08/04/18 END TIME "AUTHORITIES"
(important info)
Concerning the corruption of human government there are:
Haters (those who resist and reject law and law enforcement),
Baiters (those who undermine law and law enforcement, deliberately or not, by taunting),
Staters (those who want to make the State the ultimate authority),
Traitors (those who use their legal position as a cover for personally oppressing other people).
God's word directs Christians to honor those in authority, but we are also directed to obey God, rather than men when there is a conflict between the two. Christians must not make temporal issues into eternal issues, ostensibly in the name of Divine order. The State does have rights and power. Of course, the Biblical, and basic purpose of government is to protect the righteous and punish the wicked.
We live in a time and place that is full of upheaval (internationally, nationally, regionally, religiously, politically, racially, ethnically, legally, economically, sexually, educationally, socially, relationally, family, personally). Every area of life is in upheaval. The Bible clearly says that confusion comes from Satan. This is consistent with New Testament warnings concerning the future state of the world.
(NOTICE... "speaking lies," "...their conscience seared...")
1 Timothy 4:1-3
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
(NOTICE... "lovers of self," "proud," "blasphemers," "unholy," "without natural affection," "trucebreakers," "false accusers," "incontinent" (dlg note... without self control), "fierce" (dlg note... violent), "despisers of those that are good," "traitors," "heady" (dlg note... head strong), "highminded" (dlg note... insolent, arrogant, self assertion), "lovers of pleasure,"
2 Timothy 3:1-7
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
(NOTICE... "will not endure sound doctrine," "heap to themselves teachers" (choose carnal, self serving leaders), "shall turn away from the truth,"
2 Timothy 4:3-4
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
The Scripture warns us about men becoming a law unto themselves. Lawlessness is also known as ANARCHY. Surprisingly, today's political view, LIBERTARIANISM, is related historically as well as presently with anarchy. I did not realize this until several years ago I heard a Libertarian judge, Andrew Napolitano (regaled for his strong constitutional views), state that Libertarianism is anarchy. I researched this thought and found it to be true.
The reason I mention this is because our society is becoming more comfortable with Libertarian ideals, therefore more comfortable with Anarchy. This is infecting all areas of society, from the pulpit to the pew, from the Statehouse to the street. The influence of Paganism, Idolatry, Humanism, Naturalism (all traced back to the Tower of Babel) results in man setting himself as the ultimate authority.
Romans 1:18-32
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
My point is that Christians have dual citizenship. We are citizens (resident aliens) of this world, but we also have our citizenship in heaven.
This world is not our home, but we should live in submission to lawful authority. When the rule or rulers of this world challenge our obedience to the rule of God, we must obey God rather than men (regardless of the level of the tyrant).
However, we are not directed to establish a Theocratic rule as a governmental model in this world, though we ourselves are part of the kingdom of God. We are to stand firm in our submission to Christ without being subversive to government, since Government is God's appointed rule in this world concerning earthly issues.
This is a difficult balance to maintain, especially as corruption abounds (corporately or with individual actors in the government).
