Reformation Faith For The Final Crisis.
CHAPTER 8
Lessons from the Life of a True Reformer - Part 5
The Nature of the Establishment of Christ’s Kingdom
In this study we want to look at the method of the establishment of Christ’s kingdom. The manner in which Christ’s kingdom is to be established is clearly revealed in the experience of John the Baptist. The Jewish leaders and people misinterpreted the Scriptures concerning the manner in which the Messiah was to come and establish His kingdom. Because of this they rejected the Messiah Jesus Christ when He came and crucified Him and today the Jews are still looking for the Messiah to come. As a result they were rejected by God as His chosen people and the kingdom was given unto another nation or people. The disciples of Christ had wrong concepts concerning the establishment of His kingdom and as a result, they suffered a terrible disappointment to the point where they were scattered and almost gave up all hope. They, following the popular view, were building their hopes on a Messiah who had not been promised, one who would set them free from the Roman yoke of bondage and place them above all the other nations. The two disciples on the way to Emmaus expressed their misconception in the words, “But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel....” Luke 24:21. Christ appeared unto them and gave them the correct view of the scriptures concerning Himself.
John the Baptist himself had serious doubts concerning Christ’s manner of establishing the kingdom and whether He was the sent One.
“John did not fully understand the nature of the Messiah’s kingdom. He looked for Israel to be delivered form her national foes; but the coming of a king in righteousness, and the establishment of Israel as a holy nation, was the great object of his hope.” D.A. 103.
We pick up the account of his experience in St. Luke 7:18:23 as well as Matthew 11:1-6. John’s disciples sympathized with him while he was in prison. They had some doubts concerning Jesus and they shared them with John.
“They were allowed access to the prison, and they brought him tidings of the works of Jesus, and told how the people were flocking to Him. But they questioned why, if this new teacher was the Messiah, He did nothing to effect John’s release. How could He permit His faithful herald to be deprived of liberty and perhaps of life? These questions were not without effect. Doubts which otherwise would never have arisen were suggested to John. Satan rejoiced to hear the words of the disciples, and to see how they bruised the soul of the Lord’s messenger. Oh, how often those who think themselves the friends of a good man, and who are eager to show their fidelity to him, prove to be his most dangerous enemies! How often, instead of strengthening his faith, their words depress and dishearten.” D.A. 21-215.
We are told that if John had sympathized with himself and express grief or disappointment at being superseded, he would have sown the seeds of dissension, would have encouraged envyand jealousy, and would seriously have impeded the progress of the gospel. But we are told,
“John had by nature the faults and weaknesses common to humanity but the touch of divine love had transformed him. He dwelt in an atmosphere uncontaminated with selfishness and ambition, and far above the miasma of jealousy. He manifested no sympathy with the dissatisfaction of his disciples, but showed how clearly he understood his relation to the Messiah, and how gladly he welcomed the One for whom he had prepared the way.” D.A. 179.
John seemed troubled with doubts concerning Christ’s mission and His manner of establishing His kingdom while “Jesus seemed to content Himself with gathering disciples about Him, and healing and teaching the people. He was eating at the tables of the publicans, while everyday the Roman yoke rested more heavily upon Israel...” D.A. 215.
“But the Baptist did not surrender his faith in Christ... John would not discuss his doubts and anxieties with his companions. He determined to send a message of inquiry to Jesus... And he longed for some word from Christ spoken directly for himself. The disciples came to Jesus with their message, Art Thou He that should come, or do we look for another?’
“The Saviour did not at once answer the disciples, questions. As they look wondering at his silence, the sick and afflicted were coming to Him to be healed. The blind were groping their way through the crowd; diseased ones of all classes, some urging their own way, some borne by their friends, were eagerly pressing into the presence of Jesus. The Voice of the mighty Healer penetrated the deaf ear. A word, a touch of His hand, opened the blind eyes... Jesus rebuked disease and banished fever. His voice reached the ears of the dying, and they arose in health and vigor. Paralyzed demoniacs obeyed His word, their madness left them, and they worshipped Him. While He healed their diseases, He taught the people... thus the day wore away, the disciples of John seeing and hearing all. At last Jesus called them to Him, and bade them go and tell John what they had witnessed, adding, ‘Blessed is he, whosoever shall find none occasion of stumbling in Me.’ Luke 7:23, R. V. The evidence of His glory was seen in its adaptation to the needs of suffering humanity. His glory was shown in His condescension to our low estate.
