 |
|
| Volume 25 Number 1 January 2023 |
Page 12 |
|
|
| Volume 25 Number 1 January 2023 |
Page 12 |
George McNulty
Many people fear the creation of a one-world government. Some conspiracy theorists claim that secret organizations, like the Freemasons, Illuminati or the Men in Black, seek to take over our lives. Yet, biblically aware Christians understand that there is already a one-world government, and it was established many centuries ago with all authority and legitimacy by the Lord Jesus Christ. He said in Matthew 28:18, “…All power is given to Me in heaven and on earth” (NKJV). Every human being who has ever lived or who will ever live will be subject to His judgment (Matthew 25:31-46).
The Bible tells us of the coming of the High King, the ruler over all powers and principalities. In Daniel 7:9, the prophet saw the great King. “I watched till thrones were put in place, And the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, And the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, Its wheels a burning fire.” This is a passage where we read of His glory in a way we can only partly comprehend. In Acts 1:9-11, we read of the fulfilment of Daniel’s prophecy as Christ the King enthroned as rightful ruler of the Earth. Paul wrote that Jesus “…must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death” (1 Corinthians 15:25-26).
Death still stalks the world; therefore, Christ still presently reigns until the end of all things. One of the central themes of the New Testament and its context is that Christ is Lord, with all the spiritual authority the word “Lord” entails, something earthly leaders are not! Did the emperors of Rome cease to rule their patch of earth when Christ came into his Kingdom? No, but like every king, emperor, dictator or president, they, too, are subject and answerable to the High King for their decisions. Hebrews 1:8 quotes Psalm 45:6 regarding Jesus Christ, our Lord and Monarch. “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.”
There is a one-world government right now, and Christ is its Sovereign! To the Christian, it matters not if we are under the rule of a single earthly nation or part of an empire comprised of many countries. We follow the will of our Lord, and He would have us live peaceably with all men. Scripture tells us to obey the laws of the land in which we live, so long as they do not contradict the Law of Christ! Galatians 6:2 states, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” This law is found in Mark 12:28-31 where Jesus was asked, “Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, ‘Which is the first commandment of all?’ Jesus answered him, ‘The first of all the commandments is: Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.’”
As His body (the church) on earth, we must strive to achieve His will on Earth as it is in Heaven (Mathew 6:10). Our King has made a kingdom out of all nations of man (Isaiah 2:2). In Revelation 7:9, we find a wonderful picture of His kingdom. “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands.” What joy there is in service to our King and blessed Redeemer! In 1 John 5:3, the Word reveals the beauty of living for Him. “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.”
The Bible tells of Jesus’ return to implement that holy authority. In Revelation 1:7, we read the following warning. “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.” Let us not be found in rebellion against Him! We know the day will come when our Lord shall return “in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power” (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9). His rule is all powerful, and the most powerful of earthly rulers are accountable to His righteousness and justice. In His love, Jesus provided us a way to directly enter His country, His kingdom, His church. In Acts 2:38, all men everywhere are commanded to “repent and… be baptized… for the remission of sins” – forgiven according to His will, submitting to His authority. No matter who may be king, queen or president – Christ is ruler of all!
The Things that Make for Peace
Terry Wheeler
“For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another” (Romans 14:17-19). Peacemakers are invaluable. They defuse, calm, quiet and soothe. They do not stir up conflict but work to minimize it, if not to negate it.
The wicked are not so. They are determined to rule or ruin, typically to no good purpose. They delight in war that they may rule over its ruins.
To be a peacemaker demands courage, for you may have to stand between the violent and the victim. It takes wisdom, for knowing when to listen and when to speak is all important here. One must be caring, even about those who do not care except about themselves.
Part of being the salt and the light that the Lord demands of us (Matthew 5:13-16) is certainly to help make peace in a war-torn world. It is proclaiming the truth to overthrow the lies. It is offering a better way than the way of hate. May the Lord bless us here with peace, a peace that we cherish so much that we must share it. “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men” (Romans 12:17).