Today if you are alive and have any connection to any type of media, you know there is a whole lot of craziness going on this country. Not just crazy but pure evil in many cases. Yes much of this has been going on around the world but thanks to a word called viral, you too can see it happen right before your eyes. There seems to be huge appetites for the seeing sin live on YouTube. For some time now there has been chaos happening in the not so united states which is coming to the surface. Corruption lies deception, immorality to say the least headlines the news cast but at the same time much is ignored depending whose side you are on. News is no longer impartial or bi-partisan as sides are definitely not coming together as one. Recently the FBI Director said to congress” Due to recent developments I am writing to supplement my previous testimony. In connection with an unrelated case the FBI has learned of the existence of emails that appear pertinent to the investigation.” Well this sent the country into a frenzy. They said don’t you know there is an election taking place implying this is not the time for justice. Last week I was listening to a man named Trey Gowdy who responded to this. He said “Fiat justitia ruat cælum.” This is a Latin legal phrase with the meaning "Let justice be done though the heavens fall." The maxim signifies the belief that justice must be realized regardless of consequences. In a little bit we will see that will happen with God Now before we talk about that I want to look at a few definitions with that statement in mind.
The Law Dictionary featuring Black's Law Dictionary answers the question; “What is RULE OF LAW? It is the predominance that is absolute of an ordinary law over every citizen regardless of that citizens power.” Remember these are man made laws but God’s laws are absolute. The dictionary goes on to describe -The Four Pillars of the Rule of Law: The concept of the rule of law goes back to ancient times and it can essentially be summed up by the well-known phrase, "nobody is above the law." In other words, in a governing system based on the rule of law, everybody is held equally accountable under the same laws. In contrast, a system that is based upon the rule of men, such as a tyranny, monarchy, theocracy, or oligarchy, (you could add to this list democracy as seen in our countries) occurs when governance, laws, and the administration of justice are determined by the interests of a single person or group of people. While rule of law is a fundamental principal in many countries today, the World Justice Project points out that effective rule of law itself depends on the upholding of the following four principles. You will see how easily this can collapse.
1. The law applies to everyone; Perhaps one of the defining features of the rule of law is that, under such a system, the law is applied equally to all citizens, including the lawmakers themselves. Rule of law simply means that the law itself, rather than individuals or organizations, reigns supreme. Therefore, even people who enforce and administer the law, such as police officers, judges, and lawyers, are still subject to the same laws as everybody else is.
2. The laws are not secret or arbitrary. For a rule of law system to function, the laws themselves must be public, fair, stable, and understandable.
3. The laws are enforced fairly. It's one thing for the laws to be written fairly, but if they are enforced in such a way that is either arbitrary or unfair then the rule of law begins to break down.
4. The justice system is fair: Not only must laws be enforced in a fair and non-arbitrary manner, but so too must justice be delivered in a way that is fair, accessible, and efficient. In other words, the judicial system must stand independent of outside interference, such as by politicians or law enforcement agencies. Instead, the justice system must function to administer the law in such a way that citizens can expect to be treated fairly, regardless of their race, gender, beliefs, or economic status.
Democracy can be defined as “that form of government in which the sovereign power resides in and is exercised by the whole body of free citizens; as distinguished from a monarchy -“a state that has a monarch”, aristocracy - “a form of government in which power is held by the nobility” or oligarchy -“a small group of people having control of a country, organization, or institution.” Humm sounds like a lot of churches. According to the theory of a pure democracy, every citizen should participate directly in the business of governing, and the legislative assembly should comprise the whole people.
