It is commonly said the righteous will live by faith. Abraham was credited with righteousness not because he was a perfect man but because he believed what God had spoken (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3; Galatians 3:6; James 2:23). With only a promise from God, Abraham was told to leave everything he knew; his country, his kindred, and his father’s household (Genesis 12:1-2). This is what makes a man righteous. Faith – the absence of doubt. Forsaking what you know and trusting in God. A righteous man has faith that God will deliver on his promises even when the promise appears to be impossible. For Abraham, it was the promise that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars (Genesis 15:5), even when he as an old man was told to sacrifice his son – the only heir to God’s fulfilled promise.
If we think of this in the broadest of terms, we can know that as individuals we are ultimately promised one of two futures. The first is a promise where those who have faith in Christ will be resurrected into eternal life (Revelation 2:7). The second is a promise where those who doubt and oppose Christ’s authority as King will be resurrected into death and forever separated from God (Matthew 25:30-46). One of these two futures will be granted to each and every one of us as a result of our obedience or disobedience to the Fathers perfect law of love (Matthew 25:45).
Christ’s promise states that evil will be removed from creation – forever. Our sins will be cast away as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12), and the names of those who found pleasure in tyranny, subjugation, and the torture of God’s servants will not be found written in the book of life (Revelation 20:14-15). No amount of evil will enter the new heavens and new earth (Isaiah 65:17-25; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1). We will be free to experience joy far beyond anything we are currently capable of understanding. Believe in God’s promise. That is faith. Faith that God will deliver us from this fallen world and usher us into paradise. It is so beautifully simple; all we really need to do is love God, love one another, and have faith in his resurrection power – along with everything true love and faith requires of us.
But how can we know the truth of our faith in a world where a multitude of religious organizations are all espousing salvation in Christ through different means and different works? Is Christ divided?
We are faced with mass deception in this world. It comes to us by way of our social institutions, by our religious ideologies, and by our governments. What many in the church fail to acknowledge is that our faith does not reside in these things. Especially not our corrupt and degenerate world leaders. We must understand, Christ never once instructed us to take up arms against tyranny or fight and protest in opposition to the governments of this fallen world, even if they are tyrannical. In fact, it is quite the opposite. We are instructed to love our enemies (Luke 6:35).
If we search the entire New Testament, we will find the only thing Christ, his apostles, and the many disciples were ever truly protesting was a false religion in the name of God – not a broken constitution in the name of earthly government. Christ was not preaching against Rome or Caesar. He was preaching against the false religious teachers in Israel. Think about it…
The religious leaders tried to trap Jesus with his own words. They hoped in vain that if they could somehow persuade Jesus to publicly denounce Caesar, Jesus would be in big trouble with the authorities. He would be sent to prison or killed and therefore would no longer be a threat to the Pharisees rule over the religious establishment (Mark 12:12-17; Luke 20:19-26). They questioned Jesus about paying tribute to Caesar (the government). Christ’s response was to tell the religious teachers to give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. Jesus was not concerned at all about what Caesar was doing. Our precious Lord Jesus was only ever concerned about the trickeries of the false religious teachers. He then told the chief priests to give to God what belongs to God. Never once did Christ command his apostles to preach against the tyranny of Rome.
Then later, when our Lord was on trial for the sin of blasphemy, he was led before Pilate to be judged. We read that Pilate was afraid Jesus might in fact be who he claimed to be – the son of God (John 19:8). Pilate then asked Jesus where he came from (John 19:9). Jesus did not answer. Pilate then reminded Jesus “knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?” (John 19:10). Jesus then declared that Pilate’s “power” came from God… what Christ said next is exactly what we should find so striking.
“Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.” (John 19:11; emphasis in bold mine throughout this chapter)
Christ clearly stated that the false religious teachers have a greater sin than the ultimate tyranny of the Roman Empire. Why? Perhaps because the Romans were preaching false works in the name of false gods, while the religious teachers in Israel were performing false works in the name of the One True God. Which do you believe is a greater sin?
Protesting an earthly government to the point where the government is overthrown, will only lead to another earthly government. Taking pride in our earthly leaders and trying to change our corrupt governments is futile and irrelevant. Our King Yhowshua has established an eternal government ruled by God Almighty. It is His government and His laws that we should seek to know and continue to practice!
