Civil Law Cannot Advance Christianity
To advance Christianity by means of compulsory civil law is the dream of many well-meaning men. They make a slogan of the expression in John's vision of the future, that "There were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever." But this does not make of them Christian nations; for at the very time the "four and twenty elders which sat before God" were heard to give glory to Him who had taken to Himself this "great power," the "nations were angry." They do not become Christ's by virtue of being converted to Christianity. The Revelation shows us things that are to come to pass, and this particular scene is after probation is closed, and the nations of the earth are given into the hands of Christ by the Father for execution. Ps. 2: 7-10; John 5: 26, 27. Christ expressly stated that His kingdom was not of this world (John 18: 36); He receives His kingdom from the Father in heaven (Dan. 7: 13, 14); and the subjects of His kingdom are redeemed "out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation" (Rev. 5: 9; 7: 9).