(Taken from the Law Dictionary featuring Black's Law Dictionary)
-The rule of law is foundational to many functioning governments around the world. By limiting the arbitrary exercise of power by a single person or group, the rule of law helps establish a system whereby the fundamental rights and dignity of individuals and groups within a country are respected. While the rule of law is rarely perfectly applied, it is an ideal towards which many countries continue to strive.” Interesting enough this ideal is found in the word of God, the one that the country is rejecting. God is the answer to all four points. Romans 1:18 “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”
So what’s with all the law jargon? “Fiat justitia ruat cælum.” Justice will happen as scripture describes and the heavens will fall. Man’s judicial system does not compare to God’s. Justice will happen in God’s timing no matter whether you think it is good timing or not. God’s justice will happen whether you see it or not as everyone be judged. John 5:27 “The father has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. 28 “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.” You may even think God does not see. David was told in 2 Samuel 12:12 “You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’” Earlier God told Samuel 1 Samuel 3:11 “And the Lord said to Samuel: “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it tingle. 12 At that time I will carry out against Eli everything I spoke against his family—from beginning to end. 13 For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons blasphemed God, and he failed to restrain them.” Now we know that the heavens are going to fall and everyone will be judged.
2 Peter 3:10 “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. 14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.”
I thought it was important to discuss justice because we have all seen the abuse of power from the authorities to the criminal not only in the secular world but also some horrific things inside the church. We have seen those who are above the law who have gotten away with breaking the law. We have seen the mistreatment of citizens by authority and authority mistreated by citizens. There is a wide range of crimes connected to this. We see people abuse their power and we see those abused by power. We see the guilty freed and the innocent condemned. Many use the law to their advantage and many are at a disadvantage because of the law. Since In God we no longer trust is at the forefront the bible isn’t important either. One person said, “The incentive to tell the truth today for many is less the fear of the wrath of their god than the temporal consequences of lying under oath: the penalty for perjury. The historic rationale was that the fear of divine retribution would focus one’s mind and heart on telling the truth. Today, in our secular, modern multi-cultural Canadian society, the fear of divine retribution may seem a quaint anachronism, if not a complete irrelevancy. The law, however, still recognizes the importance of an oath even if it is not directly tied to a belief in spiritual retribution. Even in the absence of some religious significance, the solemnity of taking an oath still increases the witness perception of the importance of telling the truth.” The lack of fear in God has lead to the lack of truth. No longer do people fear God for lying, the church included.
We see countries at war for many different reasons but usually for money and power. As Remembrance day approaches this week there have been many live and die for their countries. Some wars just and some unjust. War is always hell and it has lasting effects. Whether we agree with war or not, men and woman have sacrificed their lives for freedom. Last week I mentioned the crusades. This was war in the name of the church. But remember our wars are not about flesh and blood but spiritual warfare so that should no have been. We must always remember we are at war spiritually, beyond what we can imagine. SO on this Remembrance do not only think of those have died and live but remember every day people are perishing from a war they cannot see.
With secular justice you expect this lack of accountability but it should not be in the church. The church is supposed to be different and is different but sadly the church has adapted much of the same structure and similar results are seen as in the world. 2 Kings 21:9 “But the people did not listen. Manasseh led them astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the Lord had destroyed before the Israelites.” Individuals who think they are gods, small groups controlling is not the design of the church. During this election we are seeing a flawed democracy, probably one that has been in existence a long time most just did not know it. Some are held to the letter of the law while others use the letter of the law to their advantage. Like the world many are above the law but are they really? The church has attempted to run itself like the world but democracy is not really the answer for the church. Think about church elections where people vote for the popular, the rich, certain familia are just a few of those who are often selected to prominent positions in the church whether they are filled with God’s Spirit or not. People get frustrated so they don't attend meetings but they loose their vote. This leads to control and abuse of power. Voter turnout is low and even lower in the States.
