The entire world is in a time of crisis, and the Christian response to it has been varied. One prevailing notion I’ve been hearing is that “God is still in control”.
I remember being in Bible College, and one of my professors made the statement that God is actually not in control. My back got stiff. What kind of blasphemy was that? Fast forward to now, and my favorite Evangelist said the very same thing in one of his broadcasts.
And I’ve come to realize that they’re right.
“But the Bible says that God is sovereign”. Absolutely, however the Hebrew definition of sovereign means that God is “in charge”. The English definition is “a supreme ruler, possessing ultimate power”. God is the supreme being who has all the power and is in charge of everything, but that doesn’t mean He controls it.
“What about the Psalms?” Good point. Psalm 47:2 says “For the Lord most high is a great King over all the earth.” That verse is part of an unfulfilled prophecy, which will take place in new Millennium.
How about Psalm 103:19 “The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, And His sovereignty rules over all.” The Dake reference Bible describes it like this: “God’s kingdom does not rule over all now, so this is future prophecy.”
It’s easy to forget just how much of the Bible is actually prophecy. And so we can look at certain verses, believe they are for us now, and construct a doctrine around that. The question is, if God doesn’t control the world, who does?
“We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.” – 1 John 5:19
When God created humankind, He gave dominion of the earth to them. “Fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.” – Genesis 1:28.
“The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to mankind.” – Psalm 115:16
When sin entered the picture, the natural order was disrupted.
“The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out.” – John 12:31
“Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe.” – 2 Corinthians 4:4
“You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.” – Ephesians 2:2
The unbelieving world is under the rule of the devil, and yes that often includes government powers. They have a veil over their eyes. They unwittingly carry out his plans through lies and deception.
“Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.” – 2 Timothy 2:26
We as believers, however, are no longer in captivity to the lies of the devil. “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.” – Colossians 1:13. But does that mean we have to sit back and let evil conquer?
Christians say that God is in control in a sense that provides comfort. But the implications of that being true are anything but comforting. Whoever controls this world can then be held responsible for the horrible things that happen. And if we claim that God is loving, shouldn’t be wield His control to make things better, not worse?
Why would God promise to take care of us in difficult times if He is responsible for those difficult times? Just because God allows things to happen, doesn’t mean it is His will. Why did Jesus instruct us to pray for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, if His will is already being played out on earth?
We should take comfort in the fact that God isn’t in control, because otherwise we would have some serious doubt about His goodness and lovingkindness.
Satan may be the god of this world, but he doesn’t have ultimate authority. There are two agendas placed in front of humans to choose from, God’s, or the devils. But through pride, unbelievers choose Satan’s agenda. He even tried to tempt Jesus with the promise of power.
“Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. All this I will give You,” he said, “if You will fall down and worship me.” – Matthew 4:8-9
So what are we supposed to do? God promised us protection and safety, yet here we are in the midst of calamity. Many people feel this is the end. Buckle up, and wait for Jesus. I can tell you, God’s overall purpose will come to pass, but we’re a big part of that purpose.
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” – Matthew 28:18
“That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion.” – Ephesians 1:19-21
Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, all dominion over the devil has been taken back. But since Jesus returned to heaven, what happened to that authority?
“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.” – Colossians 2:9-10
“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” – John 14:12-14
Understand what God’s will is. “he does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants all to turn away from their sins.” – 2 Peter 3:9. A mandate has been giving to the church to be carried out.
“He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” – Mark 16:15-18
(I don’t know about you, but it’s hard to do most of that while in self-isolation.)
All of this is dependent upon our submission to Christ. We have to die to self, and live for Jesus. God directs the steps of the righteous, God protects those who take refuge in Him. If we seek after God, we are hidden under the shadow of His wings. Therefore we can confident and know that God will have the victory, and we will be on the winning side.
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” – Ephesians 6:11
We aren’t sitting ducks. We carry the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 1:8
Right now we’re facing an immovable object. But if we have “faith, pure and unmixed with doubt, as a grain of mustard seed” (Dake Bible), “we can say to that mountain, Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” – Matthew 17:20
The same authority that Jesus used to rebuke the wind and waves and made them cease, lives in us. “However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” – Matthew 17:21
There is power in prayer and fasting, and I know many of my brothers and sisters around the world are praying with me against the move of this virus, and every evil plan that goes along with it.
“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” – Matthew 16:19. Dake Bible says “Not to Peter only, for the same power is promised to all believers. Keys are a symbol of authority; power to do the works of Christ.”
God is not done moving on this earth. He still has the ultimate power. All we hear on the news are negative reports, and bleak outlooks, but so long as the church is still here, we’re not finished yet. I know Bible prophecy is coming to pass right in front of our eyes, but I also know that the bondage of this virus will be loosed, in Jesus name.
