Two opposing kingdoms exist—the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan. While Satan’s dominion is fractured into competing realms of influence, God’s Kingdom stands united, sovereign, and eternal. Scripture reveals how Satan once tempted Jesus, offering Him all the kingdoms of the world in exchange for worship (Matthew 4:8-10). Yet Christ refused, affirming that only God’s Kingdom is worthy of allegiance. Though Satan’s rule is illegitimate and fleeting, it still shapes worldly systems, ensnaring humanity, except those redeemed by Christ.
The term “King” is often associated with “Lord” or “God,” signifying authority over a territory. Currently, the world is governed by the so-called god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:3-4), controlling various kingdoms and manipulating them according to his will. He failed to tempt Jesus into becoming one of these kings (Matthew 4:8-10). His rule is based on ignorance, falsehoods, dissonance, and manipulation, leaving no space for independent thought.
Earthly Kingdoms: Power, Politics, and Governance
The Bible frequently references kingdoms, even when describing governments not ruled by literal kings. Historically, kings wielded absolute authority, while modern leaders govern within constitutional limits. Over time, monarchies have declined, giving way to democracy, widely regarded as the most advanced governance model.
Yet democracy is no perfect solution. Its success depends on the wisdom of the majority, and history proves that majorities are often wrong. When twelve Israelite spies scouted Canaan, ten faithless men swayed the nation into rebellion, leading to forty years of wilderness wandering (Numbers 13–14). Only Joshua and Caleb, the minority, spoke the truth. This illustrates democracy’s vulnerability to groupthink, deception, and shortsightedness.
Many modern democracies struggle with:
- Politicians who manipulate the truth to win votes.
- Voters who mistake folly for wisdom.
- Systems where rhetoric outweighs reason.
In some nations, like Zimbabwe, democracy exists in name only. Others, such as Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), retain monarchies where kings hold unchecked power, even selecting wives from parades of young women. Such systems reveal a tension: people often crave strong leadership yet suffer under its excesses.
Monarchy vs. Democracy: A Biblical Perspective
God had never intended that His people, the Israelites, should be governed under a Monarch. He sought to help them grasp the issues tied to monarchical authority (1 Samuel 8). Monarchy is one of the oldest forms of governance, still present today, frequently intertwining tradition and religion. In such systems:
- The king owns everything, including the loyalty of his people.
- Authority is absolute; dissent is crushed.
- Leadership is inherited, not earned.
Democracy, by contrast, places power in the people’s hands. Leaders serve at the populace’s pleasure and can be replaced. Yet neither system is flawless. The Bible doesn’t explicitly endorse democracy; if anything, it acknowledges monarchy’s prevalence while exposing its dangers. Israel’s history shows how good kings brought prosperity, while wicked ones led to ruin. This world is a mixture of good and evil, marked by the condition of the ruled. “When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan (Proverbs 29:2).
The world, with its mix of good and bad, makes some governments seem better and others worse. The best governments work to eliminate ignorance, lies, conflict, and manipulation, while the worst ones rely on these flaws. This blend creates an unstable world, where even truth and virtue can’t guarantee stability. Without virtuous qualities, the world might look calm, but it’s inevitably on a path to collapse. The Tower of Babel may have looked magnificent, but had God not intervened, the end of the human race would have occurred.
The desire for monarchical rule often comes from a need for control and admiration. This ambition aligns more with Satan’s manipulations than with God’s call to serve others. Rulers driven by pride become slaves to Satan, and while many people might think these leaders are living the high life, the reality is that they live in constant fear of what could happen to them.
God’s Kingdom: The Eternal Alternative
Imperfect as they are, Earthly governments—whether democracies, dictatorships, or monarchies—are temporary and self-serving. Pride and good life are the distinct features in sustaining their prevalence, but as limited as this world is temporary. But the features of God’s Kingdom are different, without an appetite for being served:
- The King in God’s Kingdom serves His people (Mark 10:45), unlike worldly rulers who demand service.
- It empowers citizens, granting them dignity and responsibility (Revelation 1:6).
- It operates on love and truth, not coercion or lies.
Jesus declared His kingship before Pilate, clarifying that His Kingdom “is not of this world” (John 18:36). Yet it transforms this world, replacing oppression with liberation, deceit with truth, and death with life. Any Kingdom of this world, whether Monarchial or democratic, lack the quality found in God’s Kingdom, whose aim is to restore maximum dignity to humanity.
Why Don’t We Hear More About God’s Kingdom?
Though Jesus preached the Kingdom of God relentlessly, modern churches often focus on salvation, grace, or miracles, while neglecting the Gospel of the Kingdom. Yet Christ commanded us to “seek first the Kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33), promising all else would follow. The Kingdom of God restores authority and the ability to handle responsibility to the redeemed, whose quality mimics that of God.
The Choice Before Us
Satan’s kingdom thrives on:
- Control (diminishing people’s freedoms).
- Division (pitting nations and individuals against each other).
- Deception (blinding minds to truth, 2 Corinthians 4:4).
God’s Kingdom is marked by:
- Liberty “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).
- Unity “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:3-6).
- Truth “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
The Tower of Babel seemed impressive, but its collapse was inevitable. Likewise, any system built on human pride will fail. Only God’s Kingdom—founded on righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17)—will endure.
Conclusion: Which Kingdom Will You Serve?
Every person aligns with one of these two kingdoms. Satan’s dominion offers temporary power at the cost of eternal bondage. God’s Kingdom demands surrender but grants true freedom and everlasting life. Jesus is the King of kings (Revelation 19:16)—not a tyrant, but a loving ruler who elevates His people to reign with Him. The question, directed to the reader, remains: Whose rule will you embrace in your life, based on the facts outlined in this revelation?
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilisation, 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, relieving those who have witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions, leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book to be a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
The Print copy is now available at Amazon.com for $13.99
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