Our Victorious Lord

Where is your citizenship?
What triumph!

Elections come and go. From my vantage point, the country has one coming. Voters will face an array of daunting decisions which will impact their state and their country, and all citizens and residents (the latter includes you and me!) for a few years, at least. Citizens have the civic duty and privilege to vote. To stay home is inexcusable. It is dereliction of duty. Perhaps laws should establish penalties for not voting. To not vote is to despise citizenship.

Wars come and go. Plenty are being fought right now. Able-bodied citizens have the duty and privilege to fight for their country. To stay home is inexcusable; to run away, treasonous. To not defend one's country is to despise citizenship.

Do you agree with all that? I do; that's why I wrote it! Does that mean I will try to decide between Clinton-Gore and Dole-Kemp in thirteen weeks? Of course not! I've already cast my ballot for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Will I march down to the Air Force recruiting office and volunteer? No! I'm already enlisted in the King's army.

As far as loyalties go, I am a citizen of no earthly political entity. I was born a citizen of Oregon and of the United States of America, but some twenty years ago I pledged allegiance to a different country--the heavenly one. "For our citizenship is in the heavens, whence also a Saviour we await --the Lord Jesus Christ--" (Philippians 3:20, Young's Literal Translation). That's why I say we are residents here.

Today's lesson shows us clearly that some day our King will fight personally in an earthly battle. And His army will do war with Him. Let no one rise up to call it an immoral war, because "in righteousness he doth...make war." So our day for battle is coming, but it will not be in defense of any human kingdom. Will you fight?

I call on the church to check her loyalty to the King and His kingdom! How dare we claim exemption from national military service, jury and ballot if our hearts are occupied with the interests, concerns and pursuits of the heathen?! No one who denies the faith in practical experience can expect to stand with the Faithful and True on that great day! No one who ignores the Scriptures (even selectively) will march behind The Word of God then!

So, where is your citizenship?

Jesus. The deprived baby. The child conceived in questionable circumstances. The unretaliating victim. The misrepresented defendant. Despised and rejected. A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. Misunderstood. Weeping. Suffering. Dying. But focused on the Father's will and the joy before Him.

Jesus! His eyes as a flame of fire. On His head many crowns. His feet like fine brass. His voice as the sound of many waters. In his right hand seven stars. His countenance as the sun shining in full strength. Alpha and Omega. The Almighty. The Lamb. Faithful and True. The Word of God. KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing" (Revelation 5:12). Amen!

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