The King and the Kingdom: Are they a threat to the present rulers and authorities?

Regarding persecution and being wrongfully taken advantage of by "governing authorities", I fully know how the Lord wants me to act and will joyfully follow Him, but like Paul, depending on the situation, I may appeal to the law if there is any law left. At that point, we may be a completely lawless society. We are on our way as top officials are disregarding the law each day and that sends a message to lower officials that they can do the same. Signs of the times, I am very sure. But, anyway, there are some that read SI that have never thought about any of these situations. I fully expect the BLM to pay another visit to Clive Bundy and this time he won't lose his grazing land but his ranch and maybe his life. And most will applaud it and be back on their couch in front of their TV not thinking that anything they are watching on TV will touch them. It's just another interesting "movie".

The Early Church did not have TV and they were in the marketplace each day "rubbing shoulders" with others. They saw the foreign occupiers, (Roman soldiers) in the marketplace each day, armed with their swords and they just did what they could to live peaceably with all men. Except for one thing, they were no longer of this world, no longer served the kings of this world and were living and promoting a new kingdom. They were on fire for God and preached the Gospel and they kept themselves apart from the world (unspotted). When it finally got around that they were promoting another kingdom and another king, things got worse for them in terms of everyday living. But, they weren't just talking they were doing. So, three questions:

1. In which way was the Early Church living that they manifested to the Romans they were a threat? How exactly were they living out "another kingdom" and "another King"? In America we talk about another kingdom and another King, but we don't seem to be a threat to the present "king" and "kingdoms", because we get along just fine right beside them. An undoubtedly, there are many laws on the books that are not God honoring at all and Christians arguably should not be obeying. The Bible says,

"Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets."

2. Does anyone think that Paul went awry of God when he appealed for justice as a Roman citizen? Was he making provision for the flesh?

3. What are your thoughts on how the Early Church would be living in America, today manifesting the King and the Kingdom? Would they get along just fine with the present rulers and authorities? Which decrees, rules, laws would they find it difficult to comply with?

I think what you are saying is true, Bill.

We must manifest that we love God with all our hearts. And He does not want us to overthrow any "kingdoms of this world", because His kingdom is not of this world (otherwise His servants would fight). Another kingdom would rise up. You cannot force men to be regenerated and we are not in a battle to wipe the earth of our "enemies". But, I know you understand this.

How is the Church in America placing the demands of earthly kingdoms ahead of Christ's Kingdom?

Another question to add to the list:

In America, 18 year old young men, by law have to sign up for Selective Service.

Here are the penalties for not registering:
http://www.sss.gov/FSbenefits.htm

Is this a law that young Christian men are exempt from following according to their own personal faith and conscience?

Would the Early Church have made themselves eligible for conscription into military service?

To return to the original OP. The King and the Kingdom: Are they a present threat to the current rulers and authorities?

My answer would be yes PROVIDED those of the kingdom of Christ are you living HIS kingdom lifestyle. Consider the verses in Acts 17:6-7,

These men who have upset the world have come here also; and Jason has welcomed them, and they all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.

The moment we as citizens of a heavenly kingdom proclaim to the temporal world there is another king called Jesus, we are a threat. But along with our words there has to be that spiritual kingdom lifestyle that will put us at odds with this temporal world.

To live this radical spiritual Kingdom lifestyle that is taught by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount will put us at odds with this world controlled by Satan. This is where the persecution will come forth.

Jesus warned His disciples they would be hated by the world. For they were called out of the world into His kingdom. Ss such those who live a Christ-centered lifestyle are a threat to the temporal world controlled by Satan.

This was the testimony of the early church. This was the testimony of the Anabaptist. And this is the testimony of the martyred church in foreign lands.

As God raises up a remnant church whose sole passion is Jesus, then such a church will be a threat to the temporal Kingdom of North America.

My thoughts.

Bearmaster

PP you have read mpre of the Anabaptists than I. Did they not live out that Sermon on the Mount kingdom reality? Was this not what got them in hot water with the state and church?

Bear

And if anyone missed it: I have a friend who knows of a nurse who is training in North Carolina to chip babies. General population will start being chipped in 2017 (is what she said). The military is always a captive audience and has no rights, so they have been doing isolated "proofs of concept" on groups of them, already.

http://www.businessinsider.com/the-us-military-wants-to-microchip-troops-2012-5

Police brutality on innocent Americans is already taking place and the militarising of the police has been in full-swing for awhile.

Obamacare is the door that opens the American people to many undesirable things. I echo proudpapa's reveille call.

As usual, religion is the great persecutor (married to the state) and uses the state as it's "strongman". This has been repeated over and over.

No doubt, in the days we live, state sanctioned churches will do the state's bidding of "herding the cattle".

Our only safety is "in Him".

Just-in this is an excellent thread, Thankyou. When I read the gospels and the book of Acts it seems abundantly clear that the only people who got into trouble with the authorities were those who disobeyed human authority.

This is so clear I am surprised people cannot see this? Jesus and the Apostles didn't listen to authority when they were asked to stop speaking truth and to stop breaking their rules. As long as they did what they were told they were fine, but when they were led by God to disobey men, this put them in the cross hairs of those who believed they had power over them.

