A Coming Kingdom

There is an eschatological system that is not as popular today as it once was, but yet is adhered to, at least in some form, by many today. Post-millenialism in its simplest form is the idea that things will get better and better in the world, ultimately paving the way for Jesus to come back to reign over an already "Christian" world.

There are some who hold to this theology who believe that it is the mission of the Church to "christianize" the nations. While it is absolutely true that Jesus has given us a mandate to make disciples of all nations, it is also true that the world will be in its most sinful state at the time of His return. In fact, His second coming is what ultimately puts an end to sin. So therefore we are not making the world a place worthy of Jesus' return, but He returns to restore all things back to His original intention.

There have been several attempts throughout history to create a Christian utopia. Individuals have founded communities where the rule is more like a theocracy than anything else. The idea again being the formation of God's kingdom on the earth, where Jesus can ultimately return to and rule. None of these endeavors have been successful. Each and every attempt has ended in failure. Why? 

As I stated previously, Jesus is not returning to a Christian city or nation, (there is actually no such thing), He will return to a wicked world to make things right. 

So let's take a look at a few passages of scripture that shed some light on the condition of this present world, and the coming kingdom that Jesus Christ will one day set up.

As mentioned above, there is no such thing as a Christian nation. I know this might seem strange for many to read, but it is true nonetheless. Some nations may base their laws on some biblical values; they may have many moral principles they attempt to adhere to, but that in and of itself does not make a person, much less an entire nation "Christian."

To the contrary we read this,

We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

1 John 5:19 NASB 

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 NASB

We see from these two passages that the world is under the rule of the evil one, or Satan. Does this mean that God has no power or control over the events that occur, or that He has no sovereignty over this world?

 Absolutely not. God is indeed sovereign over His creation. Scripture abundantly shows this to be true. However Satan has been allowed control of this world, as is shown in the account of Jesus' temptation.

And He led him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, "I will give You all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed to over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore if You worship before me, it shall be all Yours." Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'"

Luke 4:5-8 NASB

Satan gained this control through the fall of Adam and Eve in the garden. They had been given this authority by God (Genesis 1:27-28), but lost it to Satan when they yielded to his temptation and died spiritually (see Genesis 3). 

All of this might seem hopeless, but it is not. We read of a coming day when this world will come under the absolute authority of Jesus once again. The Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar had a dream of a succession of kingdoms which would ultimately be destroyed at the second coming of Christ (see Daniel 2:31-45).

Speaking of the final wicked empire that this world will see,  we read this,

"In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever. Inasmuch as you saw that a stone was cut out of the mountain without hands and that it crushed the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold, the great God has made known to the king what will take place in the future; so the dream is true and its interpretation is trustworthy."

Daniel 2:44-45 NASB

A few chapters later Daniel has a vision that pertains to the same events at the end of this age (see Daniel 7:1-28).

"I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven, one like a Son of Man was coming, and He came up to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him. And to Him was given dominion, glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations and men of every language might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which will not pass away; and His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed."

Daniel 7:13-14 NASB

'As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings will arise; and another will arise after them, and he will be different from the previous ones and will subdue three kings. He will speak out against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make alterations in times and in law; and they will be given into his hand for a time, times, and a half a time. But the court will sit for judgement, and his dominion will be taken away, annihilated and destroyed forever. Then the sovereignty, the dominion and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the saints of the Highest One; His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions will serve and obey Him.'

Daniel 7:24-27 NASB

We don't see the world get better and better until Jesus returns. Instead we see a point in time when evil has reached its final limit and Jesus steps in to put an end to it. 

Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were voices in heaven saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever."

Revelation 11:15 NASB

The truth is we as followers of Jesus are in, but not of this world (John 17:17). Our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). We remain in this world as ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor 5:20). Just as an ambassador in a foreign land represents the country that sent him, we also represent the kingdom that sent us: the kingdom of heaven.

I write all of this to show what biblical prophecy teaches. We are not the ones to set up an earthly kingdom for Jesus to return to. Our job is not to form a "Christian" nation and rule over others no matter how noble and right that may sound. We are to make disciples until Jesus returns. He will set up His kingdom, and then, and and only then, we will reign with Him (2 Timothy 2:12, Rev 20:6).

