"The
Perfect Government"
Pastor
David Green
“Let
every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power
but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever
therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and
they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers
are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not
be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have
praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good.
But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the
sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute
wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject,
not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause
pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending
continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues:
tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom
fear; honour to whom honour."
(Romans
13:1-7)
God has instituted governments among men. Government is necessary and in our text we are reminded of the role of government. We also know and realize that governments are not perfect and many have turned out to be total failures. Some have failed because the system is failed. Others have failed because the men who are running them are failures.
We have in the last few years witnessed the fall of governments and the rise of new ones. Iraq, Afganistan, and Egypt all come to mind. Only history will tell us whether these changes were for good or bad.
Of all the governments in the world, I do believe the founders of the United States of America had it right – a constitutional republic based upon God's law is the best government among men. However, we have drifted far from it. As we look at our government, I cannot help but wonder if we are witnessing its fall as well.
There is a “perfect government that will not fail,” but it is not to be found among the nations of the earth today. It is not democratic in nature, nor is it a republic. It is not a dictatorship nor a monarchy. It is not to be had among even the brightest of politicians in this country. Notice:
“And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.” (Zechariah 14:9)
The form of the government of which I speak of will be a theocracy. Jesus Christ will rule and reign over the entire earth. Under His leadership, every problem of human government will be solved. Thus far, governments have been run by totally depraved individuals. Even at our very best, we are still bad and we will fail. But Jesus cannot and will not fail!
“And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.” (Revelation 20:1-3)
A major problem with human governments is Satan. He has been deceiving individuals now for nearly 6000 years. He will be bound while Jesus reigns!
“He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust. The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.” (Psalm 72:8-11)
The scope of this government will be worldwide. What a spectacle this will be. Can you imagine? The nations who are now Muslim will be under Christ. Atheistic nations like China will be under Christ. Secular nations like France will be under Christ. They all will serve Him and bow down before Him.
“And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.” (Isaiah 11:3-5)
Imagine it! The whole of the world under the absolute control of a King who is so wise that He cannot make a mistake, so righteous as to never dispense , impartially, strict justice to all; so holy and benevolent that he will seek no other object than the glory of God; so powerful as to secure the prompt submission of every subject in His dominion.
“He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.” (Psalm 46:9)
He will rule in complete peace. No, this will not be by chance, but t will be because He makes wars to cease. That has never happened in all of human history!
“And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” (Isaiah 2:4)
No, this is not a ticket for governments to outlaw guns. Weapons will be turned into plowshares because they are not necessary any longer. That cannot be said today, but under the leadership of King Jesus, weapons will not be needed.
“Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes. And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” (Isaiah 35:5-10)
There will be universal blessing during His reign!
“And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.” (Zechariah 14:16)
Jesus will be the focus of all worship. It will be as close to “heaven on earth” as a person could get without actually leaving the ground.