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As we look into the New Testament we find that the revelation of the eternal purpose of God focuses on three primary images or symbols, namely:
The purpose of God is, of course, one and is not divided. However the Scriptures present these three different views so that we can more readily comprehend the "depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God." What then is being conveyed to us by these symbols?
First of all, let us examine what the Scripture has to say about the kingdom of God or the kingdom of heaven.
When John the Baptist started to preach he declared the imminent approach of the kingdom of heaven.
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." (Matt. 3:1-2)
Likewise, from the start of his ministry, Jesus proclaimed the coming of the kingdom.
From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." (Matt. 4:17)
When Jesus first sent out his disciples he charged them with the responsibility of preaching the kingdom of God.
When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. (Luke 9:1-2)
"Kingdom" speaks to us of authority and the rule of law. It is in a kingdom that a king or ruler establishes a system of government by which laws are enacted and enforced in such a manner as to maintain his or her authority over the citizens of that kingdom. In other words, the central concept of "kingdom" is that of the establishment and maintenance of the king’s authority over his subjects.
The kingdom of God, or kingdom of heaven, is likewise concerned with the establishment and maintenance of God’s authority over his creation. Most importantly, it concerns the establishment of his authority and rule in the hearts and lives of those he calls his children.
The question springs to mind that, if God created the universe and the human race, why is he not already in a place of authority over his creation? Why was it necessary for Jesus to proclaim that "the kingdom of heaven is near"?
We can gain some answers to this question by looking at the temptation of Jesus.
The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will all be yours."
Jesus answered, "It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only." (Luke 4:5-8)
Satan here tells Jesus that he, that is Satan, has authority over all the kingdoms of the world and offers to give them to him in return for his worship. Who gave this authority to Satan?
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned -
Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. (Rom. 5:12, 18-19)
The "one man" through whom sin entered the world is Adam who, in his act of supreme treachery, handed this authority over to Satan. In so doing he plunged all creation and the human race yet to come into the darkness and bondage of spiritual death.
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. (Rom. 8:22)
Adam himself had originally been given this authority by God, and it was thus his to give to anyone he wanted to.
God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." (Gen. 1:28)
In transferring this authority to Satan, Adam plunged the human race, yet unborn, into darkness, turmoil, bloodshed, misery and sin.
"Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life.
It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field.
By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food
until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken;
for dust your are and to dust you will return." (Gen. 3:17-19)
Thus being ruled by spiritual death, that is the Satanic nature, mankind is in a state of rebellion against God. In fact, the Bible tells us that before we come to Christ, we are enemies of God.
For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! (Rom. 5:10)
As a consequence of this, mankind stands under the judgment of God not only because of rebellion and sin, but because of their union with the "prince of this world," that is, Satan.
"When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:
...and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned." (John 16:8, 11)
It is into this scene of spiritual chaos and devastation that Jesus came proclaiming "the kingdom of heaven is near." In this one statement he was declaring that his mission in coming to earth was to wrest from Satan’s grasp this authority to rule over God’s creation and over mankind in particular.
This was to be done in two stages. The first in which the spiritual battle was to be waged and won. This was accomplished when Jesus died on the Cross and rose again from the dead.
And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. (Col. 2:15)
In this stage, however, the present world order is retained and entry into the kingdom of God is by faith.
The second stage occurs as a series of cataclysmic events at the end of this age which culminate in the dissolution of this creation as we know it and the unveiling of a new heaven and a new earth in which God’s authority will be unchallenged for all eternity.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. (Rev. 21:1)
During this time, the dead shall be raised, all men shall be judged from the book of life and those who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ will inhabit the New Jerusalem and walk in fellowship with God for all eternity.
The establishment of God’s authority over creation will then be complete and permanent. In other words, all creation, including those men and angels who are, at this time, in rebellion against God, will then bow in submission to the supreme and only authority in the universe.
This is a mighty and grand hope that we have which will involve events of a global scale. But how does this affect you and me as we go about our day to day business and, at the same time, seek a deepening relationship with our Lord?
The truth is that the real focus of the kingdom of God in this age is to establish the authority of God in the hearts and lives of his children. The Holy Spirit is at work within us to ensure that we are increasingly yielded to his will and in tune with his purpose. In other words, God not only desires to establish us in his kingdom, he also wants to establish his kingdom in us.
As part of this process God has delegated his authority to govern our lives in three areas, namely:
The Scriptures clearly teach that each of these has a part to play in governing, controlling and directing our lives and each has been given a measure of authority by God to do so.
The Bible makes it quite clear that God has invested governments and rulers with his authority to govern our social lives as we live together in towns, cities and countries.
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.
This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honour, then honour. (Rom. 13:1-7)
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. (1 Pet. 2:13-15)
Nothing could be clearer and more direct than these passages of Scripture and they speak most eloquently for themselves. There is absolutely no room left here for civil disobedience and breaking of the law for "conscience" sake.
It is worth noting also, that this direction was written at the time of Roman occupation of much of the then known world, when the rule of law was enforced in ways that, by modern Western standards, were extremely harsh, cruel and arbitrary. Democracy, as we know it, was unknown and public sentiment, except in extreme cases, was largely ignored or suppressed.
The reason that God has invested his authority in civil authorities is also made clear in Scripture.
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our saviour, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (1 Tim. 2:1-4)
It is just that it is the will of God that we live in a peaceful and stable social environment so that the preaching of the Gospel and the work of God in the hearts of his people can go ahead unhindered by the calamities of civil strife and war. The actual type of government which brings this about seems to be of little consequence, as there are far higher issues at stake.
