“Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven…. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:10, 33)
Is it possible to promote the Constitutional Republic and the Kingdom of God at the same time? Many Christians would answer in the affirmative. Following are three reasons proffered by those who believe this is possible:
- Because the Constitutional Republic was based upon Biblical principles, to promote the Republic is to promote the kingdom.
- Because the kingdom of God is not yet in existence under the New Covenant and won’t be until Christ returns, we have been given secular government to restrain men in their criminal activities.
- Because the kingdom of God is not of this world, we can’t expect governments which are of this world to implement and enforce God’s moral laws.
In Part 1, I addressed the error in the first two reasons. Let’s now take a closer look at the third reason many Christians believe it’s possible to be faithful to both the kingdom and the Republic at the same time.
Does the Kingdom Exist Here on Earth?
Matthew 6:33 charges us to seek God’s righteousness and kingdom—in other words, His will. Where?
…Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:9-10)
Even Christians who understand the present reality of Yahweh’s1 kingdom here on earth2 seldom see its relevance beyond the four walls of their homes or church buildings. “We have secularized everything not illuminated by stained glass windows.”3 However, Yahweh wills that His kingdom, governed by Biblically qualified men, employing His righteous laws, be established here on earth as it is in heaven. There is nowhere in heaven Yahweh does not reign, nowhere His kingdom cannot be found, and nowhere His laws are not intact. This is His will for earth as well.
In addition to individual conversion by means of Christ’s blood-atoning sacrifice, the implementation of His moral law societally is the second means by which His kingdom, His government, increases (Isaiah 9:6-7) and takes dominion of other kingdoms (Daniel 2:44). In other words, He has left to His subjects the task of fully establishing His kingdom here on earth:
Ye are blessed of Yahweh which made heaven and earth. The heaven, even the heavens, are Yahweh’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men. (Psalm 115:15-16)
Yahweh never abdicated His throne. He is as much King now as He was at the beginning of creation. As perpetual King, the kingdom He rules over is also perpetual.
Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations. (Psalm 145:13)
To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. (Jude 1:25)
Many Christians reject these inescapable facts of Yahweh’s sovereignty, believing He has no kingdom at present or that His kingdom is limited to heaven. They lift their favorite proof text from John 18:
Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. (John 18:36)
The exact same Greek phrase ek toú kósmou, translated “not of this world,” is used several times and is explained in the preceding chapter:
I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world…. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. (John 17:14-18)
Clearly ek toú kósmou does not mean Yahweh’s kingdom exists only in heaven. Although it is certainly true that His kingdom is not of this world, this does not mean He does not intend it to be in this world. His statement in John 18 is better understood to mean His kingdom is nothing like the other kingdoms in this world. Someone once said, “The only kingdom that will prevail in this world is the kingdom that is not of this world.”
That Christians are citizens of His kingdom while here on earth (Colossians 1:12-14, 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12, Revelation 1:9) and that He reigns in our midst (Luke 17:21) proves by itself that His dominion extends beyond heaven to earth.
The teaching that Yahweh’s kingdom does not exist on earth or that He has abandoned the earth to His enemies is not new to this age:
…Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? For they say, Yahweh seest us not; Yahweh hath forsaken the earth. (Ezekiel 8:12)
Christians who reject Yahweh’s extant kingdom here on earth are looking for a future king and a future kingdom. This erroneous theology has all but destroyed Yahweh’s kingdom, at least in practice, here on earth. It is certainly one of the principal reasons why the antichrists and non-Christians rule today.
Kingdom vs. Republic
It should now be apparent that Yahweh’s kingdom exists both in heaven and on earth, despite its present deplorable state here on earth. The culpability for its present state belongs, not to God, but to Christians who are so heavenly minded they are of no earthly good.4 Christians have all but ceased being kingdom ambassadors here on earth, which is the only place ambassadors are relevant.
Contemporary Christianity is full of savorless salt, good for nothing but to be trampled under the foot of man, per Matthew 5:13. Christians today are the “trampled” rather than the “tramplers,” and they have no one to blame but themselves. What used to be known as Christendom (short for Christ’s or Christian dominion) is now merely four-walled Christianity. This has resulted in culturally impotent Christians—to the delight of our enemies.
Many Christians are peering into heaven and wondering when Yahweh is going to clean up this mess. Could it be He’s looking down upon us and wondering when we are going to clean it up? Yahweh is not responsible for our making a mess of things. He has given us the tools by which to right society, if we would only believe in Him and implement His moral laws. Case in point: 1600s Christian Colonial America.5
Every generation that rejects Yahweh’s plan for the kingdom is another generation destined to live under the heel of non-Christian dominion. Worse, any dereliction of our kingdom commission and responsibilities (2 Corinthians 10:4-6) assures our posterity will suffer more of the same, if not worse.
