How the New World Order is Using theChristian Churches and their Pastors
– to Destroy Christianity!
Lorraine Day, M.D
Over two decades ago, in the December 1987 Pulpit Helps, which reaches thousands of ministers, frightening statistics were published after being gathered by the Jeffrey Hadden survey. Questions were sent to some 10,000 Protestant clergymen, 7,441 replied. Pastors from many different denominations were surveyed. The questions, together with the percentages in the replies are shown below. Some pastors in every denomination surveyed, replied “No” to the following questions. The largest percentage answering, “No” occurred among the Methodist pastors, followed by the United Presbyterians, the Episcopalians, American Baptists, American Lutherans, with the lowest percentage answering, “No” in the Missouri Synod Lutherans.
“Do you accept Jesus’ physical resurrection as a fact? “No” was the response from 50% of Methodist pastors, varying down to 2% of Missouri Synod Lutherans.
“Do you believe in the virgin birth of Jesus? “No” was the response from 60% of Methodists down to 5% of Missouri Synod Lutherans (MS Lutherans).
“Do you believe in evil demon power in the world today? 62% of Methodist pastors said, “No” varying down to 2% of MS Lutherans.
“Do you believe that the Scriptures are the inspired and inerrant Word of God in faith, history, and secular matters? 87% of Methodists, 95% of Episcopalians, 82% of Presbyterians, 67% of American Baptists, 77% of American Lutherans, and 24% of Missouri Synod Lutherans said, “NO.” (“A Falling Away First,” Omega-Letter, March 1988, p 5).
Those shocking statistics from over two decades ago demonstrating even then the severe apostasy in the Christian churches, most certainly have skyrocketed today.
What happened to cause such apostasy?
Masons in the Churches
A survey published in August 1988 by the Association of North American Missions revealed that most Christians care little about the needs of the Church. “People are placing a higher value on their lifestyle than on the their spirituality.” (1985 Annual Report of the Association of North American Missions).
Much of this attitude of selfishness and indifference has flourished because most Christian denominations have been penetrated by materialistic Masons. Tom C. McKenney, coauthor of The Deadly Deception, revealed a shocking statistic. In July 1989 McKenney named the two largest Protestant denominations in the United States, and said, “Through our best estimates, 90 percent of one and 70 percent of the other have pastors who are members of the Masonic Lodge.
Figures for the Southern Baptists reported at their June 1992 annual conventions stated that there were 1.3 million Masons who are members of the Southern Baptist Churches and an estimated 1.4 percent of the Southern Baptist pastors are Masons.
Masonic penetration of churches began at the turn of the 20th century. Myron Fagan, a famous Jewish-American playwright both on Broadway and in Hollywood - who became a Christian - published a series of audiotapes released in 1967 entitled, The Illuminati. On the tapes, Fagan tells how the effectual takeover was accomplished.
“According to Myron Fagan, at the end of the 19th century, Grand Orient Freemasonry deliberately sent Jacob Schiff (son of a Jewish Reform Rabbi born in Frankfurt, Germany) to the United States to carry out four specific assignments.
“The first was to acquire control of America’s money system. This was accomplished by founding the Federal Reserve System.
“The second was to find desirable men who, for a price, would willingly serve as stooges for THE great conspiracy. Once they were found they would be promoted to FEDERAL POSITIONS in the Congress, on the U.S. Supreme Court, and at all Federal agencies. The agency founded for grooming these men is the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR – that publishes a quarterly called Foreign Affairs).
“The third was to create minority group strife throughout the nation, particularly between races. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was founded for that purpose.
“The fourth was to create a movement to destroy religion in the United States, with Christianity as the chief target. This became the task of the National Council of Churches.” The Illuminati recorded by Myron Fagan on two cassette tapes in 1967.
“Jacob Schiff’s background suited him ideally for his assignment in America. As Rabbi Antelman wrote: ‘It was Jacob Schiff and his family who played a prominent role in developing the Reform and Conservative Jewish movements (the secularization of Orthodox Judaism), and who aided them at critical stages of their development in putting into action the demonic master plan to undermine ALL world religions. Fragmentation and divide and conquer were the order of the day.” Masonic Education for the New World Order, Newswatch Magazine, December 15, 2001, p14.
