Do you realize the specific JOB promised true Christians in the World Tomorrow?
Are you preparing for it intelligently and realistically?
THIS is a HELL BENT WORLD!
With the stark specter of worldwide famine, with the increasing amount of brutal crime and violence of all descriptions — with the stepped up tempo of RACE WAR, the skyrocketing incidence of pornography and FILTH, and the breakdown of respect for all law and constituted authority — it should be obvious that this world needs straightening out!
But how and by whom?
Men have been experimenting and theorizing with solutions to world problems for about six thousand years of recorded history. And the war-torn, hate-filled, divided, starving world you see around you and read about is — to a large extent — the RESULT of man's endeavors. Man's endeavors, that is, apart from GOD!
The greatest prophet who ever lived described our day: "But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be" (Matt. 24:37). In the Genesis account of those days before the flood, we read: "The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with VIOLENCE (Gen. 6:11).
Yes, just like today!
What Is GOD'S Solution?
If you can believe what your Bible actually says you will learn that the destiny of man — as purposed by his Creator — is the opportunity to join God in ruling this world and later, perhaps, the entire universe!
Jesus Christ promised: "And he that OVERCOMETH and Keeepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: and he shall RULE them with a rod of iron . . ." (Rev. 2:26-27).
Again, He said: "To him that OVERCOMETH will I grant to sit with me in my throne . . . (Rev. 3:21). Sharing His throne, of course, would denote sharing in the ruling.
The man or woman who overcomes then, who yields to God and MASTERS the temptations and pulls of the flesh — this person will be given the tremendous opportunity of RULING the nations of this earth under the personal direction of Jesus Christ!
Although few professing Christians today seem to realize it, your Bible is literally saturated with this message!
This is the TRUE GOSPEL — Good News of the coming world-ruling government of Jesus Christ AND His SPIRIT BORN SAINTS! The Apostle Paul told the brethren at Corinth: "Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? And if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? (I Cor. 6:2-3)
In Revelation 5:10, the true saints are pictured as rejoicing that Christ has redeemed them, "And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and WE SHALL REIGN ON THE EARTH.
The prophet Daniel described the coming rule of Christ and His saints on earth AFTER the soon-coming revival of the Roman Empire in Europe is crushed. "And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him" (Dan. 7:27).
Goal of True Christian
According to the Bible, then, what is the real GOAL of the Christian?
It is, through the acceptance of Jesus Christ as personal Savior, to be forgiven his past sins — his REBELLION against the government and laws of God. "For sin is the transgression of the law" (I John 3:4). Next, through the power of the Holy Spirit given by Christ, he strives to GROW spiritually, to be an OVERCOMER — mastering his vain, lustful, lawless human nature and yielding to let God make him FIT to be a KING.
Remember, ruler ship with Christ is given only to him that OVERCOMETH (Rev. 3:21).
God's way has always been to choose the most capable men for the job among those who are surrendered to His rule. In choosing rulers and judges over Israel, God instructed Moses: "Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people ABLE men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens" (Ex. 18:21).
The GOAL of the true Christian is NOT to "roll around heaven all day"! It is not to strum idly on a harp — watching the fleecy clouds go by! It is to RULE with Christ on THIS EARTH — making it a beautiful, happy, productive and peaceful place for the millions of our children and grandchildren who will live over into The World Tomorrow!
Every thinking person should begin getting ready to attain THAT Goal! We should ask our Creator to help make us FIT to join the saints in ruling this world under Jesus Christ. God has set His true ministers to help His people attain the GOAL. They are to teach and inspire God's people to GROW SPIRITUALLY more like Christ in every way, "Until we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a PERFECT man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Eph. 4: 13).
But how do we become like Christ? Where do we begin? Are there definite AREAS of life we should concentrate on improving?
Certainly! There are at least SEVEN AREAS of life which need special development if you are to be qualified for Ruler ship under Jesus Christ.
Study them. Develop them.
PREPARE, now, to be a King under Jesus Christ and straighten out this world's mess GOD'S way!
I. Develop the MIND of a King
Certainly the most important thing that separates us from the dumb brutes is the human mind. Through it we have creative powers which, though limited, are like those of God himself. Also, we have the capacity of learning and acting on spiritual truths — even when these go against the normal lust of our flesh and brain. We have the capacity of DECISION. We can RESIST the wrong and we can CHOOSE to do the good.
Beside the total surrender of will demanded of all true Christians, the most important mental quality needed by a ruler in God's government is WISDOM. This is the ability to take all factors of any given situation into proper consideration and then make the right decision. It is the most important single quality really needed in the office of President of the United States or any other high government office.
