custom wall sconces create a youthful elegance. Walls are covered with a soft gray palette and crisp white crown molding. Fabrics were selected in a variety of textures to stimulate the sensorial experience. Discover the design elements that reflect a youthful, energetic, and luxurious new experience at Trump International Hotel & Tower New York!”

While Trump’s politics are often in question, the fact that this hotel is great is not. Without a doubt, international travelers respect this New York hotel and recognize it as one of the best in the world. This year it took home the top spot, which was a mighty honor for the hotel based beside Central Park.

Trump International Hotel, Chicago

Editor-in-chief of Luxury Lifestyle Magazine, Nick Gibbens, “‘He clearly divides opinion on a political level, but there is no question about it, Trump is a master hotelier. He understands what super luxury is all about and delivers the very best experience possible, usually exceeding expectations.”

pc:

Burj Al Arab, Dubai, wikipedia

Trump’s NYC Hotel Was Just Voted The Best In The Entire World

Vatuvara Private Island, Fiji

Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi

Burj Al Arab, Dubai

Car smashes into lobby of Trump Plaza in New Rochelle, New York

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Democrat's Next Target: Your Stove!

More bad news from Political Party of Inconvenience and Confusion (how many genders exist??). You either laugh, or you cry, or you do both, YIPES!!!

Dems want No guns, No meat-eating, No borders; your baby can be killed at your convenience, Illegals come first, and now this --no cooking except on what they deem an acceptable appliance. And I had just recently installed my beautiful gas stove, for Pete's sake!!

The Next Target 

in the Democrat's Climate-Change Power Grab: Your Stove

Dozens of cities in liberal-leaning states such as California, Washington, and Massachusetts are studying proposals to ban or limit the use of natural gas in commercial and residential buildings. The movement opens a new front in the fight against climate change that could affect everything from heating systems in skyscrapers to stoves in suburban homes.

Berkeley, California, in July became the first U.S. city to pass an ordinance banning gas systems in new buildings, and it may soon be followed by many others, according to interviews with local officials, activists and industry groups. Los Angeles and Seattle are among those considering laws that could drastically reduce natural gas consumption.

“Berkeley is the opening salvo,” said Bruce Nilles, managing director of think tank Rocky Mountain Institute’s building electrification program.

Local officials and environmentalists cite mounting evidence that unburned gas leaking from pipes and compressor stations harms the climate more than carbon dioxide, the byproduct of burned fossil fuels.

Many environmentalists until recently considered natural gas a “bridge fuel” to a future of renewable energy because gas burns cleaner than oil or coal. Now local officials are stepping into what they call a federal regulatory void under the administration of President Donald Trump, who argues fossil-fuel restrictions needlessly damage the economy.

They want buildings switched to electric power from a grid that is increasingly powered by renewable energy. U.S. utilities currently derive about 35% of their electricity from gas but have also nearly doubled their use of renewable fuels in the past decade, from 9% to 17% of all power, according to the EIA.

Residential and commercial buildings account for about 12% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. They are also crucial to natural gas sales: Direct gas consumption amounted to about 8.45 trillion cubic feet in 2018, rivaling the 10.63 tcf used by utilities to power the grid, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

If gas bans in buildings become widespread, they could upend the business models of some of the world’s biggest energy companies, which are investing billions of dollars to produce and ship more natural gas on the belief the fuel will play a key role in the transition to a cleaner energy economy.

Big gas producers including Exxon Mobil, Shell, and BP, argue gas improves the environment by replacing dirtier fuels such as coal.

Natural gas companies alarmed by the trend are pushing back with ad campaigns and research promoting gas as a superior cooking fuel and an affordable option in a country that has become the world’s top gas producer.

“We are trying to get ahead of it,” said Stuart Saulters, the Director of Government Affairs of the American Public Gas Association. “We think there is a chance this can domino.”

The American Petroleum Institute, which represents the U.S. oil-and-gas industry, rejects claims that natural gas is bad for the environment, arguing its increased use has helped cut U.S. carbon emissions. Spokesman Reid Porter said that the industry is also limiting methane emissions with improved leak-prevention technology, citing DATA from the Environmental Protection Agency showing a decline in recent years.

LOS ANGELES, SEATTLE, MINNEAPOLIS RETHINK NATURAL GAS

Nilles, of the Rocky Mountain Institute, said some 50 California municipalities are studying new limits on natural gas in buildings, including Silicon Valley-area cities such as Palo Alto, Sunnyvale and San Jose, the nation’s 10th most populous city. Los Angeles set a goal in April of powering all its buildings with renewable energy by 2050, starting with new buildings by 2030.

