CHURCH + STATE = APOSTASY:
HISTORICALLY & BIBLICALLY

Memory Text: “They have rejected Me that I should not reign over them.” I Sam.8:7

     Today's Christians are being backed into a corner all around the world. By every means, those who follow Jesus Christ receive scornful mockery, coercive jests, and even life threatening ultimatums. In academia, creation science is frowned upon. In Hollywood, Christians are never portrayed with heaven's virtue but only characters fostering disgrace and disdain. In Washington, the government increasingly renounces the constitutional liberties that were built upon the wise counsel of Jesus Christ.

     But in the midst of all this downtrodden appearance, this public oppression coupled with nature's wrath will be the springboard for the fulfillment of Bible prophecy granting the ruling church under the pope of Rome the upper hand. A system of worship is coming, and it will impose man's age-old traditions of sin over the populace. This is the danger that every faithful, Bible believing Christian is soon to face. And Protestant America is the agent to bring about this coalition. This is proven by the fact that what happens in America ripples around the world, whether of financial collapse, political intrigue, or social issues of entertainment and religion.

     In the last presidential election the “religious right” and other conservatives in this country spent over 800 million dollars to defeat Barack Obama. They failed. All of their prayers failed to move GOD to give them the victory. Why? They have not understood the lesson of Jesus when He said, “thy will be done,” and the fact that “the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.” Matt.26:42; Dan.5:21. Why is President Obama, who is an avowed baby killer like Herod in the days of Christ, and sodomy advocate as in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah, allowed this detestable power that urges people by the millions to forfeit eternal life because of sin? GOD'S gift of freewill is allowed to run its course whether for righteousness or evil. In the Apostle Paul's opening address to the church at Rome we see how moral decay always breeds sin:

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." Rom.1:18-32.

     With all the insanity we see today, the Bible educates every step of man's moral decline. Bible history is our greatest lesson book to know where we are, both in time and character. We, Christians and agnostics alike need to understand the greatest peril the world faces today. It is an age-old lesson of history, but as Solomon said, “There is no remembrance of former things.” Eccl.1:11.

     Next to the gift of life, GOD’S gift of a freewill is supreme. The example given by Jesus Christ demonstrated that we are to never force anyone against their will as long as it doesn’t threaten the safety of others as Paul said, “For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God....For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.” Rom.13:1-4. (It should be noted that Paul was beaten, scourged, stoned, arrested, tried and beheaded by the governing authorities. Therefore, Christians have no right to use his words to impose government authority over and above the Gospel Commission of Jesus Christ!) The state and federal laws that insure our protection from crime are absolutely precious when we consider the times of history that stood void of any policing of the population. Without these laws those who are morally weak in character would run roughshod over the populace, and anarchy and desperation would swiftly remove the security we have in life.

     But within this framework of social governance there is a dangerous tendency of sinful man that has been repeated throughout history; and each time it has, dire consequences resulted. Christians need to be aware of the boundary between our government's authority and GOD'S authority. Among the vain attempts of the religious hypocrites to entrap Jesus was over this very issue of separation of church and state. Said Jesus to the 'religious right' of His day: "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him." Mk.12:17. The Apostles likewise faced this issue when hard pressed to obey the authorities: "Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men." Acts 5:29. This danger is always seen in the union of church and state. And the steppingstone for this age-old curse is the appointing of a single individual to rule over the lives of others. So, let us review two historical events and their aftermath to show the extent of this danger and connect the dots to our day.

     In the book of Judges is the story of Gideon, a true servant of GOD and courageous for his people Israel (Jud.6). When he followed the instructions of “the Angel of the LORD,” he and 300 men decisively defeated the overwhelming numbers of the Midianite armies. After this great victory from the LORD, the children of Israel wanted to make Gideon king over them. But Gideon refused, knowing that to imitate the surrounding heathen nations (who all had kings to rule over them) would turn Israel into a heathen nation. Gideon knew firsthand how the corrupt judgment of those kings caused great suffering and injustice. Pharaoh's decisions that brought Egypt to ruin and Adolf Hitler who brought Germany to ruin exemplify this. GOD had a different order for His children and they were to remain steadfast in their allegiance to GOD’S way. Gideon understood this when he was approached: “Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son's son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian. And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you. Jud.8:22,23.

