For security reasons, humans cannot exist without some form of governance. While independence is highly valued, absolute autonomy is not feasible in the physical world. Some nations enjoy more freedom than others, but complete freedom is unattainable due to natural laws. For instance, gravity prevents a person from floating freely, serving as a reminder of our inherent limitations.
The physical universe operates on fundamental principles that must be navigated with caution to harness the benefits of existence. In electrical engineering, the interaction of negative and positive charges must be respected. A thorough understanding of electrical devices is essential when using electrical systems to prevent the risk of electrocution by disregarding electrical rules.
Understanding the objects in our environment is crucial for their beneficial use. Owning a car may symbolize a proud achievement, yet lacking the knowledge to operate it correctly can lead to becoming a statistic in road accidents. Likewise, coffee lovers should master the handling of hot drinks to avoid burns.
Countless examples show that humans do not control physical objects; rather, we are subject to unchangeable laws. Even a monarch must obey these laws when conducting matters in his palace to safeguard his well-being. Grasping the nature of the physical world is fundamental to a longer and more harmonious life.
God’s laws are intended to guide humanity towards a virtuous life. All phenomena in the physical universe adhere to immutable laws. Those who choose to live outside these laws are seen as disruptors. Humans, in their coexistence, establish moral codes and agree to follow them, with the expectation that everyone will comply or risk being ostracized.
Prisons exist for those who cause trouble, whereas individuals who obey the law are often recognized and rewarded for their contributions to peace and stability. Typically, normal individuals are those who consistently seek peace, while those who defy established laws are viewed as abnormal, causing disruption. To maintain peace, a nation’s leader oversees the enforcement of the country’s laws.
Modern nations are typically led by presidents or prime ministers, with their roles and powers defined by a constitution. In contrast, some countries are monarchies, where a king may claim ownership over the citizens within his realm. Such a monarch might create laws that serve his interests, facing no repercussions. The subjects of this monarchy are often required to pay taxes and regularly honour the king with tributes.
For societal harmony, adherence to the law is essential. Consequently, many aspire to be leaders rather than followers, seeking autonomy. This aspiration is about having authority rather than being subject to it. Democracy is often favoured because it allows citizens to elect their own governance. When ruled by inept leaders, people may feel as though they are in bondage.
Humanity’s quest for liberty is centred on self-regulation, yet achieving complete autonomy is unattainable within the confines of a physical universe. Existence in this realm is bound by adherence to certain laws, whether they are imposed by a sovereign under a constitution or are naturally inherent. For example, one cannot venture into space or traverse oceans without accounting for various constraints.
Humans are inevitably subject to some form of authority within the physical universe. The need to adhere to laws stems from the conditions that sustain our physical existence. A comfortable life depends on aligning with these laws, as prescribed by a governing body or axiomatically designed by God. Jesus stated that He came not to abolish the law but to fulfil it, yet Christians are not bound by it. Analyzing the significance of Jesus’ words is essential.
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfil. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:17-20 NKJV).
Jesus assured His disciples that He had not come to abolish the existing laws. The perplexing issue for casual readers is the feasibility of being more righteous than the scribes and Pharisees. Throughout His teachings, Jesus clarified the core laws for practicality and comprehension. Knowledge is essential for understanding; without it, any attempt to implement Jesus’ teachings is doomed to fail. The carnal mind cannot make sense, without knowledge on the subject of relationships.
Understanding fundamental knowledge means acknowledging that the physical universe operates under specific laws, and violating these laws results in consequences. These laws are binding and entail penalties when infringed. Although it is infeasible to exist without social interactions, exceeding the righteousness of the Pharisees is deemed unattainable.
The actions of those around us inevitably affect us in one way or another. A person may be nonviolent yet unable to prevent violence by others in their environment. These are the unavoidable truths of life. Among the teachings of Jesus is the principle of loving one’s enemies. It begs the question: How can one love their enemies in a tangible world? Jesus’ teachings were indeed meant for the physical realm.
Knowledge can be likened to a spiritual essence. In the heat of a dispute, humans often deem retaliation necessary. However, trying to put out a fire by blowing on it only makes it burn fiercer. Conversely, allowing a smouldering fire to extinguish on its own, without interference, is more successful. A person unaware of such truths may feel compelled to strike back when provoked, only intensifying the disagreement. This is why Jesus imparted teachings that resonate with truths in the physical world.
The considered civilized nations, involved in brutal wars, may not be civilized, after all, when unaware of such axiomatic laws. They can never listen to those attempting to reason with them, based on such important laws of the universe. “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14 NKJV).