So what does this mean for us? It means that as long as we live a meek and obedient life we will be okay and men will leave us alone. We will have peace and safety we will be living out an insipid, watered down version of the gospel. But to truly follow The Lord and to become obedient to the gospel will eventually at some time and in some place be lead to our deaths whether that be physical or just metaphorical.

As someone said recently there are many, even in this country who have suffered greatly be refusing the false gospel of Babylon and have and still are paying a great price. There are many who have been shunned and cut off from friends and family and their denominations and labelled as outcasts. They have become "dead" to them.

This is where the gospel will take us. And one day, perhaps sooner than we think, this "death" will become more and more literal and more and more painful. I just pray that we will be ready! It won't happen suddenly but it will be a gradual and slow removal of freedoms, just as has happened and is happening all over the world. And once our resistance and appeals have fallen on deaf ears, what then? We had better be ready to renounce all, even our very lives and I pray that we too will suffer with joy the loss of all that this world affords us.

But make no mistake about it, this death that the gospel brings, will not touch those who hide in safety, it will only come to those who ignore and push back against the rules and edicts of men who are in opposition to God.

They are indeed trying to push buttons, but people are maintaining self-control. However, they will continue to look for reasons to put more restrictions on Americans.

Between "false flags" (concocting crises) and depriving citizens of life and liberty, they will get the "flashpoint" they are looking for so they can "lock down" Americans. It is vital to the New World Order, to make America like other nations. I work with a foreigners (Hungary, Ukraine, Brazil, Germany) and I get a great view into their culture and what they can and cannot do. They have all been locked down, already. American remains the lone target.

Just an observation. I am not being pro-American or not. I live here so it's natural to observe what is going on and postulate from my foreign friends, current events and the Holy Spirit where everything is going.

My Brazilian and Hungarian friends tell me that crime is rampant and police never show up in time. I said, "Yeah, when seconds count police are minutes away", and my Brazilian colleague told me in his country, they are hours away.

The Hegelian Dialectic has been employed for a very long time in political/social stratas (RCC uses it well) and I also see it employed in Christendom. Thesis x Antithesis = Synthesis. In layman's terms, if you fabricate a problem and then create a patsy to blame, you can come up with a solution that actually benefits you more (giving you more control).

I actually see the Hegelian Dialectic working in Christendom to water down the Scriptures and create new versions. What is the problem? no one can understand a certain version. But, we don't want to talk about that, so let's move on.

What did the Patriot Act do?

The Patriot Act (which comes out of nowhere) is then very conveniently presented to a shocked Congress and approved without being properly debated or read; the Department of Homeland Security is established swallowing up all other law enforcement and similar agencies; TSA implements the use of total body scanners; travel and visa restrictions are tightened up worldwide; a new security regime is established throughout federal, state, county and city jurisdictions; the taser becomes the new and preferred method of civilian intimidation; Free Speech and Civil Protest are diminished in favor of the emerging Police State.

What about Obamacare? Can't read the legislation, and it is rushed through Congress on Christmas Eve. But what exactly was the problem? Oh yeah, 45 million uninsured.

So, now that Obamacare is passed I suppose 45 million have signed up, right? Wrong!

Obamacare was never about health insurance as many are finding out. It is about control. Next year, the Business Mandate kicks in. It won't be pretty.

Today, they are no longer subtle. Every problem/reaction/solution is about control. As you can see, the effectiveness of the Hegelian Dialectic can be quite dramatic and rapidly executed. When planned over decades, engineered, coordinated and executed with such precision, it can transform a nation, culture or civilization virtually overnight. And so it has. American civilization was targeted for re-engineering.

Dan 8:23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.
Dan 8:24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.
Dan 8:25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, AND BY PEACE HE SHALL DESTROY MANY: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.

yesterday it was the Patriot Act, today Obamacare, tomorrow something else. The problem/reaction/solution, is usually a big distraction designed to keep your eyes off of something more important, happening.

Case in point: Stock market crash of 2008 (engineered). Reaction: TARP Solution: Federal Reserve printing 80 billion a month for 3-4 years. Who really prospered and was bailed out? There was a huge wealth shift. Same thing in 1932. Wealth transfer.

Ok, way too much info for most people to digest. I will stop for now.

But, everything is tied to the endtimes, if that helps.

We need Jesus more than ever because there is really nothing you can do in the natural against all these forces, today. But God is able...to protect you and provide for you and make you a light for a tremendous harvest. God is setting everything up so all people can know for sure there is no hope in this world. This will be a great opportunity for the Church.

I would be careful about questioning authorities, today. They are viewing that more and more as rebellion and terrorism. Just keep a low profile (if you can) and be about the Lord's business.

Soon, like the Early Church, the remnant will be on a collision course with the rulers of this age. Only way to avoid it is to deny Jesus.

Hi MJ,

I tend to go off course, all the time. In normal conversations this happens, often. I don't mind at all and we can always correct and get back on course.

I do appreciate everyone's contributions. Many posts on SI have been instrumental in balancing me out in several areas and that's always a very good thing. Iron sharpens iron.