Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. -Col 3:2
My issue from the start in all of this Peace talk; has been the fact that we in the church "do not" teach the personal Christ taught ethic, regarding peace.
Period.
I'm not and have not been concerned about how or what world powers, princpalities, and high places do. I'm concerned about living and preaching the gospel. An act that, I believe will undermine, overturn, topple, expose, redefine and liberate or strengthen human systems in many ways.
God prevented Babel for a reason. In fact He pretty much instituted a major act of anarchy. I think that is worthy of some major work of thought and biblestudy. Powers work to centralize, control, establish, rule, dominate, dictate, tax and conform. The state ultimately can demand or take your life or....tell you you abandon the teachings of Christ and join it in taking life.
Principalities and powers, the kIngdoms of this world...are as the prophets have always represented them: beasts. The revelation pulls back the eternal curtain on the systems of this world and shows a blood soaked, demon invested, economic worshipping whore.
And the command is to reject her mark in hand and forehead. To be marked not with a beast mark in ones mind or works of hand; but be marked with the name of God.
Come out of her, my people.
We are to ride with the one who judges the world with the sword of his mouth not of his hand. To join the one who's robe is dipped in his own blood not the blood of others.
We are told to worship the lion of Judah who is revealed in heaven as a slain lamb.
The kingdom that has rejected earthly rule represented in man made temples, priesthoods, kings and economic systems.
This is a kingdom that's throne is in the heart.
The implications of all this are profound...but Jesus said it would be like being lambs to the slaughter or lambs among wolves. We would die daily. There would be many souls of martyrs under the altar. We would not love our lives, even unto death.
We would be the little flock. We would be known as the ones who are the "troublers" who turn the world upside down. We offer the world a differnt king and kingdom...that has no Lord, but Jesus.
That's anarchy indeed...but it's not human anarchy...it's kingdom.
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