RIGHTEOUS GENTILE GOVERNMENT
Government has been given to mankind by the LORD GOD to rule over Nations. When the LORD delivered Israel from the bondage of Pharaoh He called Moses the Law Giver who gave them God's laws. Exo 31:18 And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God. We today call these laws the 10 Commandments. He also gave to Israel dietary laws, Sabbaths, Holy days and moral laws that were to instruct Israel in everyday life. The Blood of our Lord and Savior was not shed yet, so He gave them animal blood to approach The LORD GOD.
[Heb 10:7-10 KJV] 7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. 8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and [offering] for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure [therein]; which are offered by the law; 9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once [for all].
Today many believe that certain moral laws and the punishment for breaking these laws are obsolete. For instance, Laws on homosexuality, bestiality, witches, wizards, sorcery, necromancy ( speaking to the dead ), astrology, prostitution, idolatry, cross dressing, etc. should not be practiced by Christians for these things are an abomination before the Lord. Should civil government make laws prohibiting these practices with imprisonment and death sentences as in the 1st covenant?
[Lev 20:8-22 KJV] 8 And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I [am] the LORD which sanctify you. 9 For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood [shall be] upon him. 10 And the man that committeth adultery with [another] man's wife, [even he] that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death. 11 And the man that lieth with his father's wife hath uncovered his father's nakedness: both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood [shall be] upon them.
12 And if a man lie with his daughter in law, both of them shall surely be put to death: they have wrought confusion; their blood [shall be] upon them. 13 If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood [shall be] upon them. 14 And if a man take a wife and her mother, it [is] wickedness: they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they; that there be no wickedness among you. 15 And if a man lie with a beast, he shall surely be put to death: and ye shall slay the beast.
16 And if a woman approach unto any beast, and lie down thereto, thou shalt kill the woman, and the beast: they shall surely be put to death; their blood [shall be] upon them. 17 And if a man shall take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness; it [is] a wicked thing; and they shall be cut off in the sight of their people: he hath uncovered his sister's nakedness; he shall bear his iniquity. 18 And if a man shall lie with a woman having her sickness, and shall uncover her nakedness; he hath discovered her fountain, and she hath uncovered the fountain of her blood: and both of them shall be cut off from among their people.
19 And thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother's sister, nor of thy father's sister: for he uncovereth his near kin: they shall bear their iniquity. 20 And if a man shall lie with his uncle's wife, he hath uncovered his uncle's nakedness: they shall bear their sin; they shall die childless. 21 And if a man shall take his brother's wife, it [is] an unclean thing: he hath uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless. 22 Ye shall therefore keep all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: that the land, whither I bring you to dwell therein, spue you not out.
[Deu 18:9-18 KJV] 9 When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. 10 There shall not be found among you [any one] that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, [or] that useth divination, [or] an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, 11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. 12 For all that do these things [are] an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. 13 Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God. 14 For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so [to do].
In our modern thinking these laws seem strange. Even more stranger is that the death penalty should be demanded. What is it about nakedness that the LORD GOD so despises, or the worship of heavenly bodies, speaking to the dead, fortune telling, mediums, witches, wizards?
[Gen 2:20-25 KJV] 20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. 21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; 22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. 23 And Adam said, This [is] now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. 24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. 25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
In these short scriptures contain the plan for mankind's happiness, safety and prosperity. The creation of Adam and Eve is on this account: 1)The man was first created. 2) Eve was taken out of Adam. 3) The natural bond of marriage that the LORD has instituted. 4) They were naked and not ashamed.
The LORD gave preeminence to Adam the man making him the first and federal head of mankind. Thus Adam represents everyone who is born into this world.
Rom 5:12
¶Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:...
Why would God punish all of mankind for Adam's sin? A good way to understand this would be in Heb.7:8-10
[Heb 7:8-10 KJV] 8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he [receiveth them], of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. 9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. 10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
Levi was born many years after Abraham, yet the scripture plainly states that Levi also paid tithes to Melchisedic. This is only possible if Abraham was the federal head of his descendants. For Levi not born yet was in the loins of Abraham. So it is with Adam. We being born in the 21st century have the First man Adam as our representative/ federal head. The headship of the human race is represented in the Male. The first man sinned against God, so we who are born are born into sin. For the LORD saw us in Adam, sinning with Adam. Thus the scripture says: [Rom 5:18-19 KJV] 18 Therefore as by the offence of one [judgment came] upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one [the free gift came] upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
This is the righteous judgment of God. Though it may not sit well with many, I believe the mystery of imputed sin lies in mankind being created in the image of God. We may be born in a physical body, but we are a spiritual creation destined for the heavens in a glorified spiritual body. This is the Body of Christ, the same body the Lord rose in. Our reason, conscience, intelligence is living proof of the existence of God. [1Co 15:42-45 KJV] 42 So also [is] the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam [was made] a quickening spirit.
The bad news is that in Adam we are all condemned. However, the good news couldn't be better. As Adam is the federal head to damnation, The Lord Jesus Christ is the federal head of us who are born again. The righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ is imputed unto us who believe.
