Uploaded July 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
In this session we discuss how God rules His own world and what place civil government has in God's plan. One key point we make is that the government cannot bring about the kingdom of God on earth. The kingdom does not come through government action, but through the return of Christ. We begin in the OT with the Cain and Abel narrative. At that time God directly intervened and ruled over men. Then, starting with Genesis 9, this changes as God mediates His authority over human affairs through human government. In between was the incident in Genesis 6 where wicked beings "sons of God" rebelled in such a hideous fashion that God brought the Flood in judgment. Pastor Eric explains how Genesis 9:6 tells of the institution of human government. The table of nations in Genesis 10 reveals the beginning of boundaries and multiple civil governments. We explain why this is merciful, ordained by God, and for the purpose of making it possible for God's plan of Messianic salvation to go to all through Israel and her Messiah. It is through providence, which includes good and evil, that these boundaries happen in world history. We cover many important issues including mankind's wicked desire for direct contact with the spirit world. We discuss how God stopped Babel so that this would not happen and why it is kind and merciful that we have human rulers who though often wicked, are better than having the spirits rule. We end with a discussion of the temptation of Eve in the Garden and its worldview implications.
In this session we discuss how God rules His own world and what place civil government has in God's plan. One key point we make is that the government cannot bring about the kingdom of God on earth. The kingdom does not come through government action, but through the return of Christ. We begin in the OT with the Cain and Abel narrative. At that time God directly intervened and ruled over men. Then, starting with Genesis 9, this changes as God mediates His authority over human affairs through human government. In between was the incident in Genesis 6 where wicked beings "sons of God" rebelled in such a hideous fashion that God brought the Flood in judgment. Pastor Eric explains how Genesis 9:6 tells of the institution of human government. The table of nations in Genesis 10 reveals the beginning of boundaries and multiple civil governments. We explain why this is merciful, ordained by God, and for the purpose of making it possible for God's plan of Messianic salvation to go to all through Israel and her Messiah. It is through providence, which includes good and evil, that these boundaries happen in world history. We cover many important issues including mankind's wicked desire for direct contact with the spirit world. We discuss how God stopped Babel so that this would not happen and why it is kind and merciful that we have human rulers who though often wicked, are better than having the spirits rule. We end with a discussion of the temptation of Eve in the Garden and its worldview implications.
