WHO IS JESUS?

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If we are to properly understand and apply the Scriptures in our lives today, there is a fundamental approach to learning that we must grasp and never lose hold of.

Most readers look at what they are reading from the Bible through a perspective that simply isn't correct. And from that basis, everything they read and even what they feel they comprehend is skewed - and skewed away from what the original intentions of the text were.

In Matthew 1 we read of the birth of Christ and that is the only thing most people get from the chapter. However, one of, if not the most important parts of chapter 1 - which basically "kicks off" the New Testament - is the genealogy of Christ.

Please look at Matthew 1:16-17:

And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.

The main reason for the genealogy of Christ was to establish His right to the throne. Everything about the genealogy of Christ proved that He was rightful heir to the throne of David and of the original promise to Abraham regarding his seed. Keep in mind the significance of 14 generations - it is mentioned three times in one verse - it must have great importance. We'll get back to this in a few minutes.

After His birth, WISE men came from the east looking for (Matthew 2):

"...he that is born King of the Jews" (Israel)

Herod also had some idea or understanding that a King born - and that King was a "threat" to Herod's kingdom. Matthew 2 tells us that Herod had all the male babies 2 years old and under killed in the area around Bethlehem.

There was something about "that generation" that wise men and crude men knew was getting ready to happen. And it was going to be big!

John 1:45-49 describes what Philip and Nathaniel said when they found Christ.

Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!

Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.

Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.

And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

In preparing the people for Christ, John the Baptist message was this, Matthew 3:1-12:

In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,

And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

Who is this Jesus?

Don't quickly answer this question from your perspective. But rather, put yourself in the place of the people and the generation who were witnessing this. They are the ones who should be defining our understanding. What they perceived and what they believed - should define what we perceive and what we believe.

Who is this Jesus?

The WISE men said He was King.

Philip and Nathaniel said He was the fulfillment of Moses and the prophets:

Thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

If Jesus was the fulfillment of the prophets, what did the prophets say about Him?

Isaiah said this, (9:6-7):

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Again, Isaiah said, (61:1-6):

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.

And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.

But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.

And it was said of this Jesus, in Luke 4:

And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.

And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.

And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.

And the fame of him went out into every place of the country round about.

As early as age 12, HE was telling people that He was the fulfillment of the prophets! Do you see what happened here? They gave Him the book - HE OPENED IT TO ISAIAH AND READ THE PROPHECY - then said I AM HE!!! Remember this, note this if you have to, when we read the text regarding His trial.

Daniel said, (9:24-27):

Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

Jeremiah said, (23:5-6):

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Ezekiel said, (37:24-28):

And David my servant shall be King over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them.

And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children's children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever.

Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore.

My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore.

Micah said, (5:2-4):

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel.

And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.

Malachi said, (3:1-6):

Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to this temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:

And he shall sit as a refiner and purifer of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.

Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years.

And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.

For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

Who is this Jesus?

From the perspective of the people who He was living with,

1) He was King,

2) He was a fiery judge,

3) He was the great healer,

4) He was the Son of God,

5) He was the Deliverer come to set the captives free,

6) He was EVERYTHING that was promised to Abraham and David. He was the Messiah. He was the Saviour. He was the King.

Did everyone He was sent to believe? No. In fact, in the beginning, most did not believe.

At the age of 12, He was sitting in the temple in the midst of "doctors" basically "blowing their minds" with the questions He was asking them which was testimony to the amount of knowledge and understanding He had.

As He began His ministry, He was known to have performed the following miracles:

1) Changed water into wine;

2) Healed the nobleman's sick son - without even seeing the boy;

3) Casted out demons;

4) Healed Simon's mother of a fever - simply by speaking to it;

5) As His fame began to spread, more and more people came to Him to be healed - and He healed them;

6) He was a master fisherman simply by knowing where the fish were. When the other fishermen listened to Him, they nearly sunk their boats because they got so many fish in their nets;

7) He healed a leper - when no one else would even come near a leper;

8) He healed the centurion's servant - without even seeing him;

9) He healed a man taken with palsy - just by telling the man he was healed!

10) He restored a man's withered hand;

11) Jesus stopped a crying mother as she was on her way to bury her dead son, told her to stop crying - then raised her dead son back to life!

Do you believe any of this? Put yourself in the shoes of the people who were seeing it happen. Do you think they believed? What about His closest followers - who were seeing this over and over. Do you think they believed?

The disciples originally followed Him because He was Who Moses in the law and the prophets did write, the Son of God, the King of Israel.

Do you believe that one day Jesus was sleeping in the bottom parts of a boat when storms came and the disciples feared they were all going to die - and when they woke Jesus up - He told the storm to stop AND IT IMMEDIATELY BECAME CALM. Do you believe this?

Do you believe that Jairus' daughter was dead, when Jesus told him not to worry about it, but just believe Jesus and she would be alive again? AND IT HAPPENED!

You may not believe it, but do you think Jairus believed?

Do you think Peter believed? Do you think James and John who had seen these things happen over and over again - do you think they believed?

How about the time when, not one, but two blind men came to Jesus - blind - then left with their sight? Do you think they believed? Put yourself in their shoes. See Jesus from their perspective.

