Prepare Now to be a King
Do
you realize what the specific JOB promised true Christians in the World
Tomorrow is? Are you preparing for it intelligently and realistically?
THIS is a
HELL-BENT WORLD! With the stark specter of worldwide famine, with the
increasing amount of crime and violence of all descriptions - with the
stepped up tempo of racial conflict, the skyrocketing incidence of
pornography and FILTH, and the breakdown of respect for all law and
constituted authority - it should be obvious that this world needs
straightening out!
But HOW? And by WHOM?
Men have been
experimenting and theorizing with solutions to world problems for about
six thousand years of recorded history. And the war-torn, hate-filled,
divided, starving world you see around you and read about is - to a
large extent - the RESULT of man's endeavors. Man's endeavors, that is,
apart from GOD!
The greatest
Prophet who ever lived described our day: "But as the days of Noah
were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be" (Matt. 24:37). In
the Genesis account of those days before the flood, we read: "The earth
also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with VIOLENCE"
(Gen. 6:11).
Yes, just like today!
What is GOD'S Solution?
If you have been
reading TOMORROW'S WORLD very long, you have learned that the destiny
of man - as purposed by his Creator - is to join the God Family in
ruling this world and later, the entire UNIVERSE !
Jesus Christ
promised: "And he that OVERCOMETH and keepeth my works unto the end, to
him will I give power over the nations: and he shall RULE them with a
rod of iron.. ." (Rev. 2:26-27).
Again, He said:
"To him that OVERCOMETH will I grant to sit with me in my throne..."
(Rev. 3:21). Sharing His throne, of course, would denote sharing in the
ruling.
The man or woman
who overcomes, then, who yields to God and MASTERS the temptations and
pulls of the flesh - this person will be given the tremendous
opportunity of RULING the nations of this earth under the personal
direction of Jesus Christ!
Although few professing Christians today seem to realize it, your Bible is literally saturated with this message!
This is the TRUE
GOSPEL - the good news of the coming world-ruling government of Jesus
Christ AND HIS SPIRIT-BORN SAINTS! The Apostle Paul told the brethren
at Corinth: "Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and
if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the
smallest matters ? Know ye not that we shall judge angels?" (I Cor.
6:2-3.)
In Revelation
5:10, the true saints are pictured as rejoicing that Christ has
redeemed them, "And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and WE
SHALL REIGN ON THE EARTH."
The Prophet
Daniel described the coming rule of Christ and His saints on earth
AFTER the soon-coming revival of the Roman Empire in Europe is crushed.
"And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under
the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the
most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions
shall serve and obey him" (Dan. 7:27).
Goal of True Christian
According to the Bible, then, what is the real GOAL of the Christian?
It is, through
the acceptance of Jesus Christ as personal Savior, to be forgiven his
past sins - his REBELLION against the government and laws of God. "For
sin IS the transgression of the law" (I John 3:4). Next, through the
power of the Holy Spirit given by Christ, he strives to GROW
spiritually, to be an OVERCOMER - mastering his vain, lustful, lawless
human nature and yielding to let God make him FIT to be a KING.
Remember, rulership with Christ is given only "to him that OVERCOMETH" (Rev. 3:21).
God's way has
always been to choose the most capable men for the job among those who
are surrendered to His rule. In choosing rulers and judges over Israel,
Moses was instructed: "Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the
people ABLE men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness;
and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of
hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens" (Ex. 18:21).
The GOAL of the
true Christian is NOT to "roll around heaven all day"! It is not to
strum idly on a harp - watching the fleecy clouds go by! It is to RULE
with Christ on THIS EARTH - making it a beautiful, happy, productive
and peaceful place for the millions of our children and grandchildren
who will live over into the World Tomorrow!
Every thinking
person should begin getting ready to attain THAT GOAL ! We should ask
our Creator to help make us FIT to join the saints in ruling this world
under Jesus Christ. God has set His true ministers to help His people
attain the GOAL. They are to teach and inspire God's people to GROW
SPIRITUALLY more like Christ in every way, "Until we all come in the
unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a
PERFECT man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ"
(Eph. 4:13).
