Some governments, such as of Muslim countries, are pervaded with religious philosophy and religious political power. But this does not change the fact that only the Lord Jesus is their lawful King and God is their Creator and Father.

Some devout Christians repair cars for a living and some preach the Gospel. This does not mean God regards the Christian mechanic (or any other mechanic) as performing work in one realm while the preacher is in another domain that is more sacred, more holy.

The difference in people is not that some are in secular work and others in sacred employment. This is a false division produced by individuals who are seeking their own ends. The true division is between those who possess eternal life and those who do not possess eternal life.

God's elect have been called to be holy, to be close to Him. It is the responsibility of the royal priesthood to bring God before men and men before God. Even this, however, does not separate the activities of life into the sacred and secular. The earth and those who dwell therein belong to the Lord, and this makes them all sacred.

The problem of self-will, of personal ambition, of scheming, trickery, violence, of seeking preeminence among one's fellows, is identical in the governments and in the churches. The forces are identical. The results are identical. The judgment on all is identical.

The mountains of Bashan leap in the governments of the great nations, in the cathedrals of the historic denominations, in small Christian fellowships, and in families—both Christian and non-Christian. It is the same spirit, the spirit of self-will, of personal pride, the spirit that caused Lucifer to be hurled from the Presence of God.

The only legitimate will in the universe is the will of God. Every saved individual must one day learn to exclaim from his or her heart, "Not my will but Yours be done." To say and practice this declaration is to enter the land of promise, the rest of God.

Korah, Dathan, and Abiram

Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men: And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown: (Numbers 16:1,2)

Korah, the son of Izhar, was a Kohathite Levite, which meant he was among the men privileged to carry the Ark of the Covenant when Israel was on the march.

Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the Lord, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them? (Numbers 16:9)

It seems, as we examine the problem of the mountains of Bashan, that it is those who already are gifted or prominent that rise in rebellion. Satan held one of the highest honors in Heaven, apparently. He was one of the two cherubim assigned to cover the Throne of God with their wings. Absalom, the rebel, was David's son. The Pharisees and Sadducees who resisted Jesus were highly placed in Israel. The Judaizers who opposed Paul no doubt were gifted Jewish teachers. But all were imitators! Usurpers! Doomed to fall to destruction!

To be continued.