| by Arlan Weight (Bismarck, North Dakota) |
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| What kind of government does God use in ruling the universe? Is it democratic? Do angels vote? Does God have a cabinet of advisors? Is God’s government hierarchical, from the top down? Which is it, top-down or bottom-up … two choices? Maybe we need to ask a different kind of question. Since it is God’s Government, it is God’s Government. It is not man’s government, and because it is God’s Government, could it be that it is neither of the choices offered above, at least not the way we understand the options? Could it be, in order to be God’s Government, it has to have Godly elements, verses man’s government, which have none? For example, many notable and great statesmen have said the only way for peace to happen is through one world government. And yet they all seem to be also saying, in the hands of man this would be a disaster. Why? To those who desire a hierarchical style wouldn’t this be the perfect way, control from the top-down with all the world supporting the leadership. Sounds simple and logical, but which nation would be willing to give up its sovereignty? Unless all nations recognize their only chance for survival is at stake, the chance of this happening is virtually nil. Even if the facts prove it to be necessary, all people would have to be convinced of it, which is unlikely. Therein we see the problem. One statesman indicated it would take “a strong hand from someplace”. To those who seek a democratic form, here is a perfect way to harness the support of all the world’s citizens to support goals of peace and stability through elected officials, representing every district throughout the world. this option on the surface sounds simple, logical and would seem to have more of a chance than the ‘hierarchical’ style, because each nation might be able to maintain its sovereignty. The ‘League of Nations’ and now the ‘United Nations’ organizations have become man’s best attempt to achieve peace. Have they worked? I think we can all see they have only been marginally successful at best. Again, the two styles of government are workable, but are impossible in the hands of man. Why? Because they lack something. Even if it were possible for one nation to have the power to force all nations to submit, it would ultimately fail. The reason is that it would not have the Godly elements mentioned above. So, what are these elements? First of all, the basic difference between God’s government and man’s is that God is in charge. God’s way is ruling by serving, whereas man’s way is ruling by being served. One way is the way of helping and giving, while the other is the way of taking and self-seeking. Let’s look at a basic scripture. “Jesus called them”, the disciples, “unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Mat. 20:25-28) Think about it. Jesus is saying, if you want to be great, great in God’s eyes, be a servant. Let’s meditate on this for a moment. What is greatness anyway? Is it being exalted in the eyes of the people? Is it some great title? Is it something like this so we can strut around, and people will just bow down to us? No, absolutely not. However, this is the way of this world. This is how man likes to think of himself in a rulership position. In man’s society and government, it usually follows a form of intimidation and fear. But today, do you find any government that truly gets its satisfaction in serving? Doing unto others as you would have them do unto you; considering service to be the greatest honor one can aspire to? Not hardly. Not in this world. No, this is man’s government. But think about it. God seems to be saying, in His government there are those who will be great, and yet at the same time, they who are great get their greatness from serving. In Mark 10:44, Jesus said, “whosoever of you who will be chiefest, shall be servant of all.” How can this be? It sounds like a contradiction in terms. This is something mankind fails miserably in understanding, because man simply cannot understand the principle of giving. And yet the Bible clearly indicates true happiness comes from giving, not receiving. “Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, it is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35) Imagine that! Again, this is a hard concept for man to understand. In fact, it’s impossible. Although some actually do experience this satisfaction because they just seem to fall in the category of givers rather than the takers. But this is not the norm. The former leader of the Worldwide Church of God came to see these principles of giving verses taking. He used to always say that this world and its societies are going the way of ‘get’ while God’s way is the way of ‘give’. On page 48 of the book ‘Mystery of the Ages’, Herbert Armstrong wrote of the character of God. He wrote, “that character might be summed up in the one-word Love, defined as an out flowing loving concern. It is the way of giving, serving, helping, sharing, not the ‘get’ way.” He also advocated that God’s government must operate from the top down. God is supreme in authority. Jesus always pointed to His Father as the one responsible for