A Perspective of Government, Politics, and Churches
I came across this as I was reading a commentary on Revelation and think that it is worth sharing.
The whole subject is one of sovereignty. This is the whole matter which has been in question. And this question is now about to be settled by these final judgments of the seven Vials. The result is celebrated in this Vision “in heaven” by anticipation. It looks forward to the close of the whole book of Revelation. It is not until the events of chapter 20 have taken place that this change of sovereignty is consummated. “The kingdoms of the world” are represented as wild beasts1, knowing no master and having no owner. This is God’s view of all earthly governments. Government in the world, committed, for the present, to man, has never yet been exercised for God. Not only is His sovereignty not recognised, but even His suzerainty2 is rejected. It is folly to talk about “Christian kingdoms” or “Christian nations;” and it is worse than folly for ministers of the Gospel to occupy themselves with the taming of these wild beasts, instead of warning all of the coming judgments, which will destroy them altogether; and meantime witnessing the “grace of God” to lost and helpless sinners. We are not referring to any lawful acts which we may do (as if it were, in passing) to improve the condition of things, or to remove crying evils; but we are speaking of laying ourselves out for these things and of making them our great aim; and especially of ministers of the Gospel so doing. What is wanted is, not a “Citizen Sunday,” but a Sunday for God, when men will be told of what God’s verdict is on all these things; of what His remedy for them is; and of what means He is going to take to set right all that is so wrong. A Sunday when men will be told that there can be no Millennium without Christ; and that there is no hope for the world until it comes under the direct sovereignty of God and of His Anointed.
End Notes:
- Daniel chapter 7
- The right of a country to partly control another—Cambridge dictionary
Quoted from:
Bullinger, E. W. Commentary on Revelation. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Classics, 1984.
Pages 372-373
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Charles Miller View All
Husband, father, engineer...Enjoys fishing, archery, guitar, running, and lifting, but most of all reading and studying God's Word.
Distinguishing Truth 
I’m also currently studying this very commentary by Bullinger, Chuck. And these words were written over a hundred years ago!
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Hi Dave, good to hear from you. There are some other paragraphs that I came across them that I may share that are things that people need to hear now. Hope all is well with you, Brother.
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Thanks. I started collecting commentaries on Revelation as sort of a mental exercise, but I come back to Bullinger as my “go to” reference because he’s one of the few that DOESN’T see the Body of Christ at all in Rev. Avoids confusion. Hope you and family are fine.
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