FINAL AUTHORITY
REFLECTING IMAGES OF REBELLION
Someone has defined rebellion this way: "Reserving for myself the right to make the final decision." Are you a rebel? Do you think that it’s okay to "Reserving for yourself the right to make the final decision." Let me put it this way, do you believe it is OK to go 68 or 69 miles per hour in a 65 mile per hour speed zone? Do you do that? Do you believe it is not a rule per se; it is more like a guide line? When you go 68 miles per hour in a 65 mile per hour speed zone you are "reserving for yourself the right to make the final decision." Since most Americans drive faster than their own speed limit, you can cruise through most States at 69 miles per hour, because, hey, everybody’s doing it. "Reserving for myself the right to make the final decision." Is this rebellion? How do you rebel? And believe me, you do. Are we inclined to rebel? Yes, it’s in our nature to rebel.
In the washroom at most stores there is a sign that reminds the patrons to wash their hands before returning to the store. Well I was going to before I read that sign. Now I don’t want to just because you told me. Don’t tell me what to do. It’s in all of us, this tendency to rebel against authority. What’s painful is when you are the one in authority and it is your child who is rebelling. Now it’s not so cool; it’s not so insignificant. Now it really hurts.
You make rules for your children’s safety and they flaunt them. They drive too fast, experiment with alcohol, dress too suggestively and get way too serious about their boyfriends and girlfriends. And you sit at home and wonder why they don’t believe you when you say that you love them and want the best for them. What did you do wrong? If you were the perfect parent would your children rebel? Yes they would. Our Father in heaven is the perfect parent and his children still rebel. The great insult for any parent, and especially for God, is that the rebel does not believe that what you say is true.
Isaiah shows us how God feels about rebellion. Isaiah reveals Israel’s problem from the start. It is crystal clear what has offended the God of Israel. His children are rebelling against Him and His authority. The overall image is subtle but it gives us the picture of a court with God as the judge. God has called and convened the courtroom to order and has leveled the accusation, Look at Isaiah 1:2; "I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me." It is a general statement, it does not get specific, yet there is a noticeable hurt in God’s words. What had Israel done? "They had Reserved for themselves the right to make the final decision."
The LORD even compares their disobedience to the subjection of animals to their masters. "The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider." (Isaiah 1:3). The comparison is intense. Even dumb animals know where their food comes from and who takes care of them. Surely people are better than dumb animals.
Notice then, how God feels. His people have rebelled, his children have hurt him through disobedience, and they don’t really get it. They don’t even know how they have hurt Him and He has to spell it out for them. He gave them rules to live by for their good and they decided to trust their own judgment about what was best. "They had Reserved for themselves the right to make the final decision." And the worst part is they think its okay. It’s not okay.
The LORD groans in verse 5;
"Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward." I can imagine them asking, "How have we done this?" This is so unfair, the rebel without a clue says. They have no idea, so the LORD continues… THE CONSEQUENCES OF REBELLION Though they have no idea there is a sense in which their disobedience was willful rather than ignorant failure to respond to God. They turned their backs on him. And what did they expect to happen when they did that? When you want your own way what do you think will happen? You get your own way. Hurray! When you ".....Reserved for yourselves the right to make the final decision." Guess what? God will allow you to make the final decision.Independence from God is a fleeting feeling and only ends in disaster as you try to go your own way. Look at verse 7 when Israel went their own way:
"Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers."WHEN RELIGION IS USELESS
What is absolutely stunning in this context is that the people of Judah continued to offer sacrifices to God while they were disobeying him. In verses 11-15 we see that this people have continued to perform their religious rituals, sacrificing bulls and goats and holding festivals that are supposed to honor God. All the while they are failing to live out practically what these sacrifices and festivals represent. There is no honor for God in outward ritual with no inner transformation. God is not impressed with lips that say the right words and a heart that is cold towards him. This is what the prophets called hypocrisy.
Let’s look at Romans 13:1-7:
"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. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid ; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour."Government ordained by
God.
Rebellion against Government ordained by God.
Government presents the case that rebellion
could possibly exist.
Rebellion indisputably declares that
government does exist!
This is true whether we are speaking of human or divine government. I am not going to deal with the human aspect of government and rebellion, but rather, explore the Biblical principles of divine government and of rebellion against God’s authority.
The Biblical picture of the "throne" of God is an expression of the supreme authority of God. A throne not on earth but in the heavenlies—not of this world, yet in the world. His kingdom in the earth is His church which operates in willful obedience to His divine authority and government.Satan, as many fail to realize, was removed from the faithful host of heaven because of the sin of rebellion. Rebellion was the cause of Satan’s fall. Isaiah 14:12-15 speaks of the rise and fall of Satan.
Satan violated God’s authority. His intent was to set his throne (authority) above the throne (authority) of God. The act of sinning was not the cause of satan’s fall; that act was but the product of his rebellion against divine authority. In serving God we must not violate divine authority, to do so is a satanic principle! "Reserving for myself the right to make the final decision."God has purposed to manifest His authority to the world through the church. For authority to be expressed there must be obedience. 1 Samuel 15:22 lifts its voice to this untoward and rebellious generation and proclaims,
"it is better to obey than to sacrifice."The greatest of God’s demands on man is not for him to bear the cross, make offerings, or deny himself. The greatest demand is for him to obey. Many profess they know how to obey God, but they really know nothing as to obeying delegated authority. The problems facing us today are due to men living outside the authority of God. Disobedience is the root of all sin. Sin is described in 1 John 3:4 as "lawlessness." "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." Lawlessness is disobeying God’s authority, and this is sin!
