98 The Government of God Part 2

In part one we looked at what the government of God could look like. Then in this part two we look at the Romance Model of the Government of God that seems to fit better than any other model considered. We invite you to join us as we consider what Jesus said about his kingdom and a couple of observations of Paul.

SHOW NOTES

The Government of God

1. First, we need to know a little about earthly governance systems which offset God’s Government.

How could eating an “apple” change our planet so dramatically? What sort of government allows for such cataclysmic change to be caused by such an insignificant act? Is this a case of a malicious “virus” which infected the life we were given? Can the “virus” be removed? Can the planet be redeemed from the consequences? Can the planet be “rebooted”? Can the original operating system be reinstalled?

Plato had a brief description of the different possible forms of government.

Monarchy: One good man rules the country. Aristocracy: A few good men rule the country. Democracy: The people rule the country.

Demo-cracy=people power

Oligarchy: A few bad men rule the country. Tyranny: One bad man rules the country.

The government of Israel under Moses and Samuel was a Theocracy. One good God ruled the nation through a good prophet. Order was maintained by execution, usually by stoning, of those who rebelled or seriously disobeyed.

Is this the model which exemplifies God’s Government in heaven and which will prevail on the New Earth? Others see God’s Government as essentially a benevolent dictatorship where the dictator is obliged to make surgical interventions from time to time for the greater good.

Examples of these interventions are the flood, the destruction of Egypt under the ten plagues, the exile of Israel to Assyria and the Exile of Judah to Babylon. Finally unrepentant sinners will be surgically removed in the Lake of Fire. Here are ten Common Forms of Government.

Which of these most resembles God’s form of government?

1. Democracy (Greece) / Republic (Rome). Compare: Business Meeting / Church Board

2. Communism 3. Socialism 4. Oligarchy

5. Monarchy

6. Aristocracy

7. Theocracy

8. Colonialism 9. Totalitarianism 10. Military Dictatorship (See Appendix 2 for more detailed description of these forms of government.)

In a republic, an official set of fundamental laws, for instance: Canada has a Bill of Rights, the U.S. has a Constitution and a Bill of Rights, these prohibit the government from limiting or taking away certain “inalienable” rights of the people, even if that government was freely chosen by a majority of the people. In a pure democracy, the voting majority has almost limitless power over the minority. https://www.thoughtco.com/republic-vs-democracy-4169936

2. Some questions to ask about God’s Governance:

Can we describe God’s governance using any of the above forms of government?

Does God vary his governance style to meet the situation? Was Jesus meek and mild at the First Coming but becomes an avenging Dictator at the Second Coming? Was Eden a form of democracy or communism or socialism until sin entered? Did God then have to change to one of the other more dictatorial forms of government? Can any of these government forms survive without the presence of force and violence such as the police or the military? What does it mean to say, “God is love,” when addressing the issue of governance? Does this mean he is reluctant to use force but does so when it is necessary? Is God’s governance described by Leviticus 26? He blesses us when we obey and curses us when we disobey? Is God’s governance described in Matthew 5:43-48? Does God’s governance ever follow the teaching of Jesus, “do not resist an evil person” (Matthew 5:39)? Does God’s governance style change at the end of the Millennium? Does he then become a Military Dictator in order to destroy sinners? Will there be penalties or punishments on the New Earth? Who will enforce any that might exist? Are there a “police force” or a military force in heaven? Does God want to control us? Are the angels of God his “police force”? What shall we say about the apparent infliction of harm by God’s angels on this planet?

Here are a few examples:

1. In I Chronicles 21:15, the same "Angel of the Lord" is seen by David to stand "between the earth and the heaven, with a drawn sword in his hand stretched out against Hebrew’s enemies". Later, in II Kings 19:35, the angel kills 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. (Bubonic plague? Mice? Virus?)