Other men may supply the technical knowledge of how to produce an H-bomb, but it is up to the heads of state to have the wisdom not to use it to blast human life off this planet!
Knowledge of course, is merely the possession of various facts and bits of information. Understanding is a tremendously important mental and spiritual gift. It involves the capacity to grasp the true principles and laws which govern success or failure in life and the true GOALS of life. Understanding also involves a grasp of the true origin and outcome of things why we are here, why things are the way they are in this world, what is the purpose of life and where are we headed.
This kind of complete understanding, of course, is a gift from the Creator. But an important measure of true understanding is sometimes given to human leaders in this world such as Sir Winston Churchill who spoke of "the great PURPOSE and DESIGN" being worked out here below.
To be a leader in The World Tomorrow, then, you should seek most of all for wisdom and understanding and then diligently acquire such knowledge as is useful and necessary in order to be a true Christian and a real help to others in this life. The Eternal God says: "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get WISDOM: and with all thy getting get Understanding " (Prov. 4:7).
Learn to be alert and to exercise perception in discerning the trends and the motives in the situations around you. Learn also to see the big PICTURE. Be able to view each problem, trial or situation in relation to its relative importance on your whole life, the whole world and even the whole universe! Be big-minded. Don't let little things upset or disturb your judgment.
God instructs us: "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 2:5). Certainly even the human Jesus' mind was big — able to see far beyond the end of His nose, practiced in the exercise of understanding wisdom and self-control.
Ask GOD to help you exercise these qualities of the mind of Christ. Steady God's Word to learn more about them. Read widely — especially the writings and examples of the truly great men of history who have had, at least in degree, these mental qualities.
At this point, however, let me remind you that next month's article in this vital series will explain in detail the mental qualities necessary to be a King. It will give many examples and will tell HOW to develop these important qualities!
This introductory article is written to give you, in advance, the whole picture. It should help you to see the many facets of OVERCOMING that are needed — and the fact that the GOAL of the true Christian is a very positive and a very literal one. And that YOU NEED TO BE PREPARED!
II. Glorify God in Your Body
The human body is called, in the Bible, the "temple" of God's Spirit (I Cor. 6:19).
We are made in the outward form and shape of God — though He is composed of Spirit and we are composed of rotting, decaying corruptible flesh. But the responsibility of caring for this physical body — preserving it intact, keeping it in well-conditioned, vibrant, vigorous health, keeping it graceful and lithe, keeping it physically clean and morally pure — this responsibility is a VITAL part of the basic character training required by Almighty God for all potential Kings in His soon coming kingdom!
We moderns have been entirely too lax and lazy in caring for our bodies. Millions even in our Western world are soon going to have that lesson BURNED into their hearts and minds as the epidemic of heart attacks, cancer and other "modern" diseases brought on by one way of living takes its toll — and is suddenly multiplied by the prophesied disease epidemics that will soon be raging up and down the land!
Many of our troubles are caused by frustrated, confused, tormented minds — which in turn cause or heavily contribute to more bodily ills than most people even begin to realize. The maintenance of a dynamic, positive and cheerful outlook is most important in maintaining physical health.
Another keystone of health which most people "know about" but do practically NOTHING about is pro per diet. Millions —especially in America — are going on various diets and "cures" for an overweight condition. But very few indeed are carefully assuring themselves that they get enough of the NATURAL health-building elements in their diet to build radiant health and guard against sickness. And, of course, most of us need to be far more careful about our intake of starches, sugars, fats and greases. These items need to be cut VERY LOW not only to guard against obesity, but to avoid high cholesterol content in the bloodstream leading to possible heart attack and also to prevent the wrecking and ruining of many a stomach!
Regular, vigorous exercise is another vital keystone in building and maintaining radiant health. Hundreds of fine exercise programs are easily available. It is the WILL to follow them which is sadly lacking.
But one who would be a leader, a King, must have vibrant health and energy if he is to command the wholehearted respect and admiration of his people. He needs this to be constantly "on top" of every trial and problem — dominating and actively LEADING as a King should.
In this physical life, your health has a tremendous effect on the zeal and energy with which you approach even mental or spiritual problems. And the Godly character you develop through DISCIPLINING this physical body might well mean the difference between your being a King or the proverbial "doorkeeper" in The World Tomorrow!
Month after next, in the December issue, we will discuss this vital success "keys in depth. Meanwhile, do your level best to apply the principles just given to "glorify God in your body."