The Role of Christians As We Move Forward.
Looking back to where we started you should recall that role of the Righteous Ones was like a single file as Patriots passed on from one generation to the next the code of being a carrier of Righteousness.
Next, we see the Children of Isreal who were given a written code of doing what was necessary to decide between Good and Evil. The Law that Moses gave to Children of Isreal spelled out what God deem to be OK and what wasn’t. As long as the people followed the rituals which are given in that code they were considered Righteous. Their actions did not make them Righteous, but their obedience was counted to them as Righteousness.
Now we see the Church. At this time there is a different method of being Righteous. Christ has come as the Perfect Sacrifice that has broken the power of Sin over Mankind. No longer does a man have struggle against the weight of trying to follow a set of rules to be Righteous. This has been completed by Jesus.
It takes place in a person when they believe that Jesus has paid the price for sin, that He rose again to New Life and acknowledges the Lordship of Christ in their life, that they gain this Freedom from the Power of Sin.
It is because of this dramatic change in being Righteous that the Church has the final role in judging Sin and removing evil from dominating Mankind.
Why do I say it is the Church’s role to remove evil and not Jesus who will come and destroy the evil in the earth?
There are a number of Scriptures, some I already used, that I will set out below: --
- Matthew 13:41; “The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend and those who practice lawlessness,” (NKJV).
- Matthew 13:49; “So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just,” (NKJV).
- Acts 3:19b-21; 19b. “so that times of refreshing may come from the Lord’s presence; 20. and he may send the Messiah appointed in advance for you, that is, Yeshua. 21. He has to remain in heaven until the time comes for restoring everything, as God said long ago, when he spoke through the holy prophets.” (CJB)*
- Matthew 16:18-19; 18. "I also tell you this: you are Kefa,” [which means ‘Rock,’] “and on this rock I will build my Community [Church, Ekklesia], and the gates of Sh’ol [Hell or Hades] will not overcome it. 19. I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you prohibit on earth will be prohibited in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.” (CJB)*
- Hebrews 1:14; {Of the angels} “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” (NJKV)
Let me tie all this together.
The Church has the authority to bring down the forces of evil. The angels are here to assist the Church in this cleansing. The return of Jesus will not occur until the evil forces have been removed from their control over the earth. The forces of evil has to know that Man has the ascendancy over it, be it through the power of the risen Christ, that the battle started in The Garden is finished.
Let’s look at how each of us can walk in this strength.
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