Good News

Tena tātou katoa e te iwi mīhana… (Greetings to all the people in mission),

This month’s whakataukī (proverb) is: “He hōnore, he korōria ki te Atua. He maungārongo ki te whenua. He whakaaro pai ki ngā tāngata katoa.” (Honour and glory to God, reconciling peace to all of the created order, and good intentions toward all people). This is obviously a karakia (prayer) and himine (hymn) drawn from Scripture and Christian tradition, echoing the declaration of the armies of heaven to awestruck shepherds, heralding the birth of a new King. The shepherds’ immediate response? Let’s go to him! They ran and told everyone what they’d seen and heard, including the newborn child’s parents, “but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often” (Luke 2:8-20).

The Saviour born to bring peace to the cosmos and create goodwill between all humankind, did so in a way no-one expected.

Fast forward three decades and the Saviour born to bring peace to the cosmos and create goodwill between all humankind, did so in a way no-one expected. The one who would “break our yoke of slavery, lift the heavy burden from our shoulders and break the oppressor’s rod” (Isaiah 9:4), ended “phase one” of the mission by submitting to the powers of the day, suffering, dying… then, resurrecting and ascending—thereby commencing “phase two”, but don’t rush too far ahead.

This child born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14) would inaugurate a “government (whose) peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity” (Isaiah 9:6-7a). Mary discerned this, months before the heavenly host appeared to the shepherds. Her Magnificat song includes indicators of God’s just rule: “His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones. He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands” (Luke 1:51-53). Eight days after Jesus’ birth, at His dedication ritual, a devout priest (Simeon) further confirmed Jesus’ identity as the Saviour of the world. After praising God for Jesus’ appearance, he turned to Mary and gave her this solemn warning, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.” (Luke 2:34-35). In answer to the Mark Lowry’s 1984-penned Christmas carol—of course Mary knew. She knew even as she was standing near watching him suffer and die (John 19:25). But she also knew that it was not the end of Jesus’ story.

We are still waiting for the end of the story to play out.

We are still waiting for the end of the story to play out. Those of us in-Christ are longing for the fullness of Jesus’ just rule to manifest, for oppression and greed to end, and well-being and wealth to be available to all. We hold on in faith for that day when “The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen” (Isaiah 9:7b, referring to the end of all suffering that the Messiah would inaugurate). But that day will not be preceded by signs as obvious as a symbol on our hand or forehead to show our allegiance to an earthly authority so that we can conduct commercial transactions.

John’s graphic illustrations about the two beasts (a powerful one from overseas, and a subservient local one) in Revelation 13 are metaphors or signifiers in poetic language meant to point to the agents of spirit of territory-spanning Empire. In our biblical understanding of the unseen world, this is a power or influence that has ruled the earth in different forms for aeons, not some specific global authority to emerge immediately prior to Christ’s return—while that cannot be discounted, current geopolitical posturing and balance of power makes it quite unlikely at present.

The answer to the mystery of 666? It spells out in Hebrew characters, “NERO CAESAR”.

Oppressive imperial, totalitarian or authoritarian rule is a sign at all times of anti-Christ influence, not just the end times. Oh, and the answer to the mystery of 666? It spells out in Hebrew characters, “NERO CAESAR”, who at the time John was writing his revelation, was rumoured to be returning from the dead (he never did, by the way).

In Chapter 17 of Revelation, John also paints a vivid picture of the influence behind human societies in general, the strings of which the dragon of Revelation 12 pulls—he who is the one at war with God, God’s faith people (the woman) and God’s messiah (the child). It is also the force empowering the beasts of Revelation 13. This force is personified as a whore, of Babylon. In his poetic narrative, John draws it in vivid constrast to the bride, of Christ. False infidelity contrasted with true fidelity. In this world we are continually tempted toward unfaithfulness, resulting in damaged and broken relationships. That’s essentially what the whore is all about, and we know this force by another name: Sin.

Unlike the dragon (aka Satan the supernatural accuser) and the beasts (earthly Imperial leaders), the whore represents a system rather than a person. Sin personified. The whore represents the world’s systems of pride, greed and lust laid bare. Not just evil corporations or governmental edicts that restrict good and healthy living, but every manipulative aspiration by the monied and powerful that is not guided by Godly loving fidelity. Again, as a prostitute, the whore is the antithesis of the fidelity (shalom unity) we have in-Christ with God, as participants in that which God has with Godself. What John illustrates in Revelation 17 is how enticing a false utopia is—with its promise of money, power, fame, and lack of moral restraint, all illicitly gained. Such an attractive offer is a flame used to entice, and ultimately consume, the moths (majority population). But it’s all little more than blood, piss and shit encased in foul language (from John’s description of the golden goblet and the excrement it contains). This is the lure of Empire itself, but it need not be limited to one ruled by despots. It exists in every human society where healthy laws are ignored and excess and unrestraint gain sway… usually in the name of “freedom” claimed by the privileged.

