Have you ever wondered why God didn’t end this miserable world of sin after Christ died on the cross? Could it be that there is more that needs to be demonstrated with the continued unfolding drama, that is this world? I propose that one element to be considered is the perspective demonstrating failed approaches in civics, governance.
Since his expulsion from the courts of Heaven, Satan has been busy on every front challenging God. The claim of Lucifer in his rebellion is that his rule would be better than that of God. He has been on a mission to try and prove that he can come up with a better government here on earth. Philosophies that might reasonably be applied to the governance of intelligent beings have been put to practical experimentation. For the sake of the onlooking intelligences of the unfallen universe, the Creator has allowed this process of trial and error to continue well past the Cross of Calvary. Thus it will be, by the end of human history, every plausible civil philosophy, outside of God’s kingdom governed by His law, will have been tried, run its course, and found wanting.
Starting from the beginning, we are not told much of the civilization of the antediluvians, other than they did have cities (Genesis 4:17). Most likely the cities were developed as a means of protection from war. Things became so evil that had God not intervened to save eight people, there would have been zero left. “And God said to Noah, ‘The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth.’” (Genesis 6:13). That’s right, humanity was on a trajectory of complete self-annihilation. While we do not know what forms of governance Satan experimented with in the pre-flood world, it is clear their society was unsustainable and self destructive.
In the post-flood world, the Bible informs us that Satan is the true ruler behind all the kingdoms of the earth (Isaiah 14:4-12; Ezekiel 28; Matthew 4:8-9). The expression of Satan’s heart was born out in the desire of the unconverted king of Babylon when he constructed an image, all of gold (Daniel 3). The declaration was that this government would stand forever. But it did not stand forever, not even close. And why is that? Designed after a selfish and lawless heart, the subjects of the Babylonian kingdom saw weakness as opportunity. Depicted as the beasts they were in Daniel 7, each kingdom in succession rising from the seas of humanity would stop at nothing to tear each other down to gain ascendency. History demonstrated they were failed states, because a kingdom designed after the deceiver’s heart is shown to be unsustainable. They were all found wanting.
TEKEL: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting. (Daniel 5:27)
The interpretation by the prophet Daniel against the kingdom of Babylon on the eve of its demise rings true throughout the ages. Each successive kingdom is given the opportunity to show its worth in the governance it demonstrates on the world stage. The cycle of being numbered, weighed and divided has continued for thousands of years.
Try as he might, Satan can not manage to be as God. But, have you ever wondered how Heaven would have turned out if Lucifer had gained his objective? What would things be like if he truly did sit on the Mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the North, in God’s place, in God’s government? We have the answer to that question.
Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)
History reveals that the description of the man of sin in 2 Thessalonians 2 refers to the rise of the Papacy, the same as the little horn of Daniel 7. Paul makes it clear that Christ was not going to come again until this happened. The sobering description that “he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God” is a lesson for us, as well as all creation (1 Corinthians 4:9). By allowing Lucifer to gain a foothold in the church in such a way, God has demonstrated what things would have been like in Heaven. What do we know of this time of rule, this time that the Accuser sat as God? It is described as “The Dark Ages.” It was a time of ignorance and unchecked oppression. If the Serpent had attained his aim, that is what Heaven and unnumbered worlds would have been turned into. It is a chilling reality to understand this perspective of the revealing of the man of sin.
The majority of governments throughout history have been helmed by kingly rule. Early history gives examples predominantly of single monarchs or emperors over the civilized world followed later in history by the divided kingdoms. Thus we see crowns depicted on the head and horns of the dragon of Revelation 12:3 and 13:1. But eventually a form of rule without a kingly power, without the crowns, needed to be demonstrated, Revelation 17:3.
Compared to the centuries of monarchical rule, representative or democratic government is relatively new and novel in its scope and application. Democracy has been heralded as the most prosperous form of governance seen in all history. But in the course of time it will be seen that democratic governments will be found wanting when their leaders and citizenry do not have consecrated hearts. And so it is, we know the government of the United States, despite having lamb-like or Christ-like features, will eventually degenerate into the despotic power of Revelation 13:11-18.
We have seen atheism, in the last 300 years, move beyond the realm of individual foolishness onto the stage of national governance from revolutionary France to the present. Corporately when summing up France, Nazi (National Socialist) Germany, Russia, China, North Korea, Venezuela and Cuba, in excess of one hundred million people have died at the hands of these fallen atheistic states. Eventually these governments collapse and, so again, the declaration is that they are found wanting.
There will come a time when the angels holding back the winds of strife in this world will let loose their grip (Revelation 7:1). Those who have insulted the Spirit of grace (Hebrews 10:29) will be allowed to bear the fruit of a true and complete rejection of God. Thus it will be a time “such as never was since there was a nation” (Daniel 12:1); the last, final and horrible demonstration of a world without the positive counter-influence of God and angels will be on full display.
When everything comes to an end, every mind will vividly see how truly wanting are the forms of rule that Lucifer has been allowed to demonstrate. He seeks power, but as we have seen throughout the ages, he is completely incapable of sustainable governance.
With this perspective, let us savor and desire the beauty of the coming Heavenly Kingdom. This Kingdom has God at the center, with laws based on love and citizens with consecrated hearts. This Kingdom is not of this world, for the kingdoms of this world, ruled by the Man of Sin, will surely and certainly come to an end (Daniel 7:27). Satan’s time, his chance to show his way, is almost up and the principles of truth and the law of love will shine for all eternity.
Daniel Buxton works at Kettering Health Network. He and his wife Natalie live in Dayton, Ohio, and attend the Beavercreek SDA Church.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3-10)
