"ON EAGLES’ WINGS MINISTRIES"
“Will the Saints Rule As Daniel Foretold?” May 2013. Part 1.
“But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even for ever and ever. And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.” Daniel 7: 18, 27.
“Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.” Isaiah 32: 1. “The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.” 2nd Samuel 23: 3.
“And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city, and said to the judges, take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the Lord, who is with you in the judgment. Wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.” 2nd Chronicles 19: 5-7.
Recently, a friend of mine from Texas posed a question or a thought on Facebook. He wondered if Christians should be involved in politics. Instead of replying to him with a personal message on his Facebook page, I decided that I would do a complete writing addressed to all those with an interest in the subject, and care to follow along with me in searching what the scriptures said about the issue. The scripture texts featured above give us a candid sample of God’s thoughts about who rules among the children of men. But let us begin in a practical unscriptural and unspiritual way, to view and assess things as they are in our physical world. Christians and non-Christians, believers and unbelievers must share this planet together. As far as the government goes, we are all obligated and even subjugated by the laws they pass and hang around our necks.
To ignore politics is like the ostrich burying its head in the sand, hoping that the danger will soon pass. No matter how spiritual we are, we drive the same highways like other people, shop at the same stores, take vacations at the same sunny beaches, and our kids go to the same schools. So here are some facts! Politicians determine how fast we may drive even on the street where we live.
They decide where we can, or cannot make a left turn; they determine where we can park, and what streets are made one-way, and in what direction. Politicians determine school lunches, the number of days in a school year; start and dismissal times, and what books can be used as a part of the curriculum. Government agencies oversee what we eat, what we wear, the quality of the air we breathe, and even the forests in which we hunt for game and set up camps.
When we consider what I call “the myth” of the separation of Church and State, in practice there is no such thing. Politicians determine what part of town we can erect a religious edifice. Depending on the square footage in the blueprint, we are told how many parking spaces we must have as a requirement.
To obtain a non-profit exemption status, one must file a 1023 form with the IRS, and meet other basic requirements. I looked at the form and quickly knew I would not meet the criteria as outlined by IRS laws. A year or two recently, certain televangelists boasted aloud on television about their numerous expensive cars, expensive clothes and airplanes, in so much that the IRS called them to task, to present their books to account for the way they spend the money that comes into their coffers. So in good conscience, where is the separation of Church and State that politicians and many members of clergy espouse with glee and conviction? I call it a myth because in practice, it does not exist, but is used mainly for political expediency.
Before we turn the spotlight on the scriptures featured at the top of our study, let us be frank in our discussion. Politics in this country has become corrupt by “big money” and special interest groups. It has become a game of winning no matter who gets hurt or at what cost. One candidate for office will seldom, if ever, mention the achievements of an opponent or give credit where credit is due. The battle strategy is to kill and take no prisoners!
But add to that scenario this sobering thought! If every fine upstanding born again Christian avoids getting involved in politics, like a lingering epidemic, nothing will change because of the absence of anyone who is willing and capable to enact changes. Here is a sobering thought to consider where Christians in politics is concerned. Think back a few years! After several years of investigation and spending more than $50-$60 million in the White Water debacle, nothing was found amiss with the Clintons.
The twelve men who were called “managers” of Clinton’s impeachment were announced on prime time television news to be “born again Christians.” Yet they ignored the doctrine of love, mercy, compassion, and forgiveness that Jesus taught. Years after this case, one member of that sordid team said that he felt sure he did what God wanted him to do in impeaching Clinton. But I recall that as the mob rushed forward in stoning Stephen, they did so calling upon God. Many killers are now saying that God told them to do it. That is a brief overview of 21st century politics in these United States of Americas.
However, please consider this fact before we bring the scriptures into our discussion. If those involved in politics are not up to correcting the system, and have been bought and paid for by big business and special interest groups; while those who have a personal relationship with God and can be instruments of correction and good will, continue to avoid politics, when, how, and by whom will the system be cured? Are we to suppose that God has no interest in man’s daily life and his wellbeing? I think it is safe to assume that many noble people came to Washington with noble intent and ideas as people with impeccable character. But soon the system swallows up all their good ideas and to survive they must play the game by the rules.
Let us look at the very beginning from God’s perspective, who is the architect and builder of who we are and why we are. Thus we read: “I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.” Isaiah 45: 12. In an intelligent discussion the obvious question becomes: “Did God put man here on earth with no laws of conduct with his neighbor, and his recognition of his Creator, and how he should be a caretaker of the earth?”
We often say in Church that not only does God saves, but he also keeps, otherwise we would lose our way in no time at all. But along with putting man on this earth, God also inserted himself in man’s obligation, liabilities, and duties. We may feel disposed to insert the separation of Church and State in the equation, but God has never embraced that concept from the beginning of time.
Listen to Daniel’s profound exclamation of God’s behalf! “Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God forever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding.” Daniel 2:20, 21. If this helping seems only to tease your taste buds, here is a second helping for you to chew on.
Daniel is explaining to the king what his dream was all about! “That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as an oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times [seven years] shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.” Daniel 4: 25,26. Can you wrap your arms around these profound truths?
