As we watch the present happenings in Iran and Venezuela, we can’t help but to become excited for the imminent prospects for those countries. Anti-Godly governments, as well as the sin that accompany them, appear to be at an imminent point of being supplanted. But that does not mean that what is happening there now is of God! God can accomplish His work at any time, with or without us; we are not needed to bring about God’s righteousness by our SINFUL means.
51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear.
52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He shall presently give Me more than twelve legions of angels?
54 But how then shall the Scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
Matthew 26:51-54 The BIBLE
God will use EVERYTHING for His glory. Everything. So the fact that something gives God glory doesn’t necessarily indicate that it is of God, nor that those bringing it about will be rewarded by God! The hate-filled Caiaphas, the Chief Priest, advocated for Jesus’ murder; in promoting Jesus’ death, he was used by God to help advance Jesus’ sacrifice for the salvation of the world.
49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,
50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;
52 And not for that nation only, but that also He should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put Him to death.
John 11:49-53 The BIBLE
Similarly, Judas conspired with Jesus’ murderers to bring about Jesus’ death. But Jesus announced in advance that Judas would be severely DAMNED for it!
21 The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of Him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.
Mark 14:21 The BIBLE
So, the mere fact that we are hoping or are confident that what we are doing will bring God glory, does not necessarily justify what we are doing! What our Heavenly Father expects of us is to do righteousness righteously. HE will determine the outcome, and He will be glorified, both by the results, and by the way that the results are brought about. HE will be the One to bring it about, and to use it for His glory; it’s our job merely to do what He says. Rebellion against the ruler(s), or even speaking evil of them, is sin!
1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
Romans 13:1-2 The BIBLE
God had told David that David was to rule Israel, but David rebuked those who encouraged him to usurp the kingdom from the evil King Saul.
9 And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD’s anointed, and be guiltless?
10 David said furthermore, As the LORD liveth, the LORD shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish.
11 The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the LORD’s anointed … !
I Samuel 26:9-11b The BIBLE
North America is home to two countries, born from a single mother. One country was birthed by rebellion; the other was born peacefully. The rebellion of the one, with hate, division and murder was not needed, but, instead, like a consequence of divorce, has left a legacy and a tendency to rebellion and division, that plagues that country to this day!
We must check our hearts. One has only to watch on TV the present rioting and rebellion happening in Iran, with the screaming, hate, beatings, killings, arson, destruction, and violence happening in that country, to recognize the absolute unGodliness of what is happening there with the avowed goal of overthrowing the evil government.
The Bible tells us,
“23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry… .”
I Samuel 15:23 The BIBLE
One cannot consider rebellion without also speaking evil of those in charge of one’s present government, and its leaders. And, in fact, Scripture tells us that it is sin to speak evil, even of satan!
8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.
11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.
17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
Jude 1:8-19 The BIBLE
– So, what DOES Scripture say about this matter? Let the sincere read their Bible. And even more, at:
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