the works which he performed on the earth. He said His Father was greater than He. In John 10:29 Jesus said, “My Father is greater than all.” In John 14:28 Jesus said, “My Father is greater than I.” Even though Jesus said the Father was greater, He also said, “I and my Father are one.” Even though the Father sent Jesus to this earth to do a work, Jesus is saying He fully agreed with the plan. Jesus whole desire was to finish what the Father gave him to do. Jesus said, “My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish His work.” (John 4:34) So, Jesus’ coming to this earth was the Father’s plan. It was His work. Jesus says so. But Jesus also wanted to do it. (Isa. 6:8 and Mat. 13:14) So here is government, God’s government; God the Father, supreme in authority and Jesus, or the ‘Word’, lesser in greatness, but one with his Father in everything, totally agreeable. How does this government function? Is it a master-slave relationship? Did the Father say to the ‘Word’, you will go to the earth and do thus and thus or else? No. Rather Jesus’ whole purpose was to serve willingly, not grudgingly or of necessity. Willingly. Notice Jesus attitude about this in Isaiah 6:8, “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ Then said I, ‘Here am I; send me.” So even though the form of government appears hierarchical, it doesn’t function the way man’s government functions. In God’s government the Godly elements of giving and serving, make it work. There is no lording over and intimidation or threats. There is hierarchy alright, but the greater the authority the greater the service. (Mat. 20:25-28 & Mark 10:44) It’s a law. It has to be this way or else the whole system would fail. As the level of authority increases, the level of responsibility also increases, and it follows then that the need for greater serving also increases. Think about it. Here is God, supreme in authority and yet the law of His government, the law He himself is bound by, is that He be the “servant of all” (Mark 10:44). Again Matthew 20:27 “whosoever will be chief among you let him be your servant.” The word ‘chief’ comes from the Greek word ‘protos’ meaning ‘first or foremost.’ The word servant is from the Greek word ‘doulos’, which means ‘bond servant or slave’. So again, here is God, ruler over all the universe, bound by his law of service, becoming a bond servant to all beneath that supreme authority. To be otherwise would break the law of love and outgoing concern and would ultimately fail. This is exactly what happened to Lucifer and why his perverted hierarchy doesn’t work. His style of government is also hierarchical, but it is self-serving. It lords itself over others, it exalts itself. You might also say it like this. In God’s government the one who is the most humble and meek is the one with the greatest authority. In Satan’s government the one who is the most pompous and arrogant is the one with the greatest authority. But again, in God’s government the functioning law is that of Love and outgoing concern. It has to be this way or else it would fail. The law is sure. It’s as sure as the sun rising every morning or the seasons unfailing. God and his law of love and service are forever. “For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore, ye sons of Jacob are not consumed’ (Mal. 3:4). When man took of the forbidden fruit, he chose for himself the ability to form his own style of government. Satan, being very clever, deceived mankind into thinking he was forming a government, like God’s hierarchical form, but with one missing ingredient… God’s Holy Spirit. Man thinks he is functioning like God by administering authority from the top down, but without this missing ingredient he is unable to govern in a benevolent way. It is impossible to do so. Even with best intentions, it is impossible. The only way possible for hierarchical government to succeed and continue to grow is by God’s Spirit. Notice the words in Zechariah 4:6. “Not by might nor by power but by my spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts.” The word ‘might’ comes from the Hebrew word ‘geburah’ meaning ‘force, mastery, might, mighty act, mighty power, power, or strength’. The word ‘power’ comes from the word ‘koach’, which means ‘ability, force, fruits, might, power, strength, substance or wealth’. Think of it. Think on the meaning of all these words. Even though God and Christ have all the power of the universe (Mat. 28:18 & Isa. 40:12-31), His government is not going to operate that way. Man’s only way, the only way he understands, is the use of force or intimidation. If you don’t do what we say we will bomb or punish you until you recognize the power. And this is usually done for vain or self-serving reasons, not necessarily for the benefit of those being punished. But God’s reasons are always noble. God can and does correct those he loves, but it’s always done for the benefit of those being corrected, never in an uncontrollable state of anger or show of power. (Heb. 12:5-11) Man cannot and will not accept any other answer but force of power. God says His government will function “by my Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts”. (Zech. 4:6) Think of it. In