Governments Rest on Christ's Shoulders Published Monday, December 11, 2023 A note from OCPAC FOUNDATION PRESIDENT BOB LINN CHRIST THE BLESSING OF NATIONS Christmas is the remembrance of the day that a 4,000-year-old promise was kept in Bethlehem. It was the promise made in the presence of our First Parents. A promise to eviscerate evil from the earth. (Genesis 3:15) A divine King would reset and transform the history of mankind. Two thousand years before the Incarnation, He promised Abraham blessings that would flow through him to the nations. The King’s coming would inaugurate His Kingdom on the earth. His final words were to Go therefore and make disciples of all nations. ~Matthew 28 We were chosen to fulfill what was then the 2,000-year-old promise to Abraham that the families and nations of the earth would share in the divine blessings (Genesis 12-50). That ancient covenant saw promissory signs represented by isolated fulfilment among the Gentiles. The pre-incarnate hand of God touched people like Rahab (Joshua 2), Ruth (Ruth 1-4), Naaman (II Kings 5), and Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4). Cities like Nineveh (Jonah 3) were redeemed. Even before Bethlehem produced the Redeemer, the world-wide extension of Isaiah’s Gospel, “Your God Reigns” (Isaiah 52:7) was being foreshadowed. Twenty years ago, in 2003, Princeton University Press published the latest of the many books of Berkeley Ph.D., Dr. Rodney Stark. His new book was titled For The Glory of God. In it, he made the case that cultural prosperity, from halls of academia to the seats of government, rests on the shoulders of the divine King whose birth is celebrated around the world at this time of year. Dr. Stark’s research led him to conclude that it is Christianity that drives the engine of cultural advancement. Christianity shaped Western Civilization. A DRAMATIC EXAMPLE In Europe nearly four hundred years ago, a national covenant was made with God. Scotland, Ireland, and England came together and pledged national allegiance to Christ. The year was 1643. The Parliament of England made a covenant with Scotland and Ireland to obey God. THE SOLEMN LEAGUE AND COVENANT It passed both the House of Commons and the House of Lords in 1643 and was signed by King Charles II. From the final paragraph: The Solemn League and Covenant 1643 for Reformation and Defense of Religion … the Three Kingdoms of Scotland, England, and Ireland … by the providence of God, having before our eyes the glory of God, and the advancement of the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ...whereof the deplorable state of the church and kingdom of Ireland, the distressed estate of the church and kingdom of England, and the dangerous estate of the church and kingdom of Scotland …and because these kingdoms are guilty of many sins and provocations against God, and His Son, Jesus Christ, … we profess and declare, before God and the world, our unfeigned desire to be humbled for our own sins, and for the sins of these kingdoms …this covenant we make in the presence of the Almighty God, the Searcher of all hearts, with a true intention …beseeching the Lord to strengthen us by his Holy Spirit for this end…to the glory of God, the enlargement of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, and the peace and tranquility of Christian kingdoms and commonwealths. Almost 100 years later, in 1741, England's George Frederick Handel would write the oratorio which would broadcast the heart of the Christian message of the 1643 Covenant to concert halls the world over. Each year at this time, Handel’s Messiah announces that the One born in Bethlehem is more than a Savior. He rules the world as King. As if inspired by the 1643 Covenant, section twelve of the first movement includes the profoundly impassioned section of Isaiah chapter nine and proclaims: 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 Counsel, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. In that famous section, four times Handel reminds those listening of the governmental rule of Christ on the earth. I have heard no better presentation of this section than the American Bach Soloists. You may view the presentation here and enjoy the wonderful sound and message of the music which defines the Christmas season. As the People of God on this earth, it is profoundly important that we learn to appreciate not only the work of these very optimistic forefathers but take seriously the admonition of the Word of God as well. When Jesus told us to pray that the Kingdom of Heaven would manifest on this earth (Matthew 6), it was not a fool's prayer he advocated. When Jesus told us that Satan no longer had the authority bequeathed to him by our First Parents, but that, rather, all power and authority was His and His alone (Matthew 28), He meant it to become the foundation of our courage and our vision. Please join us as we seek cultural transformation in Oklahoma and, through Oklahoma's leadership, national repentance in 2024. ___________ We have no public meetings this week and look forward to seeing each of you on the Wednesday before Christmas (December 20). The luncheon will celebrate the season with Christian Christmas carols and the Spotlight Carolers. We wish you a merry Christmas season. God bless. THE OCPAC FOUNDATION AT THE OKLAHOMA HISTORY CENTER LAST WEEK BORDER INVASION Watch the three-minute trailer here. For the full presentation, go to the foundation's website here. For the full meeting, go here. _______________ BRIEFING FROM WASHINGTON, D.C. SENATOR JAMES LANKFORD Watch Senator Lankford's five-minute briefing here. For the full meeting, go here. _______________ HOUSE MEMBERS TAKE PLANE FLIGHT TO BORDER J.J. Humphrey Watch Representative Humphrey's briefing here. For the full meeting, go here. FUND THE WORK HELP FUND OCPAC FOUNDATION A 501 (c) 3 Educational Foundation OCPAC | P.O. Box 2021, Edmond, OK 73083 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected] powered by Try email marketing for free today!