On his tapes, Fagan details how Masonic money and power backed Jacob Schiff and established for the German (Jewish) House of Warburg a banking system in America, with J.P. Morgan (Jewish) and John D. Rockefeller (Jewish) as front men. Dr. Carroll Quigley, in his book, Tragedy and Hope (1974, Los Angeles Angriff Press, p 5 - available at any bookstore or on the internet), concurs with Fagan.
It is important to understand that Jacob Schiff was an agent of the Jewish Rothschild banking family in Europe, the family members of which are considered by International Jewry to be “the King of the Jews.”
Freemasonry is Jewish
“Few white people in America are aware of the truth behind the Masons. Some may be perceptive enough to recognize Masonic symbols on license plates, cars, tombstones, etc., but they may not realize the type of people who are Masons or what Freemasonry is all about. Even less realize that Freemasonry is really just a code name for Judaism. Many will say that it is an organization founded in Christian principles, but this is far from the truth. In fact, the basic tenet of Freemasonry is anti-Christian, promoting "freedom of individuals, tolerance and generosity toward all people, and equality of people of all races, religions, and beliefs," as one Jewish Mason has stated. In fact, a cursory glance at Masonic literature shows that this is always stated as one of their basic beliefs. They also claim to believe in one God who created everyone. Thus we have the theory of "The Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of all Mankind," which is fundamentally against the teachings of the Bible.
“The Jewish influence in the creation of Masonry in America is undeniable. Masons are proud of their list of "famous Masons" (many of which are printed at the end of this article). Perhaps one of the most well-known is George Washington. There was at least one Jew in his lodge, and there were 24 Jewish Masons promoted to officers' ranks in George Washington's army, and many are proud of their influence in the American Revolution. One, Haym Salomon, was essential in contributing money to finance the war effort. He also loaned money to Jefferson, Madison, Lee, and others.
Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia all had Jews active in establishing the Masonic temples and rites in America. The Scottish Rite was introduced in America by a Jew named Moses Michael Hays. Paul Revere, another famous Mason, was Deputy Grand Master in Massachusetts at the time the Jew Hays was in the highest Masonic leadership position in that state. Other Jewish Masons held high posts in the late 18th century in America during, before, and after the American Revolution. At least 51 American Grand Masters have been Jewish.
“The story is not much different in England. In fact, the Jews used deistic Masonry as a stepping stone to gaining control of England. Prior to Freemasonry, Jews were forbidden from participation in almost all English activities - political and so on. After Freemasons allowed Jews into the movement, or rather, after Jews created the Freemasonry movement with its ideal of "all men created equal," Jews were allowed into English society and positions of power.
“While Masons deny that they have benefited and have been instrumental in almost all so-called revolutions and wars in European and American history of any significance, history proves that Masons and Jews have actively promoted unrest for their benefit. They were definitely closely involved with the American Revolution, the Russian Revolution, and the French Revolution. The ousting and murder of the French Aristocracy was an assault perpetrated by those who espoused the lies of Masonry. As a result of the French Revolution, Jews were allowed to work among the white French, the same feat they had accomplished in England. The separation of Church and State in France became possible (sound familiar?). French Masonic lodges were admitting Jews wholeheartedly, teaching that it did not matter what your religion was, as long as you were dedicated to the principles of Masonry (which are almost identical to so-called Judaism).
“It is no secret that Masonic rituals are basically identical to Talmudic Jewish rituals. These so-called rites are performed inside "temples" veiled in secrecy. Even Jews admit that rituals similar to B'nai B'rith rituals are found in Freemasonry and that the fundamental tenets of Judaism and Freemasonry are identical. Four of the Jewish founding members of B'nai B'rith were also members of the Masons or Odd-Fellows (Jones, Roadacher, Renau, and Isaac Rosenbourg).” http://www.sullivan-county.com/id3/dmj.htm Deists Masons are Jewish, by V.S. Herrell
Adam Weishaupt, a Jew who was raised a Catholic, started the Lucifer-worshiping occult organization known as the Illuminati. He also was initiated into Freemasonry and used it as a tool for furthering the Illuminati’s goal of control of the world – a One World Government.
The National Council of Churches
When Jacob Schiff was nearing death, he had not totally accomplished the destruction of the church in America, this fourth and final assignment from the Rothschilds. Schiff selected John D. Rockefeller to finance and direct an institution to that end. Fagan tells how young men were selected for the ministry and then taught how to dilute the Christian message.
