Is Religious System a Worldly System?


Jesus when asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, answered;The kingdom of God is not coming in a way that can be observed; nor will they say, Look, here it is! or there it is! For, indeed, the kingdom of God is within you. Luke 17:21 20)

Denominations are the best known expressions of religious institutions that make up religion. Religion was responsible for what was called holy wars or religious wars. Why did reformations and counter reformations occur that saw nations pitted against nation, and men and women pronounced heretic to be imprisoned in chains, and executed by fire or other means? Because the religious elite wanted domination and control. And there are some religious sects that adhere to that mentality today.

Worldly power and dominion were NOT what Jesus planned to establish His kingdom. Jesus clearly stated to Pilate the Roman governor, just before he was crucified, "my kingdom is not of this world, if it were my followers would fight." Jesus reiterated to Pilate, "Now, my kingdom is Not Of This World!" Yet, religious earthly kingdoms have usurped the purposes and desires of the Lord regarding His Church. The growth of institutionalized religion as a political, economic and social power began quickly after Constantine accepted Christianity. The life of God, along with truth and simplicity of the Gospel began to dissolve. Individual centers of fellowship were once Spirit led and non formalistic, yet first hand Holy Spirit revelation and Spiritual fellowship gave way to religious structure and formalism. Religion in the disguise of Christianity is bereft of spiritual understanding and did become empowered as a political force, this led to its ugliest and most evil work. The Spirit of Truth is exchanged for a lie. The 'Right Spirit' is exchanged for the spirit of pride, vengeance and retribution the very spirit of murder.

Satan, a spiritual opportunist is seeking opportunity to usurp ruler-ship of the Church. Demonically inspired doctrines creep in and division divides the unity. Vanity reigns in showmanship splendor, and individuals ruled over the ordinary believer. Religious empires defend their power by blood-letting. Men come against others, maybe their own brothers, to destroy one another in the name of God.

The wisdom and counsel of God's Word was abandoned when men and nations began to create worldly kingdoms and called them God's kingdom? The Kingdom of God and Truth was exchanged for something without eternal substance. "My kingdom is not of this world, if it were of this world my people would fight. But now it is not of this world." Denominationalism continues to build its own worldly kingdoms. They foster their own "princes and nobles" and rulers of states. They have multitudes of lesser nobles and greater multitudes of laity who continue to serve the hierarchy, while receiving nothing more than spiritual pablum that can neither nourish the "inner man" nor set him free. Among the many religious traditions that we are so familiar with, there are too many departures from understanding of truth. These produce detriments to a spiritual relational life, liberty, power, and fruitfulness.

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