John 18:36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.”

There has been conflict between the political and the religious throughout history, and some of the worst times have been when the two have been organizationally merged. That’s why the framers of the US Constitution were careful to state that they should not be. Pilate had no grasp of the very idea of a kingdom that was not political, so Jesus had to spell it out for him. This is not to say that those involved in politics should not be religious, but rather that human organizations should not try to mimic God’s power. Romans 13:1-7 is clear that civil government is God’s idea, and several places in the Old Testament speak of civil leaders fearing God and being obedient to Him, but that’s not the same as a true theocracy. In human history, “theocracies” have essentially been religious leaders pretending to be God, and magnifying their human imperfections and failures in the process. It is only when Christ returns that there will be true Theocracy, as it states in Revelation 11:15, famously sung in the Hallelujah Chorus. He is indeed King of kings and Lord of lords! Every believer, and certainly those involved in civil government, needs to be fully committed and obedient in every aspect of their lives.

I have been politicized by events in the US over the past several years, but I’ve got to remember that Jesus’ kingdom isn’t of this world, and failures of the civil government aren’t failures of His. Today we will be involved in active spiritual warfare against territorial principalities, but this is not a battle that will be obvious to physical eyes. Paul expressed it very clearly in Ephesians 6:10-18. We’ve got to be very careful that we are clad in the full armor of God, which is Christ Himself. Here too we need to remember the prayer Jesus taught us, that the kingdom of God would come as His will is done perfectly on this earth. The kingdom of God is not manifested without obedience! I am “senior” in today’s activities, which means I bear the most responsibility for setting the tone and keeping us focused, but I can’t do that in my own wisdom and strength. I must stay fully submitted myself, without any trace of pride. However, if I will do that, God will certainly be faithful, and I can expect great things of Him.

Father, thank You for Your plans. I pray that we would recognize those plans and follow them in every detail, not being presumptuous but neither being hesitant. May we indeed storm the gates of hell today and see them fall, at least in relation to this area. Father, I pray that it would be for the whole nation! May we indeed set the captives free, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!