Because the kingdom of God and the Constitutional Republic are Biblically incompatible,6 we cannot pursue either one without damaging the other. How woeful that most conservative Christians spend more time pursuing the Republic of We the People then they do the kingdom of God.
Inherent in the dominion mandate (2 Corinthians 10:4-6) is Yahweh’s expectation for His people to maintain, protect, and increase their holdings in furtherance of His kingdom. That Yahweh expects this of His kingdom ambassadors is evident in that His stone kingdom is depicted as becoming a great mountain (Daniel 2:35, 44), a mustard seed that is to grow into a great tree (Matthew 13:31), and leaven that leavens the entire world (Matthew 13:33).
Christians are ambassadors for the kingdom, not the Republic, and a kingdom demands certain things of its subjects. To serve the King is to obey and promote His law. To promote His law is to pursue and advance His kingdom. To advance His kingdom is to establish His dominion in His name everywhere we can.
Time to choose. If We the People be god, you should indeed be doing everything you can to promote their Republic.7 If Yahweh be God, you should be doing everything in your power to promote His kingdom, His government, His will here on earth as it is in heaven.8
Related posts:
Republic or Kingdom: Which Are You Promoting? Pt. 1
10 Reasons the Kingdom Here on Earth Isn’t Mission Impossible
Bible Law vs. the United States Constitution: The Christian Perspective
Law and Kingdom: Their Relevance Under the New Covenant
375 Years Later: Constitution vs. Constitution
1. YHWH, the English transliteration of the Tetragrammaton, is most often pronounced Yahweh. It is the principal Hebrew name of the God of the Bible and was inspired to appear nearly 7,000 times in the Old Testament. It was unlawfully deleted by the English translators.In obedience to the Third Commandment and the many Scriptures that charge us to proclaim, swear by, praise, extol, call upon, bless, glorify, and hold fast to His name, we have chosen to memorialize His name here in this document and in our lives. For a more thorough explanation concerning important reasons for using the sacred name of God, see “The Third Commandment.”
2. Republic or Kingdom: Which Are You Promoting? Pt. 1
3. Dennis Woods, Discipling the Nations: The Government Upon His Shoulder (Franklin, TN: Legacy Communications, 1996) p. 184.
4. Nothing occurs outside Yahweh’s sovereign plan. Because everything is ultimately under His control, everything goes wrong just right. See Daniel 4:17, etc.
5. 375 Years Later: Constitution vs. Constitution
6. Bible Law vs. the United States Constitution: The Christian Perspective
7. Chapter 3 “The Preamble: WE THE PEOPLE vs. YAHWEH” of Bible Law vs. the United States Constitution: The Christian Perspective
The use of the word “Kingdom” when referring to a realm, or a physical authority by
The Almighty Sovereign Power Creator of the universe on earth or any physical coming realm on earth by Yahshua is unfortunate, since I believe it misses the true Greek/Aramaic meaning as used in Scripture.
It is through the mistranslations and poor understanding of the ancient Hebrew, Greek, or Aramaic vernacular of language and idioms where many go of track with incorrect understandings of Scripture. George M. Lamza, in his book “The Kingdom on Earth” has this interesting paragraph. “The Aramaic word “malkotha” [translated in NT Greek as basileia] kingdom, also means counsel; the term “malko” king, means a tribal counselor. Thus God’s kingdom means God’s counsel. Where injustice and suffering are dominate, people pray for a better rule, and where earthly rulers and kings fail to do justice and remedy the conditions, they pray for God’s rule and His kingdom (His counsel).”
Yahweh’s (counsel) is not going to come by observation, nor will it be “earthly.” We must be faithful and do our part, or things will not change. If we elect wicked and unrighteous rulers, we can expect to get wicked and unrighteous rule, just as we have today. Yahshua said, “The Kingdom of Yahweh is within you”……It means that it is up to us as the righteous representatives, i.e. the brothers and sisters and mother of Yahshua, (Matt. 12:50) thus also the sons of Yahweh to turn to His counsel and make righteousness on earth happen.
JW, thanks for responding and for the information from Lamza.
As I posted this morning, I was thinking along the same lines–that is, that the word “kingdom,” as viewed by most Christians, is unfortunate and that I may need to address it in more detail in a future article.
Praise God for Isaiah’s interchangeable use of “kingdom” and “government” in Isaiah 9:6-7.