2. In 2 Samuel 24:15-17, the destroying angel kills 70,000 Israelites. Its called a plague. Did god send COVID-19?

3. Acts 12:23 An angel of the LORD struck Herod with a sickness (he was consumed with worms).

4. Revelation 14:17-20 describes the slaughter angels from the temple in heaven bring to the earth at the end of the world. The above examples are about the use of violence. Did Jesus use violence to cast out demons? Certainly not physical violence. He cast out demons by his moral authority.

5. Angels role at end of the world (Matthew 13:42, 49; Luke 8:49) 3. God’s governance or leadership is dependant on the choices of the beings he created.

This is true because love means vulnerability. If God insists on his own will all the time, he is an abuser like tyrants who enforce their will on their subjects. When Adam and Eve chose to believe and follow the serpent in Eden this meant God was forced aside by their choice and the serpent (devil Reve 12:9) became the de facto ruler or governor, or prince of this world. As a consequence, God can only work in the background with those who are willing to give him some say in their hearts.

4. The Romance form of Government

A possibility for the government of God might be found in romance. See if it works for you. Eva had two suitors. She was at the age when it was time to make a choice. Would it be Gerald or Geronimo? Both suave, accomplished, and handsome young men. Should they fight a duel and she take the winner? Could she make her decision on an IQ or an EQ score? Should she meet their mothers and make her decision on the mother—son relationships? Should she toss a coin? Would her parents have insights that would help her? Would her girlfriends be of assistance? It was a conundrum as she did not have a preference one way or the other. This is the plot behind most romance epics. Gerald offered Eva his undying service and love. Geronimo offered Eva a life of excitement and challenge. If Eva’s choice is a free choice, it means there is no emotional or physical violence involved. Her choice will determine her future, as all choices have consequences. Her choice will determine the appearance and nature of her children. Her choice will determine her future happiness. If she chose Geronimo and it did not work out would Gerald still be around? She was choosing a specific reality for herself. If she chose badly the correction of her choice was almost impossible. There might then be children? How would they be impacted? I am suggesting it was this way for Eve and Adam. The choice they made was not forced on them, physically, emotionally, or spiritually. This is what is meant by free choice. If Gerald had threatened to kill himself if she refused his proposal then her choice was a forced choice. If Geronimo proposed marriage with the promise of “living happily ever after” if Eva accepted and the threat of death if Eva refused there would be no free choice and no romance in his proposal. It is a forced choice, like asking a child if they want to go to bed. The only way to have free choice is if there are no penalties for any of the choices. Consequences are always present for every choice we make, as this is reality in an ordered universe. No threats were made by the Creator or the Pretender to the throne of earth. It is amazing to think about it, but both the Creator and the Usurper waited expectantly to see who Eve and Adam would chose. Maybe this is paralleled by parents waiting expectantly to see if their mature children will remain friends. If the statement by God to Adam and Eve, “in the day you eat of it you will surely die,” is a threat of execution by God then they had a choice but it was not free. If it was a statement of consequence then they had a free choice.

This analogy illustrates the operation of the government of God. God is only God of the universe if the universe “votes” him God because of their admiration for his character. Jesus is confirming that this is how the Kingdom of God comes when he says the cross will cast down the prince of this world. There was no physical clash of the armies of God and the armies of the devil at the cross. Jesus earned moral authority by preferring to die forever rather than get his own way to remain alive (John 12:31). In dying he cast down the moral authority of the prince of this world.

Colossians 2:14-15 NLT He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. 15 In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. (Refer to Appendix 1)

The battle for the leadership of the Universe is moral rather than physical.

Perhaps it is not possible for angels to battle physically if they are spirit beings. Their battles might only be physical as they inspire humans to battle each other physically. As children mature, they come to decide if they admire their parents or are embarrassed by them. They make their own decisions as it is meant to be. Good parents do not threaten them or try to coerce them into a decision they would like. The songs in the book of Revelation support the Romance Government model and we will consider them later with their implications for history of the government of God.