But HOW do we become like Christ? Where do we BEGIN ? Are there definite AREAS of life we should concentrate on improving?
Certainly! There
are at least SEVEN AREAS of life which need special development if you
are to be qualified for RULERSHIP under Jesus Christ.
Study them. Develop them.
PREPARE, now, to be a King under Jesus Christ and straighten out this world's mess GOD'S way!
I. Develop the MIND of a King
Certainly the
most important thing that separates us from the dumb brutes is the
human mind. Through it we have creative powers which, though limited,
are like those of God Himself. Also, we have the capacity of learning
and acting on spiritual truths - even when these go against the normal
lust of our flesh and brain. We have the capacity of DECISION. We can
RESIST the wrong and we can CHOOSE to do the good.
Besides the
total surrender of will demanded of all true Christians, the most
important mental quality needed by a ruler in God's government is
WISDOM. This is the ability to take all factors of any given situation
into proper consideration and then make the right decision. It is the
most important single quality really needed in the office of President
of the United States or any other high government office.
Other men may
supply the technical knowledge of how to produce an H-bomb, but it is
up to the heads of state to have the wisdom not to use it to blast
human life off this planet!
Knowledge, of
course, is merely the possession of various facts and bits of
information. Understanding is a tremendously important mental and
spiritual gift. It involves the capacity to grasp the true principles
and laws which govern success or failure in life and the true GOALS of
life. Understanding also involves a grasp of the true origin and
outcome of things - why we are here, why things are the way they are in
this world, what is the purpose of life and where are we headed ?
This kind of
complete understanding, of course, is a gift from the Creator. But an
important measure of true understanding is sometimes given to human
leaders in this world such as Sir Winston Churchill who spoke of "the
great PURPOSE and DESIGN" being worked out here below.
To be a leader
in the World Tomorrow, then, you should seek most of all for wisdom and
understanding, and then diligently acquire such knowledge as is useful
and necessary in order to be a true Christian and a real help to others
in this life. The Eternal God says: "Wisdom is the principal thing;
therefore get WISDOM: and with all thy getting get understanding'
(Prov. 4:7).
Learn to be
alert and to exercise perception in discerning the trends and the
motives in the situations around you. Learn also to see the BIG
PICTURE. Be able to view each problem, trial or situation in relation
to its relative importance on your whole life, the whole world and even
the whole universe! Be BiG-minded. Don't let litle things upset or
disturb your judgment.
God instructs
us: "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (Phil.
2:5). Certainly even the human Jesus' mind was BIG - able to see far
beyond the end of His nose, practiced in the exercise of understanding,
wisdom, and self-control.
Ask GOD to help
you exercise these qualities of the mind of Christ. Study God's Word to
learn more about them. Read widely - especially the writings and
examples of the truly great men of history who have had, at least in
degree, these mental qualities.
At this point,
however, let me remind you that the next article in this vital series
will explain in detail the mental qualities necessary to be a king. It
will give many examples and will tell HOW to develop these important
qualities!
This
introductory article is written to give you, in advance, the whole
picture. It should help you to see the many facets of OVERCOMING that
are needed - and the fact that the GOAL of the true Christian is a very
positive and a very literal one. And that YOU NEED TO BE PREPARED!
II. Glorify God in Your Body
The human body is called, in the Bible, the "temple" of God's Spirit (I Cor. 6:19).
We are made in
the outward form and shape of God - though He is composed of Spirit and
we are composed of rotting, decaying corruptible flesh. But the
responsibility of caring for this physical body - preserving it intact,
keeping it in well-conditioned, vibrant, vigorous health, keeping it
graceful and lithe, keeping it physically clean and morally pure - this
responsibility is a VITAL part of the basic character training required
by Almighty God for all potential Kings in His soon-coming kingdom!
We moderns have
been entirely too lax and lazy in caring for our bodies. Millions even
in our Western world are soon going to have that lesson BURNED into
their hearts and minds as the epidemic of heart attacks, cancer and
other "modern" diseases brought on by our way of living takes its toll
- and is suddenly multiplied by the prophesied disease epidemics that
will soon be raging up and down the land!
