Posted May 21, 2004
2004 is a presidential election year in America. Who would Jesus vote for? God has definite opinions about the issues facing governments today. God's opinions are defined by God's law—in fact, His opinion is the law of the universe. Whether He supports a particular party agenda depends on which agenda—or more precisely, which issue of which agenda is aligned with His law.
2004 is a presidential election year in America. Who would Jesus vote for?
God has definite opinions about the issues facing governments today. As President Bush perceived in 2001: "There is good and there is evil, and God is not neutral between them."
God's opinions are defined by God's law—in fact, His opinion is the law of the universe. Whether He supports a particular party agenda depends on which agenda—or more precisely, which issue of which agenda is aligned with His law.
God's support is of the issue, not of the political party or nationality. The same goes for His support of any person, including government leaders. As a perceptive apostle once said: ". . . God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness [the opposite of evil] is accepted by Him" (Acts 10:34).
Understand this: At times God picks national leaders. We know this through the prophet Daniel. "Blessed is the name of God . . . for wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons [the eras and events of history]; He removes kings and raises up kings [presidents, prime ministers, dictators, etc.] . . ." (Dan 2:20-21)
God chose certain men to lead His ancient nation of Israel to work out that great purpose and design. For instance, He raised up leaders in ancient Israel to lead the nation through times of crisis, and still does within nations descended from the 12 tribes of Israel—like America and Britain.
Does God only choose good government leaders that will be a relative blessing to the nation involved? Not necessarily.
There was an old judge and prophet in Israel named Samuel. The elders (senior representatives) of the people told him, "We want a king just like all the other nations." This made Samuel sad. But God said, "Heed the voice of the people . . . for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them" (1 Samuel 8:4-7).
So God gave them Saul as king. He could have served well, but instead became a paranoid egotist. God will do the same for any nation today. He will give a people the leader they so selfishly desire—and therefore so profoundly deserve!
That's the basic principle of bad government throughout history. To quote Daniel again: ". . . In order that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, [and] gives it to whomever He will, [He] sets over it the lowest [basest] of men" (Daniel 4:17). If you want a bad leader bad enough, then the Lord will provide!
But take courage. We are nearing the end of bad—or even relatively good—politics as usual.
Jesus Christ is intensely concerned about the governing of His people— all of His people. Even the United Nations has to admit that, no matter how much many in that body hate the idea!
At the garden of the UN building in New York City is a statue of a man beating a sword into a plowshare. It's called, appropriately, "Swords into Plowshares," and was a gift from the atheistic Soviet Union in 1959. Ironically, it cites a verse from Isaiah 2 that speaks of the time when Jesus Christ will rule all nations during the millennial age that begins with His second coming:
"They shall beat their swords into plowshares, . . . nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore" (Isaiah 2:4). That's a pretty good future—plenty to eat and a ban on warfare for 1,000 years before even greater and better things happen!
Jesus Christ doesn't wear a "liberal" or "conservative" label, and He because His Kingdom is not in or of this world as we know it (John 18:36), it will not be established by popular vote. But His kingdom is coming. And when He returns He will take over, not just the role of head of state, but as "King of Kings" He will be head of all states.
"Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, . . . over His Kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice . . . forever" (Isaiah 9:7).
Without waste or bureaucracy, it will be big government—big and fair. Do you want to be part of that government? Want to run for an office that will absolutely serve your people well? Then apply within. God the Father and Jesus Christ are looking for a few good men and women right here, right now.
