Please read this!

[Dafydd]

 A version of this has also appeared on the general forum
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To put the following into perspective, let me first state my position on eschatology, as this has to some degree influenced my views, although these do not completely depend upon eschatology.
I am a partial preterist and a post-millennialist. I believe that the rule of Christ (the Millennium) began when Jesus ascended to Heaven. He now rules in Heaven and from Heaven. He will rule until all things are placed under his feet, the last thing being death itself (1Cor. 15:25-26).  During this time, his rule will become increasingly obvious (albeit with periods when the opposite might seem to be the case!). This is symbolized in the vision of Ezekiel (Ez. 47:1-12) as the spring which rises at the (heavenly) Temple and becomes a mighty river. Daniel saw a parallel vision of the stone not cut by human hands which grows to become a mountain filling the earth (Dan. 2:34, 45).  As the rule of Christ becomes more apparent (the "river" deeper and the "stone" grows more mountainous) the time will come when human lifespans are greatly increased and human life becomes more harmonious with nature (Is.65:20-25). After this, even death will be completely conquered and Christ will give the Kingdom to the Father, as Paul stated.
The "stone" has not yet become a mountain, but it has become a hill. We do not yet see the governments of the world submitted to God, but we do see a large portion of the world's population to a greater or lesser degree following Christ. Some Christians argue that the governments should enforce the Law as given in the Old Testament (the moral law, without the special ceremonial requirements) and that Christians should actively work toward this end. This may be done by electing Christian politicians or even through the formation of Christian political parties. Unfortunately, the times when this has been tried (eg. Calvin's Geneva, Cromwell's England and, before these, the conversion of the Roman Empire to Christianity and the later Holy Roman Empire which was not really Roman and hardly "Holy") it has not worked as theoretically hoped. In many instances (despite the sincerity of those who instigated it) fallen human nature proved too strong. The Law is good, but people are not. The (fallen) human factor gets in the way.
The New Testament ideal is for the Law to be written on the hearts and minds of believers, not encoded in a set of rules enforceable through a government of human beings. When the Law is written on the hearts of Christians and when those Christians allow it to become their spontaneous way of life – when they allow it to be manifested through them – its enshrinement in government laws will naturally follow; at least, when sufficient numbers of people manifest the Law written on their hearts. This, I believe, is the next stage toward which History is moving.
To have the "Law written on our hearts" simply means to have Christ within ruling our inner life and ruling though us. It is to have Christ's presence in us through the Holy Spirit as the Fountain of our life. It is to spontaneously act in accordance with the will of God in Christ.  What we like to call our "natural self" is simply like a windmill. It is either moved by the "wind" of sin ("sin in me" Romans 7:17) or the "wind" of Christ within through the Holy Spirit ("Christ in me" Romans 8:10). When the "windmill" is turned by Christ within, Christ truly rules IN us and we can then become the means whereby he can rule THROUGH us.
But how may this be put into practice?
Let's take an example about which I was told a few years ago. The example is that of a church council (somewhere in the South Pacific I think). This council would periodically meet to plan the upcoming activities of the church,  prayerfully considering various suggestions. In most instances, everyone would agree on a certain plan of outreach or other suggestion, however, there were times when a minority of council members found that they could not agree with a proposal, even though it was supported by the majority of members.  Now, in most organisations, when this situation occurs, a vote is taken and the will of the majority is carried. But not in this council! Instead of putting the matter to a vote, the council members would turn to prayer and waiting on the Lord until all of the council members were divinely guided to accept either the original majority opinion or that of the minority. Remarkably, in most instances it was the original majority who were led to accept the alternative (original minority) opinion! We could say that theocracy and not democracy – the will of God and not of the human majority – was the rule here. That is not to say that the majority opinion was not "good", but it is to say that it was not "best" - and God always desires what is best.
I believe that if this approach was the normal one (and surely it should be!) in church councils, the Church would be incomparably healthier than it is today. (Note that this approach relies upon God's guidance coming through a group and not just one person. This checks the tendency of a self-styled "prophet" from taking charge).
If I am correct in my opinions as to how History is moving, this model will eventually extend beyond church councils to local government councils, company boards, trade union conferences, state and national governments and even the United Nations. Just ponder on that for a while. Imagine the General Assembly of the UN, composed entirely of Christians who are fervent believers in prayer and the inward guidance of the Holy Spirit, selling every international issue through prayer, prayerful searching of the Bible and "Quaker-like" meetings waiting in silence for the inward guidance of God. Imagine national governments following the same course. Imagine city councils doing the same. That would be, indeed, true theocratic government.
I believe that this is compatible with what the Bible teaches. More than "compatible" in fact, I believe that it is implied by the verses earlier referred to. However, you may not agree. But even if you do not, the type of meetings and "theocratic" approach spoken of here (as, for example, in the church council to which I referred) is surely an attainable ideal in at least a limited number of places. Church councils for one. Government prayer groups could be another. Surely every Christian can work toward these situations!
Please prayerfully consider these words. 
Please be free to copy this article and distribute it as widely as possible. The message is, I believe, important.  Amen.


   

[robycop3]

  Partial preterism is incorrect, as Jesus said He'd return IMMEDIATELY after the great trib. So, if the great trib has already occurred, either Jesus is long-overdue, or Matt. 24:29-30 is wrong.