Many of our
troubles are caused by frustrated, confused,
tormented minds which in turn cause or heavily contribute to more
bodily ills than most people even begin to realize. The main tenance of
a dynamic, positive and cheerful outlook is most important in
maintaining physical health.
Another keystone
of health which most people "know about" but do prac- . tically NOTHING
about is proper diet. Millions - especially in America - are going on
various diets and "cures" for an overweight condition. But very few
indeed are carefully assuring themselves that they get enough of the
NATURAL health-building elements in their diet to build radiant health
and guard against sickness. And, of course, most of us need to be far
more careful about our intake of starches, sugars, fats and greases.
These items need to be cut VERY LOW not only to guard against obesity,
but to avoid a high cholesterol content in the bloodstream leading to
possible heart attack and also to prevent the wrecking and ruining of
many a stomach!
Regular,
vigorous exercise is another vital keystone in building and maintaining
radiant health. Hundreds of fine exercise programs are easily
available. It is the WILL to follow them which is sadly lacking.
But one who
would be a leader, a King, must have vibrant health and energy if he is
to command the wholehearted respect and admiration of his people. He
needs this to be constantly "on top" of every trial and problem -
dominating and actively LEADING as a king should.
In this physical
life, your health has a tremendous effect on the zeal and energy with
which you approach even mental or spiritual problems. And the Godly
character you develop through DISCIPLINING this physical body will be
vital to your future as a king!
In a coming
issue, we will discuss this vital success "key" in depth. Meanwhile, do
your level best to apply the principles just given to "glorify God in
your body."
III. Develop the Personality of a King
The next point
to develop is your personality. A friendly interest in and an outgoing
concern for others is a tremendous asset to any potential leader. For a
leader is one who LEADS - not one who shouts and screams or physically
forces his ideas on others.
The outgoing
concern, the courage, the dynamic enthusiasm and ringing conviction of
Sir Winston Churchill for the cause of Britain and free peoples
everywhere was a truly powerful factor - all by itself - in helping to
prepare the way for Allied victory in the Second World War. Dozens of
times, in fact, the history of entire nations has been affected and
altered by the personality of their LEADERS.
"A merry heart
doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones"
(Prov. 17:22). This statement in God's Word shows the powerful effect
of a happy, positive frame of mind not only on one's self, but on
others!
"A man that hath
friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh
closer than a brother" (Prov. 18:24). To inspire his subordinates and
command their respect and loyalty, a real leader certainly will
cultivate a friendly persuasive personality and GIVE of himself to
others.
In preparing to
become a literal KING in God's soon-coming government, learn to GIVE of
your personality warmth and genuine friendliness to others!
IV. Develop the CHARACTER of a King
The development
of right character is paramount for anyone in a position of rulership.
The honesty, purity, fairness, self-discipline and LOVE exemplified in
the life of a King or ruler is the strongest possible influence on his
subjects to be this way themselves.
Throughout the
history of ancient Israel in the Old Testament, the inspired Record
shows again and again that the entire nation followed the example of
its king's personal honesty, morality and willingness to follow and
OBEY the Eternal God. When the king was a murderer, whoremonger or
idolator, the vast majority of the people followed his derelict
example. When any king yielded himself wholeheartedly to the Eternal to
walk in His commandments, statutes and judgments, the entire nation was
swept by this sentiment and quickly began to experience the BLESSINGS
and protection of the Creator.
'People do follow their leaders.
The basis of ALL
true character is found in Matthew 22:35-40 in your Bible. It is Jesus
Christ's answer to the question of which is the "great commandment." He
said: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with
all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great
commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy
neighbor as thyself."
If any national
leader truly yielded himself to the will of His Creator - the God of
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - his people would be blessed indeed.
If such a leader
would follow, obey and WORSHIP the true God with ALL HIS BEING, the
character, accomplishments, happiness and prosperity of his nation
would be
absolutely and literally FANTASTIC.