The tyranny in the western world and across the globe is only going to increase. The prophesies explain how these events must come to pass before a lasting peace is finally established. Dearly beloved of God, we have nothing to fear. Whether we meet our end at the hands of government tyranny, deadly religious extremists, or our bodies expire from old age, accident, or some mysterious virus, we should always remember this wonderful truth. Christ is concerned with our eternal souls, not our earthly passions, possessions, or transitory powers of government. For this purpose, we must deny this fallen world and adhere only to what our Lord and King has taught us to observe.
“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” (Revelation 3:22).
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The Christian Doctrine Paradox 
Guy Fawver
The Proud Boys & Oath Keepers would definitely distance themselves from your view! I often tried to visualize Jesus & His followers demonstrating with signs & weapons of any kind to storm the Sauls palace & claim David has stolen the throne! Then break in, threatening murder and overthrow Gods rule over the realm of mankind. He holds the king’s heart in His hand, and He raises them up, and brings them down, according to His purposes. Not ours, with our proud, arrogant, and self righteous knowledge, that’s so limited to Gods.
Keep writing the truth to challenge, warn, correct and rebuke lies. Let man be the liar, and let God be true!
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philipwalls5941
Hey Guy, thanks for the comment.
From what I know about the Proud Boys, you would be right. They would most certainly not agree with my view. I honestly don’t know what they stand for because I haven’t followed their progression myself. I would only say that if they believe we should overthrow a corrupt government by our own might, and by our own hand will the corrupt governments be brought to justice… They would be wrong, and their efforts will follow their name, “Proud”.
“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. 19Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. 20He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.” (Proverbs 16:18-20)
We need to trust in the Lord rather than trusting in our own strength via the arrogant pride of toppling a corrupt government for our own desires and purposes. It is no secret to say people have sought to topple a corrupt government all throughout history in order to build a new government in its stead. They believe they possess the knowledge to form a better government in one way or another. In every case, the new government will also inevitably become corrupt in itself. As it is said, absolute power corrupts absolutely. Take the USA for example (and there are many other examples). The USA was founded by men who desired a “more perfect union”. The founding fathers sought the solidarity of a new government in the new world by bypassing the authority of the corrupt kind of England. It was a good idea… allegedly. But the result of this “more perfect union” was the degenerate corrupt government we see today. Once again proving that we (mankind) are incapable of governing ourselves. The US has become yet another corrupt government founded by earthly men with mortal desires. Earthly power can and will always be corrupted by Satan. No matter how noble or “perfect” their intentions are. Forming a “more perfect union” is impossible without following Christ’s commandments. A peaceful world government is impossible without Christ.
The second book of the CDP series which is already underway is in fact based on this very topic; Christians who give their allegiance to man-made governments, and seek to defend those man-made governments with their lives, will in every case fail to be practicing the teachings of Christs. They can use the name of Christ all they want, but it will not have been a government founded on Christ’s teachings.
One example to prove this point can be found by reading Mr. Benjamin Franklin when he wrote, “The refusal of king George to allow the colonies to operate an honest money system, which freed the ordinary man from clutches of the money manipulators was probably the prime cause of the revolution.”
We must understand, the one central reasons regarding how America came to be what it is today was founded on a principle that Christ wanted nothing to do with. The founding fathers hated paying taxes, just like the religious teachers in Jesus’ day hated paying taxes… honestly, who doesn’t hate paying taxes? Nevertheless, we have all heard the response given by Christ.
“13Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. 14They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not? 15Should we pay or shouldn’t we?” But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. “Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” 16They brought the coin, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” Caesar’s,” they replied. 17Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” And they were amazed at him.” (Mark 12:13-17; NIV)
If Benjamin Franklin’s statement is true, that means the USA was founded on the belief that if they could only operate an “honest money system” everything would be hunky dory… If the founding fathers were practicing Christ’s teachings, they never would have revolted against paying taxes and waged war against their fellow man for the purpose of saving money (paying less taxes). Christ instructed the religious teachers to stop complaining about taxes, but to give to God what belongs to God. What Christ said in Mark 12 and what the US founding fathers believed are complete contradictions to one another. America was NOT founded as a “Christian” nation.
