When Jesus first appeared in Galilee, he began to proclaim the “Kingdom of God” — “Repent, for the kingdom is at hand.” …

The Bible claims that God gives political power to whomever He pleases, “even to the basest of men.” He “removes kings and installs kings,” including rulers we may dislike. Christians who assume certain politicians should hold power presume upon God’s prerogative, and this is especially problematic in democratic systems. Paul…

Despite human pretensions, history demonstrates the impermanence of political power. Rome may have endured for a thousand years, but its empire fell all the same. Like life itself, political power and imperial ambitions are fleeting, and they often collapse quickly and unexpectedly. Its allotted time expires. At the height of…

For disciples of Jesus, rage and violence are NOT appropriate reactions to hostility, though his instructions on this are contrary to the “wisdom of this age.” Enraged responses by Christians to perceived violations of their “rights” only demonstrate how far we have strayed from his teachings. And by “we” I…

In Revelation, the “beast” uses its control of trade and commerce to coerce submission to its agenda. Anyone who refuses to give allegiance to its beastly order is excluded from participating in economic activity. The “mark of the beast” is an economic tool it uses to bludgeon all those who…

Often, church “leaders” exhort their congregants to work diligently to elect politicians, support policies, and pass laws of which they approve, claiming it is God’s will and warning of the dire consequences that will befall us if we fail to do so. Believers must fight tooth and nail for their…

In the book of Revelation, humanity is divided into two and only two groups — those who follow Jesus, and those who give their allegiance to the “beast from the sea.” Members of the former group will be exempted from the “second death,” but everyone without exception who takes the…

Political leaders invoke “god” to validate their power, and the most popular religions are employed to do so. Just as officeholders today pay lip service to “Judeo-Christian values,” so Caesar appealed to the traditional Roman gods for divine approval. …

In the book of Revelation, the “beast” is “GIVEN” authority over the “inhabitants of the earth” for “forty-two months,” and the right to “wage war against the saints” for this limited period. …