“The destruction of Christianity could be accomplished only by those who are entrusted to preserve it, by the pastors, the men of the cloth. As a starter, John D. Rockefeller picked up a young, so-called Christian minister by the name of Dr. Harry F. Ward. At the time, he was teaching religion at the Union Theological Seminary. Thereupon, in 1907, he financed him to set up the Methodist Foundation of Social Service, and Ward’s job was to teach bright young men to become so-called ministers of Christ and place them as pastors of churches.
“While teaching them to become ministers, The Reverend Ward also taught them how to very subtly and craftily preach to their congregations that the entire story of Christ is a myth, to CAST DOUBTS on the divinity of Christ, to cast doubts about the Virgin Mary. In short, to cast doubts on Christianity as a whole. It was not to be a direct attack, but much of it by crafty insinuation that was to be applied in particular, to the youth in the churches.
“Then in 1908, the Methodist Foundation of Social Service changed its name to the Federal Council of Churches. By 1950, the Federal Council of Churches was becoming Very Suspect as a Communist front, so they changed the name to the NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES. From this was created the World Council of Churches.” (Myron Fagan).
According to the Reader’s Digest, January 1983, the Communist Activity of the Masonic front did not cease with its many name changes. The article documents that both the National and World Council of Churches have funded communists AND terrorists. The title of the six-page article asks the question: “Do You Know Where Your Church Offerings Go?” Without naming Freemasonry, the article depicts how well-meaning Christians have been deceived into funding Masonry’s anti-Christ revolution.
“Reader’s Digest pointed out that many executives in the National Council of Churches believe that a just society is only possible under communism. Yet the great communist human-rights outrages of our time have never been condemned by the NCC’s governing board. . . Not satisfied with their coup of main line churches, the Masonic dominated National Council of Churches is now forbidding Christian instruction of our youth in church child-care centers. An article in the “May 9, 1989, USA Today, entitled “Church Issue Threatens Child-Care Bill,” informed us that the National Council of Churches ‘supports a provision in the bill that says parents who receive federal subsidies may send their children to programs in churches that avoid religious instruction.’ From the beginning, the plan of Masonry has been to merge all religions.” Newswatch Magazine, December 15, 2001. p 15,16.
The goals of the Illuminati/Freemasonry are to secularize the Christian faith, establish primary and higher-class education of an Infidel character (getting God out of the schools, affirm the principle of divorce, and destroy respect for religion.
“Lastly, when Christianity would be sufficiently weakened and indifference to truth strong enough, the final blow was to be dealt by the sword of relentless persecution. A reign of terror was to spread over the whole earth against Christianity. This was to be followed by a Universal Brotherhood without marriage, family, private property, God, or law. . .” Dillon, p 7-8.
Churches in Apostasy
It is clear that the churches have collapsed into apostasy. In addition, because they are 501c3 tax-exempt organizations, they are controlled by the State – rather than being controlled by Jesus Christ. Thus, what the churches may or may not teach and preach will be controlled by the State – rather than by Jesus Christ.
Clergy Being Trained by FEMA to Round up Dissidents
“In a massive secret program, underway for years now, Clergy Response Teams are being secretly trained by the federal government to ‘quell dissent’ and pacify citizens to obey the government in the event of a declaration of martial law.” Cherith Chronicle, p 1
“Shocking KSLA 12 news report confirms story we broke last year, Pastors to cite Romans 13 as reason for public to obey government orders, relinquish guns, and be taken to camps during state of emergency.” Paul Joseph Watson, Prison Planet.com, Thursday, August 16, 2007.
In May 2006, Cherith Chronicle exposed the existence of a nationwide FEMA program which is training Pastors and other religious representatives to become secret police enforcers who teach their congregations to “obey the government” in preparation for the implementation of martial law, property and firearm seizures, mass vaccination programs and forced relocation.
The First Directive is for the Pastors to preach to their congregations Romans 13, misinterpreting it to command that Christians obey the government even if they must disobey God and their conscience. The Pastors have been told they will be backed up by Law Enforcement and that they will lead SWAT TEAMS.
FEMA told Pastors they needed to preach Subservience to Authorities in preparation for Roundups.
The word “quarantine” is not being used. Instead, it is called “social distancing.”
Detention camps have been renamed as “community centers” to give them a friendly, warm veneer.
