The Senate Chaplain's Prayer
Jan 26, 2020 13:38:48 GMT -5
Post by Radrook Admin on Jan 26, 2020 13:38:48 GMT -5
The Senate Chaplain's Prayer
I was very impressed with the sincerity and the reverence with which the senate Chaplin addressed himself to God as part of the introduction ceremony the impeachment trials. I am also please to see that it is allowed to take place even though many who are in attendance are very possibly agnostics or atheists. That is commendable. However, I did notice that immediately following the prayer in which the creator's guidance is reverently invoked-there followed a pledge of allegiance to an earthly government. The reason that it seems odd is because Earth's governments are clearly identified in the Bible as being in opposition to God and scheduled to be removed in order to make way for God's heavenly Kingdom's administration of Earth's affairs as pointed out in the following scripture:
Daniel 3:44 (NKJV)
44 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.
44 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.
Also, a pledge of allegiance is a pledge of obedience. If indeed we are citizens of God's kingdom as Christians, then our pledge of allegiance cannot be to both governments because their agendas are very often in opposition. That is why Christians and the world are in opposition to one another. If a group is not, then it must be pleasing the world which is in opposition to God. So pledging allegiance to a government of this world is not a Christian ting to do
.
“The world has hated them, because they are no part of the world.”—JOHN 17:14.
The pledge also ignores the fact that the devil is described as being the god of this world and that the nations are described as beasts. Also, that when the Devil claimed having power over these kingdom, Jesus did not contradict that claim.
Luke 4:6
…5 Then the devil led Him up to a high place and showed Him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6“I will give You authority over all these kingdoms and all their glory,” he said. “For it has been relinquished to me, and I can give it to anyone I wish
…5 Then the devil led Him up to a high place and showed Him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6“I will give You authority over all these kingdoms and all their glory,” he said. “For it has been relinquished to me, and I can give it to anyone I wish
In short, the the Senate Chaplin''s prayer is indeed admirable, but it raises a host of questions and serious issues which indicate that something is awry. Please read the excerpt below for further clarification:
Citizens of Kingdom of God
(From Forerunner Commentary)Matthew 22:17-21
Speaking of taxes in Matthew 22:21, Jesus taught His disciples to “render . . . to Caesar the things that are Caesar's,” enjoining His disciples to pay them. This teaching parallels the general principle that Christians are to be subject to the governments of this world (Romans 13:1) yet to obey God rather than man (Acts 5:29).
In doing so, we are to be good citizens appreciating the privileges and opportunities extended to us. We are to submit to the nation's laws and regulations as long as they do not conflict with the commands of God. If they do, we must be willing to submit to their penalties.
Above all, Christians must follow Christ's teaching and example. Jesus neither attempted to reform human government nor use political means to forge a better world. Rather, He preached the doctrine of a radically different world to come, calling His followers out of this present evil world and to allegiance to His coming Kingdom.
Jesus told Pilate that His Kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36)—that is, of this age or present time. This is Satan's world, and Christ came, not to reform Satan or improve his handiwork, but to save His followers from Satan and his system. A Christian is a citizen of the Kingdom of God (Ephesians 2:19), and since that Kingdom is not yet set up on earth, our citizenship is now reserved in heaven (I Peter 1:4).
This fact means that Christians are to be separate from the world and its social, political, economic, and religious affiliations (II Corinthians 6:14, 17). We live by God's laws and give Him our sole allegiance, since we cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24).
Martin G. Collins
www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Topical.show/RTD/cgg/ID/14165/Citizens-Kingdom-God.htm