this world it can’t be otherwise. It’s also part of the deception Satan has foisted off on mankind that peace can only come by use of force. But God says His government will operate by His Spirit. The fruits of God’s Spirit are love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Ponder this. All these characteristics appear opposite to the might and power aspect man thinks of when discussing government. The higher one ascends in the hierarchy of God’s government the more love, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance one must have. Is this the way it is in man’s hierarchical form of government? No. Absolutely not. The higher one ascends in man’s hierarchy, the more power he wields. Instead of bearing long with individuals, he’s often short, impatient, and threatening. Instead of controlled, he’s sometimes uncontrollable, and sometimes prone to irrational behavior. Can we begin to see the difference between man’s government and God’s government? On the surface they may look alike, but without God’s Holy Spirit, Man is left with only second best, which is not best at all, but following after the deception he’s received from Satan. God’s Chosen Leaders God’s Chosen leaders exhibit the fruits of God’s Spirit. But did they have them from the beginning? Were they qualified to lead instantly the moment God tapped them on the shoulder? No. Not at all. Rather these elements were built into them over a lifetime of experience. Abraham is called the father of the faithful. (Rom. 4:16 & Gal. 3:7) But was he filled with faith when he lied about his wife Sarah being his sister? It doesn’t appear so. This was earlier in his life and it took years of training; first of all, on God’s part exercising His own Spirit of gentleness, kindness, and long-suffering to develop the faithful spirit in Abraham. Secondly it was said ‘Abraham believed God’. (Gen. 15:6 & Rom. 4:3) Did this automatically happen? No, not hardly. It took constant effort on the part of Abraham. It took constant effort on the part of Abraham to do as God told him and to experience the results that things would turn out as God promised. But also think about God. Think about His faithfulness to deliver as promised. One could say, well He’s God and he could do as He pleases, but think about it… It would only take once for God to renege on a promise for Abraham to begin to question whether God would be true to His word. But no, He never failed and therefore this faith was built …built over time. Until finally God could say “now I know…” (Genesis 22:12) Now God knew, after a lifetime of testing and proving Abraham to be sure he had developed the spiritual quality of faith. In other places Abraham is called ‘The Friend of God’. (2 Chron. 20:7 & James 2:23) Would you suppose he could remotely be called God’s friend unless he had also developed all the other character traits of God’s spirit? “Can two walk together, unless they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3) The answer is certainly not. So, Abraham is held up for all of us to see. To see the character traits, he developed over his lifetime and how that God most assuredly will use these to execute proper government “by His Spirit”. Isaac surely exhibited a great deal of faith in God and trust in his own father Abraham to be willing to be sacrificed if necessary. He becomes somewhat of a ”type’ of what Jesus would do in that he was willing. He certainly learned the lessons of faith well and at an early age, and yet …he wasn’t perfect in everything. Not a lot of faults are mentioned about him, but one can see some things he yet had to overcome. One problem he seemed to have was not being as truthful as maybe he should have been. It seems this was something even his father Abraham had to overcome. (Genesis 20:2-12 & Genesis 26:7-10) It was the matter of telling half truths about their wives being their sisters. Isaac also learned of the bitter fruits of parenthood when favoritism for one child over the other happens. (Gen. 27) The story is there for all to read about now, and yet one can be assured he learned these lessons of life and will one day be among those who will be entrusted to rule “by His Spirit”. Jacob surely didn’t start out with all the fruits of God’s spirit when he and his mother conspired to gain the blessings of the birthright, that normally would have gone to the eldest son, Esau. Jacob, with support of his mother, lied about his identity to his father, Isaac to gain these blessings. This was a bitter lesson of how not to do things and has had far reaching effects. Look at the legacy of his life and the training that God put him through to develop the fruits of God’s spirit in him. Read of his dealings with his father-in-law, how, that even though he was mistreated by him many times, Jacob always tried to treat him fairly in return. Joseph started out as somewhat of a hotshot. Being the favored son, he appears to be a bit proud. Maybe he was an obedient son, which won him this favor, but look at the troubles it caused him. He (Joseph) seems to be a bit caught up with himself in the beginning. His father (Jacob) also, in showing this favoritism, angered Joseph’s other brothers to the point of