Mark Dinsmore
A number of respected
Christian columnists and pastors across our nation are rightly sounding an
alarm at the thickening shroud of global governance descending upon our nation.
With the presidentially promised "change" now being delivered, the spectre of a
militarized one-world spirituality is darkening the horizon of earth under the
guise of "hope" and "peace."
I understand--and share--the
righteous anger over the sorry state of the church and its lackadaisical
response to the evils of our time. Serious students of God's Word, however,
have been long alerted to these signs: "This know also, that in the last days
perilous times shall come..." (1 Tm 4:1; see also 2 Tm 4:3-4). Though we take
some comfort that our Lord could return at any time for His Bride, it appears
that even those whose blessed hope is in a pre-tribulation rapture should take
heed and prepare for precipitous times ahead (1 Pt 4:12-16).
In light of increasing
daily distress over our nation's economic unraveling and corporate "bailout," a
number of states are introducing legislation to declare their sovereignty and
withdraw from this mess, and some patriots have even called for a 2009
Continental Congress to "establish practicable strategies the People can take,
en masse, to peacefully reclaim Liberty and restore Constitutional Order." Indeed, that
these are "perilous times" only confirms the prophetic import of increasing
global "birth pangs."
Many well-written books
and DVDs document how our nation, and evangelicalism, came to this point, but
this lament is not my chief concern, nor is it in suggesting a roadmap for
political action. Rather, it is to articulate and apply a biblical response to
the foreboding future tyranny that is prophesied (and proceeding) to unite the
world in a Babel-like rebellion under Antichrist. Surprisingly, the cause and
cure of our nation's decline is a controversial subject even among conservative
Christians. As one columnist whom I respect recently wrote, "A real Christian
patriot would never allow his country to be taken over by a gaggle of elitist
goons bent on stealing his liberties...."
"Christian patriot." These
two words are inextricably linked in the minds of most Americans who
grew up
with any kind of serious education regarding the nature of our
Constitutional Republic and the faith of our Founding Fathers. The
ideals of a "Christian
Patriot" are indeed wonderful--to live in a nation that exalts our
Creator and
whose government is firmly rooted in God's Word.
But is this our earthly
hope and promise, prior to Christ's return? And, is this the mission to which
the church is called--to establish "one nation, under God, indivisible...?" Is
this the example of our spiritual forefathers?
Consider Daniel. Consider
Joseph. These courageous men (both types of Christ, among many), were subjected
to all manner of trials and temptation, and yet they did not resist the enemy
with force. Still, God spared them. They both rose to prominence in pagan
cultures that literally worshiped demon-gods--Satan himself--in various
manifestations, but did either Daniel or Joseph attempt to overthrow these
empires by political persuasion? Did they stir up the faithful to stage a
protest or ignite a revolution?
"That's the Old
Testament!" some might protest. Then what of Paul? What of Peter? Did these
equally courageous New Testament saints resist their captors with force? Did
these powerful apostles of Christ start a political party to declare their
independence from the pagan world in which they preached? To a man, no. All of
Christ's disciples except John were martyred--and not for their "inalienable
rights" to live in a country that worshiped God nor for their right to "keep
and bear arms."
We have enjoyed (and oft
taken for granted) the liberties afforded us at the expense of those who bled
and died for our gain. This is a testament to their courage, faith, and God's
grace--but does this mean that the American Revolution is a biblical example and
pattern of behavior for us to follow? To my own initial confusion and dismay
(as it contradicts years of conservative Christian-heritage instruction) there
is not a single example in Scripture of "armed revolution" of any kind as a
pattern for the church.
Remember, it is the Lord
who raises up kings (both just and unjust) and allows them to dictate the rules
of the land in order to bring about His will for His people (Ps 75:7; Dn 2:21;
Prv 21:1); and, as we have seen in the example of Israel, "judgment must begin
at the house of God" (1 Pt 4:17).
Grievously, America is ripe for judgment...and so is the church.
Though it is difficult for us to "count it all joy" (Jas 1:2-4), the
persecution and trials that are coming upon us are for the purification of
God's remnant. As such, a true soldier of Christ seeks to "understand the
times" (1 Chr 12:32) and
prepare his household, his church, and his community--not for a revolution of
might but one of heart and mind.
