The Theocracy by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, Cal. · Sep 22, 1890

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 16, No. 37.

The Theocracy

By Editor

WE have this wonderful piece of wisdom in an article in the Christian Statesman of September 4, entitled "The Theocracy," by Rev. R. C. Wylie: "The theocracy [of Israel] was originally a republic." But a theocracy is no more a republic than is an autocracy. A theocracy is a government of God. A republic is a government by the people or their representatives. Mr. Wylie attempts to prove that this latter was the case with Israel. But Moses was appointed of God; so were the seventy elders; so was Joshua; so were the judges; so was Samuel; so was Saul; so was David, etc. The advice given by Jethro, which Mr. Wylie quotes, was given only by consent of the Lord. Jethro says to Moses: "If thou shalt do this thing and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace." Ex. 18:23. All these things were, when Israel was obedient, by the direct counsel, appointment, or direction of God. It was no nearer a republic than is Russia to-day. Not that we would compare it with Russia in character. We have no objection to a true theocracy, which, according to the Bible, will never be till Christ shall come again in glory. What we do object to is men putting themselves in the place of government, and saying, We are ruling for God; God is ruling through us. Even so did the Papacy during the Dark Ages. 2 Thess. 2:2-4. Crystallize the theory again, and we have the Dark Ages repeated. The evident reason why Mr. Wylie does not see this is that he expects to be one of the rulers.