DEMOCRACY OR THEOCRACY?

When Jesus was asked the question “How do we pray?” He said pray this way: Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

Today, this model prayer reveals exactly what the focal points of our prayers should be. If we consider this prayer very thoughtfully, we can easily understand that Jesus wanted us to pray for a kingdom that would drastically change life on this earth. In essence, Jesus taught us to pray for a kingdom that will provide the opportunity for righteous people to live under the power and glory of God and His kingdom… which will govern God’s will on earth… forever!                                                                                 

Psalms 37:9-11, 29 prophetically describes the time when God’s kingdom comes… and His will is done on earth… and… how long it will last!

“For evildoers shall be cutoff: but those who wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.” “For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shall diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.” “But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” “The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell therein forever.”         

These scriptures are describing the effects of a governing rule based on theocracy! This is not a theocracy where people in authority have appointed other religious people to implement theocratic policies. This is describing real theocracy, implemented solely by The Almighty God through His son Jesus Christ!                                                               

Even though many people would jump at the chance to live under this situation, the coming of God’s promised kingdom, which will bring this to reality, is seldom discussed or even considered. Instead, the vast majority base all their hopes on the governments of men to provide a better life.

Even for religious leaders and church attending people, democracy, not theocracy, is the basis for hope. If the truth be known, the election of politicians and their promises of democracy are of much more value and concern today, than the promises of theocratic rule found throughout the Word of God.  

We all desire and strive for better lives for ourselves and our families in present day life. However if we consider the bible’s amazing accuracy in foretelling the future, no one could deny that it might be worth our attention.

For instance, the prophecy for the last days in the 2nd chapter of Isaiah describes exactly the situation we have just talked about! It perfectly predicts how people during the final part of the days will place their hopes and trust in the leaders and ways of the world. It also predicts how the many things pursued and treasured by men will become totally valueless, succumbing to the power and glory of The Almighty God!

Read it or not, believe it or not, the choice is each individual’s to make. Even people who put their hopes completely in the promises of politicians …. Even these could not deny the bible’s absolute accuracy, if they compared current events to the things God foretold by the prophets.

For those whose hearts are open to God’s Word and desire to place their hopes in God’s Kingdom rather than the kingdoms men have built, the prophetic book of Daniel will prove to be very inspiring.

“And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.” (Daniel 2:44)                          

In future precepts we will examine how the symbolic stories and visions throughout the prophets actually foretell end-time events… Including the rise and fall of men’s governing and worship systems. For now, one of the most important decisions in history is facing mankind, and yet few are even considering it. Should our attention be focused on Democracy or Theocracy? Will we place our trust and hope in the promises of men…. or the promises of God?