Throughout the scriptures a stark
contrast is made between the kingdoms of this world and the
kingdom of God. The kingdoms of this world wax
and wane, and kings come and go according to the good pleasure
of God. All governments ultimately fail
because that is the design of God for them, that the eternal
nature of his kingdom might be contrasted thereby. We read in
the book of Daniel that the living may know that the Most High ruleth
in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and
setteth up over it the basest of men. Is it then any wonder
that politics is the bailiwick of liars and self-serving deceivers? Should we be amazed when governments
become oppressors, since it is in the heart of men to do only
evil continually, and the basest of men are in seats of power
and rule? All that can be seen with the
natural eye is temporary and passes away, while we look not
at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not
seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things
which are not seen are eternal. The Lord plainly declared to
Pilate the origin and nature of his kingdom when he said,
My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world,
then would my servants fight that I should not be delivered
to the Jews. But now is my kingdom not from
hence. An inability to comprehend this
very principle manifests the blindness of Israel to embrace
and worship the Messiah as he walked among them. It is also
the inability to comprehend this same principle which manifests
itself in those religious Gentiles who try to interpret Bible prophecy
in a carnal fashion and look for a kingdom of flesh and blood
replete with real estate and earthly conquests. The triumph
of Christ over the kingdoms of this world is complete, and having
spoiled principalities and powers, He made a show of them openly
triumphing over them in it. He did this in his work on Calvary's
cross, blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against
us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing
it to his cross. He manifests that triumph as
he calls those which are his out of every nation upon the
earth. He calls his own sheep by name, and the voice of another
shepherd they will not follow. Thus those who are awakened by
His Spirit and born from above by His almighty power translated
from a satisfaction with this present world to a longing for
that kingdom wherein dwelleth righteousness. Those who are
the subjects of Christ's kingdom are made just by His righteousness
and not by their own and in actual fact in spite of their innate
depravity. These awakened sons of God confess
that they look for a city which hath foundations whose builder
and maker is God. Their satisfaction is not found
in this present sinful realm, and their affections are elsewhere.
Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things
are passed away. Behold, all things are become
new. Those who are born from above
do not desire a continuation of the present world order, but
rather a deliverance from it. In this desire they are given
a hope in the resurrection of Christ. that they too shall be
raised in a body which is incorruptible, and fadeth not away. While the
natural man would like to be delivered from death, his desire
for life is that he might continue on in fulfilling the carnal desires
of his heart. If he loves fishing, then he
anticipates fishing through endless days, or continuing whatever
makes him happy in this passing world. The man who is born of
the Spirit, however, has his affection set upon those things
which cannot pass away, even as Paul exhorts the Colossians.
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above,
where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection
on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead,
and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our
life, shall appear, shall ye also appear with Him in glory.