[Rom 3:19-24 KJV] 19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law [is] the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God [which is] by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:..
If we can receive the righteousness of Christ as our Federal Head, thus imputing His sinless, righteous life to our account, then we must receive the transgression of Adam to all mankind. These are the ways of God and they are marvelous in our eyes.
The Entrance of Sin into the COSMOS
[Eph 6:1-3 KJV] 1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) 3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
Jas 4:17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
The Genesis account of creation shows how sin entered through Adam. However, rebellion existed far back in eternity past. One of the most beautifully created angels sinned against God.
[Eze 28:14-15 KJV] 14 Thou [art] the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee [so]: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. 15 Thou [wast] perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.
[Isa 14:12-14 KJV] 12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! [how] art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
The devil deceived an army of angels to rebel with him against the Most High. These are the principalities we as believers wrestle against on a daily basis.
[Eph 6:12-13 KJV] 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
So now we see how sin came to be. All humans are born under the demonic shroud of Lucifer's rebellion.
[Eph 2:1-3 KJV] 1 And you [hath he quickened], who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
This rebellion is deep within our soul. It does not disappear, nor be controlled by behaving morally good or righteous. This is why there are clergy in high positions of hierarchy, yet are prosecuted for the vilest of sins including homosex, pedophilia, drugs, prostitution and moral corruption in general. How can this be? It is because they are living in the 1st Adam with his corrupt nature. There must be repentance, faith in the the work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Outside of the redemptive work of Christ no amount of masses, sacraments, washings can produce salvation. The scripture plainly states, "you must be born again".
Jhn 3:3 ¶Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
[Jhn 3:16-21 KJV] 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
PERSONAL SALVATION AND THE DUTY OF THE STATE
Now that there is an understanding of how evil all mankind is without exception, we must understand the God ordained purpose of human government. The Lord Jesus Christ was born under and practiced the Laws of Moses. This is important because Israel was a Theocracy; rule under God. As our Lord ministered and preached the gospel there was great opposition to His work.
[Jhn 8:1-11 KJV] 1 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. 2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. 3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, 4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? 6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with [his] finger wrote on the ground, [as though he heard them not]. 7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9 And they which heard [it], being convicted by [their own] conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, [even] unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
[Lev 20:10 KJV] 10 And the man that committeth adultery with [another] man's wife, [even he] that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.
Please note that only the woman was brought to be executed, but the law said both are to die. They did not care to keep any law, for they are of a murderous heart hoping only to accuse the Lord at the expense of the woman's life Jn.8:6. Israel was given permission by Rome to conduct there own laws with the exception of executing someone.
[Jhn 18:28-32 KJV] 28 Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover. 29 Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man? 30 They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee. 31 Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death: 32 That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die. ( Jews did not crucify criminals, Rome did )
So what did Jesus do? After the the men are convicted of their own sins and leave, The Lord forgives her and tells her, "Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more". Here is a very important lesson to learn concerning Church and State. The State is given the power, authority to execute the evil doers. We today are not under a Theocracy, but the LORD has ordained human government among the Gentile nations.
[Rom 13:1-4 KJV] 1 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. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 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: 4 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.
Before the Laws of Moses were ever given, the LORD GOD established a mandate with Noah after the flood.
[Gen 9:5-6 KJV] 5 And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man. 6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
There had to be a constraint put on man for his evil ways. The reason the LORD flooded the world was because man was doing evil continually.
Gen 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Please note: though God's execution of murderers is a deterrent, the chief reason is that man is created in God's image. You are defiling the IMAGE OF GOD. It is to this end that the State bears the Sword. When governments do not obey God's laws in executing men worthy of death, then we have ungodly rulers. Capital punishment still holds for today. The apostle Paul expressed it in this way.
Act 25:11 For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.
Act 25:25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.
Act 26:31 And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.
Today ungodly rulers swayed by false compassion have caused many crimes to go unpunished. When men are given lesser penalties they ignore the Justice of God for what they believe is more humane, just in their own understanding. The truth is that when evil men are allowed to live, then men are emboldened to do more evil.
Pro 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
Pro 21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
In America, where there are no rulers (?) we have a Republic. It is to be, " by the people and for the people." We elect officials to represent us in government. If these representatives are ungodly then the end of the Republic is Anarchy & Chaos as we are witnessing in 2020.
[Isa 10:1-2 KJV] 1 Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness [which] they have prescribed; 2 To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and [that] they may rob the fatherless!
There are Law Makers who would make laws that are unrighteous and grievous to be borne.
1) turn aside needy from judgment: Job 36:6 He preserveth not the life of the wicked: but giveth right to the poor. ( The idea is legal rights ) Amo 5:12 For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right.
Isa 29:21 That make a man an offender for a word, and lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate, and turn aside the just for a thing of nought. (Prophets would often warn the cities of judgment at the entrance of the gate)
Mal 3:5 And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.
The LORD alone is righteous, just in his dealings with mankind. Though evil men would set up governments for their own advantage to rob the poor, widows and fatherless, God is watching. There will be a day of reckoning where we will all give an account of our lives before the Lord Jesus Christ.
[Rev 20:11-15 KJV] 11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.