Disciples Digital Library

Jésus, l'Agneau immolé, est le Souverain des Rois de la Terre, le Roi des Rois qui règne maintenant sur toutes les nations de la Terre . Jésus a régné en Souverain sur les nations depuis sa Mort, sa Résurrection et son Ascension. Même maintenant, il est assis sur le trône de David à la droite de Dieu. En raison de son “ obéissance jusqu'à la mort ”, Dieu l'a nommé “ le Souverain des rois de la Terre ”. Il est le seul véritable empereur, et l'hégémonie mondiale n'appartient qu'à lui. Tous les autres pouvoirs politiques lui sont subordonnés.

L'humanité est divisée en deux et seulement deux groupes – les disciples de l'Agneau et les sujets de la Bête . Dans le Livre de l'Apocalypse, chaque homme est soit un “ Tabernacle dans le Ciel ”, soit un “ Habitant de la Terre ”. Les termes ne sont ni géographiques ni spatiaux. Ils identifient quel Maître nous servons. Les hommes appartiennent soit au “ Ciel ”, soit à la “ Terre ”. Ceux qui suivent l'Agneau, “ Tabernacle dans le Ciel .” “ Les Habitants de la Terre ” se soumettent au “ Dragon ” et à sa “ Bête ”, et sont donc destinés à un sort horrible.

Humanity is divided into two and only two groups – the followers of the Lamb and the subjects of the Beast . In the  Book of Revelation , every man either “ Tabernacles in Heaven ” or is an “ Inhabitant of the Earth .” The terms are not geographical or spatial. They identify which Master we serve. Men either belong to “ Heaven ” or the “ Earth .” Those who follow the Lamb, “ Tabernacle in Heaven .” The “ Inhabitants of the Earth ” submit to the “ Dragon ” and his “ Beast ,” and therefore await a grim fate.

Pablo continuó su discusión sobre la llegada de Cristo al abordar lo que ocurrirá en el Día del Señor – 1 Tesalonicenses 5: 1-3. El Apóstol Pablo habla de “ la llegada ” o ' Parousía ' de Jesús y el Día del Señor en los capítulos 4 y 5 de  1 Tesalonicenses . En el capítulo 4, declara que tanto los cristianos muertos como los vivos se reunirán para encontrarse con el Señor a medida que descienda del Cielo. En el capítulo 5, Pablo vincula eso y los eventos relacionados con “ el Día del Señor ”, y explica cómo ese día afectará a los piadosos y a los impíos.

Disciples of Jesus and others who give their allegiance and devotion to the State are at risk of taking the Mark of the Beast . Humanity is divided into two and only two groups: Those who follow the “ Lamb wherever he goes ,” and those who submit to the “ Beast .” Members of the first group will not experience the “ Second Death ,” but everyone who takes the Beast’s “ mark ” and otherwise swears fealty to it will be cast into the “ Lake of Fire .” There is no third option, no neutral ground.

Jésus a rejeté l'offre de Satan d'un pouvoir politique illimité et a plutôt choisi le chemin du Serviteur souffrant qui mène au Calvaire  - Matthieu 4: 8-11. Satan a tenté Jésus en lui offrant le pouvoir politique sur “ tous les royaumes du monde .”  Le Messie d'Israël a refusé cette offre séduisante et politiquement pragmatique . Au lieu de cela, il s'est soumis à la voie du ‘ Serviteur souffrant de Yahvé ’, qui s'est terminée par sa mort inévitable sur la Croix romaine.

The Empire’s propagandists encourage men and women to give allegiance and veneration to the Emperor, the Beast from the Sea . The “ False Prophet ” as described in the  Book of Revelation  uses religious symbolism and economic control to coax the Inhabitants of the Empire   to pay homage to the Imperial Throne. Whether force or persuasion is employed, the goal is the same. Men who refuse to venerate the “ Beast from the Sea ” are excluded from economic activity and impoverished.

‘Christendom’ is an idolatrous term used often to invoke Divine support of national and political institutions, agendas, and ideologies . In popular usage, the English term ‘Christendom’ refers to “that part of the world in which Christianity prevails,” either because the majority of a nation’s citizens claim to be Christian, or because a specific sect or denomination is recognized by the State as the country’s official religion.

Satan bot Jesus unbegrenzte politische Macht an, um seine messianische Mission zu erfüllen, wenn er nur den Teufel als seinen Oberherrn anerkennen würde . Satan versuchte Jesus, indem er ihm politische Macht über “ alle Königreiche der Welt ” anbot, ein Angebot, das er ablehnte. Statt Macht und Größe unterwarf er sich dem Weg des  'leidenden Dieners ', der unweigerlich zum Tod am römischen Kreuz führte. Jesus bestritt nicht den Anspruch des Teufels, Gerichtsbarkeit über politische Systeme und Regierungen zu haben.

