But today, it is just that, it is only a symbol. Their kings/queens have very little power to make decisions or policy for their countries. They are but a figure of what was and could be but of course without their authority. In today's modern times, the people of many countries have spoken and fought to be ruled by democratic or republic principals and not by a monarchy. Democracy on the surface basically means to be ruled by the people and by majority rule. The people throughout most of the free world have made a choice to be ruled through a collective choice instead of through a single leader who may have absolute authority over them. Of course, this not the case where there are still some single dictator type of leaders.
In America and with many other democratic nations, it may have appeared to have worked for the purposes of creating wealth and "freedom" of speech and religion. Yes, it has created wealth for many of the benefactors and those who participated in its system. And yes, through the freedom of speech and religion, Christianity has appeared to have flourished in this nation and many other countries through this nation. But has it? If we look at scripture and bible history, almost everyone can agree, Christianity flourishes during persecution. If we look at scripture, it is during times of abundance when God's people tend to forsake and rebel against Him.
Deuteronomy 31:16-17 (AMP) And the Lord said to Moses, Behold, you shall sleep with your fathers, and this people will rise up and play the harlot after the strange gods of the land where they go to be among them; and they will forsake Me and break My covenant which I have made with them.17 Then My anger will be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them and hide My face from them. And they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall befall them, so that they will say in that day, Have not these evils come upon us because our God is not among us? (God is speaking about His people knowing what will happen after they enter the promise land).
Ezekiel 28:16 Through the abundance of your commerce you were filled with lawlessness and violence, and you sinned; therefore I cast you out as a profane thing from the mountain of God and the guardian cherub drove you out from the midst of the stones of fire.
Jeremiah 2:7-9 (AMP) And I brought you into a plentiful land to enjoy its fruits and good things. But when you entered, you defiled My land and made My heritage an abomination [detestable and loathsome]. 8[Even] the priests did not say, Where is the Lord? And those who handle the law [given by God to Moses] knew Me not. The rulers and secular shepherds also transgressed against Me, and the prophets prophesied by [the authority and in the name of] Baal and followed after things that do not profit.9Therefore I will still contend with you [by inflicting further judgments on you], says the Lord, and with your children's children will I contend.
James 5:5 [Here] on earth you have abandoned yourselves to soft (prodigal) living and to [the pleasures of] self-indulgence and self-gratification. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.
There are only a handful of countries in which their kings or queens have any power. Most of the other first world countries are ruled by collective branches of government. They have presidents or prime ministers. This is to insure that power is balanced. Even our corporations are set up with a board of directors. Even though we may have a president or a CEO, their power and authority is granted by majority vote by the people or shareholders.
Let us go back to the king and queen. These icons, symbols, heritage, or whatever you may want to call them are just that. They have no power or authority to institute policy or to make hard decisions over the lives of their people. The real power is given to the people through their ability to elect or install leaders of their choice. Even in corporations and many churches, there are boards who are given power and authority to make decisions based on the best interest of their concern.
What is my point? My point is this is how many Christians today treat their God, Jesus Christ. He is but a symbol of monarchy who has no authority or power in their lives today. They may wear his crosses, put stickers on back of their cars, even profaning the temples (bodies) by tattooing scripture on their bodies, and having other memorabilia in their homes and churches just as the English have memorabilia to sell to the tourist the pictures of their king and queen. It is all for symbolism and a mark of who they think they should be but it is not reflected in their daily lives through their actions. Many of our churches are not ruled by the King of Kings but they are ruled and decisions are made by their board of directors or the ones with money. Many Christian families are not ruled by the King of Kings but ruled by their own decision for their own selfish interests. Many churches and individuals make their own plans and then go ask their symbolic King of Kings to bless their ventures and ideas instead of asking, "WHAT IS YOUR WILL FOR US?" Who are they really making their king? They have created their own kingdoms franchising God's Name for their own lustful interests. But the real lord of their lives are themselves and not HIM. For many Christians, they have but made Jesus but a symbol of morality, honesty, love, and grace without giving Him any power or authority to rule their lives.
Therefore brethren, ask yourselves. Who is your KING? Is it you who makes all the decisions and then you go asking God to help you out when you get into a jam? Do you go asking God to bless your ventures, your plans, your career goals, all your personal interest for your lives? Or is Jesus your KING OF KINGS in which you pray and ask HIM what is His Will in such and such situation or circumstance? Are you asking for healing or financial breakthrough so you can serve HIM better or are you asking for healing and other breakthroughs so you can go party and stay out late?
James
4:2-3 (AMP) 2You are jealous and covet [what others have] and your
desires go unfulfilled; [so] you become murderers. [To hate is to murder
as far as your hearts are concerned.] You burn with envy and anger and
are not able to obtain [the gratification, the contentment, and the
happiness that you seek], so you fight and war. You do not have, because
you do not ask. 3 [Or] you do ask [God for them] and yet fail to
receive, because you ask with wrong purpose and evil, selfish motives.
Your intention is [when you get what you desire] to spend it in sensual
pleasures.
Do not be deceived brethren. God will not be mocked. He is coming for a Holy Obedient Bride. Have you truly given your life over in FULL Surrender to the King of KINGS or have you as James 5:5 states given yourself over to soft (prodigal) living and to [the pleasures of] self-indulgence and self-gratification, fattening your hearts in a day of slaughter?
Who is making all the important decisions in your life? Are you after His Heart seeking His Will or are you after your own heart seeking your comfort?
Acts 13:22 And when He had deposed him, He raised up David to be their king; of him He bore witness and said, I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart, who will do all My will and carry out My program fully.
Fire of God
Steve Yong Kim
November 18, 2011
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