“A KINGDOM WHICH CANNOT BE SHAKEN”

I observe politics with interest, concerned for the continuity of our Constitutional republic. It causes me no small measure of alarm to witness the underpinnings of our form of government willfully disregarded by those in office. As did Christ, I criticize some leaders (Luke 13:31-32), and as did Paul, I petition the government for a redress of grievances (Acts 16:37), all the while being careful not to curse those who rule (Ecclesiastes 10:20), but render them due honor (1st Peter 2:17).

Despite my love for this nation and my concern for its future, I must exercise caution as to how deeply I invest myself in political activity, for inevitably, my country will one day meet its demise. The prophet Daniel interpreted a dream for Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylonia, telling him, “The God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength, and glory… But after you shall arise another kingdom inferior to yours; then another, a third kingdom… which shall rule over all the earth. And the fourth kingdom… will break in pieces and crush all the others” (Daniel 2:37-40). Notwithstanding Nebuchadnezzar’s glory and might, the Babylonian Empire fell to the Persian Empire, which in turn was overtaken by the Greek Empire, which was itself consumed by the Roman Empire. No nation, no kingdom, no empire, vast and powerful though it may be, lasts unendingly – except for one.

We sometimes sing, “The kingdoms of earth pass away one by one, but the kingdom of heaven remains; it is built on a rock and the Lord is its King, and forever and ever He reigns. …It shall stand, forever and ever and ever, it shall stand”
(“The Kingdoms Of Earth Pass Away” by H.R. Trickett).

With reference to the Caesars, Daniel foretold, “In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up A KINGDOM WHICH SHALL NEVER BE DESTROYED; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever” (Daniel 2:44).

Christ Jesus, who was born when Caesar Augustus ruled the world (Luke 2:1), asserted that the kingdom of God would be established during the lifetime of His contemporaries (Mark 9:1). Of that kingdom, His church, He said, “the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18-19).

Kingdoms crumble and empires fail, but the Lord’s kingdom endures. “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; AND THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE UPON HIS SHOULDER. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. OF THE INCREASE OF HIS GOVERNMENT AND PEACE THERE WILL BE NO END, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of Jehovah of hosts will perform this” (Isaiah 9:6-7).

Our nationality is incomparable: “A HOLY NATION, HIS OWN SPECIAL PEOPLE, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now THE PEOPLE OF GOD, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy” (1st Peter 2:9-10). Yea, “OUR CITIZENSHIP IS IN HEAVEN” (Philippians 3:20).

Our Sovereign is like no other; the Lord Jesus Christ is “the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords” (1st Timothy 6:15).

The durability of this dominion is certain: “we are receiving A KINGDOM WHICH CANNOT BE SHAKEN” (Hebrews 12:28).

Nations rise, and nations fall, but the kingdom of Christ is steadfast.

By Bryan Matthew Dockens

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