Indeed, we do watch and report on world affairs, but unlike the myriad of other news sources available, our focus is to reveal how prophecies of the Bible are being fulfilled, today!
The word “political” can simply mean, “of or relating to government,” and it is this meaning which applies to the true gospel. Astounding as it may seem, the gospel of the Kingdom of God is a far-reaching political statement emphatically proclaimed by Jesus Christ:
“Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel’” (Mark 1:14-15; also, compare Matthew 4:23).
Gospel is the English word translated from the Greek, euaggelion, meaning, “good news.” Jesus spoke about a future government which would be established by God when He sends Him back to rule the earth. In this context, Jesus taught that we should anticipate this good news:
“‘In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven’” (Matthew 6:9-10).
Moreover, the Church of God has been commissioned to carry forward the very same message that Jesus brought. It includes an announcement about the end of this world’s governments under the invisible influence of Satan the Devil (compare John 14:30; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 John 5:19). Jesus came and qualified to be the future ruler of the world by overcoming Satan, and He announced this:
“‘These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world’” (John 16:33).
Adding: “‘Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out’” (John 12:31).
The change of government over the earth has not yet happened; however, it will, and the Church of God fulfills a unique role as representatives of the Kingdom of God:
“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20).
Before Jesus ascended to Heaven, He gave these instructions to His disciples:
“‘…Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned’” (Mark 16:15-16).
Preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God has led and will continue to lead some few to God’s promise of SALVATION in this day and age; however, not all will believe! Most people will reject God’s message now, but in addition to announcing the coming government of God on earth, the Church of God must accomplish another aspect in its commission—to WARN:
“‘And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come’” (Matthew 24:14).
Jesus said that His servants would confront the political forces of this world:
“‘But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you’” (Matthew 10:17-20).
Facing shipwreck, the Apostle Paul was told by an angel of God that he and his companions would be saved. The angel further stated, “‘“Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar…”’” (Acts 27:24).
In Matthew 24, Jesus revealed the world conditions His disciples would face just before His return at the end of this age. He spoke of deception and false prophets, wars, famines, pestilences and earthquakes—along with persecution. Additionally, He said that we should “‘watch’” and “‘be ready’” (Matthew 24:42, 44).
We are doing just that by reporting on events as they develop in fulfillment of Christ’s warning! We are doing so in great detail through our booklets, weekly Updates, StandingWatch and AufPostenStehen programs presented by Evangelist Norbert Link, sermons and sermonettes—all available on our websites: www.eternalgod.org; www.churchofgodacf.ca; www.globalchurchofgod.co.uk; www.aufpostenstehen.de.
The Church of God also has an additional responsibility to serve as a “WATCHMAN” to proclaim the prophetic messages for our time (compare Ezekiel 33:7)!
Jesus referred to the prophecy of Daniel as an end-time event (Matthew 24:15), and Daniel himself quoted a prophecy being fulfilled which was made by Jeremiah (Daniel 9:2).
Many of the prophecies given to the prophets found in the Old Testament did not apply to their lifetime. In fact, those prophets, at times, did not even understand, as Daniel said:
“Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, ‘My lord, what shall be the end of these things?’ And he said, ‘Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand’” (Daniel 12:8-10).
The ”wise” who understand will be watching world events in the light of biblical prophecies. The Book of Revelation is addressed to servants of God, that is, the Church of God:
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near” (Revelation 1:1-3).
Those things revealed in both the Book of Revelation and other biblical prophecies deal with people—including their political and religious leaders; the rise and fall of nations and empires is addressed; the evil influence of demonic, spiritual wickedness is identified; and even catastrophic occurrences on earth and the powers of heaven are foretold.
“Political” has another meaning. It can be defined as “relating to the ideas or strategies of a particular party or group in politics.” In other words, it can refer to involvement in politics and especially party politics where there is infighting and the picking of one side or person over another. A third meaning of “political” is, “interested in or active in politics.”
That is not the role of the Church of God, nor should it be the role of individual Christians! However, God does instruct His servants to, “‘Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people their transgression, And the house of Jacob their sins.’”
Doing all that this entails is BIBLICAL, indeed!
The Church of God is not commissioned to fix this world’s political structure; rather, the Church is announcing the NEW government which Jesus Christ will bring to the earth—the KINGDOM OF GOD!
Lead Writer: Dave Harris