Yes we could talk for days about politics and the law but we need to understand the church is not like this. Jesus Christ is the head of the church. Ephesians 1:22 “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. Colossians 1:15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Matthew 28:18 “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
There is no higher power whether the world wants to believe it or not. When we spoke earlier about the sovereign power only Jesus has that power. When men push Jesus aside to rule in their own authority we end up with a powerless and desolate church. Now we have the church doing as everyone sees fit but what will we do in the end. The difference is we serve God as our sovereign power. Matthew 10:28 “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” There is no fear of God in the church or in the land for that matter. Psalm 36:1 “I have a message from God in my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before their eyes. 2 In their own eyes they flatter themselves too much to detect or hate their sin. 3 The words of their mouths are wicked and deceitful; they fail to act wisely or do good. 4 Even on their beds they plot evil; they commit themselves to a sinful course and do not reject what is wrong.” This is why most do not want to hear the word of God. Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” You cannot hide them from God. Yes on Sundays you can from other people. 1 Peter 1:17 “Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.” This is why we must fear God. Unlike the world he judges impartially. Everyone will be held accountable for every thought. Matthew 12:36 “But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
We have talked about this before but do we really believe there is a hell. We know there are two options heaven or hell. With God without God but do we live like it. Every day people who think they are Christians are going to hell because they do not believe God’s word. This is why the Old Testament is so important for us to understand who God is. Obedience leads to blessing, disobedience to destruction; nothing has changed. This is God and he does not change. If we do not repent he has no other option but to cast us away from his presence. Even a lukewarm life means being spewed from Jesus mouth. Lukewarm does not go to heaven. Luke 13:22 “Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. 23 Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, 24 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. 25 Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ “But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ 26 “Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 “But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’ 28 “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. 29 People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. 30 Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.” If we did think about this more people would be calling out to God to hear our cry. Most are secure in their own manmade theology, not God’s. They have no fear of judgement. Luke 18:7 “And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
God’s justice is far different than man’s justice. Man can get away with murder in a court of law getting off with the very laws meant to condemn them but not in God’s court. Too many so-called Christians are getting away with murder or so they think. It is impossible to hide from God. You may live your whole life thinking; aha I have hidden my sin from God and from others. Hebrews 4:13 “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Jeremiah 16:17 “My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from me, nor is their sin concealed from my eyes. 18 I will repay them double for their wickedness and their sin, because they have defiled my land with the lifeless forms of their vile images and have filled my inheritance with their detestable idols.” We cannot hide from God. Yes you might wonder how in the world do people get away with what they do. The answer is they don’t. Unless they repent they will be judged. Sure they think they have gotten away with it but the good news is God said Deuteronomy 32:35 “It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them.” 36 The Lord will vindicate his people and relent concerning his servants when he sees their strength is gone and no one is left, slave or free. I lift my hand to heaven and solemnly swear: As surely as I live forever, 41 when I sharpen my flashing sword and my hand grasps it in judgment, I will take vengeance on my adversaries and repay those who hate me. 42 I will make my arrows drunk with blood, while my sword devours flesh: the blood of the slain and the captives, the heads of the enemy leaders.” 43 Rejoice, you nations, with his people, for he will avenge the blood of his servants; he will take vengeance on his enemies and make atonement for his land and people.” Isaiah 35:4 “say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” Revelation 19:1 “After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, 2 for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” “Rejoice over her, you heavens! Rejoice, you people of God! Rejoice, apostles and prophets! For God has judged her with the judgment she imposed on you.” We will see God’s wrath. Paul said Romans 12:19 “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.” If we have been wronged, sinned against, violated abused, lied, gossiped about we give it to God knowing that he will judge accordingly. If we have done those things we repent immediately.
Paul said to Timothy 2 Timothy 4:1 “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge.” David said 1 Chronicles 28:9 “and you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought.” We do not get away with anything. The church is supposed to be different from the world. Isaiah 42:1 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations.” Isaiah 9:7 “Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” Matthew 12:18 “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. 19 He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. 20 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory. 21 In his name the nations will put their hope.” Isaiah 61:8 “For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing. In my faithfulness I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them. Deuteronomy 16:18 Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the Lord your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly. 19 Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent. 20 Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the Lord your God is giving you.” 2 Chronicles 19:7 “Now let the fear of the Lord be on you. Judge carefully, for with the Lord our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.” It would be nice to be able to say that about all churches and really nice to say that about a certain election going on.
