In the previous blog, we concluded with Samuel encouraging and admonishing the nation of Israel to ‘press into’ God, seek Him, and be restored to their proper relationship with Him. God had not left His people; they had forsaken Him. The human fallen nature within mankind believes that it can exercise its own ‘governmental’ control over himself/herself; and subsequently believes that it can govern the affairs of the nation in which they live. In the beginning, God indeed wanted His creation of mankind to govern and rule over His Creation; however, Satan stepped in and presented to mankind ‘a lie’ regarding God’s intent. Adam and Eve believed the lie, and their disobedience to God’s Word resulted in their alienation from Him. But God…Who knew before the foundation of the world what would be the series of events regarding His creation of mankind, their subsequent Fall, their alienation from Him, and their need for reconciliation and restoration, “so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son, that whosoever would believe in Him would not perish but have everlasting life.” That is the Gospel.
The Gospel must be the foundation of our lives in the year 2021. I would make that same statement no matter what year it was in which we were living. In essence, fill in the blank, the year is _____.
I want to quote the end of the last blog: “Mankind is still exercising its ‘governmental’ control over the affairs of the nations of this world. And where is it all headed? It is headed to the fulfilled prophetic Word of God that is outlined in Scripture. Scholars are scrambling analyzing the interpretation and meaning of what is in God’s Word trying to bring about an understanding of where we are in God’s timetable in the age in which we are living.
I am of the mindset to let that thought go, and ask the Lord, what is the Spirit saying to the Church? What are the ‘marching orders’ for the Church in 2021? The Imperials sang back in the 60’s “I listen to the trumpet of Jesus, while the world sings a different song”… . Am I being ‘naive’ ? Am I ‘burying’ my head in the sand? Am I ‘avoiding’ the handwriting on the wall? I do not believe so based upon a book that I am currently reading; and two other books that I may or may not read, depending upon…. If I told you the names of the books that I am referencing, many would label me as a right wing extremist. Maybe some already think of me that way. That’s ok. The point is, I do seek to be informed; and I seek to be informed by those whom I believe seek to share the truth. Knowing the truth with regards to political issues and thoughts can be a difficult search. But God….
I would like to direct your attention to Matthew 24. The followers of Jesus were inquisitive regarding future events. Jesus had made a statement; it piqued their interest; and they asked Him to explain what He meant. For me personally, I am awestruck by His initial comment found in Matthew 24:4 (TLV), “Yeshua answered them, “Be careful that no one leads you astray.” The NKJV says “that no one deceives you”. What is the glaring issue that we as a nation, and I, as a individual, and the Church faces today? the issue of ‘deception’. All you have to do is recall what this nation has been subjected too verbally the past 5 years.
If you would like to pursue what I am saying about our nation and being deceived, please refer to my previous blogs where I discuss our nation being a P.O.W. ( Prisoner Of Words.)
Jesus continues to explain to His followers what to expect . In Matthew 24:12-14 TLV, Jesus states, what I believe the Church needs to hear, embrace, and do. “Because lawlessness will multiply, the love (this is the word, agape, in the Greek) will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. This Good News of the kingdom shall be proclaimed in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.” (insert mine)
I will let you seek out commentaries regarding the theology of this statement. I would like to point out that the word, agape, is the Greek word used to describe God’s love. I John 4:16, “God is love”. John 3:16, “For God so loved…”. Agape is the essence of God’s nature. Jesus says to His followers that in the last days that ‘agape’ will grow cold because of lawlessness. When Jesus spoke to the seven churches in Revelation, what did He point out to the Church in Ephesus?
Revelation 2:4,5 TLV, “But this I have against you, that you have forsaken your first love. Remember then from where you have fallen. Repent and do the deeds you did at first. It not, I will come to you and remove your menorah from its place–unless you repent.”
Thinking back to I Samuel, what has Israel done? They forsook God. They did not want Him to be in ‘governmental’ control. Question: Has the Church today, forsaken their “first love”? Is is possible that the lawlessness that Jesus mentioned in Matthew 24 is a two-edged sword? I have always assumed that the lawlessness that Jesus was referring too was solely the lawlessness in our society as a nation. We have seen a dramatic increase in that lawlessness in the past 5 years. However, is it possible that the another side to this remark about lawlessness? Is there a lawlessness in the Church that is resulting in its ‘agape’ to grow cold? Is the Church under the ‘governmental’ control of the Lord or is it following its own a genda? If the Church is pursuing its own agenda then it is being lawless, and the ability to express the ‘agape’ of God is hampered because of its ‘self’ love.