What about this? (Matthew 9:31-35):

But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.

As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil.

And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.

But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.

And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

There are still about 30 more passages of Scripture that can be cited where Christ performed miracles.

We haven't talked about Him walking on the water. Or raising Lazarus from the dead, or feeding 5,000 men with 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread.

You would think after seeing all of this, everyone would believe, everyone would have accepted Christ as Messiah.

But no, not even His closest disciples, who saw every single one of these miracles - who walked with Him, talked with Him, lived with Him, ultimately believed Him, simply because of His miracles.

At the end of His ministry, He was arrested, tried and convicted; delivered up by the religious leaders who persuaded the people to turn against Him. Why? Because of His love for the people? Because of His tremendous healing of the people? No.

Because He said He was King and He allowed others to say He was King.

His trial begin this way. (Luke 23:1-3):

And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate.

And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.

And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.

Matthew described it this way (27:11-14):

And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.

And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.

Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?

And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.

As His trial progressed toward the conviction stage, this was the record (John 17:11-15):

Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.

When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.

And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!

But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priest answered, We have no king but Caesar.

Sadly, this is message of almost every modern-day preacher and priest today!

As the execution took place, the record continued like this,

Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.

And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:

Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.

And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.

This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.

Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.

From His birth, through His life, and His death, this was He of whom Moses in the law and the prophets did write, this was the Son of God, the King of Israel.

Peter, surely even more than the rest of the disciples, had to be distraught in the fact that each and every one of them had denied their King. As they were lamenting Christ's death, something was getting ready to happen that would truly change them forever. (Matthew 28)

In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

Do you think they believed Jesus now? After His announcement as King, after all the miracles they saw, after His own death and burial - AND NOW HIS RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD - do you think they believed now? When Jesus met them, He said, ALL HAIL! We all know that ALL HAIL is something reserved for kings. Jesus was He of Whom Moses in the Law and the prophets did write, the Son of God, the King of Israel!

Put yourself in their shoes and see all this through their eyes. Would you believe that Jesus was King?

Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

....they went into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them....

Do you think they asked permission first? I wonder who claimed "ownership" of the mountain where Jesus told them to go to? I wonder if it was "zoned" for a meeting such as that? They went where they were told by the King to go and asked no one for permission.When the King says Go here, or go there, do this or do that - He doesn't need to ask anyone for permission. And when the King of kings and Lord of lords says these things - He is taking ownership of everything in His creation and passing that authority to those who walk in Him.

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

"All power is given unto me in heaven, AND IN EARTH. Go ye therefore....."

Here was their response:

"Yes, Lord, after everything we have seen and heard, after all your miracles, after your announcement as King of Israel, your death, burial and resurrection, we will do what you say, but FIRST, we must go to Caesar and get his permission (license), for we would never travel on the highways and biways doing what you commanded us to do, unless we first get permission from Caesar.

Yes, Lord, we believe you when you said we would have the power to do some of the works you did - such as heal the sick - but before we do that - we must go and apply for a license, because we would never practice medicine without a license.

Yes, Lord, we believe that YOU have all authority in heaven AND IN EARTH, but just in case, we think it's a good idea to go and get Caesar's permission, just in case he doesn't recognize your authority.

Yes, Lord, we believe that you told us that we would judge the tribes of Israel, but so as not to offend, we'll still recognize men's governments with their judges and their statutes and their laws.

Yes, Lord, we believe that you...

...spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (Colossians 2:14-15)

...but you left them all in place commanding us to be in obedience to them...

No! I'll tell you what those men did.

They healed the sick - without a license. Acts 3-5.

They boldly preached that Christ was King - the only King allowed for mankind - and they demanded that everyone repent for not believing Christ was Who He said He was and that salvation ONLY came through converting to Christ as both LORD and Saviour.

These men answered in the face of the council and said with all boldness, in response to the council,

Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. (Acts 5)

Acts 16:19-21, it was said of Paul and Silas:

And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,

And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,

And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.

In Acts 17, these same men that troubled the "rulers of the city of Thyatira" was said about them when they came to Ephesus:

But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.

And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;

Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.

And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.

In Acts 18:12-15, these same followers of Jesus had this said about them:

And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,

Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.

And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:

But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.

In Acts 21, these men were now in Asia, and this is what was said about them:

And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him,

Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.

In one of the numerous accounts of Paul being in jail, the following record is written from Acts 22:25-28:

And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?

When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman.

Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea.

And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.

In Acts 24, Paul was given the opportunity to establish his cause and said,

But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:

And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

In Acts 28, Paul further testified concerning his trials and his faith, (20-31):

For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.

And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee.

But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.

And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.

And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.

And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,

Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:

For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.

And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.

And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,

Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

Preach the Kingdom of God. Teach those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ.

What was the hope of Israel? It was everything that Moses in the Law and prophets wrote about. It was the King who would sit on David's throne and they KNEW beyond any shadow of a doubt - all questions had been answered - all concerns had been alleviated - JESUS WAS THE FULFILLMENT OF THE PROPHECIES - He was the hope of Israel fulfilled before their very eyes. He was the Son of God, the King of Israel.

