2 John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, 3 “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?”
4 Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen— 5 the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” 6 And he added, “God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.”
7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began talking about him to the crowds. “What kind of man did you go into the wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind? 8 Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people with expensive clothes live in palaces. 9 Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet. 10 John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say,
‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
and he will prepare your way before you.’11 “I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is! 12 And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it. 13 For before John came, all the prophets and the law of Moses looked forward to this present time. 14 And if you are willing to accept what I say, he is Elijah, the one the prophets said would come. 15 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!
16 “To what can I compare this generation? It is like children playing a game in the public square. They complain to their friends,
17 ‘We played wedding songs,
and you didn’t dance,
so we played funeral songs,
and you didn’t mourn.’18 For John didn’t spend his time eating and drinking, and you say, ‘He’s possessed by a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man,[f] on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by its results.”
Matthew 11:2-18, NLT
The futility of chasing acceptance is demonstrated by this parable. Could this be the reason for the Church becoming more like the Kingdom of Darkness rather than the Kingdom of Darkness becoming like the Church? Our culture has become so dominated by the doctrine of “Political Correctness” the doctrine of the Kingdom of God is completely left out. Never mentioned or discussed. The laws, values and principles of the Kingdom of God have been consistently attacked and the Citizens of the Kingdom have for the most part stood by and watched as these eternal, everlasting standards have been removed from consideration. Believers have congregated on the Mountain of Religion and abdicated their rightful positions of Leadership and influence on all of the other Centers of Influence in our society. Government, Economy, Media, Family, Arts and Entertainment, Education and Religion have been invaded by the Kingdom of Darkness and they are now ruled by the Jezebel and Witchcraft spirits of this Kingdom.
But new understanding is coming to the Citizens of the Kingdom of our God. The Kingdoms of this world have failed in every area. There is not a single plan in any of the Centers of Influence of society that is successful. And they know it. That does not mean they will surrender. They will always fight for power and control. But our God reigns, and His Kingdom rules over all.
The Prophet Micah told Israel to “Do what is Right, Love Mercy and walk humbly before your God.” I believe this is good advice today for the Citizens of the Kingdom of our God. There was a time in the world and especially in the United States of America, when “Doing what is Right” was important and was the focus of Government and Law. That has changed. If the Citizens of the Kingdom of our God do not know this, they will be eaten alive by the hypocrisy and deception of the Government and Law of the Governments of this world.
Doing what is “right” is and will always be based on how the action aligns with the instructions from the Word of God. Right is no longer the standard in the Kingdoms of this world. What is “legal” is now the standard of the Kingdom of Darkness. Legal and right are two different things. Legal is determined by the laws, values and principles of another Kingdom that is not the Kingdom of our God. The laws of the Government of the United States are not the same as the laws of the Government of our God. I do believe that was the intention originally by our Founding Fathers, but we have departed greatly from that goal. Today those who operate and believe in the laws, values and principles of the Kingdom of our God are a threat to those who operate and believe in the laws of the Government of the United States. The defeated Satan controls all that is done in the Kingdom of Darkness and he has perverted the law of our land for his cause. There are many laws already that attack Believers. And daily he is directing his followers to pass new laws that restrict, inhibit, deny and destroy for all Believers the rights to worship and to live their lives freely according to their beliefs based on the Words of our God. The posting the Ten Commandments, displaying Nativity scenes, using the word “Christmas”, declaring homosexuality immoral and a sin before God, prayer in schools and many more. The Government is now requiring Chaplains in the Armed Services to perform homosexual marriages. When Believers stand firm on their convictions, the Media and others label them bigots, racist and evil.
Government was created to be a servant of the people and to provide benefits and services that require the participation of many to fund. The law of large numbers. Government was to be a giver. Government has become a taker. I recently told my wife that when I gladly gave over four years of my life in the service of my government including a year as a pilot in Vietnam, I would never have believed at this stage of my life I would now spend such a large portion of my time and our money personally and from our business, protecting us from our government. It is a sad time in our government. Government is a monster that seemingly cannot be satisfied. Government, Economy, Media, Education, and all other influences must be conquered and brought back into right relationship with the laws, values and principles of the Government, the Plan and the System of our God. There is a Plan. It is working and the “Joseph’s” of our day are in Place. Many more will follow them as the knowledge of the Kingdom, the ways of our God and His Plan for “occupying” become more evident to all Believers. Important – Do you know, and are you preparing?
The Kingdom principle for this parable: Do what is right, love mercy and walk humbly before our God. Compromise is denial. We can never be so right we have license to do wrong. Someone should have told the Crusaders, or should tell the Muslims. We can disagree without being disagreeable. We are called to carry the banner, to lift the standard. The battle is the Lord’s. Stand and see His salvation and restoration.
Darren Sell says
Charlie,
I just want to personally thank you for your teachings. To me it is obvious God has givin you the wisdom and gift to discern our Govts. current situation.
I very much look forward to receiving and reading your blogs. My family and I are also currently reading The Kingdom Series.
Thank You Lord for your Servant Charlie Lewis.
Darren Sell
Charlie Lewis says
Thank you Darren for your kind words. I pray the books and other materials are a blessing to you.