Focus Point #18

Years ago while studying the Word of God under the guidance and influence of Colonel R. B. Thieme of Baracha Church in Houston, TX, he introduced to me the four laws of Divine Establishment. These four laws, or principles by which God set out for the human race to follow, have been and are now, in my opinion, becoming more and more relevant everyday. I am including in this Focus Point a summary of this doctrine.

DEFINITION - A divine institution is a principle of divine operation directed toward the human race for its orderly direction and preservation.
DIVINE INSTITUTION #1 - VOLITION
God gives every human being the choice to be independent of God or to live and act with dependence upon Him. Every individual has the right to make his/her own decisions and to be responsible for those decisions. The authority in Divine Institution #1 is God. Gen. 1 and 2.

Side note: Several months ago a friend sent me via email, a speech given by Herb Meyer, who, at one time, held a high office in the CIA. It is one of the most interesting and relevant emails I have ever received. The following is a quote from Herb Meyer's speech:

"There are three major monotheistic religions in the world: Christianity, Judaism and Islam. In the 16th century, Judaism and Christianity reconciled with the modern world. The rabbis, priests and scholars found a way to settle up and pave the way forward. Religion remained at the center of life, church and state became separate. Rule of law, idea of economic liberty, individual rights, human rights...all these are defining points of modern Western civilization. These concepts started with the Greeks but didn't take off until the 15th and 16th century when Judaism and Christianity found a way to reconcile with the modern world. When that happened, it unleashed the scientific revolution and the greatest outpouring of art, literature and music the world has ever known.

"Islam, which developed in the 7th century, counts millions of Moslems around the world who are normal people. However, there is a radical streak within Islam. When the radicals are in charge, Islam attacks Western civilization. Islam first attacked Western civilization in the 7th century and later in the 16th and 17th centuries. By 1683 the Moslems (Turks from the Ottoman Empire) were literally at the gates of Vienna. It was in Vienna that the climatic battle between Islam and Western civilization took place. The West won and went forward. Islam lost and went backward. Interestingly, the date of that battle was September 11. Since then, Islam has not found a way to reconcile with the modern world. Today terrorism is the third attack on Western civilization by radical Islam. To deal with terrorism, the U.S. is doing two things. First, units of our armed forces are in 30 countries around the world hunting down terrorist groups and dealing with them. This gets very little publicity.

"Second, we are taking military action in Afghanistan and Iraq. These are covered relentlessly by the media. People can argue about whether the war in Iraq is right or wrong. However, the underlying strategy behind the war is to use our military to remove the radicals from power and give the moderates a chance. Our hope is that, over time, the moderates will find a way to bring Islam forward into the 21st century. That's what our involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan is all about." (End of quote).

It is interesting to note that, of these three major monotheistic religions, it is Islam that, by design, tries to not only deny volition and the right to choose, but they intend to destroy those who will not submit to that so-called "Belief system." If ever Satan had a massive weapon with which to war against God, it's Islam! Plus, along with their message of "Submit to Allah, or else," they are infested with the most hateful anti-Jewish , destroy Israel at all costs attitude, now and throughout world history. Obviously, I think Herb Meyer's hopeful scenario of ever bringing Islam into the 21st century is a hopeless dream. It ain't going to happen! Never! Neither is President Bush's hope of defeating terrorism and establishing democracies in the Middle East.

DIVINE INSTITUTION #2 -MARRIAGE
This is the basic organization of the human race. It is the institution God established for the orderly function and reproduction of the human race. It is a civil institution - not a Christian institution. People are considered married or unmarried according to their civil law. If the laws of a nation state that a marriage is constituted with the exchange of wheat or goats or property, then they are married. Old Testament marriages were arranged by the parents. (This would never do today in politically correct USA).
In a biblical marriage the husband is the initiator, aggressor and the authority but remember, marriage is for believers and unbelievers. When this institution is neglected, the nation can be destroyed. Genesis 2:18-25. Admittedly, most marriages leave much to be desired, even in "Christianized countries" but where does the religion and life-style of radical Islamic Jihad fit in this Divine institution? Not even close! They are instructed to marry four women and they, the husbands, are to scourge any or all of his wives when they disobey him! (Quran 4:34)
DIVINE INSTITUTION #3 - FAMILY
This institution is set up to raise and train children in areas of respect for authority, respect for the rights of others, the privacy of others, the respect for common law, the property of others (public and private). Genesis 4 through 10, in particular 4:1-15; 5:1-3. Authority....parents.
In the institution of family, the child is to be taught how to live life and to function in a community of others, i.e. family, at play, at school, at work, etc. Key words? - love and discipline. And, oh yes, respect for authority. Obviously, the hard core Islamic Jihad, the holy war that many of them are waging is not in the Divine design!
DIVINE INSTITUTION #4 - NATIONALISM
This is the means of protecting and preserving the human race from evils such as Hitler and Stalin. No segment of the human race gets enough power so as to destroy or control the rest of the human race. To have no nations is internationalism. This is the target of Satan for the world system. The design of nationalism is to provide protection for the individual, giving him the freedom to live according to his own volition. The authority in nationalism are the national leaders according to the laws of the nation.

I can't imagine any greater threat to any people in any nation than the presence and control of the Islamic Jihad. Just the massive influx of the Islamic people in Europe and Great Britain is just a foretaste of the coming changes. Laws are being flaunted. Life-styles are being altered and changed - all against the wishes of the people. It seems as though even though the people and leadership are against these changes, they are almost powerless to slow it all down or to stop it.
Just think of the changes that have swept over our beloved country in the last ten to fifteen years
as a result of "political correctness." Add to that, our unprotected borders are an open door invitation, not only to the poor man or woman who wants a better life (who can blame them for that?) but it leaves the gates open for the terrorists and those with their own political agenda. My friend, we are in some deep trouble.
That's why Divine Institution #4 is so vital. Each country is designed by God, to be free to develop its own political structure, its own economy and tax system, its own military and its own laws. And listen to this - there is not one human being on the face of the earth with the intellect, the humility, the honesty and compassion to lead this world into a period of the freedoms and liberties that God has designed for the human race.

It's obvious, at least it is to me, that when God moved upon the prophets in the Old Testament, He led them to write of an age, a period of time when the Messiah would rule and reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. They wrote of a time when men would beat the swords into plowshares and the lion would lie down with the lamb and of His Kingdom, His rule, His reign, there would be no end.
I don't see that coming out of the "United Nothings" - I mean the United Nations. I don't see that coming out of the Islamic Jihad, nor do I see that coming from the Democrats or the Republicans!
I'll tell you where I do see it. I see it in the verses and chapters that make up The Book of The Revelation of The Lord Jesus Christ.
"If you read this prophecy aloud to the Church, you will receive a special blessing from the Lord. Those who listen to it being read and do what it says will also be blessed. For the time is near when these things will all come true." Revelation 1:3

Blessings,
Bro. Bob K