I love Rage Against the Machine. While I don't align with their views on most political issues, I really like their heavy guitar riffs and punch-you-in-the-face vocals. Their music has a groove and a heaviness that gets me pumped. They also have a theme of underground resistance. It's revolution music. One particular song "Guerrilla Radio" is about secret transmissions of resistance to tyranny. I might not agree with their views on how things should change, but there is something exciting about the idea of resisting tyranny that I think we all share.
This is why I like World War II history so much, especially as it relates to resistance forces. There is something about standing against the odds to fight evil and restore justice that inspires me. Can you imagine living in the Nazi occupied Netherlands in 1944? Fascism and abuse were reigning, but hope was kindled through resistance. Small acts of rebellion against evil were in actuality obedience to the rightful leaders of the country. Sabotage, counterintelligence, and secret communication were of critical assistance to the allied advance through the region. Every radio communication, every Jew smuggled to freedom, every German phone line cut, was a proclamation of freedom and a reminder that even under tyranny it is possible to keep allegiance to the rightful leader.
So it is with the Kingdom of God. We live in a world wrecked by evil. Evil and death reign through man's sin (Romans 5:17), and the Enemy does all he can to preserve its rule. It is as if we live in an occupied country, oppressed by the forces of evil and suffering at the hand of it's effects.
However, as we will see this Sunday night, Jesus beat death. Through His act of obedience (His death and Resurrection), He has conquered death (Romans 5:12-21). Jesus Christ has already won the victory. However, there is still resistance work to be done. The allied victory on D-Day (June 6, 1944) meant the Nazi's had lost, but there was still much to be done to drive their forces out. The consummation of victory did not come until 11 months later when the last of the Nazi forces surrendered (May 8, 1945). So it is with the Kingdom of God. Jesus has won. He has beaten death. However, the full consummation of his victory will not come until the good news of His Kingship is proclaimed to every culture everywhere (Matthew 24:14).
The restorative work of the gospel involves Jesus being made King of every human heart. He isn't just reversing the effects of death for the world; He is reversing the effects of death for every person who trusts Him (More on this later).
When Jesus told us to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20), He first reminded us that He is king (Matthew 28:18). He did this for a reason. The tyrant of the world (Sin/Death) has been deposed. Now, He has commissioned us to spread the word. Disciple making is recruiting and equipping members of a resistance force in allegiance to the true King. The message is simple: "The King is on the throne. Death has been defeated. Join the King’s resistance. Spread the word.”
As we will see in more detail Sunday night. Following Jesus means living in allegiance to the true King against the rule of tyranny and spreading the word of His Kingship. Come and find out how to stick it to the man and join the resistance.