If you would like to delve into these things some more, I highly recommend you read historian-theologian Bishop N. T. Wright’s “Revelation For Everyone“. Wright notes that all these descriptions of the influence of Empire are something of a parody or counterfeit of Jesus (anti-Christs if you will—see 1 John 2:22 & 4:3). They are dangerous and blasphemous copies of the real Messiah, who was, is and is to come.

I went along that little Revelation diversion to emphasise that, since we still live in these times between times, working for a kingdom that is here but not yet, we must maintain a sober relationship with governmental powers of our day. Those with eyes to see will be able to detect when participation in a system will require an allegiance that competes with our allegiance to Christ. This is most obvious when a ruler exceeds their divinely-appointed authority to care for the well-being of a nation or group and the people within it, claims divine privilege for themself (usually at the expense of others), and demands full allegiance (which is more than just obedience) to their will. The will of such a leader will show evidence of being counter to God’s right ways, camouflaged though it may be. Thankfully, nothing in the ‘free world’ is demanding that of us—not yet anyway. Obedience to the laws of the land for the benefit of all in society do not constitute idolatrous allegiance to a particular personality in power as was the case with some Chiefs, Kings, Emperors, and Caesars of old (and despots in modern times).

Obedience to the laws of the land do not constitute idolatrous allegiance to a particular personality in power.

Furthermore, the Bible clearly tells us that God is always in control. God is actually at work ‘above’ the forces that influence the authorities and powers that run the world of human affairs. By and large, that truth is the whole point of John’s Revelation. God undermines the efforts of human authorities who have plans to become unaccountable gods of the earth. King Cyrus of Persia is a case in point (Isaiah 45). While favourable to freedom of religion, Cyrus was still a brutal dictator, as tyrannical as they come. Yet Isaiah saw God at work through Cyrus, “I will raise up Cyrus to fulfil my righteous purpose, and I will guide his actions” says the LORD (Isaiah 45:13). Even so, Cyrus was just a means. Only the Lord is worth of glory. As God repeats throughout Isaiah 45, “there is no other God but me”.

So, when Apostle Paul encourages Roman believers to submit to governing authorities (Romans 13), I believe it is with the ‘Cyrus example’ in mind even though the infamous Nero ruled (Paul wrote to the Romans years before John wrote Revelation). We need to read Paul’s encouragement in light of the way the exiles of Israel related to Empire in their day. Daniel, Esther, Nehemiah are just some cases in point. They all served the current regime, as far as their obedience to God allowed. Knowing that background, we should submit to laws that enhance public benefits because they do not contravene the ethics of God. They can actually fulfil it. Paul sums it up quoting Jesus like this, “‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law” (Romans 13:9c-10). Every society has rules for its proper order and well-being. These should be observed for the benefit of all, as if God is at work. Of course, the powerful and privileged in society will still manipulate or disregard the rules for their own gain at the expense of the poor, vulnerable and marginalised. This is the very definition of evil and antithetical to following Christ, and followers of Christ have a prophetic responsibility to protest such injustices—pointing out that God’s justice is the promised inheritance of the powerful and oppressive, and that Immanuel’s government of peace will deliver on that promise. That is the end of the story that Mary had hidden in her heart—Christ’s rule over the cosmos. It is here and it is coming in fullness, at a time and season in history that only the Father knows (Acts 1:7). It is enough for us to stand firm in the faith, with loving faithfulness, and represent Him as best we can, enabled by the Holy Spirit, until He returns.

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news of peace and salvation: our God reigns! (Isaiah 52:7) This good news is what we call the euangelion (evangel)—the breaking news of a regime change. It’s resounding throughout all the created order right now as the mission of God continues. The one who is and who was and is coming again, our God reigns! So, like the Shepherds, let all those of us in-Christ continue participating in that mission—run, and tell others all about it. In this way, let us #stayonmission.

Arohanui ki a koutou e haere ana ki te ao (love to you all as you go into the world),

Jay