I too would like to get a more detailed explanation of what you think Gods Kingdom is as I have mixed signals from you.
Daniel seems to be clear cut on the fact that man has no part in the establishment of it other than being subjects of it rulership.
Danie 2:34-5
34 While you were watching, a rock was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and smashed them. 35 Then
the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were all broken
to pieces and became like chaff on a threshing floor in the summer. The
wind swept them away without leaving a trace. But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth.
Notice the term ” but not by human hands”…that to me would indicate
Gods in complete control.
One more thought….I don’t subscribe to ANY persons interpretation of scripture as I do have a mind of my own, but do enjoy what people have to say…
America is in the situation not because of my thought process but because of the fact they have forgotten who the true God is and what that Kingdom is. I wish I was so influential…..LOL
I don’t have all the answers, but sure have a lot of questions.
Jim Rizoli
Yes, of course, God’s in complete control. He initiates His kingdom, which was accomplished in the first century AD. However, He expects His servants and ambassadors to seek it, maintain, and advance it.
I would suggest another careful reading of Parts 1 and 2 of this current blog series.
Blessings!
JW
Sorry to disagree with you but for you to say the “Kingdom of God is in your hearts” and that we are here to bring that Kingdom on earth ourselves by our righteous actions influencing others is not what I come across in my Bible study.
Man has ruined the earth, they have proven they can rule without Gods hand in the matters. Their time at ruling has been a dismal failure and mans time is up.
Time for God to wipe the slate clean and start over. Dan 2:44
We are in the the harvest time and the wheat and weeds are being separated.
Take stand for Gods Kingdom and forget about what man can do to make things better.
We are past that and Gods judgement is coming. Instead of trying to repair the cracked foundation of the house time to tell everyone the house is condemned and soon coming down. The prophets job was to warn everyone of that judgement.
That’s my thoughts on the matter…
Jim Rizoli
And, what if your eschatology is wrong, and Christ’s return is delayed for another hundred years or several hundred years?
What if Daniel 2:44 began to be fulfilled during the reign of the first-century Roman kings, just like declares it would be? See Part 1 at http://www.constitutionmythbusters.org/republic-or-kingdom-which-are-you-promoting-pt-1/.
I’m sorry, Jim, but what you’ve expressed is the reason American Christianity finds itself where it is today, savorless salt, good for nothing but to be trampled under the foot of man, per Matthew 5:13, leaving nothing for their posterity but a sinking ship, they’re responsible for sinking.
Jim, your thoughts are quite sound. Stick to your guns. You accurately read where we are in God’s prophetic timeline: at the end.
I am a true prophet in these final days of the great tribulation we are now living through and this is precisely my message to those who will heed it (not many): the house is condemned and coming down soon: Get right with God while you still can. But as we know, God does the choosing as to who He saves and who He destroys. All we can do is be His messengers of truth and agape love in a world which wants neither and walk with integrity as God would have us walk. The rest has always been in God’s sovereign hands.
Lets see…..terrific well written article with the facts to back it up and so far only one response.
This is the problem. Religion has sold people such a bill of goods that 99% of the have taken the bait hook line and sinker.
They have no clue what Gods Kingdom is and and think they are all dying and going to heaven. This is what I call fast food religion….No thinking required.
I used to think that the hardest thing for people to grasp was the holocaust scam
(my pet topic) ….but when I look into the Kingdom of God scam it seems that the truth about Gods Kingdom is even harder for people to swallow.
It all comes down to how the matter is pushed onto the public and religion has done a remarkable job pushing their product.
At least the people get all worked up about the Holocaust scam and debate me were they hardly make a peep about Gods Kingdom. Imagine a Historical lie takes precedence over a Biblical Truth. That is what you call good marketing, and we have the biggest destroyers of Christianity to thank for that.
If you tell people a lie over and over eventually the lie becomes fact.
I’ve seen it in my pet topic and here with Gods Kingdom.
The only other minister that seems to have the same thinking about the Kingdom is Anthony Buzzard of Atlanta Bible College. So two people I fell I have more in common with. Ted and Anthony who seem to be putting out the right info. All the others are sending people down the wrong path.