Pastors were told that in the event of an outbreak or a bio-terrorist attack, there would be a mass vaccination program. They would have a nationwide program called “Pills in People’s Palm in 48 hours.” The Pastors were told that Walmart had been designated as the central outlet of this procedure.
Many Pastors were completely unaware of the diabolic motivations behind he government’s true purpose and were offered incentives to become volunteers, such as preferential treatment and first access for themselves and their families, to vaccines and food shipments in times of emergency.
These Pastors were told:
1. Which roads were to be closed off after martial law was declared had already been mapped out.
2. Founding Fathers and Homeschoolers were Terrorists
3. State and Federal Agency Training Manuals will be supplied to Identify Potential Terrorists. A Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Law Enforcement pamphlet gives the public characteristics to identify terrorists that include: buying baby formula, beer, wearing Levi jeans, carrying identifying documents like a drivers license and traveling with women or children.
4. Binoculars, video cameras, notebooks are to be classified as Terrorist Tools
5. A Phoenix FBI Manual states that Defenders of US Constitution are Potential Terrorists.
6. FBI Warns the Nation to be on the Lookout for People who read Almanacs
7. More than 50,000 private sector executives have been recruited by FEMA to serve as deputy FBI informants under the Infragard program.
8. There are more than 75,000 preachers serving FEMA in the Clergy Response Teams.
9. Internal FEMA documents reveal that the majority of America’s pastors now serve as agents of the shadow government. They are even instructed on how and what to preach.
10. Cable TV workers, Firefighters, Truck Drivers, Maid Services, and hundreds of other professions are now on the government’s payroll as informants.
If Romans, Chapter 13, mandates that we obey civil government, what are we to do if those mandates would force us to break God’s laws?
Romans 13: The Believer and Civil Government
This chapter contains matter that is of the greatest importance, but that fact is rarely recognized.
To Whom is the Epistle of Romans Addressed?
In studying this chapter it is necessary to remember that the Epistle is addressed to professed followers of the Lord.
“Behold, you are called a Believer (Iudean – Judean – NOT “Jew”), and rest in the law, and make your boast of God, and know His will.” Romans 2:17,18
“Know ye not, brethren (for I speak to them that know the law).” Romans 7:1
“It is a mistake, therefore, to suppose that this chapter was designed to set forth the duties of earthly rulers, or as a treatise on civil government, or on the relation that the state should occupy to the church. Since it is addressed to professed Christians, it is evident that its object is simply to tell them how they ought to behave towards the governments under which they live.” Waggoner on Romans, Glad Tidings Publishing, p 13.184
All Power is From God
It is absolutely true, without exception, that all power is from God.
“God has spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongs unto God.” Psalm 62:11
“In Him we live and move and are.” Acts 17:28
It can as truly be said of every individual as of governments, that they are ordained, or appointed, of God. He has a plan for everyone’s life. The power with which the scoffer blasphemes God is as much from God as is the power with which the Christian serves him.
1 Let every soul be subject to the superior authorities, for there is no authority except under God. And the authorities that be are ordained (literally: appointed) by God.
Let no one entertain the idea that this word “ordained” necessarily implies the imparting of some spiritual power. It means nothing more than appointed or ordered, which we can find in the margin. The Greek word from which it is rendered is found in Acts 28:23, where we read that the Believers (Judeans) in Rome appointed a day for Paul to tell them about the gospel. It could as well be said that they ”ordained” a day for him.
The “higher powers” are not above the Most High.
“Wisdom and might are His; and He changes the times and the seasons; he removes kings, and sets up kings.” Dan 2:20,21
The Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomsoever He will.” Dan 4:32
2 Whosoever therefore resist the authority, resists God’s mandate; and they that resist shall receive to themselves judgment (NOT “damnation”),
This is a warning against rebellion and insurrection. It is God who removes kings as well as sets them up. Therefore whoever presumes to remove a king is assuming God’s prerogative. It is as though he knew better than God when the government should be altered. They are setting themselves against God by seeking to overthrow His order. They are putting themselves ahead of God.