Following his
example, his people would become honest, fair to each other and
completely loyal to their King. They would honor their parents, obey
the laws of the nation - as long as these didn't conflict with the laws
of God. They would work hard six days producing MUCH PROSPERITY. And
they would rest on the seventh day, worshiping the Creator God and
renew ing not only their physical strength but their spiritual energies
and convictions.(Write for our FREE booklet Which
Day Is the
Christian Sabbath?) Murder would be practically unheard of. Divorce,
broken homes and crime would soon become almost obsolete.
And in their
rainfall, their overall weather, their crops and the entire produce of
their fields and forests, lakes and streams, plus the fabulous
underground wealth of their oil wells and mines, they would be BLESSED
with overflowing wealth and riches.
Fantastic?
Not at all!
For this
describes literally what is prophesied to happen in the World Tomorrow
when kings and governors over nations will be leading their people in
THE WAY of God! For when leaders everywhere have the character to
discipline themselves, to worship and OBEY the Creator - living by ALL
TEN of the Ten Commandments - then the truly "great society" will be
established on this earth under the living Jesus Christ.
For an extremely
helpful, readable and detailed explanation of this basis of all right
character, write for our FREE, fully illustrated booklet, The Ten
Commandments. And in a few months, read the "in depth" explanation of
how to develop a King's character in this continuing series.
V. Develop Your FAMILY LIFE
If we human
beings are in training to be literal Kings in
the soon-coming government of God, what better training could we
have in guiding, protecting and, in great love, RULING OVER human
beings than with our own children and families?
The fact is that
each family is like a miniature kingdom. It should be ruled over - but
by a father and a mother who truly LOVE each other and work together to
set the right attitudes and patterns of behavior in their home.
The father
should play the part of a strong, wise, masculine, yet protective and
beneficent King. The mother is his Queen - set over the household
affairs and exercising her responsibilities with love and wisdom, and
in complete accord with her husband's wishes.
The children are
taught, trained, nurtured and disciplined for THEIR GOOD. Family duties
and chores are allotted to each member of the household. Family play
and recreation is something to which everyone looks forward. There is
order, harmony, and discipline in this miniature kingdom. There is JOY.
And there is PEACE.
A beautiful
description of this type of family "kingdom" is extended to the man who
obeys God: "Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine
house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table" (Ps.
128:3).
In anticipation
of your ultimate GOAL, go to work and build this area of your life.
Understand God's purpose in it - and be BLESSED.
VI. Grow in SERVICE and LEADERSHIP
Jesus Christ
will soon return to this earth with majestic POWER to rule this earth
as King of kings and Lord of lords. Tremendous trumpet blasts will
accompany His return. His face will shine like the sun in full strength.
Men will never again talk about whether God is "dead"!
Rather, they
will finally wake up to the fact that human life did not just "happen."
They will stand in awe and FEAR of their Creator!
In person, Christ will RULE this earth at last!
But WHY does He want to rule? What is His MOTIVE?
He will do it in
order to save man from blasting himself off this planet. He will do it
in order to bring about peace, happiness, and prosperity. In a word, He
will do it in order to SERVE His own Creation - the human race.
In His earthly
ministry, Jesus taught: "Whosoever will be great among you, let him be
your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your
servant" (Matt. 20:26-27). Jesus' entire motive in ruling and directing
people is to help and SERVE them. It is NOT to "show off," exalt the
self, or crush others down through human pride and vanity.
It is only to help them, lift them up, point them in the right direction for their own good.
This should become OUR MOTIVE, always.
In this life,
then, we should cultivate the attitude and HABIT of SERVICE and
LEADERSHIP - leading only in order to serve. So think ahead, be alert
to the opportunities you may have to advance the welfare of your
family, your friends, your group. Learn to concentrate your time and
energies in those areas where you are just naturally able to lead -
where your natural talents and abilities are greater. Be willing to
take the lowest job first - if it affords you an opportunity to serve
your fellowman. Master that responsibility - then greater opportunities
of service and leadership will present themselves.
