Indian Election 2019; God’s Plan For India According To Dr. Paul Dhinakaran: How Do We Respond?

            India will go to polls this year from April 11^th to May 19^th to elect its members of the Parliament to constitute the 17^th Lok Sabha.

            The two major alliances contesting the Indian election 2019 are the ruling NDA (National Democratic Alliance, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party) and the UPA (United Progressive Alliance, led by the Indian National Congress). Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi (age 68) and the President of BJP Mr. Amit Shah (age 54) are the most popular leaders of the NDA. Mr. Rahul Gandhi (age 48, President of the Congress party) and his sister Ms. Priyanka Gandhi (age 47) are the most popular leaders of the UPA.

            Recently, I saw a video on YouTube entitled “Prophecy 2019 | God's Plan For India | Year of Deliverance | Dr. Paul Dhinakaran.”¹ It had garnered views in excess of 120,000, as on date. This video is apparently God’s revelation to Dr. Paul Dhinakaran — a well-regarded evangelist in India. In this video, Dr. Paul Dhinakaran reveals God’s plan for India’s future during which he also predicts the election results.

            Find below his election predictions along with the relevant timing from the video:

Prophecies – 2019 | India Governance | …as revealed by God to Dr. Paul Dhinakaran

3:31: “India Governance” prophecies begin

3:44: Present leaders who are known shall be quietened.

4:02: Young leaders with forward-looking principles and plans for progress shall be placed in authority.

4:26: India will become a young nation ruled by young leadership.

4:35: The key players seen now shall be removed.

            You can watch the video here:

           

            As you see, this prophecy does not mention specific names. Hence, the interpretation could be quite complicated. However, let’s strive to interpret the prophecy:

THE CASE AGAINST NDA

            1. Present Leaders Who Are Known Shall Be Quietened: Since Dr. Paul Dhinakaran does not mention names, we can only speculate based on our context. The present leaders, as I surmise, are the Prime Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi and the President of BJP Mr. Amit Shah. So this prophecy, I presume, predicts defeat for the ruling NDA in this election.

            2. Young Leaders With Forward-Looking Principles And Plans For Progress Shall Be Placed In Authority: The young leaders mentioned here, it seems to me, cannot include the incumbent Prime Minister, who is 68 years old. He is not young. (But it could include the 54-year-old Mr. Amit Shah. It could also include the other young leaders of the NDA, such as Mr. Yogi Adityanath - age 46).

            But this election is being fought on the premise that Mr. Modi is the Prime Ministerial candidate. Therefore, I guess that the young leaders who shall be placed in authority, according to this prophecy, could refer to Mr. Rahul Gandhi or the other young politicians of the opposing parties, such as the President of the Samajwadi party Mr. Akhilesh Yadav (age 45).  

            3. India Will Become A Young Nation Ruled By Young Leadership: Refer (2)

            4. The Key Players Seen Now Shall Be Removed: Refer (1)

THE CASE AGAINST UPA

            The case against the UPA seems rather weak. Nevertheless, let’s consider this possibility by taking into account the first two prophecies only:

            1. Present Leaders Who Are Known Shall Be Quietened: If this is a reference to Mr. Rahul Gandhi and/or the other young leaders of the UPA, and the other opposing parties to the NDA, I do not see how this prophecy could be validated if Mr. Modi returns as the Prime Minister for the second time.

            2. Young Leaders With Forward-Looking Principles And Plans For Progress Shall Be Placed In Authority: If this prophecy does not refer to Mr. Rahul Gandhi, then it could possibly indicate that the other young leaders in the Congress party or even the President of the Samajwadi party, Mr. Akhilesh Yadav could be placed in authority.

            This prophecy, if we interpret it to be against the UPA, seems rather implausible because this election is a direct tussle between the Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi and Mr. Rahul Gandhi. Mr. Modi is older than Mr. Gandhi. On the other hand, if we consider this prophecy to be against the ruling NDA, then it seems very plausible. Therefore, the young leaders mentioned in the prophecy could refer to Mr. Rahul Gandhi.

THIS PROPHECY DOES NOT IMPACT CHRISTIANITY

            Why am I writing this blog/article?

            Do correct me if I am wrong. But this prophecy predicts defeat for the ruling NDA. It foretells defeat for the BJP and victory for the Congress. The UPA, according to this prophecy, will form the next government in India. 

