The argument re church and state separation has its roots in varying denominations landing on the shores of America, disgusted with the heavy-handed and typically ungodly control one denomination sought to exert over other denominations throughout both Western and Eastern European history. Inquisitions, pogroms, imprisonments and slaughters, in the name of God, were sadly commonplace. Nor ought we to ignore the “evangelistic” effort of the known-world Crusades that slaughtered millions in the name of Christ and God, even beyond Europe.
Meanwhile, scripture remains scripture – perfect, eternal, non-negotiable, inevitable. When our precious Lord Jesus, the King of kings, returns in flaming fire and establishes the Kingdom of God on earth, the government will be upon His shoulders, righteousness will prevail and every tongue that rages against God will be stopped, as every knee bows. That is truth. A bluntly worded t-shirt states: “Bow now or bow later”.
The promise of that biblical truth and victory of righteousness triumphing over unrighteousness is revealed in “Christmas scripture”. THAT truly ought to make us merry, keep us merry, and keep us focused, even as our world shakes more and more as we approach the great and dreadful day of the Lord. It will be great for all who lay hold of the grace of salvation open to all men, who believe and follow the Lord in truth, and who are found prepared at His coming. And it will be dreadful for many.
Here’s some great Christmas Card verses. How can you not love this stuff?
Isaiah 9:6-7
6 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.
7 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 the Lord of hosts will perform this.
Verse 6 confirms the separation of church and state will eventually be non-existent. The government will be upon His shoulders. He is proclaimed King of kings.
Verse 7 speaks of a world with equitable and righteous government, and the ensuing peace. We obviously aren’t there yet, and in order to get there, we are told throughout scripture that the world must and will prove it cannot and never will work properly as it even increases in its defiance against the laws of God.
Psalms 2
1 Why do the nations rage,
And the people plot a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves,
And the rulers take counsel together,
Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us break Their bonds in pieces
And cast away Their cords from us.”
4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;
The Lord shall hold them in derision.
5 Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,
And distress them in His deep displeasure:
6 “Yet I have set My King
On My holy hill of Zion.”
7 “I will declare the decree:
The Lord has said to Me,
‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
8 Ask of Me, and I will give You
The nations for Your inheritance,
And the ends of the earth for Your possession.
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron;
You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’ ”
10 Now therefore, be wise, O kings;
Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear,
And rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry,
And you perish in the way,
When His wrath is kindled but a little.
Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.
Meanwhile here we are, strangers in a strange land, redeemed out of our own former dark state, invited to become gates who keep our heads lifted up so that the King of glory may come in (Ps 24) and invade this dark (and getting darker) place with light, through us.
Isaiah 60:1-3
Arise, shine; For your light has come!
And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;
But the Lord will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you.
3 The Gentiles shall come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising.
The biblically revealed course leading up to the culminating events at the conclusion of this age will not be avoided, discounted or delayed, no matter who may attempt to ignore, sand-down, or dissect scripture. Preacher or senator, philosopher or false prophet, none will succeed in dissuading God. It is what it is. Isa 14:24-27 – Who will annul it?
Perhaps our society would benefit by a somewhat clearer (though more sober and breathtaking) prophetic roadmap to the conclusion of this age were we to include verse 5 before verses 6 and 7. It would read as it was written –revealing the clean-up work following the violent world-government overthrow:
Isaiah 9:5-7
5 For every warrior’s sandal from the noisy battle,
And garments rolled in blood,
Will be used for burning and fuel of fire.
And how will the Savior King make His first appearance so that He might set in place the components necessary for His second appearance?
6 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.
Verse 7 concludes by revealing how and what will cause this great worldwide governmental change – not the successful evangelism of theentire known world (although we are clearly called to preach the gospel toevery creature and warn every man as the Lord shakes heaven and earth to getthe attention of all people).
7 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 the Lord of hosts will perform this.
It is the zeal of the Lord, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, that will successfully overthrow the governments of this world, replacing the rebellious with meek and humble people who we are told will inherit the earth. He will rule and reign from Jerusalem in righteousness, and it will be very good.
Merry Christmas.
All scripture NKJV
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