Two principles exist in the universe: the principle of God’s authority and the principle of satanic rebellion to that authority. If we wish to serve God we must have an understanding of divine authority. Someone properly stated that, "Heaven’s first order is order." We can not adopt human government principles and practices in order to govern a divine organism, the church. While, on this secular earth, democratic rule portrays itself to be the best government among governments.
So who has the authority to govern or oversee the church? First There is the authority according to the Nicolaitians. Who were the Nicolaitians and what did they believe? The word "Nicolaitans" is a transliterated, compound word from the Greek text (nikolaites), derived from nike ("a victor," "a conqueror") and laos ("people"). Thus, the word simply means, "to be victorious over the people," "to conquer the people."
Using the meaning of the name itself after this fashion, the Nicolaitans would have to be identified as individuals (leaders) in the Church who had subjugated the remaining Christians to their self-imposed authority — individuals comprising a ruling, priestly class (the clergy over the laity),
Here is a priestly class of leaders. Bishops ruling over the elders, elders ruling over the pastors and pastors ruling over the laity. Authority within the Church (or a local church) must always be based solely upon the Word of God.Nicolaitanism, being introduced in the message to the church in Ephesus, was apparently in existence very early in Church history; but it would only appear natural that this doctrine coming into full bloom waited for that period covered by the church in Pergamos.
Nicolaitanism patterns itself after the structure set forth in worldly governmental systems; and it was through the actions of Constantine and others in the fourth century Roman Empire, during the period covered by the message to the church in Pergamos, that the way was opened for an already-existing world system in the Church to follow this pattern to a level never before attained.Once the union between Church and state had been established, worldly practices in the Church could only become commonplace. The church of Thytara endorsed and endorses this type of government and authority. But beware for it is just this kind of government that will rule and control the Laodicean church found in Revelations chapter three. Lao Dicea — the people rule. A fatal flip-flop has occurred in the Laodicean church where the people are ruling without Biblical or Divine authority. If the people were instructed by God to rule, this church would not have been called out and rebuked by God.
Having said that let’s remember that there are three end time churches: Thytara, Laodecea, and Philadelphia. Thytara is the church with the Nicolaitian (conquer the people) form of Government. This is government layered with clergy; Cardinals over Bishops over elders over pastors.
Laodecia is a complete reversal of Tytara and here the people rule over the clergy. The clergy has very little if any say in the Laodecian church. A Laodicean pastor is required to be a jellyfish! He must swim in the lukewarm waters of compromise. He will become a hireling or he will not survive long enough to be anything else! This pathetic hireling pastor ruled by the laity is not, nor ever has been, the will of God.
Then finally there is the church of Philadelphia. And so what does the Bible say about the form of government here? Now here is where I need your help, I need you to explain what the Bible says about God appointed authority.
"Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation." "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you."
(Heb. 13:7, 17)"And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; "
(1 Thess. 5:12)Someone has the task in the church to establish God’s divine will and authority in the hearts of God’s people. God holds the universe together with His authority (the power and authority of His Word), likewise He upholds His church through His authority. Authority flows from God through someone in the church. Are we agreeing or not?
"This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)" (1 Tim. 3:1-5)
A pastor is not called just to preach. He is also appointed to be an overseer. (Acts 20:28). "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." (Acts 20:28) "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;" (1 Peter 5:2) "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine." (1 Tim. 5:17) Surely, if a pastor must give an account for the sheep—God would not leave that pastor vacant of authority! IF he possesses no authority—neither can he be held responsible!
1 Timothy 3:2-6 states the qualifications for a Bishop (pastor). In those qualifications is the contrast of a pastor’s home and the house of God. The question is asked, "for if a man know not how to RULE his house, HOW shall he take care of the House of God?" "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil."
From STRONGS:
Pastor - poy-mane' 1) a herdsman, esp. a shepherd
1a) in the parable, he to whose care and
control others have
committed themselves, and whose precepts they
follow
2) metaph.
2a) the presiding officer, manager, director, of any assembly:
2a1) of the overseers of the Christian assemblies
2a2) of kings and princes
The tasks of a Near Eastern shepherd were:
During World War II, a shepherd was a pilot who guided another pilot
whose plane was partially disabled back to the base or carrier by flying alongside him to maintain visual contact.The word "Bishop" is the Greek word "episkopos" which according to Strongs Greek Definitions means: "1) an overseer 1a) a man charged with the duty of seeing that things to be done by others are done rightly, any curator, guardian or superintendent 1b) the superintendent, elder, or overseer of a Christian church."
"Elders"
2a2) of those who in separate cities managed public affairs and administered justice
|Presbeterion
- AV - elders 1, estate of elders 1, presbytery 1; 31) body of elders, presbytery, senate, council
Deacon- Greek word "dee-ak'-on-os" AV - minister 20, servant 8, deacon 3; 31
1) one who executes the commands of another, esp. of a master,
a servant, attendant, ministerThe term which is translated "deacon" is from an original word which means "servant." It is defined as "one who executes the commands of another. . . a servant, attendant, or minister" (Thayer). The original word, in both noun and verb forms, appears over 90 times; however, the specific rendering of "deacon" occurs only 5 times in our basic English texts (Philippian 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:8,10,12,13). Elsewhere, the term is translated as minister, servant, ministering, ministration, to minister, serving, service, to do service, relief, administration, minister unto, minister to, administer, and serve. In every place where the word is used, whatever the form, the idea of "service" is presented.
"Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to "all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:" (Phil. 1:1)
"Likewise [must] the deacons [be] grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;" (1 Tim. 3:8)
"And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being [found] blameless."
(1 Tim. 3:10)"Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well"
(1 Tim. 312)"For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus."
(1 Tim. 3:13)