     “And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again, and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baalberith their god. And the children of Israel remembered not the LORD their God, who had delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies on every side: Neither shewed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, namely, Gideon, according to all the goodness which he had shewed unto Israel.” Jud.8:33-35. At this time came Abimelech who went to the elders and took money to hire mercenaries and they killed all but one of Gideon’s children. Once again this illustrates that whenever GOD is abandoned in the guiding of one’s life gross violence inevitably follows. From this story of Gideon and another great story of “a wise woman out of the city” who saved her city from certain destruction (II Sam.20:16), Solomon addressed the frailty of man's character allowing for sin vs. the strength of a godly character who abstains from sin: “There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it: Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.” Eccl.9:14-18

     200 years later (1000 B.C.) came faithful Samuel who judged Israel throughout his life. But when he was old the elders of the people came to Samuel demanding: “And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.” I Sam.8:5. This was the first step to Israel’s church/state union. And Israel’s determination forced the hand of GOD because He will not betray His gift of a freewill: He forces no man to serve Him; it must be a freewill offering. And so He said to Samuel, “Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee. Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them” (v.7-9).

     Samuel declared to the people: “And ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations; and ye have said unto him, Nay, but set a king over us.” I Sam.10:19. The declaration of Samuel is no less applicable to the Christian church in Rome who exalted their bishop to become pope and ruler of the church. And when the roman emperor, Constantine had the vision of Christ aiding him in his warfare, who from that moment united the use of violence with the Christian faith the power of the Holy Ghost (Who only draws hearts through love, never violence) stepped away from the Roman church. GOD'S objective of having a non-violent people (educated in the doctrines of the Gospel of Jesus Christ) were thwarted. From then on the pope of Rome guided the moral direction of the church, wielding his power in every direction using civil magistrates to persecute all who stood in his way.

     Thus, through the union of church and state the foundation was laid setting the stage for the Dark Ages where the most primitive ignorance and cruelty ruled the priesthood and the people under them. The LORD warned them of His displeasure but they would not hear: “but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.” “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” Eze.34:4;Hos.4:6.

     Whenever religious men enact laws to enforce their religious worship on others GOD has no part of it! “God is love.” I Jn.4:8. The prophets and apostles alike rebuked the entire system of the papal religion: “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity [heaven’s self-sacrificing love], I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not [heaven’s love], I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not [heaven’s love], it profiteth me nothing. [heaven’s love] suffereth long, and is kind; [heaven’s love] envieth not; [heaven’s love] vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. [Heaven’s love] never faileth.” I Cor.13:1-8.

     In conclusion: While Christ’s prophecy for Roman Catholicism states: “I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first” (Rev.2:19), the religions of today’s Christianity and Islam are utterly apostate in the eyes of God because the LORD said they both allow, “that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication.” Rev.2:20. In other words, both sin and tyranny are promoted within their ranks. And faith and sin are not partners in salvation. So, the rulership of any sinful monarchy will ultimately ruin any nation. In the “fight” of the “religious right” who outwardly appear to restore morality for our mutual safely their true intent as prophesied in the Bible is to impose the worship of GOD through legislating into federal law the age-old curse of a church/state union. In this they continue to slander the Gospel of Jesus Christ before an unbelieving world and betray their trust as GOD'S stewards.

     It was the union of church and state that led to Israel’s, Judah’s and Judaea’s destruction. It was the union of church and state that crucified the world’s Redeemer (Jn.19:15). It was the union of church and state that worked to extinguish Christ’s Apostolic Waldensian Church “in the wilderness” (Rev.12:1-6,14-17). And it will be the union of church and state that brings the final religious tyranny in our generation (Rev.13:15-18). This is why Jesus said, “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” “For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.” Rev.3:11;Jn.14:15;I Jn.5:3;Prov.4:22.