God allows evil rulers to govern nations and uses them to accomplish His purposes, and He summons believers to show them due respect . The Bible claims God gives political power to whom He pleases, “ even to the basest of men .” He “ removes kings and installs kings ” to accomplish His purposes, including rulers we may find objectionable. When we assume that certain politicians should hold governmental power we trespass on God’s prerogative. This is especially problematic in Western-style democracies.

Too often, political efforts by churches and “Christian” organizations are barely distinguishable from the politicians and parties of this world’s kingdoms, especially in “Western-style” democracies. It seems believers must emulate the ways of this fallen age to achieve real change in society. But this common approach differs markedly from the teachings and example of Jesus.

The power of God is revealed in the proclamation of a Messiah, one who was crucified by the World Empire on a Roman Cross . Chairman Mao Zedong famously declared: “ Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun .” This describes the  modus operandi  of the State and its  raison d'etat  since the dawn of civilization. Men and women may be motivated in one of two ways:  Persuasion  or  Force . Invariably, the Political Machine chooses the latter.

Discussions on the “ Mark of the Beast ” concentrate on deciphering the significance of its number, ‘ 666 .’ Understandably, we wish to discover its meaning and thereby avoid taking it. However, to understand it we must first recognize the scriptural background behind the number, the relationship of the “ Mark ” to the “ Seal of God ,” the consequences of taking or refusing the “ Mark ” or the “ Number of the Beast ,” and the identities of the two groups that result from deciding whether to take it.

Jesus refused the political power of Rome when Satan offered it. So, why do we insist on seeking the very thing our Master rejected? The teachings of Jesus and his Apostles in multiple ways summon Christians not to be “ unequally yoked together ” with this world and its values. What humanity needs is the Good News of the Kingdom of God and the salvation provided by Jesus Christ. Since the “ forms ” of this present age are in the process of “ passing away ,” the Church should not waste its efforts on “ working for the meat that perishes ”?

The Inhabitants of the Earth willingly venerate the Beast and take its mark, although believers also are not immune from its allurements . Discussions on the “ Mark of the Beast ” invariably focus on questions about what it is - a medical implant, barcode, or a tattoo – as well as the significance of its “ number ,” ‘ 666 .’ As important as these questions are, far more critical is the issue of how we as believers can avoid taking the Beast’s mark or its  “number.”

Jesus, the Slain Lamb, is the Ruler of the Kings of the Earth, the King of Kings who now reigns over all the nations of the Earth . Jesus has reigned as Sovereign over the nations since his Death, Resurrection, and Ascension. Even now, he is seated on the Throne of David at the right hand of God. Because of his “ obedience unto death ,” God appointed him as “ the Ruler of the Kings of the Earth .” He is the only true emperor, and global hegemony belongs to him alone. All other political powers are subordinate to him.

Institutional Christianity has a long and sordid history of mixing Church and State. The temptation to use political power to impose “right” beliefs and other agendas is too great. Advancing “Christianity” through the  political mechanisms  of this world  always  necessitates the use of the coercive power of the State, and this corrosive mixture inevitably corrupts the Church and destroys its witness.

Discussions on the “ Mark of the Beast ” focus on the significance of its Number, ‘ 666 .’ We wish to understand it, and thereby avoid taking it. But to better appreciate the ramifications of taking its “ Mark ,” we must perceive that the  Book of Revelation  contrasts the “ Mark of the Beast ” with the “ Seal of God .” Every man must choose between two irreconcilable alternatives, and either choice has consequences.

Only God’s kingdom will prevail and endure. All other political powers and regimes are fleeting. Already they are passing away . Despite human pretensions, History demonstrates  without exception  the impermanence of political power, human ideologies, and governments. Rome endured for a thousand years, but that Empire fell all the same. Like human life, political power is impermanent, and regimes and even the greatest empires collapse unexpectedly and often quickly when their allotted time expires. Only the “ Kingdom of God ” will endure forever.

The Bible claims that God gives political power to whomever He pleases, “ even to the basest of men .” He “ removes kings and installs kings ” to accomplish His purposes, including rulers of whom many church leaders and members may disapprove. Disciples of Jesus who assume that certain politicians should hold governmental power presume on God’s patience and prerogative, and this is especially problematic in Western-style democratic societies.