A Voice Crying In The Wilderness- America’s Elijah Oliver Anthony & The Anthem Of The People

On August 8, whilst the horrific fires in Maui began to rage¹, a fire of a different sort was kindled in Virginia when an unknown singer posted a song on his website Oliver Anthony Music which within mere days would register millions of views. The singer is Oliver Anthony, legal name Christopher Anthony Lunsford, and the song now known and beloved throughout the world is of course Rich Men North of Richmond.

Here’s a screenshot taken of a portion of the video in which it is apparent that 30 year old Mr. Anthony is literally in the wilderness² singing/crying out what is poised to become the defining song of this generation.

Isaiah 40:3-

The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

John 1:23-

He (John the Baptist) said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.

Also, from the final verses of the Old Testament, suggesting yet a third appearance of this prophet in spirit, we have Malachi 4:5-6-

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. (see also Malachi 3:1)

A thumbnail sketch of the great Old Testament Prophet Elijah is in order. Elijah is perhaps best known for calling out the government and condemning worship of the false idols of his day. In short, he had some serious “run ins” with King Ahab, the infamous Jezebel, and the prophets of Baal, yet the LORD sustained him after he fled into the wilderness. Centuries later, John the Baptist appeared in the flesh, but also in the spirit of Elijah. John, a cousin of Yeshua (Jesus Christ), was born a few months before our Savior and began his ministry, presumably at 30 years of age as per Hebrew tradition, months prior to Yeshua’s ministry starting in Galilee. It is certainly interesting that Oliver Anthony turned 30 years of age about as his career (“ministry”) took off. I do not know Mr. Anthony’s birth date, but research indicates that he was born in 1992-1993 and is a Leo (“lion”; 23 July – 22 August birth date). Below are select quotes (bold emphasis mine) from Mr. Anthony’s introductory letter to his millions of new fans which was posted on 17 August-

I wrote the music I wrote because I was suffering with mental health and depression. These songs have connected with millions of people on such a deep level because they’re being sung by someone feeling the words in the very moment they were being sung. No editing, no agent, no bullshit. Just some idiot and his guitar. The style of music that we should have never gotten away from in the first place.

There’s nothing special about me. I’m not a good musician, I’m not a very good person. I’ve spent the last 5 years struggling with mental health and using alcohol to drown it. I am sad to see the world in the state it’s in, with everyone fighting with each other. I have spent many nights feeling hopeless, that the greatest country on Earth is quickly fading away.

Just like those once wandering in the desert, we have lost our way from God and have let false idols distract us and divide us. It’s a damn shame.

Many fans have shared a comment similar to the one below about Oliver Anthony-

He was battling alcoholism recently and got on his knees and promised God he’d give up drinking if he could just play his music and help people out.

Others have shared this basic story with slight variations. In one account, Mr. Anthony is said to have been agnostic until that point then having given his heart to Yeshua during the prayer. Regardless of the specific details, praise the LORD! This saved man, likely a new Christian, now has a huge amount of responsibility on his shoulders and needs tremendous prayer support as he will be under great spiritual attack. Interesting that he is a Leo- with his thick red beard and the way he carries himself, I would suggest that Mr. Anthony certainly has lion-like qualities. It should also be noted that his given first name is Christopher = “Christ-bearer”. Yeshua of course being the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.

I attempted to start this article several days ago but I simply could not find the words. Then, I did something which I had never done before, though definitely Holy Spirit guided. I started binge watching “reaction” videos³ to his song. I found myself amazed and humbled by the sheer diversity of the people who were emotionally overcome and spiritually moved by his message. People of all races, creeds, and ethnic groups, from numerous countries around the world. Many of these reactors claim this is the song for the downtrodden people of the entire world, not just America, and I agree. It unites humanity against the elite who are keeping us down and, yes, even trying to exterminate us. And as an American the anthem gives me hope that we can have one final harvest of souls in my nation before the end. For this “coming of Elijah” is certainly a sign that the LORD is returning soon. Now, let me be clear that I do not believe that Mr. Anthony is actually Elijah or John the Baptist in the flesh, but I firmly believe that he is a prophetic type of Elijah who the LORD sent for this particular time and place. And knowing how modest Mr. Anthony comes across as, I imagine that he would not have any inclination about his role as an Elijah type unless / until the LORD would reveal this to him. Yet as his co-manager, Draven Riffe, states-

God has chosen to speak through Oliver.

Indeed He has!

Speaking of “places”, Mr. Anthony is from Farmville, Virginia. This general location featured prominently during the American Revolution (Patrick Henry⁴ lived nearby) and was essentially spot on the epicenter of the American Civil War about 85 years later. Fascinating for sure considering the civil strife we have going on in this country now where it seems like just one “spark” could set the whole tinderbox of a nation ablaze. Keep in mind that during the American Civil War the capital cities of the two countries were Washington DC and Richmond, Virginia, only <100 miles to the South. Obviously, the very Richmond in the song title and the DC (belly of the beast) which is alluded to.

Let’s take a look at the lyrics of the song. Powerful is an understatement. Mr. Anthony is a wordsmith extraordinaire. Combine these lyrics with the man’s passion and incredible raw, raspy voice and we’ve got something majestic, even otherworldly . . . yes, I would say certainly “sent from God” despite the salty language. In terms of this language consider that Mr. Anthony is a new believer, one who is extremely and justifiably distressed, not to mention that apparently he wrote this song prior to his conversion. Undoubtedly he is coming from a most soulful place, with a heartfelt perception that his country is slipping away and is not coming back. He’s crying out with righteous anger, angst, indeed even indignation.