It is worthwhile to remember that Christ was condemned on a political charge, and for political reasons, yet He made no resistance although He showed that He had power to do so. See John 18:5-11; Matt. 26:51-53
It may be said that Christ knew that His hour had come. True, but He did not resist at previous times. He continually committed Himself into the hands of the Father. That is an example for His followers. If they are submissive in God’s hands, they can suffer no indignity or oppression that God does not appoint or allow; no injury can be done to them before their hour comes. It is easier to profess faith in Christ than to show real faith by following His example.
Saul had been anointed king of Israel by command of God; but had afterwards been rejected because of his reckless course. Then David was anointed king in his stead. Saul was jealous of David and sought to kill him. David did not resist, but fled. More than once Saul was within David’s power, but David would not lift up a hand against him. If there is any excuse for resisting a ruler, David had it.
Yet when urged even to consent to allow another to kill Saul, David said:
“Destroy him not; for who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord’s anointed, and be guiltless? . . . As the Lord lives, the Lord shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish. The Lord forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the Lord’s anointed.” 1 Samuel 26:9-11
And yet Saul was a wicked man, who had cast off allegiance to God, and was not fit to rule.
3 For magistrates (rulers) are not a fear to the good act, but to the evil. Now you do not want to be fearing the authority. Do good and you will be having praise from it.
4 For it is God’s servant for your good. Now if you should be doing evil, fear, for he is an avenger to execute wrath upon him that does evil.
5 Wherefore you must be subject, not only because of indignation, but also for conscience sake.
God’s word admonishes us to be subject to the powers that be, but it never countenances disobedience to God. God has never ordained any power to be above Himself. It is the height of folly for us to argue from this chapter that it is the duty of Christians to obey human laws when they conflict with the law of God. God does not grant indulgence to sin; much less does He command us to sin. We are not to be subject to the powers that be instead of to God, but because we are subject to God.
“Whatsoever you do in word or deed, do ALL in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Col. 3:17
We are to obey God all the time, and to be subject to human power as well, but always so that it does not involve disobedience to God.
Man cannot serve two masters
“No man can serve two masters . . . You cannot serve God and mammon.” (Matt 6:24)
The reason is that God and mammon are opposite in their demands. Now everybody knows that there have often been human laws that conflicted with God’s commandments. The Christian cannot hesitate a moment in his choice. The law that contradicts God’s law is nothing.
“There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord.” Proverbs 21:30
Some may quote 1 Peter 2:13 as opposed to this. It says,
“Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake.”
But let the reader follow on in the chapter quoted above, and he will see that the submission enjoined does not involve obedience to wicked laws. We are exhorted:
“Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.”
We are to be subject to rightful authority, whether the exerciser of that authority is good and gentle, or obstinate. Then come the words,
“For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering, wrongfully.” 1 Peter 2:17-19
A man could not for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully, unless conscience toward God had compelled him to disobey some command laid upon him. This statement, immediately following the exhortation to be submissive, plainly shows that disobedience is contemplated as a probability when those in authority are obstinate, stubborn, arrogant and evil. This is emphasized by the reference to Christ, who suffered wrongfully, yet made no resistance.
“He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He opened not His mouth.” Isaiah 53:7
Christians and Civil Government
“For our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we wait for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Phil. 3:20
“The one who is a citizen of the heavenly country has no business to meddle with the affairs of earthly governments. He must leave that business to those who acknowledge that this earth is their home. If earthly rulers think to regulate the affairs pertaining to the kingdom of God, they are guilty of gross presumption, to say the least. But if they may not presume to regulate the affairs of the kingdom of heaven, much less may the citizens of heaven interfere in the affairs of earthly kingdoms.” Ibid. p 13.188
Making Earth Heaven
“Many Christians and ministers of the gospel seek to justify their dealing in politics by saying that it is their duty to make this earth the kingdom of heaven. But regeneration is accomplished only by God’s spirit working upon individual hearts, and cannot be controlled by men. The kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of Christ, but only “the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” Rev 11:15; Isa 9:7.
There will be a new earth, in which only righteousness will dwell, but it will be only after the coming of the day of the Lord. 2 Peter 3:10-13. It will not be brought about by political action. We must preach and teach the Word. In no other way in the world can men be made better.
