God’s True Organization
Yes, God does indeed have an organization. The entire grand Universe is God’s organization! It is a universal family and every created thing is a part of God’s organization.
“Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.”
– Isaiah 40:26
Outside of God’s creation, there is nothing. There is no rival power or rival god who has created a separate universal organization. There is no one like the Father.
“The Lord is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens. Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth?”
– Psalms 113:4-6
But what about Satan? Is not Satan called “the god of this system of things?”
“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”
– 2 Corinthians 4:3-4
Satan is called ‘a god,’ but he is a false god. He is not true Deity.
We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.”
– 1 John 5:19-20
Satan is a creation. Since everything in our universe was created by and through Jesus, Satan is also one of Jesus’ children. Though rebellious, he is still a part of the universal family:
“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.”
– Colossians 1:15-16
Satan is called ‘a god’ because he has influenced and confused so much of mankind. Rather than being a rival god with his own organization, Satan is more like a disgruntled, disruptive, rebellious older child who is trying his best to poison the younger children. He is sarcastically called a ‘father’ because he is the originator of the lie, the first child to rebel:
“You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies."
– John 8:44
Satan rebelled against the Creator and manipulated Adam and Eve to turn against the divine will. As a result, our world has been tainted with error and is spiritually retarded. For an in depth discussion of this fall, see Why Does God Allow Evil and Suffering? But know that this temporary state of retardation is being corrected through the administration of Christ Jesus as discussed below.
Also, Satan continues to be subject to the authority of God. He has limitations on his activities, and soon he will be devoid of activity.
“I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me.”
– John 14;30-31
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
– James 4:7
“ Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.”
– John 12:31
“A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.”
– Psalms 37:10
In the days of the prophet Daniel, King Nebuchadnezzar was given a dream which Daniel interpreted. This is the lesson of the dream:
“The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people.”
– Daniel 4:17
True to the prophesy, King Nebuchadnezzar learned this lesson and was humbled. After his period of humiliation, he acknowledged this truth:
“At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: "What have you done?"
– Daniel 4:34-35
The apostle Paul likewise made this clear:
“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.”
– Romans 13:1-4
So in spite of what appears to the eyes, this entire planet is a part of God’s organization, and is subject to His ultimate authority. Whatever other authorities exist, they are relative authorities – they exist by God’s patience, tolerance or appointment. God retains the authority and ability to remove any and all such authorities at will. This includes all secular and religious authorities. King Nebuchadnezzar learned this the hard way. Many modern day authorities, both religious and secular, may have to learn this the hard way as well.
Though the ‘existing authorities’ are not fully carrying out the divine will, that time will come. Those relative authorities who allow themselves to be fashioned and molded by the divine will of God will continue. Those that do not will cease to exist. As to when these things will occur, we do not know exactly. But we are counseled:
“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.”
– 2 Peter 3:8-10
God has been exercising patience with mankind. But not only patience, He provided guidance and direction by means of his prophets. And lastly God sent his Son, Christ Jesus, to effect a gentle but positive change in mankind’s affairs.
“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.”
– Hebrews 1:1-2
Jesus revealed to mankind its true destiny – eternal life in the heavens – and showed us how get there.
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
– John 14:6
He also set up a plan on earth with the purpose of bringing all of mankind back in harmony with the divine will:
“God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth.”
– Ephesians 1:9-10
This plan is religious in nature, but universal in its effect. In other words, while it originates in religion, its effect can, and will, extend beyond the borders of religion and throughout secular society. This plan is the spearhead of God’s sovereignty on earth and the means by which our planet will settle into its rightful and peaceful place in God’s universal organization.
However, when Jesus left the earth early in the first century, did he leave behind an earthly representative of this divine plan? And if so, how can we identify it?