wanting to kill him. Upon Reuben’s insistence, however, they sold him into slavery in Egypt instead. But look at the hardship Joseph endured and the many long years of patiently being obedient to God and being willing to suffer wrongfully in order to develop the character traits of love and outgoing service, the character traits of God’s spirit. In reading the story of Joseph, one can see how that God not only developed the fruits of His spirit in Joseph, but his father, Jacob, as well as his brothers. Again, the story ends well but it took many years of patient training on the part of God to instill and ingrain these character traits in those he chose. They weren’t born this way. Moses is said to have been the meekest man in all the earth at that time. “Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.” (Num. 12:3) But was he this way in the beginning? Was he this way when he was growing up in Pharaoh’s court? It’s unlikely, but at some point, he began to change. Maybe his own real mother had a lot to do with his early start of developing Godly character. We can only assume this. Anyway, when he killed the Egyptian it appears, he did it thinking he could get away with it. (Ex. 2:12) So it appears clear that he, at that time, still lacked that close relationship with the creator. Maybe one can say he did it in a fit of righteous indignation over what he saw was wrong, especially when he knew these were his brothers and sisters that were being mistreated. Anyway, it doesn’t excuse the fact that it was a killing and he had to flee for his life. He fled to the land of Midian where he spent the next 40 years of his life tending sheep. It’s very likely these 40 years taught him the ability or character trait of meekness. Was this by accident? Or was it by design, God’s design. Could God have used any other type of person? When we read the story of Israel’s 40 years of wandering, it becomes plain it took someone of that character and nature to put up with all the griping and complaining. What if Moses wouldn’t have had the ability to intercede for his people like he did on many occasions? Well, we can only speculate, but it’s quite apparent God instilled the character traits of His spirit in Moses as well as possibly many others who witnessed what happened. David is described as a man after God’s own heart. How much of God’s spirit did he display to begin with? Unlike Moses or Abraham, David seemed to have a great deal of faith in God at a very early age. This is evident in the way he took on vicious wild animals as well as Goliath. It’s quite evident he was quite close to God to trust him in this intimate manner. But maybe some other things were lacking and needed to be developed. Faith is one of the character traits of God’s spirit but there are others. How about the aspect of humility, meekness, long-suffering, self-control etc. As we read of David’s life, we can see it was not a bed of roses. He spent many long years battling his own human nature to grow spiritually to where God knew he could be trusted to always do what is right. This is the one God says is his chosen to govern Israel in the world tomorrow. (Jer. 30:9) The Apostle Paul was a well-educated man but was struck down early in his life. Prior to that how much mercy did he display when he put people into prison and consented to their deaths? It’s quite evident he lacked mercy, patience, as well as maybe most other character traits of God’s spirit. One thing he appeared to have was zeal. He seemed to have a determination to carry out to completion that which he believed in, namely persecution of the early Christians. After his conversion he went on to suffer much physical and mental abuse, finally giving his own life in martyrdom. In the final analysis he was able to understand and practice the way of true love when he wrote 1 Corinthians 13, the love chapter. The Disciples were a rough and tough group of men, who for the most part were of the common types. They mainly were fishermen. Matthew was a tax collector. One can only imagine but that these men displayed a good deal of carnal nature before their conversion. James and John are sometimes referred to as the ‘sons of thunder’. Peter denied Christ on the night of his betrayal, but all of them lacked a good deal of faith. In the end they began to turn the world upside down by the message they preached and their witness. Even Jesus learned by the things which he suffered. (Heb. 5:8) What kind of things? It appears Jesus always allowed God’s Spirit to have rule in his life. He always followed after the urgings of that spirit rather than that of his own human inclination. An example of this is when he forgave those who crucified him, rather than the normal human reaction of revenge. Now if he had to be proven in the flesh by testing when He was given God’s spirit without measure (John 3:34), what about us? He is our example (1 Pet. 2:21) and we are to walk as he walked. If there was ever any person who displayed the fruits of giving and serving it was Him. Now Jesus is going to be the top one in the hierarchy of God’s government and yet he was the humblest and meekest of all. (Matt. 11:29) It follows then that any who will be