5. Jesus informed us about the government of God or the Kingdom or Heaven (Matthew)

Matthew 5 The citizens of this kingdom: know their need of community (3), have compassion for those who suffer (4), are humble (5), long for justice (6), are merciful (7), are pure hearted (8), are peace makers (9), suffer, without complaint, for the kingdom (10), do good so God is praised (13-16), have a greater righteousness than legal obedience (17-20), reconcile as a priority (21-26), love rather than lust (27-30), regard relationships as permanent (31-32), their commitments are sincere (33-37), they overcome evil by gentle love (38-42), they love unconditionally (43-48).

Matthew 5:39 “Do not resist and evil person.” What this means: DO NOT take revenge. DO NOT retaliate to evil actions with similar actions. DO NOT curse those who oppose you. It does NOT mean, DO NOTHING. Jesus was active in counteracting evil in this world. He cast out demons. He calmed the storm. He healed the sick and raised the dead. He returned good for evil. He left Judea when the opposition was strong and returned to Galilee. He cast down the prince of this world at the cross (John 12:31). His angels hold back the winds of trouble (Revelation 7:1-2)

The kingdom of Heaven is comprised of those who follow the will of God (his love).

Matthew 6:10 NLT “May your kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Parallel statements.

The kingdom is the source of all that is noble and valuable. Matthew 6:33 NLT.

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

There are no demons in the kingdom. Matthew 12:28 NLT

But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. The active agent is spiritual not physical.

The kingdom is propagated supernaturally. Matthew 19:24 NLT

I’ll say it again—it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” We do not enter the Kingdom of Heaven because we are successful in any endeavor.Self-righteous people exclude themselves from the kingdom. Matthew 21:31 “Which of the two obeyed his father?” They replied, “The first.” Then Jesus explained his meaning: “I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do.

Jesus explains how the kingdom expands. Luke 8:4-10 NLT

One day Jesus told a story in the form of a parable to a large crowd that had gathered from many towns to hear him: 5 “A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it. 6 Other seed fell among rocks. It began to grow, but the plant soon wilted and died for lack of moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns that grew up with it and choked out the tender plants. 8 Still other seed fell on fertile soil. This seed grew and produced a crop that was a hundred times as much as had been planted!” When he had said this, he called out, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” 9 His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables to teach the others so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled: ‘When they look, they won’t really see. When they hear, they won’t understand.

The kingdom is invisible and internal. Luke 17:20-21 NLT

One day the Pharisees asked Jesus, “When will the Kingdom of God come?” Jesus replied, “The Kingdom of God can’t be detected by visible signs. 21 You won’t be able to say, ‘Here it is!’ or ‘It’s over there!’ For the Kingdom of God is already among you.”

The kingdom is of heaven is NOT propagated by violence. John 18:35-37 NLT

“Am I a Jew?” Pilate retorted.“Your own people and their leading priests brought you to me for trial. Why? What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.” 37 Pilate said, “So you are a king?” Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.”

The growth of the kingdom is surprisingly rapid. Matthew 13:31-52 NLT

Here is another illustration Jesus used: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. 32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.” 33 Jesus also used this illustration: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.”Jesus explains the meaning of the weeds. 36 Then, leaving the crowds outside, Jesus went into the house. His disciples said, “Please explain to us the story of the weeds in the field.” 37 Jesus replied, “The Son of Man is the farmer who plants the good seed. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed represents the people of the Kingdom. The weeds are the people who belong to the evil one. 39 The enemy who planted the weeds among the wheat is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world, and the harvesters are the angels.40 “Just as the weeds are sorted out and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the world. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42 And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!

44 “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field. It has infinite value for the man. 45 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. 46 When he discovered a pearl of immense value, he sold everything he owned and bought it! It has infinite value for the man. 47 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish of every kind. 48 When the net was full, they dragged it up onto the shore, sat down, and sorted the good fish into crates, but threw the bad ones away. 49 That is the way it will be at the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked people from the righteous, 50 throwing the wicked into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 51 Do you understand all thesethings?” “Yes,” they said, “we do.” 52 Then he added, “Every teacher of religious law who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a homeowner who brings from his storeroom new gems of truth as well as old.”

