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Christianity and Politics

Dear Truth Seeker,

Here’s a timely reminder for those who live in the United States. But the rest of us should take it to heart as well.

Genesis 10:1-5

Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth: and to them were sons born after the flood. The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog [etc].... By these were the isles [areas] of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.

In the verses above we have the beginnings of the European [Caucasian] nations to the north and west of Israel under Japheth. But another brother, Ham, led his people towards the east and south into today’s Iran and Persia, and down into Africa.

Genesis 10:6-12

And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan... And Cush begat [had a son named] Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one [a great rebel] in the earth. He was a mighty hunter before [against] the LORD: wherefore it is said [as a proverb], "Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before [in front of] the LORD."

And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel [aka Babylon], and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. Out of that land went forth Asshur [he went forth to Assyria, margin], and built Nineveh [as its capital], and the city Rehoboth, and Calah, and Resen between Nineveh and Calah: the same is a great city....

With these words we are shown the beginning of a new rebellion.

God’s way in the Garden of Eden, and out of it, is based on the family unit living in the country, with the God-given positions of father and mother and children attained by their very existence. No one can give away, or have taken from them, their situation in the family. Every child has a certain spot by virtue of age and experience.

This small unit gradually grew into the tribe [the extended family, still living in a country village] with the patriarch or "chief" remaining as the "principal man", as the Son of God wanted it. All were held together by the ties of blood and therefore likeness of character.

The leading of the Godly family is characterised by choice and guidance by elders, and the training of young ones to accept them, with careful use of self-imposed restrictions based on "love your neighbour". So most of the time wise counsel prevailed as the young and naturally impetuous ones saw the wisdom of God through grey heads. Of course, there were lapses and rebellions but the general tenor was peaceful for a few generations.

Then came the birth of politics!!

Satan soon recovered from his great loss of control after the Flood and through agents like Nimrod caused men everywhere to set up nations with "kings" and politicians in "control" in place of the elders "guidance". This was his answer to God’s system, "bosses" instead of "fathers". He didn’t mind whether the control was in or out of religion so long as the original plan of family was destroyed. The use of force has always been one of his chief weapons and he used it with the utmost cunning now. Submission to "authority" was the watchword of the time.

One of his greatest successes is his suggestion of the title "father" as a "boss" in religious circles!!! But Jesus warned us about that.

Matthew 23:8-11

But be not you called "Rabbi" [or any earthly religious title]: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all you are brothers and sisters. And call no man your [spiritual] father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

Neither be you called masters [bosses]: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

He also set the seeds of confusion by teaching men to "elect" a king or a president, or religious leader, from amongst their equals, and then treating them as someone special. (And how they love the pre-eminence!) Inevitably this led to jealousy on the part of those who thought they should have got the position, and rebellions and inter-state wars soon arose, for all wanted the top job. Satan rejoiced in this!

How Nimrod accomplished this rebellion was by associating people with THE LAND and making it seem more important than the family or tribe. He said association with A NATION overrode the requirements of family, and enforced his view by conquest. Geography took the place of home, and cities (aka rat races) that of community villages. He called it "patriotism" (for king and/or country) and in this he was backed by the devil. He began in Shinar, the land on the other side of the Euphrates and then moved into Assyria. He is certainly well known as THE fighter against the LORD!

The Assyrians are still recognised in history for their intense cruelty to those who resisted them, and for their opposition to God’s way, with the Babylonians not too far behind them. One of their present-day descendants is Suddam Hussein!

But we were told that a Redeemer would come to nullify the way of such characters.

Micah 5:2-7

But you, Bethlehem Ephratah, though you be little among the thousands [of the villages] of Judah, yet out of you shall He come forth to Me that is to be [family] Ruler in Israel [see Isaiah 9:6]; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting [He grew up in the hill country village of Nazareth].

Therefore will He give them up [give the rebels freedom to live as they please], until the time that she which travails has brought forth [Consider Isaiah 66:5-12]: then the remnant of His brothers and sisters shall return to the children of Israel. And he [Israel] shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall He be great to the ends of the earth [Zechariah 14:9].

And this Man shall be the peace, when "the Assyrian" [a term for any rebel] shall come into our land [i.e. our personal space]: and when he shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds, and eight principal men. And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword [Hebrews 4:12], and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof: thus shall He deliver us from "the Assyrian", when he comes into our land, and when he treads within our borders. ["It is written... Matthew 4:4 etc.]

And the remnant of Jacob [the people of God] shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the LORD, as the showers upon the grass [life sustaining], that tarries not for man, nor waits for the sons of men.

Those verses need no comment.

When Jesus was asked to take a political place in the world, He answered, "Man, who made Me a judge or a divider over you?" And He said to them, "Take heed, and beware of covetousness". Luke 12:14-15.

The problem for most Christians today is that, unlike Jesus, we cannot see clearly God’s way in the world. We tend to think that a dictator is not good, and that MAYBE a king/queen is only a little better, and in this we are right. However, what many Christians do like is democracy, for they see that as a God-given option, especially if there is not a solo religion backing it.

But consider that. A state without an established (authorised) religion is actually a godless nation in practice, even if some of its citizens profess Christianity! While a state with a recognised religion is trying to enforce spiritual rules with a worldly sword!

Both are in rebellion against God.

God’s way is still based solidly on the family. But that is disappearing steadily today, and gangs and groups, secular and religious, are fast taking its place among our young (and not so young) people.

What is needed is for us to recognise that the state with its laws is vitally necessary FOR THE NON-CHRISTIAN, and we Christians need to co-operate with it by observing its rules while not being a part of it. See Romans 13. We must be in the world, but not of it. Church and state MUST be kept separate, not just in fact, but in our minds and attitudes.

Although we must obey the rules of the community in which we live, we are not to take any part in framing them or in the selection of men and women who do it, for our kingdom works from a different base. Christianity works by freeing men and women from their natures and forgiving them for their sins - the world (both secular and religious) works by suppressing the natures and punishing the crimes - and never can the two harmonise.

A Christian trying to set up laws on the worldly system would face an overwhelming conflict of interest because of its reliance on the use of force to gain its control, and a worldling trying to fit in with Christian principles would find it impossible because he cannot "turn the other cheek".

This is why we are told:-

2 Corinthians 6:14-18

Be you not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what concord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has he that believes with an infidel?

And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God; as God has said, "I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people."

"Wherefore come out from among them, and be you separate", says the Lord, "and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters", says the Lord Almighty.

That’s probably enough for now, see you another time, God willing.

oooOooo

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