God and Governments

 Here in America we are sure facing a lot of stress and division during this election cycle. Sadly I see a lot of tension, fear, distrust, and even anger among professing Christians. Here are a few verses to ponder in the days and weeks ahead. Perhaps the Bible can help us gain a different perspective.

     This decision is by the decree of the watchers, and the word of the holy ones, in order that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whomever He will, and sets it over the lowliest of men. Daniel 4:17 NKJV

     While the word was still in the kings mouth, a voice fell from heaven: "King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom is departed from you! And they shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen: and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses." Daniel 4:32-33 NKJV

     Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.  Romans 13:1 NKJV

Now we could dig in depth into these verses but for the sake of brevity I will only make a few observations. First of all we read in these verses that it is God who ultimately raises leaders and bring leaders down. We do not understand all His reasons for why we see certain men in power, but be sure of this, God in His sovereign purpose rules in the kingdoms of men. We also can infer from this that rulers are not necessarily godly men. The verses in Daniel refer to Nebuchadnezzar, who was not someone we would emulate as Christians. 

Paul's reference in Romans 13 was written in the days of the Roman Emperor Nero, one of the cruelest leaders the world has seen. It was this Nero who persecuted the early church, throwing Christians to the beasts in the Roman coliseum. Yet we see Paul saying that God places leaders in their positions of authority, and we are to respect and submit unto them. Also we can pray for them so it will go well for us (1Tim 2:1-3). As Christians can we at least do this?

So in closing remember that whether your candidate won or lost, your party is in control or not, as  Christians we look to Jesus as our Savior and King. It is ultimately His kingdom that we are citizens of, and are to seek (Phil 3:20, Matt 6:33), not the kingdoms of this world. Our best efforts should be put into reaching the lost for Jesus Christ, as His is the only Kingdom that will endure (Daniel 2:44, 4:34, 7:13-14, Rev 11:15).

     

Review of "Jesus Untangled"

I recently read a book entitled "Jesus Untangled", by Keith Giles. I was offered the chance to download this book free of charge if I would review it on my blog, so here goes.

I believe that this book addresses a very real problem in the evangelical Church today. The issue is that of national pride and Christianity merged together, resulting in what we see today. For many American evangelicals, God and country are on equal ground. They view America as God's chosen people, and advancing the kingdom of God is equated with doing whatever makes America great and prosperous. This is why we see so many Christians active in politics, just as concerned with the constitution as they are with the Bible, and pledging allegiance to the flag of an earthly kingdom.

This book really steps on toes as it confronts these issues, but it is something that needs to be "shouted from the roof tops" in my estimation.

There is a radical difference between the Kingdom of God, and any of the world's kingdoms, including America. While some nations may operate on better principles than others, the fact remains that they are still earthly kingdoms. None of them, including America, are founded upon the teachings of Christ. The truth is, they operate on selfish principles. As Christians we are called to separate our selves from this and to unselfishly follow Jesus Christ. His teachings go against the grain of those of this world. While nations strive and struggle for wealth and power, we are called to love, and give, and to turn the other cheek. Sadly the type of Christianity that so many follow today explains away what Jesus commands us to do, and embraces the policies of America instead, in the name of God and country.

The first Christians were not politically active, they were not caught up in the affairs of the state, and rejected national pride, considering themselves instead strangers and pilgrims upon this earth. This changed with Constantine, who declared Christianity the national religion of the Roman empire, and thus began the merger of Church and state, which has been an entanglement that has plagued the Church ever since.

As a result we now have Christians embracing war and military might, something that Jesus never taught, and the early Church rejected. We have resorted to politics and legislation to set the moral tone of our country instead of spreading the gospel and seeing people changed from the inside out. Now our worship is divided between Christ and the flag, and our allegiance is divided as well, between God and the nation. The modern Church has become entangled in the affairs of a secular kingdom, and has forfeited Christ and His kingdom.

Once again, I believe this book is right on target with its message. It will surprise many who read it. It may offend many, and step on some toes, but if it gets your attention and causes you to take a look at how far we have fallen from truly serving Christ, it will be worth the read.

Two Kingdoms: An Anabaptist Perspective on Warfare | Dean Taylor