“The disciples bore the message, and it was enough....THE WORKS OF CHRIST NOT ONLY DECLARED HIM TO BE THE MESSIAH, BUT SHOWED IN WHAT MANNER HIS KINGDOM WAS TO BE ESTABLISHED.... So Jesus was to do His work, not with the clash of arms and the overturning of thrones and kingdoms, but through speaking to the hearts of men by a life of mercy and self-sacrifice....” D.A. 216-217.
John the Baptist almost missed the point of Christ’s method or manner of establishing His kingdom. He knew that all this was foreign to the hopes of the leaders in Israel because they were looking for a Messiah who had not been promised. But praise the Lord for His love and mercy:
“Understanding more clearly now THE NATURE OF CHRIST’S MISSION, he yielded himself to God for life or for death, as should best serve the interests of the cause he loved.” D.A. 218.
Do we understand the nature of Christ’s kingdom and how it is to be established? How are we looking for this kingdom to be established in our day? What are we waiting for and expecting to happen?
Our understanding of the manner of the establishment of Christ’s kingdom determines our goal in life, our mission, our life style, our zeal and enthusiasm and our commitment to Christ. It will change and enhance our yielding and submission to God FOR LIFE or FOR DEATH as should best serve the interests of God’s cause. We are told:
“Our Lord is put to shame by those who claim to serve Him, but who misrepresent His character; and multitudes are deceived and led into false paths.” D.A. 439.
For the establishment of Christ’s Kingdom through every opportunity of trial, disappointment, hardship or temptation, God wants us to make a total sacrifice.
“Any habit or practice that would lead into sin, and bring dishonor upon Christ, would better be put away, whatever the sacrifice. Ibid.
God said, “the kingdom of God cometh not with outward show... for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:20, 21.
“But today in the religious world there are multitudes who, as they believe, are working for the establishment of the kingdom of Christ as an earthly and temporal dominion. They desire to make our Lord the ruler of the kingdoms of this world, the ruler in its courts and camps, its legislative halls, its palaces and market places.
They expect him to rule through legal enactments, enforced by human authority. Since Christ is not now here in person, they themselves will undertake to act in His stead, to execute the laws of His kingdom. The establishment of such a kingdom is what the Jews desired in the days of Christ. They would have received Jesus, had He been willing to establish a temporal kingdom, to enforce what they regarded as the laws of God, and to make them the expositors of His will and the agents of his authority. But he said, ‘My kingdom is not of this world.’ John 18:36. He would not accept the earthly throne.
“The governments under which Jesus lived was corrupt and oppressive; on every hand were crying abuses, — extortion, intolerance, and grinding cruelty. Yet the Saviour attempted no civil reforms. He attacked no national abuses, nor condemned the national enemies. He did not interfere with the authority or administration of those in power. He who was our Example kept aloof from earthly governments. Not because He was indifferent to the woes of men, but BECAUSE THE REMEDY DID NOT LIE IN MERELY HUMAN AND EXTERNAL MEASURES. To be efficient, THE CURE MUST REACH MEN INDIVIDUALLY, and must REGENERATE THE HEART.
“Not by the decisions of courts or councils or legislative assemblies, not by the patronage of worldly great men, is THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST ESTABLISHED, BUT BY THE IMPLANING OF CHRIST’S NATURE IN THE HUMANITY THROUGH THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ‘As many as received Him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.’ John 1:13. HERE IS THE ONLY POWER THAT CAN WORK THE UPLIFTING OF MANKIND. AND THE HUMAN AGENCY FOR THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THIS WORK IS THE TEACHING AND PRACTISING OF THE WORD OF GOD. .Now, as in Christ’s day, the work of God’s kingdom lies not with those who are clamouring for recognition and support by earthly rulers and human laws, but WITH THOSE WHO ARE DECLARING TO THE PEOPLE IN HIS NAME, THOSE SPIRITUAL TRUTHS THAT WILL WORK IN THE RECEIVERS THE EXPERIENCES OF PAUL: ‘I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.’ Gal. 2:20.” D.A. 509-510.
