08/07/14 THE STATE HAS THE SWORD OF STEEL...

08/07/14 THE STATE HAS THE SWORD OF STEEL...

I believe God gave the power of the sword to the State, to punish the wicked and protect the righteous. I believe the State has the responsibility to use that power in accordance with God's rule. This does not justify all actions taken by human governments nor does it permit the use of force outside of Biblical reasons.

The Bible clearly teaches that the Church and the State are two different entities, with two different ways of serving God. The State cannot do the work of the Church and the Church cannot do the work of the State.

With that said, the work of the State is made more encompassing as the world becomes smaller. Colonialism and Imperialism are not God's plan for human governments. However, in our global village, the punishing of the wicked must include those outside of a sovereign nation. Also, the protecting of its citizens includes all attacks, whether domestic or foreign.

The fact is, there are wicked States that want to take over the world and kill all Christians. It is not the job of the Church (or of Christians) to take up the sword of steel against evil men: it is the job of the State.

If you have ever played RISK, you know that you must defeat smaller nations in order to get the strength to defeat larger nations. In the game of RISK there is no such thing as peaceful coexistence. Today there is no peaceful coexistence in the real world. In order for a nation to protect its people and to punish those who do evil to their society, it must use the sword against other nations. Again, not for colonialism or imperialism, but for safety and justice.

Remember, we will not see the Kingdom, until the King comes back. All earthly States are doomed, because they will all serve a false god. However, we should not be surprised at war and rumors of war. We should not be shocked at the wickedness of man growing more bold and more vile. Though we do not expect the politics, or the economics, or the arms of this world to bring the Millennium, we must understand that the God-appointed barrier between righteous and evil men in this world is the sword of steel.

This is why I was happier to see the USA wield the sword for safety and justice in a world gone crazy. If America did not do it, it would not get done. Then again, that is the sad state of our future world. It seems that our great nation is being fundamentally changed and we are aligning ourselves with the wicked nations of the world.

Therefore, do not trust in horses or chariots, or the sword of steel, or the arm of flesh, since all will fail. Now is the time to look up, for our redemption draws near (Lk. 21:28; Titus 2:13).