The kingdom of God starts as a seed in our hearts and eventually grows into an international commonwealth of peace and harmony (Matthew 13, Isaiah 2). In the meantime, no religious denomination should have authority over a government. In Muslim nations, the Roman Catholic Middle Ages, and some aspects of Rabbinic Judaism in Israel today, religious institutions with authority over the government can result in corruption, coercion, and persecution against true believers.
On the other hand, our prayers, moral values, and good works are to influence society. God's spiritual authority is over the government as it is over every human institution, including families, churches, and businesses (Romans 13, Ephesians 5, I Peter 2). We are to be involved in government, even at the highest levels. Joseph was prime minister of Egypt, Daniel prime minister of Iraq, and Mordechai of Iran.
Daniel emphasized repeatedly God's involvement and authority in government:
Daniel 4:17 – The Most High is in control of the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He desires.
Daniel 4:25 - The Most High is in control of the kingdom of men and gives it to whomever He desires.
Daniel 4:32 – The Most High is in control of the kingdom of men and gives it to whomever He desires.
Daniel 5:21 – The Most High is in control of the kingdom of men and sets over it whomever He desires.
There are two ways to miss the connection between God and government. One is to want government without God. The other is to want God without government. The first mistake is typical of unbelieving politicians. The second mistake is typical of believers who have weak faith concerning God's dominion and power.
Those in government who are sinning can be saved and brought to repentance. Those who do walk in faith and integrity can be brought into positions of authority. In both of those ways the kingdom of God can change the government.
Yeshua (Jesus) as Messiah is king, prophet, and priest - all in one. When He returns, spiritual authority and human government will be unified (Ephesians 1:10). Yeshua died on the cross to give us forgiveness of sins, rose to give us life from the dead, and ascended into heaven to receive authority (Ephesians 1:20, Psalm 110:1).
When Yeshua ascended to heaven and was brought before the "ancient of days," He was given governing authority.
Daniel 7:13-14 – To One like the Son of Man… was given authority, honor and dominion, and all peoples, nations and tongues will serve Him.
Much of the drama of the Bible deals with the battle of who will rule on this planet. Satan rules temporarily (through the influence of sin). Soon Yeshua will return as king and judge. When He does, Yeshua will transfer that authority to those of us who have been faithful (Luke 19:17). Daniel expressed the same idea:
Daniel 7:18 – The saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever.
Yeshua came not only to give us salvation, but also to reclaim authority over the government of this world. This is a great revelation of the kingdom of God. It may be considered the last revelation of God's prophetic strategy.
Revelation 10:7 – In the days when the seventh angel is about to sound the seventh shofar, the mystery of God will come to fulfillment.
Revelation 11:15 – The seventh angel sounded his shofar… "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Messiah."
The last secret comes at the seventh trumpet. And what is that secret? – The governments of this world will be transformed into the kingdom of Yeshua. For us who believe in prophetic revelation, this should be our ultimate "trumpet" call as well. As we proclaim this prophecy, it will come to pass.
Prayer Updates:
Esther Fast – This Friday, February 26, during the time of the biblical fast of Esther, some 20 Messianic congregations are coming together for a sacred assembly in Jerusalem. We will worship the Lord, repent of our sins, declare God's word, intercede for the salvation of Israel and the nations, and pray against the spread of terrorism, anti-Semitism, and anti-Christ spirits. Please join us for what we believe to be a significant turning point.
Television – Finally, Asher's interview on Israeli educational television is to be broadcast this Monday evening. Please intercede strongly for God's grace on this broadcast that Asher's testimony of faith and explanation of the Messianic movement will be received in a true and positive light.
Rabbi Alon - The popular Israeli rabbi Mordecai Alon has been reprimanded by a council of orthodox rabbis for at least two incidents of alleged homosexual contact with students. The report was spread in the Israeli press and has caused an emotional turmoil in the national religious community. Pray that the soul searching around this issue will be part of God's plan to bring them to true faith.
Dubai – This week, Mahmud Al Mabhuh, a top Hamas terrorist leader, was killed in his hotel room in Dubai, seemingly by Israeli Mosad agents. The killing was carried out cleanly; not one innocent civilian was injured; and all of the agents escaped unharmed. The very professional Dubai police quickly published pictures of 11 supposed agents who carried out the operation. [The "high tech" Dubai police have one of the most sophisticated surveillance networks in the world, including a reported 3,000 (!) cameras in the airport alone.]
The operation has caused a diplomatic scandal because the Israeli agents used forged European passports. (What did you think? - that Israeli undercover agents would use their real passports?) The issue here is not the use of forged passports, but the bringing to justice of a criminal terrorist responsible for murdering innocent civilians.
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