In reviewing the Scriptures concerning the character of the believer in this world, we cannot help but be impressed with how the coming of the Lord ought to pervade every aspect of our lives. In the New Testament, we find the coming of the Lord mentioned in all of Paul’s epistles, excepting Galatians and Ephesians. (In Galatians it is left out because they had adopted teaching that undercut one of the basic principles of Christianity, while in Ephesians they were already seen as risen and seated in heavenly places in Christ.) Likewise, John, Peter, James and Jude all mention the coming of the Lord in connection with their particular lines of truth.
The Grandeur of the
Roman World
When the epistles were written, the world was witnessing the largest and possibly the most powerful empire the world had yet seen. Rome was at its height, and Roman law, cultural achievements, military power and administration were a byword in the civilized world. Yet scarcely anything is said in Scripture about all this, except in passing, when it bears on the moral and spiritual truth being conveyed. Paul (and others) do not dwell on the accomplishments of the Roman Empire or on its grandeur. In all his travels, we do not find him commenting on engineering feats (such as roads, aqueducts or monuments), military campaigns, cultural achievements, or anything else that would appeal to the natural mind. Rather, he remarked that “Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world” (2 Tim. 4:10). Evidently the glories of the Roman world were more appealing to Demas than the company of a man who was a prisoner for the name of Christ.
The British Empire
About 150 years ago, when God was graciously restoring to us the truth of the church and also the truth of the Lord’s coming as the proper hope of believers, the world was witnessing Britain at the height of her powers. Her empire was large enough to prompt the boast, “The sun never sets on the British Empire.” Her military power, especially her navy, gave her the role of policing the world, so that the period from 1815 to 1914 is often spoken of as the “Pax Britannica” (Britain’s peace). Yet once again, we find that those whom the Lord used to recover the truth made scarcely any allusion to scientific achievements, politics, military power, or various wars that were fought. Rather, their lectures and writings centered on the theme that “the end of all things is at hand” (1 Peter 4:7).
Present-Day Politics
Much of this issue of “The Christian” was put together during the last few weeks of the campaign which culminated in the U.S. elections on November 4, 2008. On October 14, Canada held a general election, and on November 7, New Zealand also held a federal election. Feelings ran high among many, as liberals were pitted against conservatives in all three countries, and believers were also caught up in it. All of this speaks to us as Christians who are, according to Hebrews 3:11Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; (Hebrews 3:1), “partakers of the heavenly calling.” If the Lord’s coming is not before us as a present hope, it is easy to get taken up in the national feelings and patriotism that come so naturally to the human heart. Instead of seeing the sentence of death on all that is in this world, we find our hearts becoming upset if God allows a government to be elected that would not have been our choice.
Prayer for the Powers That Be
It is quite right to pray for the powers that be and to ask that God’s people be able to lead “a quiet and peaceable life,” but beyond this, we must remember that, just as Christ is hidden for the moment, so is the church. Our hopes are heavenly, and all the movements of man in government, whether by believers or otherwise, will only accomplish God’s purposes in the end. We can thank God for those in government who seek to rule in the fear of God, but we must remember that they are ruling a world system that will soon end in the judgment of God. If we live in lands where there is liberty, we can be most thankful for the privileges granted to us, but let us remember that the severest judgments will ultimately fall on those who have enjoyed the greatest light.
Our Involvement
God has told us that “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse” (2 Tim. 3:13), and believers who involve themselves in the affairs of this world will find that their efforts will continually be frustrated. Our part is to “shine as lights in the world” (Phil. 2:1515That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; (Philippians 2:15)), while expecting the Lord to take us home at any moment. Rather than being like Demas, who loved this present world, we are to “live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:12-1312Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (Titus 2:12‑13)). Let us not allow anything to dim that hope or spoil our proper testimony to the world! Let us hold the truth of the Lord’s coming, not only as a doctrine, but as a fresh and living hope that shows itself clearly in our lives.
W. J. Prost