It’s not something I’m terribly proud of, but while I was in high school I read a dozen or more novels by Taylor Caldwell. I can’t remember why, which isn’t a good sign. Among those novels, however, one remains firmly etched in my memory. Among other rare ideological commitments that she had, she was prone to embracing standard one-world government, Illuminati, Tri-Lateral Commission style conspiracy theories. The novel I remember, however, I remember due to the clever strategy that drove her plot. It was called The Devil’s Advocate. A bargain basement Anthem or 1984, it described a nation caught in the grip of a totalitarian regime.
Those heroes who sought to set the nation free determined that they would infiltrate the government. Not to suddenly proclaim liberty, but to clamp down, to make things worse. They lowered the rations not only for the common man, but for all those who had been privileged. Military leadership was required to live under the same austerity as everyone else. Party hacks were downsized. Those who profited from the purported ideology were required to live the same as those who were shackled by it. It was no longer party against party, class against class but now everyone against the state. It worked.
What would happen if professional climate alarmists were required to live in light of their message, to have the carbon footprint of a ballerina? What if everyone pushing for reparations or other forms of wealth redistribution had to start with themselves? What if homophobes were to be declared a protected class, just as deserving of protections as homosexuals? What if those seeking to take our guns were no longer allowed to have armed security? What if protestors, whether protesting against racism or against COVID restrictions were both treated the same? What if jackbooted thugs came for everyone, including jackbooted thugs?
The Bible has language to describe this, “Let them be caught in the trap they have laid.” TwiXter was all abuzz last week when video was released showing Aquilino Gonell in fine fettle after he claimed to have been nearly killed on January 6. He testified under oath before Congress and in the courts that he was nearly beaten to death. It appears that CCTV is exposing him for the liar that he is. Perhaps CCTV will in turn expose if any wrongdoing led to the death of the Obama’s chef. What if the very surveillance apparatus set up by those who hate liberty ends up exposing their own wicked acts? What if CBDC makes it impossible for shady politicians to launder their millions in bribe money? What if every machine built to seize our liberties ends up exposing those who would seize them?
It is hard to not be frightened as the state grows more invasive and ruthless. It’s hard to imagine the nefarious ends they will be able to seek through increasing technology. At the end of the day, however, our God reigns. It is not true that Gideon’s 300 men defeated the Midianite army of 135,000 men. Instead, Gideon’s 300 men watched as God brought to pass the Midianite army destroying itself. Our God is the great God and we, even should we suffer death, are safe in His good hands.