Issachar Gazette: Common Sense in an Age of Vain Ideology
Abre mis ojos
1. There are 3 basic government functions a) Legislative b) Judicial c) Executive (including the prerogative of mercy/clemency) These are united in God, divided in man, as man is corruptible. Isaiah 33:22 For the LORD is our judge; the LORD is our lawgiver; the LORD is our king; he will save us. 2. What is the Christian's Role in this government, in this present age ( a different regime for a different age - 1 Cor 6:3) James 4:12 There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor? 2.1. The Christian has no role in the legislative function because the Law has been given. In fact, the Christian is to ensure that no further words are added to the Book (Revelation 22:18-19) 2.2. Where is the law? What is the law? There are various kinds of law a) Universal Moral Law - this is embodied succinctly in the Ten Commandments (see Exodus 20). There are also spiritual laws of general application e.g. see Leviticus 18 and the lawlessness that leads to the land becoming sick and vomiting the population our i.e. the Egyptians and Canaanites / Amorites b) Particular Ceremonial Law e.g. not to eat pork or shellfish (levitical laws). Note that the prohibition against certain foods has lifted (though there may be good health reasons not to eat them) - see Acts 10. c) Covenant promise to Abraham (Land grant: Genesis 12, 15) but see who the "sons of Abraham" are i.e. sons of faith, including Gentiles who believe in Yeshua - see Galatians 3 Note: Jesus did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the Prophet but to fulfill them. i) The wages of sin is death ii) only life can cancel death - Lev 17:11 the life is in the blood iii) the shadow points to the sun/Son: institution of blood sacrifices of bulls and goats and sheep but it is impossible to "take away" sin, as opposed to annually covering sin iv) Christ is the Lamb of God slain from the foundations of the world (Rev 13:8) . John the Baptist of Jesus said: Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29) Hebrews 9 When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here,b he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. 12He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. 13The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death,c so that we may serve the living God! 23It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. 25Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. Hebrews 10
1The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. 2If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. 3But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, 4because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
Note:
2.2. The Christian has no role in judging another human being - we don't know what is in a person's heart (which is deceptive); only God does. God knows the facts accurately. No other human being does, since God looks at the heart and not at external appearancs. There is a judging role though, for some: 1 Cor 6:3 Do you not know that we will judge angels?
2.3. The primary role then is found in Psalm 149: executing the righteous decrees and judgments of God - which implies that the saint can hear them and knows how and when to bring these into effect. It is a policing / army type function.
New King James Version (NKJV)Psalm 149
149 Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song,
And His praise in the assembly of saints.
2 Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;
Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
3 Let them praise His name with the dance;
Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp.
4 For the Lord takes pleasure in His people;
He will beautify the humble with salvation.
5 Let the saints be joyful in glory;
Let them sing aloud on their beds.
6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth,
And a two-edged sword in their hand,
7 To execute vengeance on the nations,
And punishments on the peoples;
8 To bind their kings with chains,
And their nobles with fetters of iron;
9 To execute on them the written judgment—
This honor have all His saints.
Praise the Lord!