He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, "As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill." (Ps 2:4-6).
Who does God laugh at? The raging nations? The oppressed? Humanity in general? No, he holds those in derision who have held him in derision by abusing their power - the unjust rulers. God ordains government, and Romans 13 tells us that government rightly exercised is to be respected and obeyed. But government which exploits its citizenry for personal gratification will face the wrath of God.
As how is this wrath expressed? Through earthquake, tsunami, fire, war? No, through announcing to the temporal powers that a greater power is already in place above them: Christ is reigning from Zion.
The proclamation that Jesus is even now enthroned, that God has put everything under his feet, should be the beating heart of the church's response to political turmoil and unheaval. There is no better time to preach the gospel than when the kingdoms of the earth are being shaken, for that is merely evidence that we are "receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken," (Heb 12:28) - the rule of Christ.
The Christian's ability to see Christ ruling over all with our spiritual eyes whilst it is not yet evident to our natural eyes (Heb 2:8-9) gives us a uniquely privileged position to understand the times, and a clear course to plot: preach the gospel; live the gospel "having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace" (Eph 5:15).
Why would such a message be terrifying to the rulers of the earth? Because it calls into being a people with an allegiance to a higher authority and with access to a higher power: the empowering of ordinary people by the Holy Spirit is a disempowering of all human authorities which have thrown off their God given role and limitations.
So pray for our brothers and sisters in the places of conflict around the world; that their gospel proclamation will be strong and full of the peace of God: for God's answer to the unruly nations of the earth is "Jesus is already reigning over all" - and that is the gospel of the kingdom we are called to proclaim.
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