Prophetically:

Daniel 2:44-45 NLT “During the reigns of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed or conquered. It will crush all these kingdoms into nothingness, and it will stand forever. 45 That is the meaning of the rock cut from the mountain, though not by human hands, which crushed to pieces the statue of iron, bronze, clay, silver, and gold. The great God was showing the king what will happen in the future. The dream is true, and its meaning is certain.”

This passage is not claiming God will use force to overcome earthly kingdoms. The kingdom comes internally and by moral attraction. This is why it lasts forever.

Isaiah 2:1-4 NLT This is a vision that Isaiah son of Amos saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:

2 In the last days, the mountain of the LORD’s house will be the highest of all—the most important place on earth.It will be raised above the other hills, and people from all over the world will stream there to worship. 3 People from many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of Jacob’s God. There he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths.” For the LORD’s teaching will go out from Zion; his word will go out from Jerusalem. 4 The LORD will mediate between nations and will settle international disputes. They will hammer their swords into plowshares. and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer fight against nation, nor train for war anymore.

In the Hebrew understanding the Messiah comes as an uber king David or king Solomon with Israel becoming the dominant nation in the world. Jesus taught the kingdom of heaven is in our hearts not in dominating others physically or emotionally.God’s governance must be based on love since he is love (1 John 4:8).

One description of how love governs is found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. Another description of God’s governance is found in the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians5:22-23): love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

Appendix 1

Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Matthew 4:10.

Satan sought to make it appear that he was working for the liberty of the universe. He was determined to make his arguments so varied, so deceptive, so insidious, that everyone would be convinced that God's law was tyrannical. Even while hanging on the cross, assailed by Satan with his fiercest temptations, Christ was victorious.... With His parting breath He exclaimed, “It is finished.” The battle had been won.... The blood of the innocent had been shed for the guilty. By the life that He gave, man was ransomed from eternal death, and the doom of him who had the power of death was sealed.

Not until the death of Christ was the character of Satan clearly revealed to the angels or to the unfallen worlds. Then the prevarications and accusations of him who had once been an exalted angel were seen in their true light. It was seen that his professedly spotless character was deceptive. His deeply laid scheme to exalt himself to supremacy was fully discerned. His falsehoods were apparent to all. God's authority was forever established. Truth triumphed over falsehood.

Not merely in the minds of a few finite creatures in this world, but in the minds of all the inhabitants of the heavenly universe, has the immutability of God's law been established. Satan's course against Christ was heralded to every world. When the issue was finally determined, every unfallen being expressed indignation at the rebellion. With one voice they extolled God as righteous, merciful, self-denying, just....

The heavenly universe had witnessed the weapons that were chosen by the Prince of life—the words of Scripture, “It is written”; and the weapons used by the prince of the world—falsehood and deception. They had seen the Prince of life deal in straightforward lines of truth, honesty, and integrity, while the prince of the world exercised his power of cunning, artful secrecy, intrigue, enmity, and revenge. They had seen the One who bore the banner of truth sacrifice everything, even His life, to maintain truth, while the one who bore the banner of rebellion continued to strengthen his accusations against the God of truth.

The heavenly worlds and heaven itself were amazed at God's long forbearance.... The Lord had demonstrated His wisdom and justice in banishing Satan from heaven.... All the unfallen beings are now united in regarding God's law as changeless.... His law has been proved faultless. His government is forever secure.—The Signs of the Times, August 27, 1902 / Reflecting Christ - Page 60

Appendix 2

1. Democracy: Democracy is a form of government that allows the people to choose leadership. The primary goal is to govern through fair representation and prevent abuses of power. The result is a system that requires discourse, debate, and compromise to satisfy the broadest possible number of public interests, leading to majority rule. Democracies advocate for fair and free elections, civic participation, human rights protections, and law and order.

