I have been listening to the audio book “Jesus Wants to Save Christians” by Robert Homes Bell, Jr. and Don Golden.
It is a book that rejects American Imperialism by, among other things, comparing it to Pharaoh’s enslavement of the Israelites.
A simple review of the line of thought is: the people of Israel were slaves under an oppressive system. The Lord opposes oppressive systems such as Pharaoh’s Egypt. The Lord freed Israel and taught them how to live a non-oppressive life, culture, system. In the time of Solomon, Israel had become the “new Egypt” - an oppressive system like the one they were rescued from.
Solomon even used slaves to build the temple. He became an arms dealer, importing and exporting chariots and horses. While this oppressive system existed, Solomon and the people rejected God. Because the Israelites rejected God they were lead into exile.
Later, Israel had taken the law that was to teach them how to live, and made it into its own oppressive system. Jesus came to free Israel and the world from these systems.
I don’t remember if this is in the book, but what is so amazing is that Jesus not only offers freedom from sin, he offers co-heir-ness.
God’s way is not communism where people are equal and ruled by a leader.
God’s way is not a democracy - equal rights, equal voice in choosing the leader.
On earth, men cling fiercely to power. People crush insurrectionists. People kill colleagues, friends and family members for positions of leadership and power.
Early Americans at least believed that people were competent enough to choose the one who would rule them.
Jesus goes way beyond this in saying that we (the church, the saints, the believers) will rule with him and even judge angels. This is far beyond even the loftiest goals and aspirations of human systems.
Jesus offers us the opportunity to live in this system.
As I post this I understand that I am talking in general terms that can be problematic. My goal is to illuminate the outstanding notion of reigning with God.
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