It is one thing as a people to be struggling with the ‘governmental’ control emanating from our nation’s Capitol or our state Capitols; it is a completely different thing to think that the Church is lawless in its behavior, and that the followers of Christ are or might be a ‘law’ unto themselves.
The Apostle John writing to the Church near the conclusion of his life says in I John 3;4 TLV, “Everyone practicing sin also practices lawlessness–indeed, sin is lawlessness.” Recalling the last verse in Judges 21, verse 25 says, “And there was no king in Israel, and everyone did what was right in their own eyes.” (TLV)
Christine and I have been watching the television production called The Chosen. We understand that it is a television series; and that it is written from the perspective of those following Jesus. We have been comfortable with the story line, the personal struggles of the mainline characters, their interaction between themselves, and their struggle to fit in with Jesus.
After the conclusion of season 2, Christine and I were listening to Mark Lavin’s assessment of what was happening in our national government. His personal belief is that our government is moving toward a complete totalitarian system of ‘governmental’ control. (using my term). I realize that what I have just written is a fire storm. I ask that you hold back your personal feelings and consider this observation.
The history of the nation of Israel is replete with the struggles of ‘who is in charge?’ Our nation for the past two and a half centuries has been about ‘who is in charge?’ Is it safe to say, that all the nations of the world have struggled with the issue of ‘who is in charge?’ Why? because humanity has been in the struggle of ‘who is in charge?’ in its own personal life. Sin is lawlessness.
As a nation, historically, we have had peaceful transitions, changing from one elected president to the next; however, this past election, we witnessed what many have said was a ‘volatile’ transition. Why? because not everyone agreed that the election was judicious. Again, I am aware that this statement can ignite a fire storm. My point is that the nation is struggling with ‘real’ lawlessness and what many believe to be ‘imagined’ lawlessness. The result of this is chaos and a divided nation. I will let the reader ponder those words and their issues.
At the conclusion of season 2 of The Chosen, I found myself contemplating something I saw portrayed in the episodes; something that I have heard preached and taught from the scriptures; but something that I had not put all together in one context. Let me explain.
Throughout the series, the ‘governmental’ control, POILITICS, of Rome is evident and complements the story line as needed. The effect of that ‘governmental’ control and its intrusion in the character’s lives is both heard in their dialogue, and seen in their responses to it. It provides tension and drama. However, Jesus is not bothered by the POLITICS of Rome’s ‘governmental’ control like His followers are bothered. Why? His ‘governmental’ control is from above. He only did what His Father directed Him to do. He taught to “render unto Caesar what was Caesar’s and unto God what was God’s”. I suggest that is how the Church is supposed to respond in this world. We recognize the ‘governmental’ control of our nation’s leaders. However, we are to respond properly and lawfully to their requests as taught in the Word of God. I also understand that this comment can cause a fire storm. The leadership in the Church is struggling with at what point do ‘we draw a line’ regarding ‘governmental’ control? Jesus did not involve Himself in the POLITICS of this world; but He did not act ‘lawlessly’ against it. Remember, sin is lawlessness. (emphasis mine)
A second area of ‘governmental’ control that weaves itself throughout the narrative is the desire of Jesus’s followers to establish a working ‘control’ of Jesus’ agenda. In their opinion, Jesus offers no ‘governmental’ control at all. This especially bothers James, John, Perter, and Andrew. They look to take PERSONAL control making suggestions and constantly seeking Jesus’ approval. They are ones who are front and center trying to ‘organize’ the system. They, characterize the need for mankind to take control. They personify the need to put things in order. They need to organize. Is it wrong to have a semblance of order? No, but what is apparent is that man’s approach to order is not the Lord’s approach to order. Jesus has His life in order. The problem is that His followers are having a hard time following His pattern of order, resting in His timing, and being satisfied with His way of doing things. What the followers of Jesus is experiencing is what we struggle with; we want to do it our way. (PERSONAL)”Self’ wants to be in ‘governmental’ control. As a believer, our greatest detriment to walking with the Lord is ‘self’. What does it mean to ‘take up our cross daily’ and follow Him? What does it mean to be ‘yoked’ to the Lord? It means to die to self. And so, I see the followers of Jesus, struggling to set aside their way of doing things and acquiescing to His way of living, following His Heavenly Father’s timing, and doing what the Father wants Him to do in His timing. Discipleship is all about learning the ‘governmental’ control of the Lord directed by the Holy Spirit according to the Word of God that brings glory to the Father. (emphasis mine)
And finally, there is the ‘governmental’ control of the, PHARISICAL religious leaders. The religious leaders ‘have’ their control of the Jewish nation and they are threatened by Jesus’ way of doing things that are not in keeping with their longstanding ‘control’. This opposition is very apparent throughout the episodes. It is the religious establishment that want to entrap Jesus, accuse Jesus, and silence Him. They see Him as a threat to their ‘governmental’ order. We know that it was this conflict between the ‘governmental’ control of the religious leaders and the ‘governmental’ control Jesus lived following the directions of His Father, led by the Holy Spirit, that ignited the fire storm that propelled Him to the Cross.
