Churches the world over, of all Jesus-flavored varieties, are observing holy week and planning their Annual Big Easter Production. . .
What are they celebrating?
What are the (ever-declining numbers of) attendees putting on their nicest clothes for?
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. . .
Again, the devil taketh Him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth Him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto Him, All these things will I give Thee, if Thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve. . .
Well. . .
There already was a kingdom when Jesus came. . .
There was a world order in place when Jesus came. . .
Jesus rebelled against the kingdoms of the world. . .
Let's see if you can connect the dots:
Can you put on your finest Sunday suit and sing Amazing Grace and feel sad when imagining Christ being beaten and crucified, and then live in agreement with the kingdom of America? Or any of the lesser kingdoms of the world?
There is Jesus' Kingdom, and all the kingdoms of the world. . .
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.
There are millions of Americans who will tell you they are *Christians*. . .and *proud Americans.* They are proud they support *Israel!* They think they serve God every time one of the bombs they send to *Israel* blows up a tent of homeless men, women and children.
There are similar proud people all over the world, placing the interests of their kingdom over the interests of the Kingdom of God.
Which master do these people love? And which master do these people hate?
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.
These are simple concepts. . .
You cannot warm a pew Sunday, your accepting heart cuddling Jesus, and then pray to the Father for the kingdom of America's troops.
Do not say the Kingdom of Heaven is still to come. . .
It's already here. . .
Jesus instituted His kingdom 2000 years ago. . .
And it grew for a three centuries. . .even atheists do not dispute this.
That Kingdom, that Christianity, has nothing in common with today's Christianity. . .
Today's Christianity was born in 313 AD when Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, which made Christianity *legal.*
Jesus rebelled against the Kingdoms of the World. . .
Christianity became the Kingdom of the World in 380 AD when Theodosius made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. . .Christianity has served two masters ever since.
The Christianity of today has been reduced from a Kingdom to an individual soul. It's a tool used to beat down the individual soul with an obsession so consuming over its own guilt, it allows the Kingdom to commit every wickedness imaginable without dissent.
Huh?
It means the Christianity of today lashes the man who fucks his neighbor's wife, while praying for the soldiers of its kingdom to kill the women and children of its supposed enemies. . .
The crucifixion and resurrection were meant to change the world, not browbeat the individual sinner. . .
Huh?
It means the Christianity of today lashes the man who fucks his neighbor's wife, while praying for the soldiers of its kingdom to kill the women and children of its supposed enemies. . .
The crucifixion and resurrection were meant to change the world, not browbeat the individual sinner. . .
How small the Kingdom of God has become. . .
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