These are the posts for the Facebook group Biblical Citizen, January 2023.
We are to occupy or as some translations say to continue with business until Jesus returns. We should not retreat from a part of society because it has become to corrupt but instead remain and be part of the great commission.
12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. 13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. - Luke 19:12-13 KJV
I think Jesus is returning soon but if He is delayed, I want to make sure I am wise to have provision to continue until He does return.
25 "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. - Matthew 25:1-5 NKJV
I believe we are to go into all the world and sow leaven before Jesus returns for His bride and He sets fire to this world. When we return with Him, the bread will be ready.
33 Another parable He spoke to them: "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened." - Matthew 13:33 NKJV
We are being trampled underfoot by men; let’s return to the public light so we can be salty again.
13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. - Matthew 5:13-16 NKJV
I don’t always use my Roman citizenship as I rely on God to do the work of the ministry. But like Paul, I think it is a good time to pull it out before we are the scourge of the earth.
the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, stating that he should be examined by scourging so that he might find out the reason why they were shouting against him that way. 25 But when they stretched him out with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, "Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman and uncondemned?" - Acts 22:24-26 NASU
As Americans and Christians, we must remember the Kingdom of God is greater than any nation of the earth. It is difficult to see this nation decrease but look to the everlasting increase of the Kingdom of God.
He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. - John 3:30-31 NKJV
One day Jesus will rule over all the nations of the world with a rod of iron. But for now, Jesus has called us to rule with grace and truth and add mercy to justice. We don’t have to be in charge to do so.
Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. - Revelation 19:15-16 NKJV
One day Jesus will claim His inheritance in the nations. I pray this nation will be one of them, a sheep nation.
15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. - Revelation 11:15 KJV
When we as Christians vacate our place as ambassadors of Christ in government, we leave a Pilate with no light, who doesn’t know what truth is. But let’s return to biblical citizenship in a way Pilate will say, “I find no fault with the church.”
36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here." 37 Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." 38 Pilate said to Him, "What is truth?" And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, "I find no fault in Him at all. - John 18:36-38 NKJV
I do not know if America will escape the persecution that our brothers and sisters are facing in other nations. But I do know we can’t remain silent. Why perish before our time? Who knows whether we will bring a last bright light to the world before Jesus returns.
13 And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: "Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king's palace any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" - Esther 4:13-14 NKJV
How did Daniel not lose his religion on the king who threw him into the Lions den? But instead, seriously blessed the king to go another term. Maybe the king saw the peace of God in Daniel even in the face of persecution and possible death. Let us keep the peace of God and be sure that we too remain innocent before God and government as we speak truth and endure the good fight of faith.
21 Then Daniel said to the king, "O king, live forever! 22 My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you." - Daniel 6:21-22 NKJV