Keeping the Peace
6 For this cause, pay your taxes also; for they are God’s ministers, perpetuated for this self-same thing.
7 Render to all their dues; taxes to whom taxes are due; tribute to whom tribute is due, fear to whom fear is due; honor to whom honor is due;
We must be subject to earthly governments for conscience’ sake; and for this cause also we must pay tribute and perform every duty of that nature that is laid upon us. Taxes may be heavy, and even unjust, but that does not warrant us to rebel. The apostle James speaks to rich men who oppress the poor, and his language applies as well when they are in public office as when in private life. He says:
“You have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; you have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. You have condemned and killed the just; and he does not resist you.” James 5:5,6
Note this, the “just” do not resist. Why not? Because of the injunction;
“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Romans 12:18.19
As the subjects of the King of peace, and citizens of His kingdom, we are bound to live peaceably with all men. Hence we cannot fight even in self-defense. In this, Christ the Prince of peace is our example.
Fear and Terror
Only the evil workers are afraid of rulers. Well-doers have no fear. This is not because all rulers are good; for we know that many are not. “The broad empire of Rome filled the world, and the one who ruled it when Paul wrote to the Romans was the most vile and cruel of all the monsters who governed it. Nero put men to death for the mere pleasure of killing them. Well might he strike terror in the hearts of men; yet the Christians could be calm, because their trust was in God.
“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid.” Isaiah 12:2
8 Owe no man anything, but to love one another; for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law
9 For this, “Thou shalt not commit adultery; Thou shalt not kill; Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
10 Love does no harm to his neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Since he who loves his neighbor from the heart must also love God, and love is the keeping of His commandments, it is evident that the apostle Paul has set forth in this exhortation the whole duty of man. He who heeds this exhortation can never do anything for which earthly governments can justly condemn him, even though he is ignorant of their laws. He who fulfils the law of love will never come in conflict with the powers that be. If they oppress him, they are fighting not against him but against the King whom he serves.
Were the Ten Commandments “done away with” at the Cross?
One very important note about verse 10: “Love is the fulfilling of the law.” Many denominations claim that the Ten Commandments were “done away with” at the Cross and we no longer need to keep them (at least not the fourth commandment – The Seventh-day Sabbath – Saturday) , because when Jesus came to earth and died for our sins, He “fulfilled” the law and therefore “did away with it,” according to these church leaders.
But Jesus clearly stated,
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets; I am NOT come to destroy, but to fulfill. Matthew 5:17Return
These same religious leaders are assuming that, even though Jesus said He did NOT come to DESTROY the Law, that the word “fulfill” somehow means “to do away with” or “to destroy.”
But here we learn that “LOVE - is the fulfilling of the law” and LOVE is the cause AND the result of keeping ALL Ten Commandments. When Jesus was asked, “Master, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?
Jesus responded,
“Thou shalt LOVE the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind,
This is the first and greatest commandment
And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt LOVE thy neighbor as thyself.
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matt 22: 36-40
LOVE is the “fulfilling” of the Law – to LOVE God and to LOVE your neighbor (which means EVERYONE) IS the fulfilling of the Law. Because Jesus was/is LOVE, in that way He “fulfilled” the LAW. We too, will fulfill the law, when we LOVE God and our neighbor with all our heart!
Is it possible to legislate “goodness”?
“Some have supposed that verses 8-10 define the limit of civil authority, and show that men may legislate concerning ‘the second table of the law,’ but concerning no other portion of the law of God. Two things kept in mind will show the fallacy of this: (1) The epistle is not addressed to rulers, but to individual Christians, as a guide for their private conduct. If the duty of rulers were here laid down, they, and not the brethren, would have been addressed. (2) ‘The law is spiritual,’ and consequently none of it is within the power of human legislation. Take the commandment, ‘Thou shalt not covet,’ no human power could enforce that, or even tell if it was violated. But that commandment is no more spiritual than the other nine. The language is addressed to the brethren, and the sum of it is this; Live in love, and you will wrong no man, and need have no fear of any rulers.” Ibid. p 13.190
The End Approaches
The remainder of the chapter is devoted to exhortations that need no comment. Their special force is derived from the fact that ‘the end of all things is at hand.” Therefore we should “be sober, and watch unto prayer.” Although living in the night, when darkness covers the earth (Isaiah 60:2), Christians are children of the light and of the day, leaving off works of darkness.
11 And that, being aware of the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than when we first believed.
12 The night progresses, yet the day is near; We then should be putting off the acts of darkness, yet should be putting on the implements of light.
13 Let us walk respectably in the day, not in revelries and drunkenness, not in licentiousness and in wantonness, not in strife and jealousy,
14 but put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the lusts of the flesh.