in that hierarchy must also have these same fruits well established in their character. Again, the ones who are able to serve and give most and do it with humility are the ones who will be the greatest in God’s government (Mark 10:44), quite different from man’s view of hierarchy. All of God’s family members will have developed the fruits of God’s spirit and will have been fitted for a job in that government structure. God’s Government-Like a Temple Structure Jesus said he “would build his church” (Mat. 16:18) and the church is likened unto a temple building of which He is the chief cornerstone. It’s a spiritual temple and each person in that structure is likened to one stone fitted and built into it. “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house.” (1 Pet. 2:5) Think of the Temple Solomon built. (1 Kings 4:7) “And the house when it was in building was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house while it was in building.” Can you imagine that? Every stone was perfectly cut in the field. Can you fathom the plans needed for that? There were big stones, small stones, stones requiring great strength, stones of beauty and stones not so beautiful but necessary… not one left out. But all of them… every last one of them perfectly fitted before it was placed in the temple structure at the job site. This took master planning on a scale unheard of even in modern architecture. If man is not able to do something like this in modern times with all the known technology, how was it even possible to do back then? The only answer is that God was the master planner of that building. He drew up the plans! He designed every stone… its height, width, length, strength requirement, beauty, and every other aspect. It simply was not possible for a man or group of men. Notice how the planning was done. “Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and the treasuries thereof, and the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlors thereof, and the place of the mercy seat, and the pattern of all that he had by the spirit…” (1 Chron. 28:11-12) God also designed the placement of the stones and the order and timing for their placement. Think about that as well. Foundation stones, structural stones requiring strength have to be laid or placed first. Then the stones that add luster or beauty come later. But how much care and preparation was necessary to select the raw material for each? Where does one look? For that matter, how much effort does it take to hone and polish stones of beauty and do so perfectly where no extra customary work is required at the job site! Can we begin to see the analogy? God, the master planner, developed the plans for Solomon’s Temple, plans so perfect that every stone fit without any extra work at the job site. So also, is God now chipping away, honing, and polishing the spiritual stones that will make up the temple that he returns to, when Jesus returns to this earth. God is the one who is deciding where the placement of each stone should be. Notice Matthew 21:42. “Jesus saith unto them, did ye never read in the scriptures, “the stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: This is the lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?” Jesus is quoting this from Psalms 118:22-23. The word corner in Psalms comes from the Hebrew word ‘pinnah’ which means bulwark, corner, stay, tower, or chief man. Again, notice this is God’s doing. He is the master planner. He is the one who decides the placement of the stone. In this case he’s referring to the ‘chief’ stone, which is Christ. (Mat. 16:18) But how about all the other stones? Now if the builders didn’t recognize the material required for the chief stone, do they recognize the material or position of any of the other stones? Jesus was the ‘chief’ stone. Why? Because of his humbleness and service to mankind. This again is the most difficult for human beings to come to grips with. Man simply can’t seem to grasp the issue of leadership based on service. Jesus came to this earth and demonstrated how we ought to serve. The leaders of his day rejected him. He simply didn’t look like someone who could possibly be somebody of importance. How about the leaders God chose in the Old Testament? Were they recognized as God’s servants? How were they received? “Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.” (Matt. 23:35 and 2 Chron. 24:20-21) Far from recognizing them as God’s chosen, these men whom God handpicked were treated as enemies and often abused, mistreated, and killed. It’s quite obvious they didn’t recognize them. How about after the time of Christ? Did the leaders begin to change and take special note of things and be careful not to fall under the same condemnation? Not at all. Look at the case of Stephen. Shortly after the Day of Pentecost the original Apostles were commissioned to go to the world with the gospel message, but they recognized there were other needs besides. There were physical needs many had who could not support themselves. So, they (the Apostles) appointed some to oversee this business. What was this business? Acts 17:1 says, “widows were neglected in the daily ministration.” The JFB Commentary says, ‘the daily ministration, the daily distribution of alms or of food, probably the later.’ Acts 17:2 says ‘serve tables ‘. So, it apparently didn’t have much to do with preaching the gospel but was it important and what was the criteria for these overseers? “Look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom…” These men were appointed to a hierarchical position of service and the main element of their qualifications was that they possess God’s Spirit. So, Stephen was one of those selected. Now the disciples, now Apostles, recognized these because they had recently been imbued with God’s Spirit also. So, Stephen went about doing all manner of good. “It says he was ‘full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.’ (Acts 6:8) But what about the other leaders? Did they recognize God’s criteria for leadership? No, they certainly didn’t. Instead, they killed him. (Acts 17:58) Even Paul didn’t recognize Stephen and God’s selection. It wasn’t until after his conversion that he finally had his eyes opened. So did the persecution end then? Of course not. History books are filled with horrible atrocities perpetrated against God’s anointed from that time until now. Again, the main reason is that man does not recognize the qualifications for leadership the same as God does. Churches down through the ages have had their leaders. Individual people who were visibly known by the general populace for their position and job. They appeared in a hierarchical order and were generally accepted. But were they really leaders according to God’s standard? Did they really exercise God’s spirit? Maybe sometimes they did. Many times, it’s obvious they didn’t. The Church Today Controversy is going back and forth today about God’s form of government. Some claim it has to be one-man rule from the top down. Others claim it has to be by a council of elders. But think again… based on the biblical definition… the way Christ describes his leadership… is it either of these? Both types are from a standpoint of power, but God says His government is not going to be by “power or might, but by His Spirit”. (Zech. 4:6) Most larger churches, including Churches of God, seem to function with a power structure, a visible hierarchy of individuals in charge on down to the lowest. Which brings up the question. Are some people to be esteemed higher than others? What’s the highest rank you would think? What’s the lowest? Again, when we start talking like this, it’s not God’s government we’re discussing. Sure, God is in charge, but God first of all governs by his Spirit. God’s form of hierarchy is based on service and is conducted by the gifts given to various individuals for that service. Notice 1 Corinthians 12. The entire chapter is talking about various gifts for serving, and not that one is better than the other or that one person should be ‘lording’ it over another. All the gifts of service given by God, are necessary, but they have different functions. Notice Ephesians 4:11. “And he gave some, apostles and some prophets; and some evangelists; and some pastors and teachers.” …Is this by order of importance? No. Rather it’s like a body. If you’re an eye, you can’t claim more importance than a hand. “And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: and those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God both tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked: God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of Miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? (I Cor. 12:21-24, 28-30) What is this telling us? Is it to show a government power structure with a hierarchical level of authority? No. Rather all these gifts are not for “being lords over God’s heritage but being examples to the flock.” (1 Pet. 5:3) The word ‘lords’ comes from the Greek word ‘kataknrieuo’. One of its meanings is ‘exercise dominion over’ (Young’s Concordance). So, isn’t the real essence of 1 Corinthians 12 telling us the gifts are to be used for service and not for authority in the sense of having dominion over others? So, what’s the purpose? (1 Cor. 12:25) “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry (service) for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure and stature of the fulness of Christ” (Eph. 4:12-13) “That there should be no schism in the body: but that the members should have the same care one for another”. Even if one had all of the gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12 it wouldn’t mean a thing, if you didn’t have one ingredient and that is love. Paul then goes on to define what love is in 1 Corinthians 13. As we look around and observe the ‘Churches of God’, as well as all churches, many, if not most have a structure like other governments in the world. Because of their hierarchical structure, and human nature, the tendency is to ‘lord’ positions of authority over others. Pride and vanity are deeply entrenched in the human psyche and placing people in ‘offices’ of authority, without a comparable amount of the Godly elements spoken of earlier, can lead to abuse of the power. This is not to say God has not given His Spirit to individuals, for indeed he has. However, we must wonder, when we see all the factions and