Right Side of History
By Capazin Thornton
I have heard politicians say with respect to taking a stand on certain social issues that we need to be on the right side of history. True. But, what is the right side of history?
The right side of history
The right side of history is on the side of the God of the Bible.
The wrong side of history
The wrong side of history is opposing the God of the Bible.
God’s foreordained plan
About 1000 years before Christ’s incarnation, King David wrote Psalm 2. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, David prophesied of Christ (Messiah) one day ruling the nations from Jerusalem. God says, “I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion.” (Ps 2:6)
Kings set themselves against the LORD, and against His Anointed
Instead of jubilation, to this day there is rage, tumult, and hostile murmurings against the LORD, and against His Anointed. (Ps 2:1-3)
In an attempt to kill baby Jesus, Herod the Great (king of Judea) had all the Hebrew male children two years old and under slaughtered. (Mt 2:16)
About 30 years later, his son Herod Antipas (tetrarch of Galilee) had John the Baptist beheaded. (Mt 14:8-10)
On the eve of the Passover in April A.D. 30, Jesus was arrested by the Sanhedrin and brought before the judgment seat of Pontius Pilate (governor of Roman Judea). After hearing accusations by the religious leaders against Jesus, and after questioning Him, Pilate found Jesus not guilty of any crime. Nonetheless, perhaps because Jesus’ ministry was mostly in Galilee, Pilate sent Jesus to Antipas to hear the case.
Antipas treated Jesus with contempt. His solders ridiculed Him. Antipas then sent Jesus back to Pilate. That day, Antipas and Pilate became friends. Afterwards, even though he did not find Jesus guilty of any crime, and though reluctant to do so, Pontius Pilate delivered Jesus to the Roman executioners to be crucified. (Lk 23:11-12; Mt 27:26)
Rulers take counsel together against the LORD, and against His Anointed
The chief priests and elders took counsel together against the LORD and against His anointed. They sat down together, deliberated, and then plotted to have Jesus executed. They swayed the crowds to demand freedom for Barabbas who was guilty of sedition against the Romans and crucifixion for Jesus who was not. They thought killing Jesus would end Him. But they were wrong. (Mt 27:1)
God’s foreknowledge and foreordained plan
God knew in advance the conspiracy that would unfold against His Son. It was God’s plan before the foundation of the world to send Christ into the world to suffer and die for our sins. And, it was God’s plan to resurrect Him after three days. (Acts 2:22-24; 1 Pet 1:19-21)
After His resurrection, Jesus ascended to Heaven to sprinkle His sinless blood on Heaven’s mercy seat. (Heb 9:12) In the throne room He says:
I will declare the decree: The LORD said to Me, You are My Son, today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give you the nations for your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession. (Ps 2:7-8)
At the right hand of God the Father, our resurrected and glorified Lord and Savior possesses all authority in Heaven and earth and the nations which are His by inheritance. (Acts 10:40; Mt 28:18; Rev 1:18)
Against the LORD, and against His anointed to this day
Throughout history, people have raged and kings and rulers have set themselves against the LORD and against His anointed. They say: “Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.” Today, as in times past, they think by killing Jews and Christians they can carry out their ungodly ambitions without restraint.
God laughs! (Ps 2:4) He is Creator of the universe, the Giver and Sustainer of all life, and Sovereign Lord over all. Ultimately, “the LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect” (Ps 33:10).
It is the LORD’s counsel that will stand. Those who stand against the LORD and against His anointed will not be able to stand in the judgment or the gathering of the righteous. (Prov 19:21; Ps 1:4-6)
Choose the right side of history
Those who put their trust in the LORD are blessed, and definitely on the right side of history.
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Capazin Thornton is a Christian speaker, Bible teacher and author in Orange County, California.