Ladies and gentlemen! Hearken to my words this day! Nothing has changed since Daniel penned these words. Ever since God placed man upon this earth, he has set perimeter around man’s options and impulses. Lest we fall into sleep or become a little disoriented we are reminded of this truth: “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” Proverbs 15: 3. While we are always equating between good and evil—right and wrong, God has a single perspective on his entire creation. “Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.” Psalm 139: 12.
Let us ask a few legal questions! On what basis or legal footing does God exercise rights over the activities and affairs of mankind at large? He holds ownership rights, patent rights, and marketing rights over the works of his hands. [Thank you Jesus!] And he functions legally in terms that you and I can understand, and can identify with. As we said earlier, he made man and placed him on the earth. Thus we read: “Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people [mankind at large] and the sheep of his pasture.” Psalm 100: 3. The gospel of John breaks it down in simple, but classic terms that leave no doubt in our minds as to who holds the ownership over man’s soul.
“In him was life; and the life was the light of men. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” John 1: 4, 9. God outlined a grand synopsis of his ownership of creation and the souls of men. “For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. [Meaning every hill] I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fullness thereof.” Psalm 50:10-12. We can only stand amazed at such declarations!
Here is more! “Behold all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. Ezekiel 18: 4. “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts.” Haggai 2: 8. It is upon these rights that God moves to set up kings and to remove them, and no one has the legal option to question or oppose what he does. Paul indicated to the Corinthian Church that the saints shall judge the world and we shall even judge angels also. Remember that “to judge” does not necessarily mean to condemn to a burning hell; it simply means to set in order; to rectify, to bring back on an even keel so much that has lost its equilibrium. The world is gone mad with gun violence rampant in the land. GEO’s are walking away with such wealth that is criminal even to mention it. Politicians are consumed with self-interest and self-indulgence, while the poor get poorer, and suicide rate across the nation keeps rising to unthinkable numbers.
Across the pages of biblical history, it is always at a time of crisis that someone climbs out of obscurity to become a battle axe and a weapon of war in the hands of God much like Jeremiah was. Daniel wrote much about the saints ruling the world, and the angel spoke to Mary concerning her son that would sit upon the throne of his father David, whose kingdom would be forever. Jesus spoke to his disciples saying that in the regeneration, when the Son of man comes, they would be seated upon twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
When we as Christians speak of government and ruling the people, we generally think in terms of a theocracy and not a democracy as we see in secular governments. So no matter how we slice it, or by what name we call it, we are called to rule in God’s kingdom. Here is the template of how we should operate! “And he shall not judge after the sight of the eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his lions, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.” Isaiah 11: 3b-5.
Joining an already corrupt political system is likely to be counter-productive, because as we inferred before, seemingly, Christian politicians came to Washington with lofty moral fortitude, and grandiose plans for excellence. However, the system will not change easily or any time soon, and these fine people are swallowed up like an octopus entangling its prey into it many tentacles. “If you can’t beat them, join them” does not always work according to our noble intentions. God works to promote his own laws in the ways he has already prescribed. Both the Old Testament prophets and the angel Gabriel in the New Testament spoke of Jesus Christ coming to earth to rule or reign as the head of God’s government on the earth.
Isaiah spoke forcefully that the government shall be upon his shoulder. Isaiah 9: 6. However, the angel Gabriel offered a complete outline of these intricacies before the child was born.
“He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” Luke 1: 32, 33.
Of course, many Christians have been taught to look for Jesus to return to earth with the saints that joined him in the Rapture. It is at this time that he will walk into Jerusalem to begin a reign of a thousand years upon David’s throne. That is based on the assumption that David’s throne is located in a literal city called Jerusalem in Palestine. In fact, even the disciples had that notion and as they toyed with the idea, they came right out and asked Jesus if it wasn’t time for him to restore again the kingdom to Israel. Acts 1: 6.
After the Holy Ghost fell on the day of Pentecost, Peter, who was among those who asked the question 10 days earlier, rose to his feet and preached a sermon on what the dynamics of the kingdom is all about. This passage never ceases to give me chills when I read it. Here is Peter standing up with the eleven and serving up a tasty dish of kingdom cuisine.
He began his sermon by saying: “Men and brethren, let me freely speak to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulcher is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God hath sworn with an oath unto him, that of the fruit of his lions, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ [from the dead, not bring him back to earth from heaven] to sit on his throne.
He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. Now, the issue is between Christ and David to see who would be sitting on David’s throne. Would it be David himself, or would it be Jesus in David’s stead? Peter did the honors by saying emphatically: “For David is not ascended into the heavens: [where David’s throne is located] but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made this same Jesus whom ye crucified, both Lord and Christ.” And we can add and King. Acts 2: 29-31, 34-36.
Seemingly, Christians the world over have missed this grand outline of what the throne of David is all about, and not understanding that Jesus is not coming back to sit on David’s throne, because he has been sitting on it for almost 2,000 years now. Please remember that the angel Gabriel did not infer or allude to the future when Christ would return to earth to sit on the throne of David. Not one bit so! The message was about a baby boy who would be born in about nine month’s time; and Peter made it quite clear that Christ was raised up from the dead to sit on the throne of his father David. God determines who rules in the political arena, and exactly what transpires in his earth. But there is much in store for us to uncover in his grand scheme of things. We will continue this study in next month’s issue.
Thanks for remembering to make your gifts payable to: Royce Kennedy. Be blessed!