If They Win - What Then?

Turn Joshua 5. We’ll continue with Jonah next week.

We have a very real and active enemy that is wreaking havoc in America – and truthfully the world. This enemy goes way beyond the devil, who is called the god of this age. The Bible is clear we fight against supernatural geographical rulers, supernatural authorities, cosmic powers and spiritual forces of evil (Eph. 6). We face the fallen sons of God (known as gods), demons, and a host of other evil supernatural beings who deceive and blind humanity – mostly unbelievers, but it doesn’t mean believers cannot be blind, or deceived, or apathetic. This enemy hates God the Most High; hate Jesus Christ the Son; they hate all things of the Spirit and hate God’s people – Jewish and Christian. And They will do anything to keep humanity from the truth and from Jesus.

This enemy wants to destroy the biblical foundations of truth and love. Destroy the Godly design of marriage of 1 man and 1 woman. Destroy the Godly singleness. Destroy the Godly design for manhood and womanhood. This enemy thrives on the destruction of children – born and unborn. This enemy thrives on chaos and confusion – creating depraved minds that cannot think clearly and correctly. We are living in a Romans chapter 1 world (read it) – where God has given people over to what they desire - depraved and corrupted minds – they applaud evil and invent evil.

With that being said – elections are coming. We’re in a conundrum. One party clearly opposes Judeo-Christian values. One says mutilating children is a basic human right; that we must embrace sexual sin and perversion without question or pay the price. One party says children can become animals, men can become women and vice versa simply by mere thought, and drag queens are good role models for our children – if you disagree, that’s hate speech.

So what about the other party? Even though they align a little more closely to Biblical values doesn’t mean it’s a godly party without corruption. Anti-Christian values are present on both sides, and neither party is the savior of the world. Like I said, we’re in a conundrum. Sadly, we’re in two party system – which John Adams, one of our founding fathers and 2nd president, vehemently warned would be detrimental.

So what do we do? We live in a polarized world as if there are only two options or two kingdoms - the Right or Left, Republican or Democrat, conservative or liberal. And we get all worked up about which “kingdom” or which side you’re on and which side will win. Yes, we should be concerned, but not worried. Psalm 37 Do not fret because of those who are evil. Trust in Yahweh, commit your way to Him, and delight in Him – not in the kingdoms of the world.

Remember,

There is another Kingdom at work in this world – the Kingdom of God.

It’s His Kingdom that we ultimately align with and seek and put our hope in. So, when it comes to the elections in November, remember,

Though we may vote for political leaders and issues, we do not vote for a Kingdom.

Jesus implied, wherever Jesus is, the Kingdom of God is there. Which means if we truly follow Jesus, then wherever we go His Kingdom is present.

There are a lot of people, Christians included who think that if “they” win (the other side) - it's over for America. And that may be true – (I don’t see how God can bless America with the sin that this country embraces) but It’s never over for the Kingdom of God. Do you know that the Kingdom of God is active in communist China and in Africa, the Middle East, South America?

The biggest issue is not who wins in November (not saying it’s not important). So what is?

Are you and I obediently involved in Kingdom work – faithfully picking up our cross daily and following the true Jesus?

Not the American Jesus, your Jesus, my Jesus – the Jesus as revealed in Scripture. Here’s the way I see it -

Wherever Christians obediently follow Jesus, the Kingdom of God is active - regardless of the form of government.

Let’s briefly look at Joshua 5. Moses has died and Joshua was now the leader of Israel, and they were heading into the Promised Land, known as Canaan. In Canaan we find people and animals who were the descendants or remnants of the Nephilim from Gen. 6. It is my belief that Canaan was so evil and so corrupted they were beyond redemption – thus the command to conquer and kill. So Israel was about to face a land of very powerful wicked enemies. So we have good guys and bad guys - two opposing “kingdoms.” The night before the battle of Jericho, we read this.

Joshua 5:13–14 LEB

And it happened, when Joshua was by Jericho, he looked up, and he saw a man standing opposite him with his sword drawn in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said, “Are you with us, or with our adversaries?” And he said, “Neither. I have come now as the commander of Yahweh’s army.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and he bowed down and said to him, “What is my lord commanding his servant?”

Isn’t that what we want to know? Which side is God on? Is He for Trump or Harris? Is God Republican or Democrat?

Joshua discovered that this man was Yahweh in the flesh – probably the preincarnate Christ - Jesus. It’s interesting how God responded to Joshua’s question - “Which side are you on?” And Jesus answered, “Neither.”

Wait a minute! How can God be neutral? What is He – French; Swiss? God was not declaring neutrality or which side He is for. Truthfully, that’s never the issue. It’s never about which side God is for, but which side is for God. So the issue here in Joshua,

This is not about Israel advancing their agenda and kingdom. This is about God advancing His agenda and Kingdom through Israel.

So the issue for us is not if God is for America, but rather is America for God.

So if we were to ask Jesus, “Are you for Trump or Harris? Republican or Democrat? Which kingdom are you for?” What would Jesus say? “Neither, but I am for My Kingdom.” Doesn’t mean He’s not involved ….

The disciples went through a similar issue.

Acts 1:6–8 ESV

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

You tell me, which kingdom is Jesus mostly concerned about – His or ours? And which Kingdom does Jesus want us to represent and to represent well?

So what is this Kingdom of God?

Aside from God’s Kingdom in the spiritual realm, some might say the 3rd Heaven,

God’s Kingdom reflects God’s character and is manifested in our world through His presence and people (i.e. the Church).

What does that mean? Since God is righteous, then His Kingdom is a Kingdom of righteousness. God is holy; therefore his Kingdom is a Kingdom of holiness. God is truth; therefore His Kingdom is a Kingdom of truth, and so on. Think of Gal. 5 and the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy peace, patience, kindness …. God’s Kingdom is a Kingdom of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc. God’s Kingdom is a Kingdom of justice, light, grace, mercy, forgiveness, power, redemption, healing …. God’s Kingdom is eternal, it is unshakable, the powers of hell cannot prevail against it. 2,000 years ago when Jesus walked this earth, He said, “I’m here –

Mark 1:15 ESV

and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

So His Kingdom is already here, but not in its fullness. That is yet to come.

So what of Satan’s kingdom? His kingdom also reflects his character. His kingdom is a kingdom of lies, of dissension, gossip, immorality, deception, sexual immorality, hatred, bitterness, murder, chaos, drunkenness, addictions, wickedness ….

As we follow Jesus Christ, and I mean follow every day, and keep in step with the Spirit, we take God’s Kingdom with us. And wherever we are, we push back the darkness and reveal Gods’ Light, truth and grace. And it’s His Kingdom that sets captives free, and heals the wounded, saves the sinner and redeems the lost.

So no matter what happens in November, regardless of who wins, we are children of a different Kingdom and Jesus Christ is our King. And so,

Philippians 3:17–4:1 ESV

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

For those who may not know this Jesus and this Kingdom …

John 3:3 ESV

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

John 3:16 ESV

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Admit (fallen short).

Believe(Jesus loves you, died for you, rose again).

Commit(put trust in Jesus).