            But what if BJP and the NDA win this election and form the next government? What if Mr. Narendra Modi becomes the 17^th Prime Minister of India? 

            What then happens to this prophecy and how does this prophecy impact Historic Christianity? (This prophecy is predicated on Christianity.)

            If the NDA wins this election, then this prophecy should be construed as a failed prophecy because this prophecy, obviously, was not from God.

            The Bible teaches that every prophecy should be tested. Here are a few verses from the Bible:

            Deuteronomy 18: 21-22: “You may say to yourselves, “How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the Lord?” If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously, so do not be alarmed.” (NIV, Emphasis Mine).

            1 Thessalonians 5:20-21: “Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good.” (ESV, Emphasis Mine).

            1 John 4:1: “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (NIV, Emphasis Mine).

            So let us put this prophecy to test by waiting for the election results to be announced on May 23^rd.

            I have only covered the prophecy that pertains to the oncoming elections in this article. Dr. Paul Dhinakaran has prophesied more in that video.

            Let us not forget another significant detail. This prophecy would have been from God only if every bit of the prophecy mentioned (in that video) comes to pass. In other words, if a part of this prophecy comes to pass and the other part fails, then we should consider this prophecy as not from God. God does not convey partial truth. God conveys absolute truth or the complete truth.

            What would be the impact on Historic Christianity if this prophecy fails? There would be absolutely no impact, whatsoever, on Historic Christianity.

             This is a prophecy from a person who is popularly regarded, by a certain section of the Christian community, as a man of God. But men are fallible. We could err.

            The Bible teaches that prophecy cannot have its origin in the human will, “We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:19-21, NIV).

            So if this prophecy fails, then we construe that this prophecy had its origin in the fallible human will and not from the infallible God. Hence this prophecy, if it fails, would have had nothing to do with Christianity.

            Finally, here is a word of caution to my fellow Christians. As you listen to this prophecy, do not get highly ecstatic or thoroughly desolate because of your personal political persuasion. Wait for the prophecy to either come to pass or fail.

            While prophecies are exciting because it dismantles the horrific suspense about our future, let us be confident that when God is for us, no one can be against us. The next Prime Minister, be it Mr. Narendra Modi or anyone else, would be the one appointed by God and not by man, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” (Romans 13:1, NIV).

            Let us continue praying for the election. May God’s will be done. May we, as the Bible commands us, be subject to the governing authorities, whoever it may be.

Endnotes:

¹https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvtVXXl4Vo8

Website last accessed on 29^th March 2019.

A Christian’s Response to the Indian Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi’s Election

            Mr. Modi has been convincingly elected as the Prime Minister of India - the world’s largest democracy. BJP’s (Bharatiya Janata Party) majority numbers in the Indian Parliament offers it a fascinating advantage for independent governance despite having pre-poll alliances.

        The Indian National Congress, having ruled India for the last 10 years, has been unprecedentedly routed from even a simple dignity of being an opposition party (a party should win 10% of the total seats to be an opposition party). The recently concluded election in India is indeed a landmark election.

        In 1984, the Congress won 414 parliamentary constituencies (seats) whereas the BJP, established in 1980, won a mere 2, out of a total 533 seats. A very quick thirty years later, the BJP won 282 and the Congress won a mere 44 out of a possible 543 seats. The tables have indeed turned.

        Hinduism is the largest religion in India with 80.5% adherence, followed by Muslims (13.4%), Christians (2.3%), Sikh (1.9%), others (1.8%) and unspecified (0.1%).¹ The BJP, a member of “Sangh Parivar” – a family of organizations, has a definite Hindu identity² for it is nurtured by RSS (Rashtria Swyamsevak Sangh), an organization that seeks to protect the Hindu Dharma.³

        The RSS has been promoting Mr. Modi as the best man for the Prime Minister’s job, “time has come when Hindus need to unite, and that Modi is the man for the job,” said Mr. Harish Bhatia of the RSS. The Sangh Parivar believes Mr. Modi to be the best defender of Hindu rights, “they say the Sangh Parivar's vigorous participation is because Modi more than anyone in his party, is defender of Hindu rights.” ⁴ Therefore Mr. Modi has a definite Hindu / RSS identity.