This anthem is also seemingly a dirge in large part, not unlike American Pie in that respect. The lyrics of Rich Men North Of Richmond (courtesy AZLyrics)-

I’ve been sellin’ my soul, workin’ all day
Overtime hours for bullshit pay
So I can sit out here and waste my life away
Drag back home and drown my troubles away

It’s a damn shame what the world’s gotten to
For people like me and people like you
Wish I could just wake up and it not be true
But it is, oh, it is

Livin’ in the new world
With an old soul
These rich men north of Richmond
LORD knows they all just wanna have total control
Wanna know what you think, wanna know what you do
And they don’t think you know, but I know that you do
‘Cause your dollar ain’t shit and it’s taxed to no end
‘Cause of rich men north of Richmond

I wish politicians would look out for miners
And not just minors on an island somewhere
LORD, we got folks in the street, ain’t got nothin’ to eat
And the obese milkin’ welfare
Well, God, if you’re five-foot-three and you’re three hundred pounds
Taxes ought not to pay for your bags of fudge rounds
Young men are puttin’ themselves six feet in the ground
‘Cause all this damn country does is keep on kickin’ them down

LORD, it’s a damn shame what the world’s gotten to
For people like me and people like you
Wish I could just wake up and it not be true
But it is, oh, it is

Livin’ in the new world
With an old soul
These rich men north of Richmond
LORD knows they all just wanna have total control
Wanna know what you think, wanna know what you do
And they don’t think you know, but I know that you do
‘Cause your dollar ain’t shit and it’s taxed to no end
‘Cause of rich men north of Richmond

I’ve been sellin’ my soul, workin’ all day
Overtime hours for bullshit pay

For those who have not seen the video, and even for those who have watched it numerous times, here is the original version from Radio WV (see also Oliver Anthony Music)-

Prior to the recording Oliver and his co-manager prayed, asking that there be a “higher purpose” for the song. In my opinion this is the song of a generation. I felt this way after the first time I listened to it. Oliver Anthony himself simply said about the posting “LORD willing it’s going to get some traffic.” Talk on the street is that they had hoped to hit 300,000 views.

Personally, I define a generation as about 21 years, as this ties into the Fourth Turning and complete cycles of approximately 84-85 years. Though an analysis is far beyond the scope of this article, I highly recommend reading The Fourth Turning by Strauss and Howe as it will shed much light on why even the secular world should be expecting an “Elijah type” to be appearing in the world about now, especially in America. This does not surprise me at all, as the Fourth Turning began early this century (some say 2001, others 2008) so should be concluding within mere years, and the finale will be explosive for the USA and the world. Interestingly, the secular “Turning” philosophy/theory matches the Bible spot on. You see, with 31,102 verses, taking one verse / day that is 85.15 years⁵.

A few days after the release of his iconic song, Mr. Anthony traveled to Barco in the neighboring state of North Carolina to perform before a large crowd. Just prior to his performance, he opened his Bible to Psalm 37 and read aloud verses twelve to twenty (KJV below)-

“The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming. The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation. Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken. A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the Lord upholdeth the righteous. The Lord knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.”

Nice prophetic warning to the “Rich Men North of Richmond” is it not? Of course, the MSM talking heads tell us that Mr. Anthony is “divisive” as well as (of course), racist. This actually means contrarily that he is uniting the people against the elite, the 98% against the 2%. A united populace is what the powers that be fear the most, be it here in the USA or throughout the world. I know that I’ve actually felt a glimmer of hope in the past couple of weeks, which is more hope than I’ve felt in years. This hope is for America to have an abundant harvest of souls before the bitter end, for, as Babylon, her fiery downfall is most assuredly near on the horizon. And, unfortunately, evil will increase from here, eventually overcoming and scattering the saints prior to our final victory, and the enemy’s ultimate demise, at the conclusion of The Day Of The LORD.

It seems appropriate to conclude this article with Oliver Anthony’s own words-

LORD, it’s a damn shame what the world’s gotten to . . .

. . . I Want To Go Home⁶

Shalom,

Serayah

¹ I believe the timing to be not coincidental . . . fire & fire . . . America’s 50^th state, so much prophetic about this . . . see Cindy By The Sea’s latest article (Coveting Naboth’s Vineyard 2.0) and by all means while on her site click to her classic trilogy “Echoes of Paradise Lost” articles as well . . . https://cindybythesea.com/

² The famous US Civil War battle actually designated “The Wilderness” was contested in Virginia approx. 68 miles from Farmville

³ Typical reactions (in no particular order) include: wow, oh my, angelic voice, I’m overcome with emotion, powerful, I did not expect this, oh my LORD, he is speaking what we’re all feeling, this hits deeply, he’s singing from the mountaintop, 100% truth bombs, God is speaking through this man, genuine, shout out, authentic, this is dope, speaking truth, really intense, preach it brother, my God, facts, fire, oh my goodness, this resonates so deep, this guy’s (the) real (deal), killin’ it, dart to the heart, where’s the lie?, struck a nerve, keep cookin’ homie, true story, epic

⁴ Famous for “Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death”

⁵ Incredibly there’s more. Taken as a ratio, 85/15 is also the God/man spoken by verses in the final Book of the Old Testament (which points toward John the Baptist), Malachi (which not coincidentally means “messenger”)

⁶Title of new song (Oliver Anthony Music, Radio WV)