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POLITICS OF THE SAINTS

A Brother who has been growing in the truth for about a year encloses to us a copy of a letter sent by him to a friend, on the subject of politics. As it may interest others we publish it below:

DEAR FRIEND:—Being desirous that you understand my position regarding politics, and my reasons for it, I have decided to write you at some length in the premises.

I believe that Jesus is the Son of the Living God, that after his death He was raised up a Divine being, and that now “All power in heaven and on earth” has been given him. I further believe that all “who name the name of Christ” are invited to the high calling of following his footsteps on earth, and then being raised to the same nature he now has, and joining him in the establishment of a coming kingdom, “wherein dwelleth righteousness.” I also believe that the coming of this Kingdom on earth is delayed for the purpose of selecting the “bride, the Lamb’s wife,” which will be the “Body” and he the “Head,” in the holy temple which is being prepared for the habitation of God. (Eph. 2:21-22.) I do not believe that this kingdom has yet been established on earth. Its foundations are to be in “justice and righteousness,” and “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain [government]; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”—Isa. 11:9.

These conditions do not obtain now, and though this United States’ government is undoubtedly the best on earth now, its machinery is generally used—in results—for the benefit of the comparatively few, and actual justice or equality is rarely, if ever realized. This is but a new demonstration of what every other human government has proven, and of what must continue to be until he, whose right it is, shall come and take the government to himself.—Ezek. 21:27; Rev. 11:17.

Our Father has given repeated promises that this Kingdom shall be established on earth, and the Lord has joined in the assurance. God alone is capable of setting it up, and bringing humanity from its present blind, depraved condition, up to the standard where they can maintain it. It is specifically stated that this Kingdom will come “down from God out of heaven.” We, who are following Christ, are now considered members of this Kingdom, and when it is set up, will be God’s agents in its work. A brief study of the subject has enabled me to present the following Scripture texts:—

“For he [Abraham] looked for a city which hath foundations, whose maker and builder is God. … For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country, and truly if they had been mindful of the country from which they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned; but now (as it is) they desire a better, that is, a heavenly [one from heaven]: Wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city. … And these all having obtained a good report through faith received not the promise, God having prepared some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. … Let us go forth, therefore, unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come. … For our conversation [country or polity] is in heaven from whence we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change [transform] our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able to even subdue all things unto himself. … Now, therefore, ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens of the saints and of the household of God.”—Heb. 11:10-14-15-16-,-39-40; 13:13-14; Phil. 3:20-21 and Eph. 2:19.

Thus finding “exceeding great and precious promises” for those who are “new creatures in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit,” it behooves us to “prove all things” in every matter, and “hold fast that which is good.” Our Lord prays that while we are in the world, we may not be “of the world.” We are admonished by Paul to “be not conformed to [fashioned after] this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Rom. 12:27), and by John to “love not the world, neither the things that are in [of] the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust thereof, but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.” (1 John 2:15,16,17.) Jesus himself says, “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. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon.”—Matt. 11:24.

Those who are not running in the Christian race are at full liberty, and doubtless in duty bound, to labor and study on the present political problems from human standpoints; but we who have consecrated our lives to God, and are striving to fulfill our vows, must be about our Father’s work, and devote all the time we can honestly spare from the vocations necessary to enable us to “provide things honest in the sight of all men,” to the work and study that will enable us to be “vessels unto honor, sanctified and meet for the Master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.”—2 Tim. 2:21.

The blind and deaf leaders in the world are thus left to do their best, and if all “fall into the ditch,” it will be but to fully demonstrate their inability to accomplish what God says he alone can do, and prepare them in due time to accept from God his free and gracious gift. In the “Regeneration [a literal translation of “Regeneration” is “New Birth Day.” How significant!], when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory” (Matt. 19:28), and the instruments the “Potter” is now preparing, (who are a “peculiar people zealous of good works,”) shall be elevated to the Divine Nature (2 Pet. 1:4), the time will be ripe for the founding of this wondrous and longed for Kingdom. Until then, we must “make straight paths for our feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way.”—Heb. 12:14.

By going into politics never so little, we enter one of the very “crookedest paths” the enemy has presented to this generation, and are liable to become “lame” or “turned to one side,” before we are able to realize it.

However much these views may impress you as either truthful or Scriptural, you can readily see that, as they are mine, I cannot honestly do other than voice them, and take neutral ground, standing to one side, and waiting for the manifestation of the glory of God.

Very truly your friend, W. E. P.

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— January And February, 1889 —