San Luis Obispo last week became the second city, after Berkeley, to pass a law limiting gas installations in new buildings. Kate Harrison, the Berkeley council member who spearheaded the city’s gas ban, said she has been contacted by dozens of cities studying similar measures in states including Massachusetts and Minnesota.

Officials in the Boston suburb of Brookline, for instance, will vote in November on a measure to ban gas hookups in new buildings. In Minnesota, three-quarters of the state’s residential heating – largely fueled by gas – would have to convert to electricity to meet the state’s goal of an 80% carbon emissions reduction by 2050, according to a report by the McKnight Foundation, a philanthropic organization.

New York City in April also passed a bill requiring buildings of more than 25,000 square feet to cut greenhouse emissions 40% by 2030 – a standard expected to reduce natural gas use.

Seattle City Council Member Mike O’Brien is working on legislation to ban gas hookups in new buildings. The fuel, he said, “is odorless and invisible but has a huge impact on the climate.”

HOT SHOWERS AND CRACKLING FIRES

The American Public Gas Association’s ad campaign is aimed at 25- to 44-year-old homeowners with incomes of more than $75,000, according to a slide presentation about it seen by Reuters. It features Facebook and Instagram ads showing people enjoying hot showers, cooking on gas stoves and relaxing by a firepit. Campaign director Saulters said it was one of the group’s most expensive promotional efforts to date, without disclosing its cost.

In July, a group called Californians for Balanced Energy Solutions – formed by Sempra Energy unit SoCal Gas – held a press conference with Southern California restaurant owners who favor gas stoves.

“We need instant, really strong fire,” said Charles Lu, the owner of a Chinese restaurant chain who participated in the event. “Otherwise, I think it will kill the business.”

Wealthier homeowners may also resist electrification of kitchens and fireplaces, according to Nic Dunfee of environmental consulting firm TRC Companies Inc, who oversees an incentive program to rebuild homes in wildfire-stricken Sonoma County. Builders are pushing back on proposed mandates for electric stoves, he said at a recent meeting of California energy regulators.

“They don’t feel that they are able to sell a home that doesn’t have natural-gas cooking,” he said.

-- by The Federalist Papers

Democrats and Your Stove

EPA: Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP)

Methane: the main constituent of natural gas

Natural Gas

25.02.2020

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Video: Christian, Be Light!

Samuel Rodriguez: Exhortation to Christians at Wheaton College

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HL Mencken & Judge Brett Kavanaugh's Nomination

I surprised even myself when for the first time ever,  I tuned-in to more than half of the hearing on Judge Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS). I did not care as much when it was Justice Neil Gorsuch's turn to be grilled.

If I were asked if I paid close enough attention to the deets and legalese of the hearing so that I could explain it all, I would have to say NO. It dragged on for 3.5 days, for pete's sake!


Here's what I *did* come away with:

Honorable Judge Brett Kavanaugh was given the ABA's (American Bar Association) unanimous, highest rating.  He has had many years of experience. He is likeable, unflappable, and has vast legal knowledge. In spite of this, many/most Democrats are still not convinced. They claim that we as a country would be regressing. They would have us believe that Mr K is dangerous, unfair and closed-minded. Even young kids in quivering voices came to testify of their fears coming true if Judge K's nomination were approved. And who could count the many loud interruptions by anti-K protesters in the audience to show us how serious and believable their claims? These on top of Senator Cory Bookers theatrics  and the thinly-veiled threats and disdain of Senator Kamala Harris  had me shaking my head in utter disgust.

Further observations:

•  I learned that Senator Cory Booker has never married
•  IMO, Senator Patrick Leahy  needs to retire
• Senators on the Committee need to be reminded that they might be put on camera while eating their lunches. 
• I was very impressed with Judge K's coolness under fire. If he ever quits his day job, he'd make a fine airplane/fighter Pilot.

Anyhoo, this post was originally intended to be only about H L Mencken  and his birthday (September 12, 1880).  I would not have personally liked him either (proud & vulgar anti-Christian and anti-Jew that he was).  However, I liked a couple of his quotes at first glance even before the SCOTUS hearing.  I think they are applicable to many Dems and politicians.

US Senate Committee on the Judiciary

Henry Louis Mencken

Brutal. Accurate. Sad.