What the Proud Boys and a multitude of other proud Americans do not understand is that the nation was founded on denying Christ’s teaching to let the powers be, but to continue in practicing the works of God. Love God, and one another. Never are we commanded to FIGHT for anything or for any reason.
It is not our job as Christians to bring the corrupt governments to their knees, nor to take their place as the ruling party… The downfall of those who practice wickedness will come on Judgement Day.
“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” (Revelation 20:11-12)
The point is, as much as I loathe this government and their corrupt ways… I also understand that it is God who put them in power. And it is God who will bring them to justice (John 19:11).
Take care, brother.
Phil
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Guy
They’re about violence is good if they won’t be heard any other way. Force is their beliefs and means to accomplish their end agenda. Deceived and deceitful, like so many others.
On Mon, Jan 17, 2022 at 2:23 PM The Christian Doctrine Paradox wrote:
> philipwalls5941 commented: “Hey Guy, thanks for the comment. From what I > know about the Proud Boys, you would be right. They would most certainly > not agree with my view. I honestly don’t know what they stand for because I > haven’t followed their progression myself. I would only s” >
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Sondra
What about Jesus’s reaction to the tax collectors in the Temple? It seems He was angry about the lack of Love and respect for His Father because they were doing something unacceptable in the Temple of His Father. He used a type of “fighting” to stop it.
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philipwalls5941
Excellent question, Sondra. thank you for the comment.
“14In the temple courts He found men selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and money changers seated at their tables. 15So He made a whip out of cords and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle. He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16To those selling doves He said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn My Father’s house into a marketplace!
17His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for Your house will consume Me.”” (John 2:14-16; Psalm 69:9)
You of course are referring to, in the beginning of this chapter, how I mention Christ never instructed us to fight and protest. Which is true. However, I also mentioned the only thing Christ and his apostles were ever truly protesting, was a false religion in the name of God. Which is exactly what the “religious” leaders were doing in the temple at that time, and is exactly why Jesus was so upset. They were selling animals to be sacrificed, trying to make money off the Sacrificial offerings, instead of performing the sacrifice offerings according to the law. In the Law, they were commanded to tithe the sacrifice offerings, for free! (sacrificial offerings commanded by God in Old Testament). Temple worship had become corrupt in all it’s ways. That is what Christ was protesting. A false religion, in the name of the Lord God (Pharisees at the time), and never did he protest a broken constitution in the name of earthly government (Rome at the time).
For a lengthy study on the sacrifice offerings of the old testament (i.e. tithing cattle/oxen, fruit, vegetables, wheat/corn, etc. for the sacrificial feasts) see chapter “Who Forgot the Second Zero”.
In brief, Jesus was cleansing the temple (false worship in the name of Lord God), he was not cleansing the corrupt government (Rome). There are numerous examples that could be offered to support this understanding, and literally zero to support the notion that Christ’s desire for our lives is to protest and fight against a ruthless earthly government.
thanks, and God Bless
Phil
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James W Lamb, Jr
You mention on page 11. “… the millennium reign of Christ on the planet earth”. However, you give no scripture reference to back up such a statement. Chapter 20 is probably the most misunderstood and misinterpreted chapter in the book of Revelation. This is the seventh series and we can expect it to look a lot like the other six, just with a different set of symbols. What is not in Chapter 20: The Rapture, the Millennium, The Great Tribulation, etc. It does not mention the second coming of Christ; it does not mention a reign on earth, it does not mention a bodily resurrection; it does not mention Christ on Earth, and and it does not mention us, it says “they”.
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philipwalls5941
Hi, James.
Thanks for the comment. It’s always good to hear feedback.
As to not providing scriptural reference to the millennium reign of Christ on page 11, I would have to assume you have not read the latter chapters of the book which go into extensive detail concerning this topic. Most notably in the chapter “90 Minutes in Sheol”. To answer your concerns I would point you to chapter 10. https://doctrineparadox.com/2020/04/21/90-minutes-in-sheol/
Take care, and God bless
thanks
Phil
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