Human beings the world over are suffering. From Siberia to the Sudan, from Tehran, Iran to Tripoli, Libya, and from Pyongyang, North Korea to Caracas, Venezuela people just like you and me are faced with hunger, disease, strife, and oppression. A major source of the problems facing mankind is the people who are in power. Too many nations are ruled over by tyrants and despots. In those countries, people’s lives are filled with misery, deprivation, and oppression. Even in countries with more freedom, there is constant strife between various groups. The Feast of Tabernacles celebrates the time in the future when those conditions will change. The Bible clearly reveals that all the systems of rule that man has devised over the past 6000 years are going to be replaced, and future rulers will not be susceptible to the inherent weaknesses of human beings.
But we have to ask, “Why is there a problem with the current way of ruling? What’s wrong with democracy, socialism, oligarchies, or dictatorships?” The answer is: the fundamental flaw of human governmental systems is humans. Mankind just naturally resists the way of life that really works (Romans 8:7) and right now is being heavily influenced by the evil spirit world (Revelation 12:9; Ephesians 2:2).
Daniel, the prophet, recorded the solution to man’s leadership problem. He wrote about a time when mankind will be ruled by a different kingdom and by a different people.
“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;” (Daniel 2:44)
Revelation 11:15 tells us that the King of the coming kingdom is Jesus Christ, “Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" Daniel further wrote that “the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom” (7:22). Paul stated that “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 15:50). These verses tell us that the coming Kingdom of God will not be ruled by human beings, but by Jesus Christ and the spirit-born sons of God.
When we inherit the Kingdom, when we become the literal spirit-born sons of God, how will we rule? What characteristics of our rule will bring about the wonderful conditions forecast for the coming millennial age?
Rule with Right Motive
Rulers in the Kingdom of God will rule with the right motive. For 6000 years the fundamental motivation of leaders and rulers at all levels - in government, business, organizations, and families - has been selfish. Human leaders have craved power, prestige, and riches - and some have even wanted to be worshipped. The apostles James and John evidently were bitten with this bug of wanting to be at the very top in the Kingdom of God. They wanted to sit at Christ’s left hand and right hand in the Kingdom (Mark 10:35-45). When conflict arose between the apostles over this issue, Christ took it as an opportunity to teach them what their – and our - real motive should be in leading and ruling.
Matthew 20:25-28
25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave - 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
In the Kingdom of God, the rulers’ hearts will be right. When we rule, we will not be oppressive “lords”; we will not be seeking our own power, riches or fame. Instead, our rule will be characterized by serving and giving.
Rule with Right Purpose
Rulers in the Kingdom of God will rule with the right purpose. Our purpose will not be walking about as mighty potentates, making sure our subjects are bowing before us and serving us. Our purpose will not be about the “Mighty Me” – my power, my wealth, my ideas, my agenda. Instead, our purpose will be what God’s purpose is – that of “bringing many sons to glory” (Hebrews 2:10). Everything we do will be pointed toward that goal. Our actions will be focused on encouraging and helping those we are responsible for so they will develop the very character and nature of God and can become members of the family of God.
Rule with Truth
In the Kingdom of God, we will rule with truth. In this world, a leader needs to know the laws of his nation. Unfortunately, the governments of man are filled with laws, and year after year more and more new laws are passed. The European Union’s system of laws consists of over 80,000 pages of rules and regulations – in excess of 20 million words. What man can administer such an unwieldy code? Realistically, no human could ever know all those laws. In contrast, God’s basic code of laws for us and for His Kingdom is quite simple. It consists of 10 commandments – one column of one page in the Bible and only 322 words. Today, God is training us in the use of His Law. Every day we are administering that law in our personal lives. If we learn how to use the Law in the midst of Satan’s world, we should know how to use it as kings in the Kingdom of God.
Deuteronomy 17 records an expectation for the kings of Israel.
Deuteronomy 17:18-20
18 "Also it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, ... 19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes, 20 that his heart may not be lifted above his brethren, that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left, and that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, …
The minds of rulers in the Kingdom will contain the truth. Today that truth is being written in our hearts and minds as we are being prepared for kingship in the Kingdom of God. We will not need a book containing the law to carry around with us. The Law of God and the way of God will be written into our “spiritual DNA” (Jeremiah 31:31-33). When the minds of the rulers are filled with truth, real freedom will come for all mankind (John 8:32). No longer will mankind suffer from the oppressive rule of deceived leaders.
Rule with Love
In the Kingdom of God, we will rule with love. The Bible tells us that “God is love” (I John 4:8, 16). As His children, we also will be filled with the spirit of love. Our behaviors and actions will reflect the nature of our Father. Every action of kings and priests in the kingdom will reflect the fruit of the Spirit of God.
Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control...
Rulers in the Kingdom of God will administer the Law with love, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control. Kings will be longsuffering, show faithfulness, and promote peace.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful today if our President and congressional leaders were filled with a spirit of peace and kindness and gentleness and self-control? In the millennium, when love, compassion, and tender mercies flow from the rulers, this world will be transformed. There will be no more fear of those in charge, just deep trust. When people are able to trust those who guide them, they will feel secure and stable. Mental and emotional problems will fade away when the world is filled with leaders who rule with love.
When the saints possess the kingdom, the rulership of this world will be changed forever. In the coming thousand years, we will rule with the right motive, the right purpose, and with truth and love. Solomon wrote: “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice…” (Proverbs 29:2).
The Kingdom of God will be a glorious kingdom bringing liberty to the whole creation (Romans 8:21) because the rulers of that Kingdom will know how to rule! May that day of righteous rulers come soon!
Message given on October 3, 2009 at the Feast of Tabernacles in New Braunfels, Texas.
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