An informed individual may observe those in need of peace, yet engage in actions that counteract tranquility. The physical universe operates under defined laws, and suffering ensues when these laws are breached. Often, suffering is a consequence of actions contrary to one’s intentions. For example, those unaware may believe peace can be attained through revenge. Such individuals vehemently oppose any counsel against seeking vengeance. The universe adheres to fundamental and immutable laws. One cannot extinguish a fierce blaze with a fan, yet it is possible to snuff out a candle without igniting it further.
This world demands precise strategies and methods for manipulating and managing entities to realize the intended outcomes. Happiness is achieved when able to handle the laws of the physical universe, including loving one’s enemies. While doing so may not guarantee physical safety, it guarantees spiritual safety. This does not apply to an ignorant person who would not be aware of being spiritual. No knowledge surpasses appreciating being spiritual, rather than being physical.
Jesus illustrated the pointlessness of clinging to the physical when oblivious to the spiritual realm. He surrendered to what the uninformed deem foolish, yet he rose again after three days and three nights. His resurrection showcased the spiritual state of humanity. Hidden beneath is the truth that faith lies shrouded by religion, while knowledge liberates from it.
A person liberated from the constraints of the physical laws ceases to be governed by them. The children of God are not bound by these laws, having achieved the sought-after liberty. Knowledge leads to freedom. That is, freedom cannot be attained without prior knowledge. When one gains freedom without knowledge, they suffer irreparable harm due to the misuse of that freedom.
In one of His teachings, Jesus stated: “For assuredly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one jot or one tittle shall pass from the law until all is accomplished.” What did He mean by “until all is accomplished”? When will the physical laws no longer apply to humanity? By nature, humans are not subject to the physical universe’s laws. This is because they are created in the image of God. This understanding is not available to those who have not yet gained knowledge of God’s Kingdom.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true” (Revelation 21:1-5 NIV)
The Scripture described above depicts the ultimate realization of God’s Kingdom following the end of the current world order. The heavenly Jerusalem symbolizes a realm of liberated beings, merged into a state of joy and unmatched happiness. We are left to imagine the activities of such individuals, except to conjecture the creative endeavours that uphold the anticipated joy. The pertinent inquiry should be what is necessary to acquire the essential knowledge for liberation.
The great philosophers of antiquity made discoveries that enhanced human living conditions. However, none could match the knowledge imparted by Jesus. This knowledge is not suited for sinful humanity, but only for a select group destined to be priests and rulers in the millennium. These individuals would have gained their freedom through repentance, despite relinquishing all worldly possessions.
Such individuals are no longer subject to human authority, representing the only truly free beings on this planet. They don’t seek to control others, yet they remain uncontrolled themselves unless they choose otherwise. They are open to all experiences, yet they only bring about those that others can easily experience. Their happiness remains unassailable, even in the most challenging circumstances.
For humanity, the ultimate aspiration is to reign as a king. Yet, how can one ascend to kingship without the profound knowledge of Jesus that offers complete liberation? The uninformed may try to inflict physical harm on those who are free, but they cannot diminish their joy. Jesus’ initial proclamation was that He had arrived to bestow freedom upon humankind.
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me;
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the broken-hearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4:18-19 NKJV).
A liberated individual is not subject to any kingdom; rather, they are a kingdom unto themselves. The status of God’s children differs from those bound by religion. The aforementioned prophecy indicates that Jesus’ mission was to bestow freedom. In principle, all humans are children of God, yet not all meet the criteria to be called God’s children. The millennial week, spanning seven thousand years outlines a plan of salvation commencing with Adam and concluding with a thousand-year reign by Jesus.
Subsequently, a significant judgment awaits humanity, known as Judgment Day. For six thousand years, humanity will have lived under various kingdoms, leading to the final Kingdom ruled by Jesus. Having experienced different eras over the seven millennial days, humanity will have undergone a trial. This period is comparable to a farmer’s weaning process, where the wheat is separated from the chaff. The chaff is incinerated, leaving only the wheat, which fulfils the purpose for which humanity was created.
Revelation 21:1-5 foresees a state of freedom surpassing anything humanity could have imagined over seven thousand years. It represents the symbolic seven-thousand-year journey of human history, as revealed in the Bible. Safety is assured for those who understand the principle of obedience within Kingdoms. Presently, some have attained freedom, qualifying as God’s children, and are awaiting their reign with Christ.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilization, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, bringing relief to those having witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions––leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book as a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
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