Self-righteous Booker

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Elections 2018: List of Endorsements by Obama & Trump

Mr Obama has begun endorsing candidates and his list is  H E R E.  President Trump's list is H E R E . It is certain that each list will either grow or change.
Who Will Prevail?  Mr Trump has not done well so far, sigh.  November can't come soon enough for banner year 2018.

true or false?

ETA:

Democrats Angry with Obama over His Midterm Endorsement

Sixty-one Seats the GOP Must Hold

Mr Obama's List of Endorsements, August 2018

President Trump's List of Endorsements

Dem Candidate Accused

7.10.12.18

LIST: Canada Will Impose Tariffs / Taxes on These US Goods in July (chocolate, coffee, whiskey, pizza, soy sauce, candles, jam, etc)

On March 1, 2018, President Donald Trump announced his intention to impose a 25% tariff (tax) on steel and a 10% tariff (tax) on aluminum imports.  

Those tariffs finally came to pass for Canada, Mexico, and the EU (European Union) on May 31, 2018.  Take a look at part of the reasons why the USA did so below.  President Trump mentioned Dairy's stiff tariff by Canada in particular:

OTTAWA — Canada will impose retaliatory tariffs on up to $16.6 billion worth of U.S. imports in response to the American decision to place similar levies on Canadian-made steel and aluminum.

The Canadian tariffs, which go into effect July 1, cover a broad range of items. Some, mainly unfinished iron and steel products, will be hit with a 25 per cent tariff, while others, including many consumer products, will be tagged with a 10-per-cent duty.

Here is a list of some of the affected products, which run from industrial metal bars to gherkins, whiskey and felt-tipped pens.

- Iron and non-alloy steel in ingots or other primary forms, including semi-finished products, flat-rolled products, bars and rods and wire.

- Stainless steel ingots or other primary forms, including semi-finished products, flat-rolled products of stainless steel, bars and rods, angles, shapes and sections, and wire.

pc: CHRIS WATTIE / REUTERS

- Other alloy steel in ingots or other primary forms, including semi-finished products, flat-rolled products, bars and rods, angles, shapes and sections, hollow drill bars and rods, wire

- Tubes and pipes, sheet piling, railway or tramway track construction material, pipe for oil or gas pipelines, casing or tubing used in drilling for oil or gas.

- Food products, including yogurt, roasted coffee that is not decaffeinated, prepared meals of fowl or beef.

- Sweets, including maple sugar and syrup, licorice candy, toffee, other sugar confectionery, including white chocolate, not containing cocoa, other chocolate in blocks — slabs or bar, filled or not filled.

- Other foods, including pizza and quiche, cucumbers and gherkins, jams, jellies, strawberry jam, nut purees and pastes, berry purees, and other fruit purees other than banana puree.

- Condiments, including soy sauce, tomato ketchup and other tomato sauces, prepared mustard, mayonnaise, salad dressing, mixed condiments and mixed seasonings, other sauces.

- Soups and broths, mineral waters and aerated waters, containing added sugar or other sweetening matter or flavour.

- Whiskey

- Personal grooming products, including manicure or pedicure preparations, hair spray, shaving and after-shave preparations, soaps and other skin washing products.

both: Playing Cards AND Greeting Card

- Household products, including room deodorizers, automatic dishwasher detergents, candles and tapers, other than those for birthdays, Christmas or other festive occasions; glues or adhesives sold in containers of under a kilogram, tableware and kitchenware, plastic household articles and hygienic or toilet articles, of plastic, toilet paper, handkerchiefs, cleansing or facial tissues and towels, tablecloths and serviettes, printed or illustrated postcards or greeting cards.

- Hardware products, including insecticides and fungicides in packages under 1.36 kg each, plywood (other than bamboo), veneered panels and similar laminated wood.

- Other steel or iron products, including beer kegs, or parts for stoves, ranges, grates, cookers and barbecues.

- Aluminum bars, rods, wire, sheets, foil, tubes and pipes and pipe fittings, most aluminum structural pieces, aluminum reservoirs, tanks, vats and similar containers, including tanks for compressed or liquefied gas.

- Aluminum kitchenware, including tables, scouring pads.

- Appliances, including refrigerator-freezers fitted with separate external doors, instantaneous or storage water heaters, washing machines.

Markers will also be subject to tariff 

- Miscellaneous items, including lawn mowers, electrical boards, panels, consoles, inflatable boats, sailboats, motorboats, mattresses, sleeping bags and other bedding, playing cards, ball point pens, felt tipped and other porous-tipped pens and markers.

Read Full article H E R E

Canada's Retaliatory Tariffs

US Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum

Mr Trump & Tariffs






36.6.20.18
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