THIS IS THE THIRD article in a series on Civil Government. The first looked at Civil Government as it existed at Creation. The second examined the affect of sin on civil government. You can find the first
here and the second
here.
The point of this blog is that God promised a second Adam to restore the dominion forfeited
by the first Adam.
(Isaiah 9:6–7) "6 For to us a child is born, to us
a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his
name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his
government and of peace
there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his
kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time
forth and forevermore. The zeal of the
Lord
of hosts will do this."
We have already discussed how Christ showed us what
submission to authority looks like. We have also discussed how Christ’s cross
shows us what the exercise of God’s authority looks like. It is the happiness
and welfare of the citizens of God’s kingdom at the divine King’s infinite
expense.
Christ’s cross also shows us what the pre-requisites for the
delegation of God’s authority are––humility. (Philippians 2:9–11) "9 Therefore God has highly
exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that
at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under
the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory
of God the Father."
On the basis of Christ’s death and resurrection God the
Father gave the Second Adam the authority that the First Adam forfeited.
(Matthew 28:18–19) "18 And Jesus came and said to
them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations…”"
Jesus is currently seated at the Father’s right hand. By his
sovereign power and authority, he governs all things. He is gradually subduing
all things to his rule and authority. Someday he will return to culminate the
full restoration of the first Adam’s dominion. He will raise the dead. He will
judge all men. He will save the Saints. He will condemn all unbelievers. And he
will create New Heavens and a New Earth. Then Rev 11:15 will be fulfilled. “The Kingdoms of the world have become the kingdom of
our Lord, and of his Christ: And he shall reign forever!”
Utopia, the Garden of Eden, will be restored. Sin will be
banished. God will liberate Creation from its bondage to sin and death. And,
once again there will be no need for Civil Authority.
When we think of Civil Government this is our hope. We hope
for the day when sin is abolished and there is again no need for Civil
Government.
However, today we live in a fallen world, and the existence
of Civil Government continually reminds us of the curse of sin. So, here is the
big question. How should we relate to Civil Government?
The answer to that questions is the subject of the next blog.
Labels: civil government, culture wars, politics, worldview