crumble

Jerusalem, A.D. 68: No one was safe from the zealots, no matter how they acted. Those who disagreed with them were killed. Those who didn't were watched until an excuse could be found for their death. Those who stayed away from them were condemned as proud men; those who approached boldly were coming to condemn them. Those offering help were suspected of plotting. The poor and rich suffered together, and the only punishment for any offense was death. -Josephus, Thrones of Blood

No one remembered exactly when it all started, but it had been brewing for years; and innocence, in any stretch, was long since removed. Some Jewish zealots, overcome by their passion, offended the Roman law. They were supposed to be the keepers of the true faith-the people of God. They had rejected the gentle carpenter from Galilee, nailing Him to a cross. When He rose from the dead, they lied to each other and to themselves, saying, "His disciples overpowered the Roman guards." Of course, everyone knew that was a politically calculated lie, since no one would risk their life for someone who was already dead, especially those who remained peacefully in subjection to the Romans. But these Jewish "zealots" had magnified their self-deception, and crossed the line with those in authority over them, the Romans. The one supposedly unifying strand among them was the law of Moses and God's promise to make an eternal kingdom. But they had long since ceased to honor God either in tradition or in truth. Now the passion to which they yielded drove them to murder their own for greed and lust of power.

The Romans were coming. The unstoppable iron army had already crushed to pieces all who rebelled in the northern areas. But it stopped before reaching Jerusalem. The zealots had so infected the city that even the upstanding men were taken to destroying each other, and joined one of the three warring factions inside the supposed safety of the city's monstrous walls. What was built to protect had now become worse than a prison. The innocent and guilty were being slaughtered together by the hundreds, Jerusalem becoming a cauldron of blood.

Titus, son of the new Ceasar and successful Roman general, is credited with the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. But the hard truth is that the Jews within those walls destroyed themselves and their beloved citadel before Titus ever put his hand to the task. Whatever other evils gripped the people of God, the one they took to first was despising the authority that was placed over them. That grew into hatred of authority. This hatred brewed for decades during which rebellions rose and were smashed by the battle hardened Roman army, until it all came to a head at the foot of the steps to the Temple. And in the Temple human blood was shed; a brother killing a brother, desecrating it before the Romans ever got inside.

The Gentle Galilean carpenter had taught them to give what was due to the authorities set over them, and further, that kingdoms and rulers were raised up and put down according to God's will. He taught them to lead a quiet, peaceful life, honest and true to everyone, as much as it was in their power to do so. The way of the heathen had been welcomed into the Jewish culture, and the true Way had been rejected. The 'innocent' were destroyed with the guilty.

We live in a time when the government is clearly not in line with the people, in a country where the government is supposed to be for the people and by the people. There is governmental disobedience that is not being corrected in the voting booths. Blood lustful and power hungry people are in places of power, the moral standard that made us a beacon of hope has been trampled by secularism, and the 'boundary markers' have been removed from their places. How should Believers react to this? What does the right to dissent mean to Believers? And the right of free speech? Broad is the way that leads to destruction. Speaking aloud what is obvious is certainly permissable, even if it is negative. But man's anger does not bring about what God wills; we know that from the Word.

A challenge to us all: As Believers in a wayward nation, we should not speak anything but what is helpful for building up the leaders in authority-that God has allowed there. That is not to say we should not call out evil. That is to say, giving into worldly passions by ridicule, sarcasm, name calling, coarse joking-these taint whatever sincere concern we may have. Practicing these removes our "innocence" in these matters, and places us squarely within the crumbling walls of the guilty.

I am personally convicted when I read in the Scriptures (Holy Bible) that whoever "says to his brother, "You fool!" shall be in danger of hell fire." (Matthew 5.22) Who does scripture teach is our brother? "But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. (Matt. 5.39) "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God." (Romans 13.1) "Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience sake." (Rom 13.5) "For you, brethren, have been called to liberty. Only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love, serve one another." (Galatians 5.13) "For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men-as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bond servants of God. Honor all people. Love the Brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the King." (1stPeter 2.15-17).
I love America, the beautiful. I am thankful for our founding fathers and the documents that set this great nation in order. By them I am reminded that this government was set up for a people who follow God, not for a secular-minded people. As I read the history of the covetous, murderous, hateful, and malfaescent heart of man, I realize I have given more into these kinds of passions when speaking of those in authority, than to obeying the Word of the Lord. And many Believers do it everyday. And that is the reason we find our nation in this sad state of affairs .
God, forgive us, the bearers of Your Righteousness and Your Light, for being more concerned with the state of our pocketbooks, for being more concerned with what is written in our nations law books, than obeying the law You have written upon each of our hearts. In these last days, help us to focus on the thing Your heart has always been after; souls of men, women, and children. Help us to love what You love, to hate what You hate, and to be innocent of speaking evil of those in authority, or of anything else that would cause You to be ashamed of Your children. Blessed be the Name of the Lord.