But there are those who hate justice and will try everything in there power to bring the just down. They cover up their own sin by trying to tarnish those who are righteous. Remember what happened to those who tried that with Daniel. They became lunch to the very animals they threw Daniel too. It was more important for Daniel to be faithful. We need this response because we know we must serve our king and our king alone. Daniel 3:6 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” So whether the fire falls or the heavens fall to be just we must serve our just king without fear. Amos 5:10 There are those who hate the one who upholds justice in court and detest the one who tells the truth. 12 “For I know how many are your offenses and how great your sins. There are those who oppress the innocent and take bribes and deprive the poor of justice in the courts.” Micah 3:9 “Hear this, you leaders of Jacob, you rulers of Israel, who despise justice and distort all that is right; 10 who build Zion with bloodshed, and Jerusalem with wickedness. 11 Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets tell fortunes for money. Yet they look for the Lord’s support and say, “Is not the Lord among us? No disaster will come upon us.” 12 Therefore because of you, Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, the temple hill a mound overgrown with thickets. Habakkuk 1:4 “Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.” Acts 17:31 “For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.” Justice works differently with God When Paul was bit by the snake the worlds view was Acts 28:4 “When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.” 5 But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.” God works differently.
Hell is real and God is the same today, yesterday and forever. He judges the same today as yesterday but most in the church refuse to change. They will not listen to the word of God nor acknowledge the truth because they are under delusion for their unbelief. They have ignored the words of God and replaced them with their traditions, reasoning and experiences. They have traded the words of life for delicacies of death. Psalm 141:4 “Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies.” Proverbs 23:3 “Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.”
I want to finish today by looking at Malachi. Malachi 2:7 tells us “For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, because he is the messenger of the Lord Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth.” This is how it is supposed to be, “8 But you have turned from the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble; you have violated the covenant with Levi,” says the Lord Almighty. 9 “So I have caused you to be despised and humiliated before all the people, because you have not followed my ways but have shown partiality in matters of the law.” The true church does not look like the world. 1 Kings 14:4 “Now Ahijah could not see; his sight was gone because of his age. 5 But the Lord had told Ahijah, “Jeroboam’s wife is coming to ask you about her son, for he is ill, and you are to give her such and such an answer. When she arrives, she will pretend to be someone else. 6 So when Ahijah heard the sound of her footsteps at the door, he said, “Come in, wife of Jeroboam. Why this pretense?” You cannot fool God. Malachi 2 goes on to say, “7 You have wearied the Lord with your words. “How have we wearied him?” you ask. By saying, “All who do evil are good in the eyes of the Lord, and he is pleased with them” or “Where is the God of justice?” The God of justice is here as he never left. Everyone is accountable and they will not get away with it have no fear. Malachi 3:7 “Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ 8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?” “In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me.” Remember that tithes is not just your money but your life. God wants 100% of your life. God then says Malachi 3:13 “You have spoken arrogantly against me,” says the Lord. “Yet you ask, ‘What have we said against you?’ 14 “You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty? 15 But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly evildoers prosper, and even when they put God to the test, they get away with it.’” So you notice they were is out of touch with the truth about their situation much like what we see today
The same is happening today as people refuse to return and they continue to rob God because they think God will not judge his people. They do not actually believe they will be judged and sent to hell. God is the God of justice so we must let him carry out his justice. The heavens will fall as will God’s wrath. When Saul was trying to kill David
1 Samuel 23:14 “Saul searched for him day after day, but God did not give David into his hands.” God’s justice is different than man’s even though Saul had great power he could not find and kill David. We need to understand no one but God serves justice like this. David said 1 Samuel 26:10 “As surely as the Lord lives,” he said, “the Lord himself will strike him, or his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish.” God is in total control. Deuteronomy 32:4 “He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.”
The Faithful Remnant
16 Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name. 17 “On the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him. 18 And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”
Hebrews 1:8 But about the Son he says, Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.”