Real-World Example: Iceland had numerous forms of government following its settlement in 874 AD. An independent commonwealth, monarchs, and colonial governments ruled the island for thousands of years. After signing a treaty with Denmark in 1918, Iceland became a fully independent and sovereign state. The country foundedits republic in 1944 and has since risen to become one of the world's highest-ranked democracies through systems of social welfare, universal health care, and tertiary education.

2. Communism: Communism is a centralized form of government led by a single party that is often authoritarian in its rule. Inspired by German philosopher Karl Marx, communist states replace private property and a profit-based economy with public ownership and communal control of economic production, such aslabor, capital goods, and natural resources. Citizens are part of a classless society that distributes goods and services as needed.

Real-World Example: The Soviet Union was a one-party, communist state in Northern Eurasia from 1922 to 1991. Most modern communist states embrace Marxism-Leninism, a communist ideology based on Marx and Russian revolutionary and politician Vladimir Lenin's doctrines. Countries that retain single-party, Marxist- Leninist rulership include Cuba, Laos, Vietnam, and the People's Republic of China.

3. Socialism: Socialism is a system that encourages cooperation rather than competition among citizens. Citizens communally own the means of production and distribution of goods and services, while a centralized government manages it. Each person benefits from and contributes to the system according to their needs and ability.

Real-Life Example: Socialism is the cornerstone of the Scandinavian nations of Denmark, Finland, Iceland,Norway, and Sweden. They all adhere to socialist policies that combine free-market capitalism with extensive public works, including free healthcare, free education, a comprehensive welfare state, and high percentages of unionized workers. This approach combines the collective nature of communism with the private ownership and competitiveness of capitalism.

4. Oligarchy: Oligarchies are governments in which a collection of individuals rules over a nation. A specific set of qualities, such as wealth, heredity, and race, are used to give a small group of people power. Oligarchies often have authoritative rulers and an absence of democratic practices or individual rights.

Real-World Example: The government that ruled South Africa from 1948 to 1991 was a racially constructed oligarchy. The minority white population exercised dominance and imposed segregation over the nation's majority Black population, controlling policy, public administration, and law enforcement. Following an anti- apartheid movement, the country adopted a liberal democracy that gave all ethnic and linguistic groups in South Africa political representation.

5. Aristocracy: Aristocracy refers to a government form in which a small, elite ruling class — the aristocrats — have power over those in lower socioeconomic strata. Members of the aristocracy are usually chosenbased on their education, upbringing, and genetic or family history. Aristocracies often connect wealth and ethnicity with both the ability and right to rule.

Real-World Example: Aristocracy originated in ancient Greece; the term derives from the Greek word, aristokratia, meaning "rule of the best." Aristocracies were the dominant governments during most medieval and modern periods across Europe. Aristocrats led major countries, including Britain, Germany, and Russia, until World War I, when other government forms gained popularity.

6. Monarchy: Monarchy is a power system that appoints a person as head of state for life or until abdication. Authority traditionally passes down through a succession line related to one's bloodline and birth order within the ruling royal family, often limited by gender. There are two types of monarchies: constitutional and absolute. Constitutional monarchies limit the monarch's power as outlined in a constitution, while absolute monarchies give amonarch unlimited power. Real-World Example: Today, 45 nations have some form of monarchy, though the concept has become increasingly diluted with the evolution of democratic principles. In the United Kingdom, Queen Elizabeth II's role as a monarch is symbolic. But monarchs in other countries, including Morocco, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, still have far-reaching political authority.

7. Theocracy: Theocracy refers to a form of government in which a specific religious ideology determines the leadership, laws, and customs. In many instances, there is little to no distinction between scriptural laws and legal

codes. Likewise, religious clergy will typically occupy leadership roles, sometimes including the highest office in the nation. Real-Life Example: Iran is the most important and powerful theocratic state in the world today. The ayatollahs — Shiite religious leaders — rule the country. Among them is a "supreme leader" who serves as head of state, delegates authority to other religious leaders, and presides over the elected president. The Sharia — the Islamic faith's primary legal doctrine — dictates the country's legal, judiciary, and administrative codes.

