The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. Luke 17:20-21
And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Luke 6:46
Many countries identify as "Christian" claiming Christian values to be at their foundation. But are "Christian values" always Biblical?
Graven Images
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. Exodus 20:4-6
Is is possible that America (and many other nations) have been reaping God's judgment for, among other things, building idols representing mere mortals thus giving these men glory that belongs to God alone? The word of God defines a generation as 40 years, (see Numbers 14:28-35 and Numbers 32:13). Interestingly, we are currently in the fourth generation, biblically speaking, since President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863.
Christian leaders will often claim that these men, who we honor, were godly men who were trying to build a Christian nation. However, even a cursory investigation into the lives and beliefs of these men shows this could not be further from the truth.
Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this. Ecclesiastes 7:10
Living in the past with our nostalgia goggles does nothing the help us in the present. Truth is, any fruit of wickedness we see today had it's seeds planted in the past. Each generation has had it's turn pushing the boundaries of what is socially acceptable. Lyrics then, around sex and drugs, may have been more covert and implicit compared to today's more explicit lyrics but, they still welded their wicked influence and made way for further national apostasy.
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Galatians 8:7-8
A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. ...Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Matthew 7:18, 20
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how will thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the most of thy brother's eye. Matthew 7:3-5
Public Prayer
When it comes to public prayer, whether it be in the school or the sports field, I think this one ought to be self-explanatory.
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. but when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask of him. Matthew 6:5-8
Are we praying to be seen of men? a form of virtue signalling? And how is God honored when children, or athletes, or colleagues are pressured, or even forced, to participate in public, corporate prayer? A God they may not know? By individuals who may not even practice what they preach? God does not force a relationship and we cannot! See, also, James 2 regarding the abuse of prayer as an exercise of faith instead of actually exercising faith in practical, helpful ways.
Taxes
Again, here's another topic I believe the Bible is pretty straightforward on, taxes.
And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? he saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
Jesus taught that his kingdom was not of this world and that his children were not of this world but, as long as his children were in this world we were to be peacemakers as much as possible. (See John 17:15, 16 and Romans 12:18)
And they sent unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Ceasar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. and he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? they say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto god the things that are God's. Matthew 22:16-21
Church-State Unions Forbidden
In Bible prophecy a woman represents a church. A pure woman (virgin) represents God's true church: Jeremiah 6:2; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:23-37. A corrupt woman (whore/harlot) represents an apostate church: Ezekiel 16:15-58; 23:2-21; Hosea 2:5; 3:1. A beast represents a king/kingdom/political power (the "state"): Daniel 7:17, 23.
Consider this prophecy in the book of Revelation:
And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: with whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: and upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. Revelation 17:1-5
The woman in the passage above is described as a whore and a harlot. She represents an apostate church. She is described as fornicating with the rulers of nations (kings of the earth). God's word, in Leviticus 18:23, forbids men and women from fornication with animals, aka beasts and warns that the result is confusion. Confusion similar to that experienced in drunkenness? Interesting, because the Bible tells us that the inhabitants of the world are made drunk as a result of the rulers of the world fornicating with the apostate church. Also notice that the woman sits upon the beast, meaning, it is the woman calling the shots!
In the book of Genesis, we are told of the story of Cain and Able. Able loved God and was approved of God because he kept God's commandments. Cain also claimed to serve the same God as his brother but preferred to do things his own way. (Leviticus 17:11; Hebrews 9, and John 14:15) In his jealously towards his brother, Cain killed Able and received a mark in his forehead. (Genesis 4:15) Cain was the first person mentioned in the Bible to receive a mark. The story of Cain and Able will be repeated in these last days. Two groups of people. Both claiming to love and serve the same God. One group showing their love by keeping God's commandments, the other having a religion of traditions of men. The later group will use the state to persecute God's true church, even unto death. (Revelation 13)
These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. John 16:1, 2
Click here for part one in our Church and State series: "My Kingdom is Not of This World"
Click here for a revealing documentary on the hidden faith of America's founding fathers.