In the attitude
of serving others, learn to lead and dominate in carrying out any of
your responsibilities at work, at home, in your club or group. By
friendliness, enthusiasm, confidence, preparation and DRIVE, learn to
lead others in the right way and thus SERVE THEM.
Christian
leadership based on SERVICE is the best possible preparation for your
job as a King under Jesus Christ in the World Tomorrow!
VII. Seek and Learn to EXERCISE the POWER of God
In preparing to
be a literal King in Christ's soon-coming government, awareness of an
ability to exercise God's POWER is absolutely vital. For although we
are not given anywhere near the degree of supernatural power in this .
life as we will in God's Kingdom, we certainly need to become familiar
with it, appreciate it, and learn to exercise the wisdom, patience, and
self-control in exercising it that we should.
It is sad but
true that many of you readers will simply not know what I "mean" by
God's power. For most professing Christians today think that it is a
sort of generalized "force for good," or that it is a type of so-called
Pentecostal emotionalism which involves shouting and screaming, chills
up and down the spine and other products of crowd psychology and mass
hysteria. Or perhaps, many of you will have no clear-cut idea .of what
it is.
The Apostle Paul
prophesied that this would be so. He warned: "This know also, that in
the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of
their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers... Having a
form of godliness but denying the POWER thereof: from such turn away"
(II Tim. 3:1-5).
[Editor's Note:
For a clear understanding of just exactly what God's power is, read Mr.
Ted Armstrong's article beginning on page 7 of this issue.]
But what is the true exercise of that power ?
It is, first and
most important of all, the spiritual strength of character that enables
the truly converted Christian to OVERCOME his own human nature and
vanity and grow to become LIKE GOD. It is God putting His very own
nature in us through the POWER of His Holy Spirit!
The Apostle
Peter speaks of the precious promises given us, "That by these ye might
be partakers of the DIVINE NATURE .. ." (II Pet. 1:4).
Paul describes
the Divine help we receive through the Holy Spirit: "For God hath not
given us the spirit of fear; but of POWER, and of love, and of a sound
mind" (II Tim. 1:7). As begotten sons of God, we receive His very
nature. This gives us - as we yield to God and grow spiritually - the
spiritual strength to increasingly MASTER the wrong ways, habits, lusts
and vanities that seemed impossible to overcome before.
This POWER comes
from personal, direct, yielded contact with the God of the Bible - the
God of Peter and Paul - the God of Jesus Christ. Notice the
illuminating account in Mark 1:32-35. Jesus had been casting out demons
and healing every sickness and every disease of those who came to Him.
Then: "And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went
out, and departed into a solitary place, and there PRAYED."
Jesus spent
countless HOURS in communion with the Father. He walked with God,
talked with God, yielded His will to God and OBEYED His commandments.
He was God-centered - constantly seeking in all things to be an
instrument in God's hands. And so the POWER of God's Holy Spirit
literally surged through Him like a torrent and GREAT MIRACLES were
performed!
That is the
"key" to this facet of exercising God's power! But there is much more
that will have to wait until the final article in this vitally
important series.
Act on These Points
Remember,
though, this world REALLY needs straightening out! Whether this world
believes it or not, likes it or not, prepares for it or not, the
Creator God is GOING to straighten things out through the direct RULE,
the government of the living Jesus Christ and His spirit-born saints.
Then, as the world begins to cooperate, there will be permanent peace, prosperity and deep JOY.
Those who assist
Jesus Christ in straightening out this world's staggering problems will
need to be dedicated and BALANCED leaders. They will be those who - as
zealous dedicated Chris- . tians in this life - understood and ACTED on
the matter of glorifying God in the development of mind, body,
personality, character, family life, service and leadership, and in
seeking and exercising the POWER of God.
So go to work on these qualities. Anticipate and study the coming articles in this continuing series. Prepare, now, to be a King!
To find out more
about God's power and how you can exercise that power in your own life,
be sure to request our free reprint entitled "How You Can Be Imbued With the Power of God."
Reprinted from an article by Roderick Meredith in the
November 1971 Tomorrow's World Magazine
