The LORD JESUS CHRIST testified that there will be “wars and rumors of wars” until the time of the end. HE said that “nations will rise against nations and kingdoms would rise against kingdoms.” All of this is done according to HIS purpose in order that HE might demonstrate the innate corruption of natural men as well as the very temporary nature of all kingdoms which occupy real estate in this earth.
Why should we be at all surprised at the corruption which is often uncovered among those who who are in places of leadership in these earthly governments. The LORD revealed to Nebuchadnezzar that HE was pleased to put the “basest” (i.e,; lowest or most corrupt) of men in these leadership positions. (see Dan. 4:17). Once in those places they do not fail to demonstrate the truth that “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse.” (II Tim.3:15)
The present situation, (along with its glaring hypocrisy and excuse making) among those in high places of government, in our country, simply go to prove that the WORD of GOD is true and every man is a liar. If a man is not visibly corrupt in his moral character when he goes into office it is usually not long after “serving” there that we discover he has been sure to “serve” himself. I have often marveled at the wealth that is amassed by those in these offices all the while they are telling us how much more they should be paid due to the cost of living, etc. I wonder where they get their wealth? They would have us believe they are just smart investors I guess.
Those who look for “righteous government” in this world are looking in the wrong place. There are no “godly nations”, regardless of what motto might be printed on the money, or how well respected the founding fathers might have been. When the LORD JESUS walked in the earth, HE neither condemned human governments, nor commended them since HE knew what was in the hearts of men.
HE ordained the powers that be for HIS own purpose, for HE had determined to be unjustly accused and tried by those same powers in order to put HIMSELF in a position to be crucified by them, in order that HE might demonstrate the establishment of HIS own everlasting Kingdom. “Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.” (Acts 2:23-24)
This Kingdom which HE has come into the world to establish is one which flesh and blood cannot inherit (see I Cor.15:50), human understanding cannot grasp (see John 3:3), and no man can gain an entrance to by his own will. (see John 1:13) It is a Kingdom which is set in direct contrast to all earthly kingdoms. Wherever there is a nation which rises up, there will soon be a nation which is turned back to the dust according to the Psalms, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” (Psa 9:17) There is no nation upon the earth which is not described herein.
As long as we are in this present world we will continue to be in some measure a subject of the kingdoms of this world which shall wax and wane and rise and fall according to the good pleasure of HIM who has subjected us to the same and who turns the heart of the king whithersoever HE wills just like HE determines the course of a river or the bounds of the ocean that it cannot pass..
In direct contrast to these fickle and passing empires, we see the Kingdom of the LORD JESUS CHRIST standing unshaken and unchanging. HE testified of it when HE said in the company of HIS disciples, “upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Mat 16:18-19) Here HE describes HIS unshakable and unshaken Kingdom.
Some have erred in looking at this scripture as though the LORD is describing the organization and earthly “leader” of HIS “church” (i.e.; ekklesia, gathering, congregation) in the earth. Yet the Church of the LORD JESUS CHRIST is not an organization, but is a living entity which HE inhabits and maintains HIS sole headship over. “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Mat 18:20) “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” (Eph 1:22-23) “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell.” (Col 1:18-19)
The “Kingdom” of our LORD does not occupy buildings of brick and mortar. It transcends time and space and cannot be defined by boundaries which can be located by land surveyors. It cannot be seen by the natural eye nor is it anywise hindered or prospered by anything which is of the flesh. It is nonetheless manifested in every generation and has as its subjects a people out of every kindred and tribe in the earth. A point of fact is that, the people of GOD, who are the sheep of HIS pasture, are the very substance of HIS Kingdom over which HE shall rule forever and they shall gladly rejoice therein. “Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” (Psa 100:3)
Thus we read in the book of Hebrews that those who have been given grace to come unto Mount Zion, having escaped the condemnation which was breathed on Sinai, have now “received” (i.e.; been given) an immovable Kingdom. This Kingdom “cannot be moved” (i.e.; overturned) because it is built upon the ONE FOUNDATION STONE which is eternal and unchanging. ”Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.” (1Pet 2:6) “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” (Heb 13:8)
This Kingdom “cannot be moved”, because the WORD that has gone out of HIS lips is everlasting and HIS promises cannot fail. “My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.” (Psa 89:34) “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)
This Kingdom therefore “cannot be moved” because it is the decreed will of the FATHER to present this everlasting Kingdom to the sons of GOD. “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32) The sons of GOD are made heirs and joint heirs with CHRIST and would we presume to say that HE could or would preside over a temporary kingdom as some of the prophetic “teachers” tell us. “Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David. His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me. It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.” (Psa 89:35-37)
This Kingdom “cannot be moved” because it is primarily a Mediatorial Kingdom, (i.e.; a Kingdom ruled over by a MEDIATOR). We see the purpose of GOD fulfilled in the earth as JESUS CHRIST came into the world with a particular purpose, which is to redeem those people which were given to HIM from before the foundation of the world. Those who have been given grace to “receive” this Kingdom have all come “to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.” (Heb 12:24) A mediator who does not mediate is not worthy of the title. JESUS CHRIST has been given a name which is above every name, having triumphed openly over the enemies of GOD, redeeming HIS people as HE has obtained eternal redemption for them by HIS own blood.
Therefore this “Kingdom which cannot be moved” is already begun. CHRIST is seated upon the throne of HIS kingdom at the present time for the LORD has shaken the earth with HIS word that those things which cannot be shaken might remain. “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son.” (Heb 1:1-2) “This is my beloved Son: hear him.” (Mar 9:7)
mam