Romans 13:1-7 - Remembering and Honoring our Veterans

The last verse in Romans 12 speaks ofdealing with the issue of evil in this world. Today'sVeterans Day and I want to take time to thank our veterans. I hope that youhave someone you know that is a veteran and you can give them a personal thankyou for their service to our country. I'm convinced that the Bible teachesthere are four world empires beginning with the Babylonian Empire, then ofcourse the Medo-Persian Empire, then the Grecian Empire, then the Roman Empire(Daniel 2:36-45). The last kingdom that'll be on planet Earth is the kingdom ofour Lord Jesus Christ in His millennial reign. That's what I believe prophetic Scriptureteaches. Which means the Chinese will never rule the world. The Muslimcountries will never rule the world. ISIS will not rule the world. We don'thave to worry about that.  Butwhat keeps them from taking over right now? I'm convinced China would invadeAmerica in a moment's notice if they thought they could win. But my friend,there is something that stands in their way. That is the United Statesmilitary. The might of the United States military. I'm convinced God probablyraised this country up, even though it's not in prophecy, to be that peoplethat stand against evil of this world in the end times. Romans 13 is addressingthis subject of dealing with evil through nations and governments that God hasordained and raised up. “For rulers are not a terror to good works, but toevil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and youwill have praise from the same. For he is God's minister to you for good. Butif you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he isGod's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. (Romans13:3-4). “Heis God’s minister”, that'sthe people that God appointed to administered that government. This includesthe soldiers that work in that government, the police officers. And, “If youdo evil, be afraid for He does not bear the sword in vain. For He is God'sminister and avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil”. I believeGod has raised up America to stand against the evil of this world.  Thankyou veterans!!!! We would not be free today to worship, to share, to give, togo as we do with the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world. We would not enjoywhat we enjoy in this great country, America, if it was not for you. Yourwillingness to sacrifice your life when you signed up, when you were drafted,if you were my age back in the days of the Vietnam War. But you served. Youwere willing to sacrifice your life for our country. We can't say thank youenough. Just like I'm a minister as a pastor, you are a minister of God to dealwith the evil of this world.  Haveministered to God through the word of God, through the local church, you'vebeen a minister of God. Now,I'm also convinced the church is really special in God's agenda today. Part ofGod's agenda today is that through the church, we spread the Gospel of peace,the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We have the responsibility to be soldiers of thecross. I'm afraid as believers in the church, we have lost the mentality ofwhat it is to be a soldier. That's why Paul, who was a good faithful soldier ofthe cross, said in second Timothy 2:2, That we, “Therefore must endurehardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ”. A soldier is committed to hardships,to live the hard tough life and be willing to die for the sake of the Gospel. Jesusnever promised us a life of ease as His followers! Weas a church are to be like soldiers. We want to be like Paul, keep the faith,share the good news of Christ and let the world know there's an answer to thebrokenness in their lives. That answer is Jesus Christ Himself. Again,thank you veterans for serving.  Godbless you!