When we think of a government, most of us immediately think of our political governing powers in our respective countries – that is logical thinking, but do we really think about what a government does and is?
What is the purpose of a government? Well the first thing a government needs is people; otherwise there is no need for a governing body, because there is nothing to govern. As a home is established, a family is formed and as the children grow, they gain their independence and more families are established, creating a community. As that community grows and different interests of those families take them to places of geographical advantage for employment or resources, it breaks that community up to form other communities, towns and villages. It does not take long until there is a body of people that needs structure to keep law and order, which becomes a governing body, or government. Governing bodies usually always cover an area of an allotted geographical area, forming a nation or country.
A number of forms of government can evolve. People either seek to be a part of that body, or the people of the community appoint certain people, usually with the talent to organise and run such a task. They then give their heart and all their energies and effort to run it. This form of government is what is known as a democratic government. The United States of America has a government of the people, by the people, for the people. It has boasted that it is a government that gives freedom – and there is no doubt it has been a mighty nation – one of the mightiest nations on earth. It does have one person at the top – the head of state, but he is very answerable and accountable to the body or people that make up the government. One of the main ingredients for the success of 
the USA has been to keep the affairs of the state separate to the affairs of the church, yet both working in harmony with and respect for each other.
There are other governing systems where one person is sovereign of royal blood. It can be that a particular royal bloodline is never broken, being one family who reigns for generations, but there is a whole governing structure underneath them, holding them up, and to a large degree holding them accountable so the reign of power doesn't get out of control with one leader becoming a dictator. The United Kingdom has run by royalty and with its Protestant heritage, has worked well.
Then there are other countries where one leader rules and they are the only one ruling with no submission to a lower level governing body. This indeed does become a controlling dictatorship and whatever that head of state says, goes! This can result in a very oppressed nation.
Looking back over the world’s history, we have seen all these methods develop and ripen into fully-fledged governments. Sadly, in many cases, power has gone to the head of royalty, of dictators, even Protestant democratic leaders and have made themselves unaccountable to anyone. But it only takes time and the consequences ripen to maturity. Many have fallen, not only the leader, but also the nations.
Unto Us A Child Is Born
Earthly governments operate by human beings, having authority over their fellow human beings. But what about the possibility of another government? “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever.” —Isaiah 9:6,7
When we think of God, we can position Him way up high, as the Creator and Ruler of the universe, way above being interested in governing our little lost and sin-sick planet. But let’s bring the government of God much closer – more real in our little country.
Just after the last elections here in New Zealand, it was a landslide victory to Labour (our socialist liberal political party). I had reason to visit a Justice of the Peace for signing my application for marriage celebrant licence. While we were talking, the topic of elections came up. I could see he was considerably stressed over the election process. He informed me he was the secretary of the National Party (our more conservative capitalist party) and was quite concerned how close it came for the National candidate to lose his political seat in our local area.
When I left, I determined to go back to visit. I selected a good hard-back copy of The Great Controversy, made an appointment and called to see him a few days later. I have known this friend since our high school days, so our friendship goes back a long way. We chatted about present day conditions and I said to him, “I noticed you were quite concerned about the opposition taking over the local political seat. The politics in our country are fraught with problems, but I just want to introduce you to another government, one that is totally dependable, without a hint of corruption, and will never let you down.”
I didn't mention anything about Jesus Christ being the Governor, or that it was a government out of this world, but left him just with the fact that there is another government that is dependable and always honest. He took the book gladly and said he would read it. I left it there, as that book will do all the explaining within its own pages.
It struck me as I left my JP friend that day of the practical, down-to-earth nature of God's government. It is for every one of us on the planet. Its counsel extremely simple, governed by just ten laws – ten simple principles, each attainable for even the weakest soul. It is close and intimate with every single one of us and for the whole of humanity. It is a law that is made not only for us as individuals, but for the world, even for the whole universe.
A New Type of Government
But to come back to Isaiah 9; “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace...Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever...”
The story in these texts starts with a young life – a babe. It tells me a child is born. It is a boy, as a son is given, but what a weight of responsibility rests upon Him – the government will be upon His shoulders. We may well ask, what sort of a governor will He be? Will He have socialist/communist, conservative/capitalist, or dictator traits that we relate to? We only need to read who this Supreme 'Head of State' is to know the outcome of this government. His name is “Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” No other on earth has ever had a title such as this!
It tells me He is wonderful, He is a counsellor, He is the mighty God, He is everlasting and of royal blood, and rules with peace. Within His many names, we see traits of His government revealed – mighty, everlasting and peaceful. The following verse continues to reveal His government. It will continue to increase forever. It is linked with humanity – David's throne. It is just and will stand forever. “...upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever...”