various groups, each going their own way and refusing to associate and shunning one another, “how dwells the love of God in them?” (1 John 3:17) Again, “Ye shall know them by their fruits.” (Matt. 7:16) When king Saul was ‘little in his own eyes, God named him to lead Israel’. (1 Sam. 15:17) It’s when he began to get puffed up that he went astray. This is not just king Saul. This is the human tendency in all of us. In contrast though look again at Moses. Because he was ‘meek’, God continued to use him right up to the end. Was it not this fruit of God’s spirit that made all the difference? Within all ‘Church of God’ groups it is quite likely God is working with certain individuals to develop the fruits of His Spirit and is fashioning them for service in His government. But to say any one of the church groups represents God’s government on earth today is inaccurate from the Biblical definition Christ gave. Summary The purpose for the church, and the gifts that various people within the church have, is to prepare the saints for a future time when Christ will return to this earth. Then is when God’s government will be restored. God’s hierarchical standard will determine where each person will be placed in that government to serve humanity. It will be based on the fruits of God’s Spirit. How much faith, how much long-suffering, how much love, etc., did that person develop over their life span? The position that an individual will have, will be determined by the level of service they are capable of. Their hierarchical order will be determined by how much they grew by what they were given (Luke 19:12-26). Positions of service in God’s government started to be filled by individuals as far back as Abel. The selection of the stones of God’s Temple were being prepared even back then and have been in the preparation to this day. When Christ returns, he will “suddenly come to his temple” (Mal. 3:1) and take over the reins of government. Just like as with Solomon’s temple there was no need for further work on the stones at the job site, so also will it be with God’s spiritual temple. The individual stones will have been perfectly shaped, fitted, and polished for the job. It’s at that time when all the stones that have been quarried and fitted shall be placed. It is then when God’s government will take over all other governments. When Christ returns the world will be on the brink of self-annihilation. When he comes into view the world will not recognize him and try to fight him. Just as they didn’t recognize him the first time, just as the world has not recognized those he has sent in the past, they will think he is an alien from outer space. He will have to use ‘power and might’ in order to save man from total destruction. Even this is an act of love for his creation. But after that… after the dust settles God’s government will start. Man’s hierarchical form will end, and God’s will start. The earth will rejoice! Notice Isa. 14:7. ‘The whole earth is at rest and is quiet: They break forth into singing’ …It’s then that the ‘meek’ shall inherit the earth. (Matt. 5:5) It’s then that the reins of government shall be in the hands of those He has prepared …His first fruits. The highest level is God, the Father. He is servant of all. Next is His Son, Jesus Christ and then next “it will be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.” (Matt. 20:23) Finally, God’s government truly is quite the opposite from that which we see today, not only in civil governments but in churches as well. But His time is not yet. Jesus said, ‘My kingdom’ (My government) ‘is not of this world (age)’ (John 18:36) …yet it is coming… ‘and the government shall be upon his shoulder’. (Isaiah 9:6-7) True, when He does rein, He will put down all who exalt themselves and abuse power. But mankind has been and is deceived as to just how he will do it. Again, man thinks he knows, but it’s only because he (mankind) has never known anything else but governments that ‘lord’ it over others. God’s government does not do that. God’s government and those in it will demonstrate how government should function, and how to live life to achieve true happiness. Sure, he will correct, by withholding rain (Zech. 14:18-19), is a long way from dropping bombs. God will have and will use his power. There’s no doubt about that, but it will always be for the good of those who oppose it. Eventually everyone will know of His true nature and will want to live that way. (Jer. 31:34) God will demonstrate it to all. How? By proper government in the hands of his servants-his first fruits, those he is working with right now, developing character traits of his spirit. Notice how it will happen. “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” (Isa. 40:11) And this way of life will continue to grow and grow… “Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end.” (Isa. 9:7) Why will God’s government succeed where man’s has failed. Because it will be administered “Not by might nor by power but by my spirit saith the Lord of Hosts.” (Zech. 4:6) (This article has been updated and re-printed from “The Church of God Messenger” July/August 2001—Issue No. 4.) |
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