Jim Rizoli
jjrizo on youtube
CCFIILE.COM
Hi Jim, I’ve known Ted since 1991 and learned much through from him. In fact, he officiated at my baptism in 1991! I’m with you on the “holocaust” scam having studied that history, and as you say,”If you tell people a lie over and over eventually the lie becomes fact.” However, why are the multitudes believing the lies? When you read II Thessalonians 2:11-12, you will see that it is our Creator/Savior who has given the multitudes “strong delusions that they should believe a lie,” and “That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” Seems to me all the false teachers (Jeremiah, Chapter 23, et.al.) are fulfilling our Creator/Savior’s designs, whether wittingly or unwittingly. Of course, we know that the “man of sin” and “son of perdition” and “Wicked be revealed” and “…even him, whose coming is after the work of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders…” (II Thessalonians 2:3,8 & 9) consists of antichrist Esau/Edom and his descendants and proselytes whom our Creator/Savior is using as “thorns in our sides” pursuant to Judges 2:1-3 and Deuteronomy 28:15-68. And, as we are told in Matthew 7:21-24, and Matthew 15:7-9, the majority of these “social clubs” erroneously calling themselves “churches” are soon to have a rude awakening. What I see happening is what is described in Matthew 13:37-43, as more and more folks are beginning to realize that they have been accepting the lies under the “strong delusions” our Creator/Savior has given them through our Creator/Saviors humble messengers. Our antichrist adversaries, the “vessels of wrath fitted for destruction” (Romans 9) and all their antichrist Red/Edomite socialism/communism is being exposed for all to see (Malachi 1). As we are told in scripture, it is our Creator/Savior’s will that all shall be awakened and thereby saved, but also that “many are called but few are chosen” due to all the deception. At least this is how things seem to me. Take care now.
David, I have read a couple of Ted’s books that are quite good, but he is in deep error on where we are in God’s prophetic timeline. The fact that he cannot see this is indicative that the prophecy of 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 applies to Ted as well. Reading between your lines, it is clear you “get” who the Antichrist is and that he is here and ruling. He is the one who has profited so richly off of the holohoax lie and the one who promotes it endlessly to evoke the world’s pity and sympathy for him, as all psychopaths do quite skillfully.
We can all learn from others. But in this instance, Ted cannot see what others of us with spiritual discernment can see only too clearly. His skepticism and cynicism towards that which is clearly the truth is quite evident. It is quite sad. But we must not let our past benefits of learning from Ted cloud our thinking now, lest others be misled. The consequences to others are potentially too severe.
Greetings Watchman. I must disagree with you in your concept of “…where we are in God’s prophetic time line.” You site II Thessalonians 2:10-12 as the Biblical basis for your conclusion. However, this reference does not support your conclusion. What we, the covenant people of our Creator/Savior are witnessing today is a repeat of our sordid past as expressed in scripture. We are the same people, making the same mistakes. The only difference is, now we do have our Creator/Savior as our ONLY Risen King, Savior & Law-Giver, and He has not “divorced” us as He had done before (Jeremiah 3:8), but has redeemed us from the alien dominion and from the hand of all who hate us (Luke 1:68-75) He had sent us into when He divorced us. You also imply that there is an “Antichrist” (singular) when in fact, there are “many antichrists” (I John 2:18-23 & II John 7). Also notice that John in his writings expressly states that we have Jesus Christ (or Yahshua if you prefer) as our Savior and King. Thus, His “Government” prescribed in Isaiah 9:6-7 exists on earth, in our respective lands wherein He has placed us and become the “multitude of nations” promised to our fathers Abraham, Isaac & Jacob/Israel. Clearly, through our redemption, we have been given liberty & freedom under our Creator/Savior’s social, political, economic and environmental law system and moral code (called “the way, the truth and the life”), however, with stipulations that we love our Creator/Savior by keeping His Commandments, statutes & judgments, said to be His “easy yoke.” As our Savior said, His law is still in effect, and He is a just and a jealous God, thus, He has made provisions for our chastisement when we foolishly think we can be as “gods” and alter that which is already eternal, absolute, unalterable and perfect and set forth for us to live by individually and collectively as nations of His people as prescribed in Deuteronomy, Chapter 28. From what I see going on, our antichrist adversaries and their puppet political prostitutes and proselytes are now getting reckless with their evil wickedness which is helping awaken more folks from the “strong delusions” our Creator/Savior has given them. There is no where else to turn but to our Creator/Savior and, eventually, what is prescribed in Malachi 1, Romans 9, Matthew 13:37-43, and II Corinthians 10:1-6 will come to pass and all these antichrists and their ilk and their red (Edomite) communism and socialism will be taken out. Those sitting around in the social clubs erroneously called “churches” waiting for our Savior to come again and save them from their own lawlessness are in for a rude awakening! Our Savior has been waiting for us to once again give Him the honor and Glory due our King as did the early Christian American settlers, whereupon He will again be with us and restore His wonderful blessings upon us! YHWH speed the day!