The word of God is very clear on the point of Christians or professed christians taking each other to human courts of justices to settle differences between themselves. That is not the manner of establishing Christ’s kingdom
“How is it that when you have something against another Christian, you ‘go to law’ and ask a heathen court to decide the matter instead of taking it to other Christians to decide which of you is right? Don’t you know that some day we Christians are going to judge and govern the World? So why can’t you decide even these little things among yourselves? Don’t you realize that we Christians will judge and reward the very angels in heaven? So you should be able to decide your problem down here on earth easily enough. Why then go to outside judges who are not even Christians? I am trying to make you ashamed. Isn’t there anyone in all the church who is wise enough to decide these arguments? But instead, one Christian sues another and accuses his Christian brother in front of unbelievers. To have such lawsuits at all is a real defeat for you as Christians. Why not just accept mistreatment and leave it at that? It would be far more honouring to the Lord to let yourselves be cheated. But, instead, you yourselves are the ones who do wrong, cheating others, even your own brothers. Don’t you know that some who are doing such things have no share in the kingdom of God?” 1 Cor. 6-9 (Living Bible Paraphrased).
“When troubles arise in the church we should not go for help to lawyers not of our faith. God does not desire us to open church difficulties before those who do not fear Him (God). He would not have us depend for help on those who do not obey his requirements. Those who trust in such counsellors show that they have not faith in God. By their lack of faith the Lord is greatly dishonored, and their course works great injury to themselves. In appealing to unbelievers to settle difficulties in the church they are biting and devouring one another to be ‘consumed one of another.’ (Galatians 5:15).
“Let these men know that God does not hear their prayers. They insult his holy name; and He will leave them to the buffetings of Satan until they shall see their folly and seek the Lord by confession of their sin. Matters connected with the church are to be kept within its own borders. If a christian is abused, he is take it patiently, if defrauded, he is not to appeal to courts of justice. Rather let him suffer loss and wrong. God will deal with the unworthy church member who defrauds his brother or the cause of God; the christian need not contend for his rights. God will deal with the one who violates these rights. ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord’ Romans 12:19. An account is kept of all these matters, and for all the Lord declares that He will avenge. He will bring every work into judgment.” 3 SM pp 299-300.
“Such men may as well stop praying to God, for He will not hear their prayers ... Those church members who appeal to the courts of the world show that they have chosen the world as their judge, and their names are registered in heaven as one with unbelievers.” 3 SM p. 302.
“A dependence upon professional worldly lawyers, instead of upon God, is a denial of our faith, and as a weakening influence upon true believers. I have a message: when the church is walking in the path of righteousness they will not lean on the arm of the law in their business transactions, for this would be appealing to worldly elements, and would dishonor God.” Let. B 244, 1906.
(Would these principles not be applicable also to divorce between christian husbands and wives who may be having serious marriage problems and difficulties?)
Christ’s manner of establishing His kingdom was without force or clash of arms. He believed, lived and practised what He preached.
“Whereunto,’ asked Christ, ‘shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? Mark 4:30. He could not employ the kingdoms of the world as a similitude. In society He found nothing with which to compare it. Earthly kingdoms rule by the ascendancy of physical power; but from Christ’s kingdom every carnal weapon, every instrument of coercion, is banished. This kingdom is to uplift and ennoble humanity.” A.A. 12.
“The kingdom of God’s grace is now being established, as day by day hearts that have been full of sin and rebellion yield to the sovereignty of His love. But the full establishment of the kingdom of His glory will not take place until the second coming of Christ to this world… His kingdom will not come until the good tidings of His grace have been carried to all the earth. Hence as we give ourselves to God, and win other souls to Him, we hasten the coming of His kingdom.” TMT. p. 108 ,109.
John the Baptist understood clearly and learnt the lesson well concerning the nature of the establishment of Christ’s kingdom and was able to give a positive and powerful witness for God in this great controversy, as well as to be an example especially for those who may be called to glorify and God through martyrdom. The 144 000 saints will so clearly understand these principles in the final crisis that they too will be willing to yield their lives to God for life or death as should best serve the interests of the cause of vindicating God’s wonderful character of love to its fullest.
| <-- Previous | Next --> |