Isaiah 9:7 doesn't just stop there either, it continues, “The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”
Did God perform this zeal for humanity? Yes, He surely did. “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost…And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” —Matthew 1:18,21
But how can a babe, totally dependent on His mother, be a ruler – to have authority and govern all nations, head of a government? That's a weighty statement! Well the Bible tells how He grew from the helpless babe. “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him…. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” —Luke 2:40,52
From that early childhood, Jesus certainly did become “Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” His government was to be very different to the governments He grew up in. Jesus stated during His ministry, “My kingdom is not of this world.” —John 18:36
He made a clear distinction between the government of His day and the government He was representing. “Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk…Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Show me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.” —Matthew 22:15,17-21
A Sinless Government
There was another, and most probably the most important distinction of Jesus being so different in His government. “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.” — I Peter 2:21,22
Jesus was completely sinless right throughout His life. We have further evidence of Him being from a different government. “I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father…These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” —John 16:28,33
While the government of heaven is out of this world, God has since the fall of man, made His simple governing principles available to all humanity in this world, that man may attain to the government out of this world.
I bring the words of Isaiah back to the forefront of our thinking. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” —Isaiah 9:6,7
The governments of this world are temporary, they are unpredictable, unreliable, many rule for their own self-gratification, many promises made only to be broken once in power. They strive for power and popularity among the people, yet line their own pockets, and push their agenda, sometimes subject to other governing powers on the earth due to debts owed, or signing over of power due to war or political control, but
often leaving trails of sorrow and destruction and a suffering population.
But God's government is very different. “Christ is 'the Prince of Peace', and it is His mission to restore to earth and heaven the peace that sin has broken. 'Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.' Whoever consents to renounce sin and open his heart to the love of Christ, becomes a partaker of this heavenly peace.
“There is no other ground of peace than this. The grace of Christ received into the heart, subdues enmity; it allays strife and fills the soul with love. He who is at peace with God and his fellow men cannot be made miserable. Envy will not be in his heart; evil surmising will find no room there; hatred cannot exist. The heart that is in harmony with God is a partaker of the peace of heaven and will diffuse its blessed influence on all around. The spirit of peace will rest like dew upon hearts weary and troubled with worldly strife.
“Christ's followers are sent to the world with the message of peace. Whoever, by the quiet, unconscious influence of a holy life, shall reveal the love of Christ; whoever, by word or deed, shall lead another to renounce sin and yield his heart to God, is a peacemaker.” —Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p.27,28
Here is true peace. It is a heavenly government based on heavenly laws. Whenever those laws have been implemented in our governments on earth, a heavenly presence is the result. Anti-christ governments may attempt to destroy those principles. Oppress they may, but God's government never changes. The following verses confirm that.
“My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips” —Psalm 89:34
“For I am the Lord, I change not: therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” —Malachi 3:6
“Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” —Hebrews 13:8
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” —James 1:17
There is no doubt, when God puts His government into place, it doesn’t change, nor will it change. His word is sure and He will not change it to gain popularity.
So does God have any interest in the affairs and governments of this world? Does He work with the legislators and authorities when making laws in our various nations to woo the tide of evil? We are told that angels will be in halls of parliament speaking and swaying the decisions of men.
“Though the rulers of this world know it not, yet often in their councils angels have been spokesmen. Human eyes have looked upon them; human ears have listened to their appeals; human lips have opposed their suggestions and ridiculed their counsels; human hands have met them with insult and abuse. In the council hall and the court of justice these heavenly messengers have shown an intimate acquaintance with human history; they have proved themselves better able to plead the cause of the oppressed than were their ablest and most eloquent defenders. They have defeated purposes and arrested evils that would have greatly retarded the work of God and would have caused great suffering to His people. In the hour of peril and distress 'the angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.'” —The Great Controversy, p.632
Finally, it is rather obvious that the governments we know and experience are radically different to the government of heaven, of which we profess to belong. How do we, as a disciple of Christ, treat the governments of this world?
“We are to recognize human government as an ordinance of divine appointment, and teach obedience to it as a sacred duty, within its legitimate sphere. But when its claims conflict with the claims of God, we must obey God rather than men. God's word must be recognized as above all human legislation.
“A 'Thus saith the Lord' is not to be set aside for a 'Thus saith the church' or a 'Thus saith the state.' The crown of Christ is to be lifted above the diadems of earthly potentates.
“We are not required to defy authorities. Our words, whether spoken or written, should be carefully considered, lest we place ourselves on record as uttering that which would make us appear antagonistic to law and order.
“We are not to say or do anything that would unnecessarily close up our way. We are to go forward in Christ's name, advocating the truths committed to us. If we are forbidden by men to do this work, then we may say, as did the apostles, 'Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.’” —Acts of the Apostles, p.69
A simple read of Revelation 14:8 and 18:2,3 confirm that all the governments of this world are taken with the wine of Babylon – so don't expect to see righteousness and honesty from this source. The rest of Revelation 18 explains exactly where these governments will end up – total annihilation. “for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.”
There is only one government that we can totally rely on that will lead us into all truth. For this we have absolute surety, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” —Matthew 24:35