They preached the Kingdom of God. A KINGDOM HAS A KING.

Who is the Lord Jesus Christ? Is He King? Is He Who Moses in the law and the prophets did write? The Son of God, the King of Israel?

After all this testimony, are we to believe that all this was done so that just a short time after Christ's earthly ministry was over, Paul would continue his ministry by telling Israel and the converts to Christ (Romans 13) that they were to take to themselves earthly kings and obey them?

Christ was not really the Messiah. Christ was not really the King of Israel.

Put yourself in the shoes of those who walked with Christ. Those who saw His miracles. Those who saw His death, burial, resurrection and ascension into the clouds. Those who knew the Law of Moses and the prophets foretelling of the everlasting King of Israel...Did those people finally believe that Jesus was King?

Did those people believe Jesus when He said He had ALL power and authority in Heaven and in earth? If you were one of those people living back then, would you have obeyed Christ no matter what anyone else said? Would you have had the boldness to proclaim - in the face of jail or death - We ought to obey God rather than men?

Would you go get a license to practice medicine, or would you heal in HIS name - authority?

Would you go to Caesar and ask permission to do anything that the King of kings had commanded you to do?

Knowing that Christ had

...spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it... (Colossians 2:14-15)

would you put yourself under them again?

Knowing that the apostles said,

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

...would we then decide that it was okay for us to submit ourselves to those very same principalities - or municipalities. Put yourself in their shoes, 2,000 years ago. We wrestle against them, but we submit to them? That's just ridiculous.

What we have done is we have failed to allow the first century saints to define our beliefs for us. We have created our own belief system based on our perspectives, rather than from the perspective of the people who were alive at the time all these events took place.

The Bible is a book written to Israel, by Israelites and for Israelites. It's the story of how Israel finally received her greatest gift, the King of kings and Lord of lords. Those who accepted Him as King - turned the world upside down.

The apostles were busy clarifying how the saints on this side of the cross were to Govern themselves under the Kingship of the Messiah, Who came, finished His work as Messiah, and now sits on the throne of David FOR EVER AND EVER.

The days of the kings were over! There was now NO KING BUT JESUS!

Put yourself in the shoes of the people who were living all this. Do you think they believed this? Do you think they bowed the knee to anyone or anything other than King Jesus?

When Paul was writing to the Romans, do you really think he was telling those followers of Christ to submit to the same "government" that Christ had just conquered?

To the men to whom it was said,

"These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also, whom Jason hath received, and these ALL DO CONTRARY TO THE DECREES OF CAESAR, saying there is another KING, ONE JESUS"...

...do you really think after all they had seen and witnessed, these men were concerned at what "Caesar" could do to them?

Jesus said, in Matthew 10:

And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.

For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.

The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.

It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?

Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.

What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.

But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.

He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.

And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

Was Paul afraid in Acts 28:21-25, did he believe what Jesus had said in Matthew 10?

Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

Paul was NOT afraid because Caesar's and ALL earthly power - had been removed. It had been taken from them by Christ and he spoiled them and made a public mockery of them by rising from dead. Oh they thought they had him! There's your King! Dead. He showed them though, didn't He!

Do you think those who were "turning the world upside down" thought that Jesus had failed in setting them free?

Do you really think those men who were commanded by their King to GO and preach - cared for one second what any man thought? Did they ask any man for permission to do what King Jesus had commanded? Did they "respect the person" of anyone?

As I sit here and do everything I can to put myself in the shoes of those men and see things through their perspective, I have a resounding commission to live and breathe only by and under the Authority of King Jesus.

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son! (Colossians 1:13)

After all this, we are still being told that the King of kings and Lord of lords tells His followers that it's okay to have "kings like all the other nations." We are told that He still raises up earthly kings for good or evil, and regardless of whether those kings are good or evil, He wants us to deny His finished work - that He is King of kings, that He is...

...the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;...

and follow after gods who are not gods and lords who are not lords.

It was NEVER the perfect Will of Yahweh for His people to be "ruled" - measured - by anything other than His Laws and Statutes. But at a time, and for a reason, He allowed it to be so.

There was a time where He...

...suffered (allowed) the nations to walk in their own ways...(Acts 14:16)

But once He sent His Son, those days were over. THE ONLY KING YAHWEH ALLOWS IS CHRIST. Not only is He King of kings and Lord of lords, but He is the LAST of the Kings that Yahweh allows for His people.

After the resurrection of Christ, no man has an excuse to follow any other authority besides Christ. CHRIST NO LONGER GIVES HIS AUTHORITY to anyone who is not acting in His name (authority). He took all authority back to Himself.

Revelation 11:15:

The kingdoms of this world ARE BECOME THE KINGDOMS OF OUR LORD, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever..

He owns it all. He has taken it all back. Anyone or anything that claims authority over men apart from the Laws, Statutes and Perfect Will of God is anti-Christ.

To claim that secular government is authorized by God in the New Covenant is to make void everything that the Bible stands for. To claim that mere men have the authority to create law or statutes is to deny that Christ came in the flesh and is a denial that Christ is King.