Those who put on the Lord Jesus Christ will not themselves be seen. Christ alone will appear. He who is crucified with Christ, can say,
“I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.: Galatians 2:20
And in that case he will conduct himself towards rulers and private persons just as Christ did, “because as He is, so are we in this world.”
How far is it possible for the Christian to live at peace with all men?
“It is possible for him to be at peace with all men, so far as he himself is concerned, all the time. For he is dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto Christ. Christ dwells in his heart by faith, and Christ is the Prince of peace. Then there are no circumstances under which the Christian is justified in losing his temper and declaring war either against an individual or a government . . .” Ibid, p 13.191
If those in authority steel their hearts against the truth of God, and will not be affected by the truth, they will make trouble, but the trouble will be on their part; with us there will be peace all the time.
“If you suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are you; and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope (literally – expectation) that is in you with meekness and fear.” 1 Peter 3:14,15
Daniel Disobeyed the King’s Order
Daniel was “set up” by those in the court who were jealous of the respect given to Daniel by the king. The king was deceived by these jealous men into signing a law that for thirty days, no one could worship any God or man except the king. The penalty was death in the Lions’ den.
Daniel refused to obey the law of the land when it went against God’s law. So he continued to pray three times a day to the God of heaven.
Spies told the king that someone had disobeyed his order. When the king found out that those in his court had plotted against Daniel, he was very sorrowful, but had to uphold his own law and decreed that Daniel go into the Lions’ Den.
As we know, God “shut the lions’ mouths” and saved Daniel. Then the king ordered the wicked men who conspired against Daniel, and their families, thrown into the same Lions’ den, and the lions tore them all to pieces.
It is important to note that God did not prevent Daniel from going into the Lions’ den. Instead, God miraculously delivered Daniel by shutting the lions’ mouths.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego Disobeyed the King’s Order
In Daniel, Chapter 3, we read the story of the three young Israelites who were ordered by King Nebuchadnezzar to bow down, along with all the other government leaders in Babylon, to the statue of gold the king had built.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to obey the law of the land when it was in conflict with God’s law which says, “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.” Exodus 20:3
The penalty for refusing to bow down was certain death in a fiery furnace. The king gave the three young men one more chance to bow down to his statue. They again refused. The king was furious and ordered his men to make the furnace seven times hotter – so hot that the king’s men died from the heat as they threw the three young men into the furnace. They said to the king,
“O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
“But if not, be it known unto you, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up.” Daniel 3:16-18
But the Bible tells us that not only did the three young men survive, a fourth “man” – one like the Son of God – was seen walking with them in the fire. When the three young men were taken out of the fiery furnace alive, not a hair of their head was singed, neither did their clothes even smell of the fire.
How Should We React When Government Makes Laws that Conflict with God’s Law?
Don’t be afraid of the terror. Why? Because we have sanctified the Lord God in our hearts, and He is our fear. God is with us, Christ is with us, and when men cast reproaches upon us, they cast them upon our Savior. The most important thing for all of us who have this truth that is bound to bring us into trouble with the powers that be, is to sanctify the Lord God in our hearts by the Spirit of God and His word. We must become students of the Word of God, and followers of Christ and His gospel.
It is our duty to preach the gospel - to arise and let our light shine, and if we do that, God will hold the winds as long as they ought to be held. But the gospel will never be brought to the world by people who keep quiet about it, but by those who have their trust in God, and are not afraid to speak the words that He has given them.
In doing this we will not take our lives into our hands, our lives will be hid with Christ in God and He will care for them. The truth will be brought to this high place simply by men and women going forth and preaching the gospel and obeying that which they preach. Let the people know the truth. If we have a peaceful time in which to spread it, we will be thankful for that. And if men make laws that would seem to cut off the channels through which it can go, we can be thankful that we worship a God who makes even the wrath of men to praise Him; and He will do it, - He will spread His gospel by means of those very laws that wicked men have enacted to crush out its life.
God holds the winds and He commands us to carry the message. He will hold them as long as it is best for them to be held. Our job is to teach the Good News about God, to tell the truth about prophecy, and God will open the eyes and ears of those destined to “hear.”
The final answer to the question of the Believer and Civil Government is: “We ought to obey God rather than man.” Acts 5:29