In fact, Jesus said, "My
kingdom is not of this world... [else] would my servants fight" (Jn 18:36). Do not misunderstand--I am not a pacifist by
strict definition. I support the Second Amendment; I'm teaching all three of my
sons how to be responsible marksmen, whether for food provision or self- and
family defense. But here's the difference: the right to "keep and bear arms"
was not granted to us by God. If (when) our government knocks on my door and
demands my weapons under threat of violence or imprisonment, would it be a
biblical response to resist or "open fire!"?
Thousands of neo-Patriots
cheered, as did I, when former NRA president and "Moses" actor Charleton Heston
declared that the only way he would surrender his weapons is when the enemy
(our own government) "pried them from [his] cold, dead, hands." But through
study, prayer, and reflection, I've come to the conviction that it would be
foolish to give my life for this "right" given to me by man. Though reluctantly
and in the flesh, I pray that I will "render to Caesar the things that are
Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's" (Mk 12:17; Rom 13:1-7). If necessary, I'll defend my family
with my life without a rifle, but we must trust in God's ability to deliver us
from that "temptation," or trial, when it comes (Ps 22:4; Jas 1:2-4).
My fear today is that if
Christians answer a "call to arms" to fight whatever totalitarian regime is
being plotted (in preparation for Antichrist), then godly men will be
imprisoned or die, leaving women and children behind to be ravaged both
physically and spiritually. Going down in a "blaze of glory" like the
Revolutionary "heroes" sounds good to our own flesh, but if we are dead men,
how can we minister the gospel under whatever pagan ruler or communist culture
rises to replace our Constitutional Republic?
We are in a spiritual
battle, but we must choose on which hill we are willing to die. Dying for
Nationalistic Pride or even for our "Rights" is not the same as dying for the
cause of Christ. Far better for godly men to survive in a pagan nation and
submit to rule of law (which God ordains) and to subsist by His Word--unless (or
until) we are asked to bow down and worship a false god. Such an affront would
still not be cause to take up arms. In the life-and-death trial of the fiery
furnace, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah did not go into the flames as "National
Patriots," willing to die for their "Bill of Rights," nor did they offer any
physical resistance to their captors. Like Christ's, theirs was a peaceful
obedience and demonstration of submission to God, who alone is able to save (Dn
3:17-18; Jas 4:12; Heb 7:25).
Does this mean, as some
brethren suggest, that I am weak, unfaithful, or lazy? Does it mean that I am
consigned to our nation's "fate"? No! On the contrary, I am reminded that "we
wrestle not against flesh and blood,"
which causes me to re-focus God's precious resources of time and energy
on eternal things--not on fulfilling the "American Dream" for myself and my
posterity, nor on establishing God's "kingdom now." Rather, we must earnestly
set about "redeeming the time" (Eph 5:16) with renewed fervor to preach the
gospel and make disciples--not for an earthly hope of heaven here, but with an
eye on his kingdom to come (Christ's eternal kingdom). Scripture is clear that
this present terrestrial globe "shall melt with fervent heat...and the works
that are therein shall be burned up" (2 Pt 3:10). That includes every church building, every
mansion, every monument, every false god, and every political power structure
built or imagined by mankind--whether Democrat or Republican, Communist or
"Christian."
Scripture tells us that
"peace on earth, goodwill to men" (Lk 2:14) cannot come until Christ rules and reigns on earth. As Christians,
we should protect and defend human life wherever we are. We should never deny
Christ in order to save our lives, but to throw ourselves in front of an
advancing tank that threatens our "Constitutional" liberties would only crush
and silence our voice for God, and would do nothing for the cause of Christ.
Even John Adams
acknowledged that it is fruitless to force "biblical government" upon an
"immoral people," hell-bent on conspiracy against their Creator. In spite of
the courageous speeches and admirable acts of our Revolutionary heroes like
Paul Revere, was theirs a biblical response? Or, is the Apostle Paul our model
of Christ, when he said, "Therefore I endure [suffer] all things for the
elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus
with eternal glory" (2 Tm 2:10).
These are difficult issues
that one must prayerfully work through. May our Lord continue to
sharpen us all
for His glory and His purpose, "having done all, to stand" (Eph 6:13)
and, as He commanded, "Occupy till I come" (Lk 19:13)--doing so not in
a passive state but in a state of
action for the gospel and cause of Christ. "He which testifieth these
things
saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesu
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