Jesus tolerated the Roman (POLITICAL) government’s control. Jesus was patient with His followers persistence for establishing their (PERSONAL) control in helping Him by teaching them to wait for His direction. Jesus was righteously upset with the (PHARISICAL) religious rulers control and how they governed and treated His Father’s sheep.
What are the issues for the Church, the Body of Christ, the Israel of God, in 2021? Let me suggest a few. This is not an exhaustive list.
- We are facing our own ‘Rome’ exercising its ‘governmental’ control over our individual lives, our fundamental Constitutional rights, and wanting to impose upon us a way of running our Constitutional Republic that many in this nation do not agree with. We are experiencing a growing POLITICAL ‘governmental’ control that wants to control our personal lives.
- Many of our Church leaders, and denominations are struggling with the influence of ‘Rome’ not only in their own lives, but they are struggling with how do we respond as the Church? What does the Scripture say? Where do we draw the line? At what point do we exercise ‘disobedience’ to those in authority over us, realizing what the Word of God tells us in Romans 13. T
- The biggest struggle is not from without, but from within us as a follower of Jesus. The Apostle Paul cried out in Romans 7:24, TLV, “Miserable man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?” Paul answers his own question in verse 25, “Thanks be to God–it is through Messiah Yeshua our Lord! So then, with my mind I myself keep the Torah of God; but with my flesh, I serve the law of sin.” Paul understood the struggle was within and that his rest was in the His Lord, the Word of God, and not the ‘self’ control of his life.
- Question: As a believer in Jesus Christ, have you submitted your life to His ‘governmental’ control? What do I mean by this? Israel came out of Egypt and crossed through the Red Sea. They came out of Egypt under the blood of a Lamb, and through the water. Sound familiar. Picture coming to the alter of sacrifice and then the brazen laver in the outer court of the Tabernacle. Picture receiving Christ as your Savior and Lord, and then professing Christ, being water baptized. Now what? The Israelites were taken to Mt. Sinai to receive the Law of God, the 10 Commandments. Picture entering into the Holy Place in the Tabernacle. There you receive the Word of God, Shewbread; there you are present in an area lit by the Golden Lampstand, the Holy Spirit; and you are participating there, where is worship, praise, and prayer at the alter of incense. You are ‘in’ a believers meeting. Where two or three are gathered in His name, Jesus is there in your midst. At Mt. Sinai, Israel was to receive the Word of God, and to learn how to live and function under the ‘governmental’ control of God. God had removed them from the ‘governmental’ control of Egypt; now they were to live by His rule and reign governing their lives. This is the same thing that we are to learn as believers in Christ. This is what Saul of Tarsus came face to face with on the road to Damascus, the rule and reign of Jesus Christ. This is what Israel wanted to side-step in days of Samuel. Israel wanted their own (PERSOANL) way of doing things. They wanted a (POLITICAL) king like the nations that surrounded them. They forsook the (PERSONAL) reign of GOD for their own (PERSOANL) choice of reign over them. Has the Church left its first love, the PERSONAL REIGH OF CHRIST? Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments. We cannot keep His commandments if we serve “self’, exercising our own ‘governmental’ control over our life.
It is time to intersect, the blog series that I was sharing prior to Easter, and this blog series. What is the intersection of these two blogs? Or to rephrase it, what is the intersection of Pentecost and ‘governmental’ control?
a journeyer in Christ, deo
Living Words of Encouragement 