A Great Loss and Serious Questions about His Replacement
The sudden death of Supreme Court Justice Scalia today is being lamented by conservatives as an unimaginable loss to the nation. He was the champion on the high court of the concept of “originalism,” the belief that their decisions should conform to the exact meaning of the Constitution at the time of its enactment. Liberal justices, on the other hand, have leaned toward interpreting the Constitution in the light of changing beliefs and morality.
Just a few months ago, when the Supreme Court overturned states’ laws against same-sex marriages, Justice Scalia and Chief Justice John Roberts issued bold warnings about the decision.
Here are the articles we posted on Prophecy Central at that time.
June 26, 2015 – The US Supreme Court has issued its 5-4 verdict that states cannot deny gay men and lesbians the same marriage rights enjoyed for thousands of years by opposite-sex couples. Chief Justice John Roberts read for 10 minutes from his dissent. He accused the majority of overstepping their bounds and ignoring the Constitution.
“Today, five lawyers have ordered every state to change their definition of marriage,” Roberts said. “Just who do we think we are?”
Source: USA Today Reaction
Scalia: Supreme Court now a ‘threat to American democracy’ – “Today’s decree says that my Ruler, and the Ruler of 320 million Americans coast-to-coast, is a majority of the nine lawyers on the Supreme Court,” – Justice Antonin Scalia – Washington Examiner
No Court Can Change What Marriage Is – Jim Daly – Focus on the Family
SCOTUS ruling on marriage a ‘spiritual 9/11’ – OneNewsNow
Tsunami of Reactions to Supreme Court Marriage Decision
June 27, 2015 – Christians and Conservatives are expressing disagreement with the decision to force legalization of same-sex marriage in every state of the Union. Many of them are predicting the rise of persecution for those who believe the Bible.
Transcript of Justice Thomas’ Dissenting Opinion Religious, Family Groups Slam Justices for Redefining Marriage ‘Through Judicial Fiat’ – NewsMax
Conservative Republicans Mull Next Step in Preserving Religious Freedom After Gay Marriage Ruling – “In all of our lives there comes moments where [we] have to decide whether we obey God or we obey a decision we believe is unlawful.” – Governor Mike Huckabee – NewsMax
How and when will Justice Scalia’s Supreme Court vacancy be filled?
Since Justice Scalia’s death came during a Presidential election year, the immediate question is whether or not his replacement should be made before the next President takes office early next year. Republicans are generally opposed to the notion. The Constitution specifies that the President may make a nomination, but the Senate must approve it. Newscasters have already mentioned the possibility that if the President makes his nomination during a Congressional recess, confirmation by the Senate is not necessary. Unfortunately, the Senate is in recess now, until the 22nd of February.
How might the appointment of a new Supreme Court Justice relate to End Times prophecy?
The introduction to our section on “America’s Christian Heritage” states:
Prophecy students have wondered for decades why the United States will not apparently be a major player in the Bible’s End Times scenario. Europe is predicted as a Revived Roman Empire, but with a much weaker composition than ancient Rome. Ancient biblical lands will be involved in the prophetic future. They have modern names: Iran, Iraq, Syria, Libya, and others. But how could the one great “superpower” of our generation be ignored at the end of this age? Just a few years ago we could not have imagined how rapidly our beloved country would decline.
An honest evaluation of The United States today reveals that we are growing weaker economically, militarily, and above all, spiritually.
Many Churches in America are retreating from a literal interpretation of the Bible, and have allowed the corrupting influences of secular humanism, the sexual revolution, abortion, and other false beliefs and practices to slowly infiltrate their leadership. This change is predicted in the Bible. It is called apostasy, or a “falling away” from the truth.
As a result, our nation is in danger of God’s judgment. But like the biblical example of Nineveh, whose people repented in Jonah’s days, there could be a great revival first. We are praying for this!