        Wikipedia reports Mr. Modi as “a controversial figure both within India as well as internationally as his administration has been criticised for the incidents surrounding the 2002 Gujarat riots.”⁵ As a result, a certain uncertainty plagues the minds of the minority religious groups if whether Mr. Modi would be non-communal in his governance by protecting the minorities.

        Given this situation, I submit my response as a Christian and a citizen of India to the election of my new Prime Minister.

        First, here is a point on the entity that enslaves man.

        We gain knowledge on politics and everyday occurrences through popular media. So in a way, the media is our only source of knowledge. We tend to believe the source.

        When there are conflicting media reports, we believe the source that is more likely credible. Therefore, an objective occurrence becomes a subjective preference, especially under conflicting circumstances. But the fact remains that the media is the major source of information in politics and everyday occurrences.

        The media could either make or break a person. If the media decides to overrate a person, then it could depict an average as an excellent. On the contrary, if the media decides to wreck a person’s character, even a good person can be portrayed as a rank evil human being.

        Therefore, it would be profitable to have more than one source for our knowledge, and that preferably from the extremes of ‘for’ and ‘against.’ For instance, certain media agencies openly align themselves with certain politicians. So if our endeavor is to seek information about an individual or a political party, then we should gain that information from media sources that consistently speak for and against him/them. Thus one can gain balanced information in politics.

        Second, how did the Lord Jesus Christ respond to the Roman government in HIS time? Christ, a Jew in HIS incarnation, healed a Roman Centurion’s servant (Matthew 8: 5-13). Christ did not resist or ignore the plea of the Roman Centurion. This act of healing displays Christ’s loving kindness to the man in need and thus indirectly to the ruling Roman government. Therefore, Christians should exhibit loving kindness to the rulers and authorities.

        In another instance, the corrupt Pharisees sought to trap Christ when they questioned HIM about taxes (Matthew 22: 15-22). They tried to trap HIM into a conflict with the ruling Roman government.

        Christ then taught people to submit to the government in matters pertaining to the government and to submit to God in matters pertaining to God. In other words, pay the taxes to the government and offer our lives to God.

        Therefore, Christians ought to support the rulers and authorities in the government by being prompt and diligent with our taxes and our general support.

        Third, the Apostle Paul teaches similarly. But he emphasizes that all authorities in existence have been established by God (Romans 13: 1). So we ought to know that God ordained the election of Mr. Narendra Modi.

        Hence, Christians ought to be subject to the governing authorities. We ought to be right in our actions (Romans 13: 3c). This would be achieved when we remain as law abiding citizens of our country. This should be our constant endeavor.

        The Bible also mandates us to “show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor” (1 Peter 2: 17, NIV, Emphasis mine). Thus we are called to respect and honor those in power. The Christian mandate is always to do good and not evil. Respect and honor are godly deeds.

        God exhorts HIS believers to “devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful” (Colossians 4: 2, NIV). We ought to be alert in knowing all that’s happening around us, so that we know what to pray for. Therefore, we should keep ourselves constantly updated about the progress of the new government, and keep praying that the new government would bless India.

        Finally, fear and negativity should never be present in a Christian life. Fear and negativity destroy a Christian. Absolute trust in God is the stronghold of a Christian. Fear corrodes and negates Christians’ trust in God. When fear increases, trust in God decreases.  

        The omnipotent God of the Bible is superior and more powerful than everything and everyone. Moreover, God is in absolute control over all that happens. Therefore, a Christian need not fear under any circumstance.

        In conclusion, a Christian response to the new government is rather straightforward:

            (1) Possess balanced, not biased information.

            (2) Exhibit loving kindness to the ruling government.

            (3) Support the ruling government as much as we are able to.

            (4) Know that God ordained the election of Mr. Narendra Modi, and be a law abiding citizen of India.  

            (5) Respect and honor all rulers and authorities.

            (6) Pray that the new government would bless our glorious nation.

            (7) Never fear but always trust in God.

        May the blessings of the Triune God – The Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit be upon Mr. Narendra Modi and his government so that they endeavor to bless India against all forces of evil and destruction. Amen.  

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5: 9, NIV)

Endnotes:

¹ http://censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/India_at_glance/religion.aspx

² http://www.bjp.org/en/about-the-party/history?u=bjp-history

³ http://rss.org/knowus/

⁴ http://www.ndtv.com/elections/article/election-2014/truth-vs-hype-the-rss-mission-modi-504888

⁵ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narendra_Modi