8. Colonialism: Colonialism is a form of government in which a nation extends its sovereignty over other territories. In other words, it involves the expansion of a nation's rule beyond its borders. Colonialism often leads to ruling overIndigenous populations and exploiting resources. The colonizer typically installs its economy, culture, religious order, and government form to strengthen its authority.

Real-World Example: In the 15th century, European monarchies launched an age of nautical exploration that led to several notable colonial governments. British, French, Spanish, and Dutch colonists spread their influence and authority throughout the Americas, dismantling and sometimes eradicating entire cultures and peoples in the process. One of the most familiar cases is the thirteen colonies, established after North America's colonization by Britain beginning in 1587 and later founded as the United States of America.

9. Totalitarianism: Totalitarianism is an authoritarian form of government in which the ruling party recognizes no limitations whatsoever on its power, including in its citizens' lives or rights. A single figure often holds power and maintains authority through widespread surveillance, control over mass media, intimidating demonstrations of paramilitary or police power, and suppression of protest, activism, or political opposition.

Real-World Example: Although North Korea labels itself as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, it acts as a totalitarian state. Kim Jong-un, the third "supreme leader" in the country's Kim dynasty, rules with singular and unchallenged authority, commanding his public without political opposition. Criticism of the supreme leader or protest against his policies are crimes punishable by death, as are countless other crimes for which due process does notoccur.

10. Military Dictatorship: A military dictatorship is a nation ruled by a single authority with absolute power and no democratic process. The head of state typically comes to power in a time of upheavals, such as high unemployment rates or civil unrest. They usually lead the nation's armed forces, using it to establish their brand of law and order and suppress the people's rights. Dictators dismiss due process, civil liberties, or political freedoms. Dissent or political opposition can be dangerous or even deadly for the country's citizens.

Real-World Example: There are about fifty nations in the world with a dictator. One of them is Thailand, where General Prayut Chan-o-cha took power in 2014 following widespread protests against the government. Chan-o-cha declared martial law, dissolved the nation's senate, and placed himself in control. Since then, Thailand has persisted under dictatorial military rule. The military junta, called the National Council for Peace and Order, imposes nationwidecurfews, forbids political gatherings, threatens arrest for political opponents or activists, controls the media, and enforces widespread internet censorship. https://thebestschools.org/magazine/common-forms-of-government-study- starters/

Herod asks, “Where is the king of the Jews?” Pilate answers with the notice in the cross, “The King of the Jews.” Jesus came to bide the strong man. Naves Topical Index defines kingdom and gives texts. Kingdom is among you, within in.

OT points to something, NT shows how more than fulfilled in Jesus. Messiah but no one thought it would be God’s son. Abrahamic promise would be some land. No one expected that it would include the entire world. The gospel of the kingdom must be preached. Matthew 13 parables. Can you have a kingdom without a king? Is kingdom an accommodation to our understanding? The rule of God in our lives. The beatitudes describe the citizens of God’s kingdom. Easiest way to write law is in prohibitions. Jesus writes law in the possibilities in Matthew 5-Beatitudes. Lucifer introduces the idea of obligation into the relationship between God and his creation.Cross demonstrates God’s love: God is shown to be un-manipulative or vulnerable. He is our servant and Philippians 2 shows the depth of his servanthood. When Gandhi and MLK understand that the death of They assumed there was something good in the British. No trade in salt edict by British. When Indians keep coming to be clubbed by soldiers the hold of the British is broken. When Jesus allows us to club him to death the hold if sin is broken in the corporate mind of the universe. Sin is an attitude we have that is antagonistic towards God (Men love darkness rather than light). We must have a moral influence that changes this attitude. GE Ladd The Kingdom of God John Wright The Kingdom of God.