Gathering of the Saints: The Divine Blueprint
Heaven’s Represented Government here on Earth as it is in heaven.
While Daniel appears before the powerful but also cruel King Nebuchadnezzar he declares: “His kingdom is an eternal kingdom, and his rule is from generation to generation!” (Dan 4:3)
God’s Kingdom is an incorruptible eternal (Ps 145:13), unshakable (Heb 12:28) form of GOVERNMENT. Daniel 2:44 (NKJV): “And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.” The governments of man are temporary and fickle, based on the “arm of the flesh”. This truth serves as a consolation as we daily read of governments of man failing us worldwide.
Throughout the annals of history, we witness earthly authorities’ narratives, often oscillating between the paths of virtue, equity, and compassion or veering astray from them. The adversary often employs a cunning strategy: highlighting the misuse of a divine gift from God, such as leadership, in an attempt to make us reject the very provision meant to shield and nurture us. Encountering ineffective or ungodly leaders should not lead us to dismiss the vital significance of virtuous and God-inspired leadership.
Similarly, public church gatherings for some have become burdensome as the performance of dead rituals. Attending public church gatherings offers a multitude of godly, emotional, and spiritual benefits. These gatherings foster fellowship and community, providing opportunities for meaningful relationships and shared support. They enable heartfelt worship and praise, deepening one’s connection to God. Individuals gain spiritual nourishment and growth through Scripture, teachings, and sermons. Leaders and mentors provide guidance and discipleship, aiding in life’s challenges. Corporate prayer and accountability strengthen faith commitments, while service opportunities and the comfort of a caring community make a difference in people’s lives. Additionally, corporate communion symbolizes unity, and these gatherings serve as a platform for witnessing and evangelism, potentially transforming lives through the love and grace of God.
In contemporary culture, there is often a reluctance to receive instruction and obey commands. Yet, it’s essential to recognize that the teachings of the Bible are not merely well-intentioned suggestions, but rather steadfast commands meant to guide our lives with wisdom and purpose. Earning a salary for one’s labour is fundamentally rooted in the principles of following commands and instructions and faithfully adhering to them. Why is obeying God seemingly so hard for some people?
In this sermon, we will explore The GATHERING of BELIEVERS as a spiritual, heavenly mandated governmental gathering where God meets with His representatives. Here, we are empowered to receive instructions for divine acts of salvation that HEALS and set people FREE!
Modernity and the Erosion of Hierarchy
The modern era, marked by a push for egalitarianism and the dissolving of traditional hierarchies, has led to positive changes, such as movements toward social justice. However, as Barry Schwartz notes in “The Paradox of Choice,” this abundance of freedom can also create paralysis. In seeking to liberate ourselves from the “chains” of order and hierarchy, we may unwittingly become slaves to our own capricious desires, habits, and addictions. It’s like a ship rejecting the guidance of its compass, only to be lost at sea, tethered to the whims of the currents.
The Throne of Self
Progressive liberal ideology often champions the individual above all else, inadvertently creating a society where everyone is their own king or queen. “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 21:25). This verse reflects a time of moral and societal chaos in ancient Israel when there was no centralized authority, and people acted according to their own judgments. It serves as a poignant reminder of society’s need for righteous leadership and guidance.
The traditional concept of the patriarchal figure—be it a family leader, a community elder, or even a spiritual guide—is often labelled as oppressive. Yet, ironically, in dethroning patriarchy, we anoint our own ego, making self-interest the ultimate ruler. This is akin to tearing down a lighthouse in the name of freedom, only to sail blindly into rocky waters.
Hierarchy: A Natural and Spiritual Phenomenon
Hierarchy is not just a societal construct; it’s a natural phenomenon. Be it the food chain in ecosystems, rank in animal packs, or the hierarchical structure in our body’s cellular organization, an intrinsic order facilitates function. Now, if nature itself, which operates under the governance of laws set by the Creator, follows a hierarchy, why should humans be an exception?
The Divine Hierarchy in Scripture
Scripture provides a hierarchical structure model, most profoundly seen in the Trinity: The Holy Spirit submits to the Son, the Son to the Father.
John 14:28 (NKJV): “You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I.”
1 Corinthians 11:3 (NKJV): “But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.”
John 16:13-14 (ESV): “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”
The Holy Trinity embodies a hierarchy that is not rooted in oppression but in mutual submission, respect, and function. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit each have distinct roles yet are of one essence.
The Gathering of Believers Sanctioned by Heaven
The Biblical metaphor of a heavenly judiciary council gives us a compelling framework for understanding the spiritual dimension of our earthly assemblies. When we gather in God’s name, we are not merely a collection of individuals but a manifestation of a higher, divine governance.
When the King sanctions or calls a meeting, that meeting is governmental in nature.
Holy Assemblies as a Reflection of Heavenly Councils
Let’s study the following verses through the lens of a governmental perspective:
Divine Court
Psalm 82:1-2 (NKJV): “God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods. How long will you judge unjustly, And show partiality to the wicked?” This scripture emphasizes that God stands amidst a council described as “gods” (often interpreted as earthly rulers or heavenly beings) and asserts His righteous judgement. This is a strong image of a divine court.
1 Corinthians 6:2-3 (NKJV): “Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?” Paul here directly correlates the assembly of believers to a group destined for judiciary responsibility, even extending to judging angels.
Divine Declarations and Decrees
Ephesians 3:10 (NKJV): “To the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.” This suggests that the Church itself is a living testament to God’s wisdom, even to the “principalities and powers” in the spiritual realm.
Divine Execution of Justice
Psalm 149:5-9 (NKJV): “Let the saints be joyful in glory; Let them sing aloud on their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, And a two-edged sword in their hand, To execute vengeance on the nations, And punishments on the peoples; To bind their kings with chains, And their nobles with fetters of iron; To execute on them the written judgment— This honor have all His saints. Praise the Lord!” The assembly of saints is described here as an empowered entity that can execute divine justice.
Divine Guidance
Matthew 6:10 (NKJV): “Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.” The Lord’s Prayer invites the heavenly governance to manifest here on Earth, implying its superior authority and incorruptibility.
So when we assemble as a church, we step into an extension of this divine governance, a holy assembly constituted by the highest, incorruptible government. The stakes are not merely earthly; they are eternal, for we echo the governance of heaven itself. And in that, we find our highest calling and our deepest sense of order and justice.
Amen.