Fleeting Power

Jesus received complete authority from his Father to reign over the Cosmos, and only his kingdom will endure. 

Despite human pretensions, history demonstrates the impermanence of political power. Rome may have endured for a thousand years, but its empire fell all the same. Like life itself, political power and imperial ambitions are fleeting, and they often collapse quickly and unexpectedly. Its allotted time expires - [Photo by Paula Guerreiro on Unsplash].

Whomever HE Pleases

“Yahweh is the One Who changes times and seasons, HE removes kings, HE sets up kings.”

Often, church “leaders” exhort their congregants to work diligently to elect politicians, support policies, and pass laws of which they approve, claiming it is God’s will and warning of the dire consequences that will befall us if we fail to do so. Believers must fight tooth and nail for their chosen candidates and programs! But chosen by whom? - [Photo by Guillermo Ferla on Unsplash].

Political Rights and the Cross

To follow Jesus means a life of self-denial, a willingness to suffer persecution for him, and selfless service to others. 

For disciples of Jesus, rage and violence are NOT appropriate reactions to hostility, though his instructions on this are contrary to the “wisdom of this age.” Enraged responses by  Christians to perceived violations of their “rights” only demonstrate how far we have strayed from his teachings - [Photo by Hasan Almasi on Unsplash].

No Middle Ground

Christians who give unrestricted allegiance to the state, any state, run the risk of taking the “mark of the beast.” 

In Revelation, humanity is divided into two and only two groups – those who follow Jesus, and those who give their allegiance to the “beast from the sea.” Members of the former group will be exempted from the “second death,” but everyone without exception who takes the latter’s mark will experience it in the “lake of fire.” There is no third option.- [Photo by Master Wen on Unsplash].

Light on a Hill

Contrary to the claims of many politicians, and not a few church leaders, Jesus is the only light on the hill that illuminates the world. 

Political leaders invoke “god” to validate their power, and the most popular religions are employed in doing so. Just as officeholders today pay lip service to “Judeo-Christian values,” so Caesar appealed to the traditional Roman gods for divine approval. Patriotism and religious faith become synonymous,  lack of nationalistic fervor is heresy - [Photo by Adam Wood on Unsplash].