A genuine difficulty arises, however, when civil authorities exceed the bounds of their God-given authority and place restrictions on legitimate religious activity that does not instigate social unrest or law-breaking. There is no doubt that the early Christians defied civil authorities by continuing to meet together, often in secret, to worship the Lord and to hear the Word of God. So have Christians in many parts of the world throughout history. The authority God has given to rulers and governors is civil not spiritual.
However, the principle of submission to civil authority remains absolute in Scripture and any such resistance must not be seen in any way as breaking that principle. Contempt for that authority is contempt for the authority of God.
The Scripture is also very clear that God has invested a measure of his authority in the church to give guidance and direction to our spiritual lives and to help us grow in our relationship with God.
While this authority is of a different order altogether from that exercised in the world, being one of love and voluntary submission rather that compulsion, it is nonetheless real and is violated only at our peril.
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. (Heb. 13:17)
Submission to the authorities that God has placed in the church is a basic ingredient of our spiritual growth, and is the means by which we learn submission to the will of God.
The authority God has given those that are in positions of leadership in the church, is for the "building up" of the saints.
This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority - the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down. (2 Cor. 13:10)
Again, a genuine difficulty arises when church leadership exceeds or abuses the authority God has given them. Examples of this are, unfortunately, common and it is a fact of church history that God has, from time to time, split the church asunder in order to separate his people from the cruel and oppressive tyranny that had become integrated into a corrupt church hierarchy.
However, one of the distinguishing features of many of the main leaders of such movements, has been the fact that, despite what God had called them to do, they somehow maintained a spirit of submission to the established authorities that they were challenging, at least up to a certain point. While this may not have been true of some of their followers, the primary leadership generally seemed to maintain some sort of dialogue in a spirit of reverence for God’s authority, however strained the relationship may have been.
Just how we relate to these situations is a matter for each of us individually. Some godly people remain in the most corrupt of church structures and, despite everything, find that their love and service for God flourishes, at least within the confines of that structure.
However, for countless others this is not the case. Many are made emotionally dependent upon these institutions while their relationship with God is stunted, even strangled, by the spiritual oppression and servitude in which they find themselves.
There will be a final separation of God’s people from these corrupt ecclesiastical structures at which time God’s wrath will fall upon them and destroy them all.
Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues;
for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes.
Give back to her as she has given; pay her back double for what she has done. Mix her a double portion from her own cup. (Rev. 18:4-6)
But this is not yet, and for the present, the imperative is to seek out a spiritual home in which we find loving care and protection, where we can relate to what is going on, and then to submit to the spiritual authority that God has placed there. If we do this with a sincere heart, we will have a foundation upon which our relationship with God can grow.
Thirdly, God has placed his authority in the home and in the family. In particular the relationship between husband and wife is seen to be a type or a picture of the relationship between Christ and the church.
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the saviour. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. (Eph. 5:22-24)
This commandment of God has fallen into disrepute in our modern world, mainly because the next passage of Scripture has, all too often, been overlooked or ignored.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church - for we are members of his body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This is a profound mystery - but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. (Eph. 5:25-33)
Paul speaks of the marriage union as a "profound mystery" as it symbolises the relationship between Christ and the church. It is thus a sacred union that cannot be dissolved by the will of man (Matt. 19:3-8).
Most importantly to us here is the fact that God has placed his authority within the family structure. However, in so doing, he has illustrated one of the most profound facts about the exercise of spiritual authority. The one who is in a position of authority over others is the servant, literally the slave, of those over whom that authority is exercised.
So it is that Christ loved the church, yet to be, and took the place of a servant laying down his life that the church might be redeemed out of the world.
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant,... (Phil. 2:5-7)
Even so, husbands are called to lay down their lives for their wives, loving them as they love their own bodies. In assuming their place of authority, husbands are thus taking their position as a servant in this relationship.
The marriage relationship is, thus, one of mutual submission. Firstly it is the submission of the wife to husband, willingly giving to him the role of leadership that God has ordained. Just as importantly it is the submission of the husband to wife as he willingly takes the place of a servant, laying down his life for her.
It is also ordained for the family that children obey and honour their parents.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honour your father and mother" - which is the first commandment with a promise - "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. (Eph. 6:1-4)
By submission to the authority God has invested in our parents, we first learn submission to God. This is the divinely ordained manner in which God trains us to understand and submit to his purpose.
Thus, we see, that, in order to protect, govern and direct our lives, God has delegated his authority to a number of agents, namely governments, the church and the family. This is how, at least in an external sense, the kingdom of God makes connection with our lives.
This is not, of course, the end of the matter, for God’s ultimate objective is to establish his kingdom within us, that is to bring us into "his rest" where we are in willing and joyful submission to his authority and to his eternal purpose.
"The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17:20-21)
One of the most vexing problems in each of the above areas of delegated authority is the abuse or neglect of that authority. The failure of some in positions of leadership has been the corruption of the power that goes with that authority, both on a large and a small scale. The result has inevitably been the oppression and servitude of people whether by civil or religious institutions, or in the family.
This produces many distressing and perplexing situations which we will, from time to time, be called upon to confront and resolve. Suffice to say that no satisfactory long-term solutions can be found unless based upon a respect for and submission to God’s authority even when we find that authority invested in imperfect, even deeply flawed, vessels. Part of the solution may well be to take a stand against those who are misusing God’s authority but the starting point is always a spirit of submission to God and his Word.
We now move on to consider the Scriptural basis for the exercise of spiritual authority. The discussion will specifically relate to that authority that God has placed in the church, but underlines principles which apply to all who assume positions of leadership in any sphere.
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