*GOD'S KINGDOM : WILL WORLD'S POLITICS ESTABLISH GOD'S KINGDOM ON EARTH?*

About the year 63 BC, Pompey, Roman general from Roman empire invaded Jerusalem and captured it, the provinces of Palestine became subject to Rome. The local government was entrusted part of the time to Princes and the rest of the time to Procurators who were appointed by the emperor. Herod was the ruler of all Palestine at the time of Christ's birth.
*Many Jews to whom Jesus preached really wanted to be free from the Romans.* Jewish Zealots, a fanatical political group, did all they could to make these feelings even stronger. Many of the Zealots followed a man named Judas the Galilean, who lived about the time of Jesus. Judas was a false messiah, who misled many. The Jewish historian Josephus said that Judas urged the Jews to fight against Rome and called those who agreed to pay taxes to the Romans “cowards.” The Romans eventually put Judas to death. (Acts 5:37) Some of the Zealots even became violent to achieve their goals.

In Jesus’ day, paying taxes was an issue that caused many people to take sides in politics. In fact, Judas the Galilean rebelled against Rome because the Romans were registering people to make sure that they would pay taxes. And there were many taxes to pay, such as on possessions, land, and houses. Also, tax collectors were very corrupt, which made the problem worse. They sometimes paid government officials to get a position and then used their power to make a lot of money. Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector in Jericho, became rich because he made people pay a lot. Luke19v2-3

*Most of the Jews were eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come. They thought that the Messiah would free them from the Romans and would make Israel a great nation again. (Luke 2:38; 3:15) Many believed that the Messiah would establish a kingdom on earth in Israel.* When that happened, all the Jews who lived in different places around the world would return to Israel. Even John the Baptist once asked Jesus: “Are you the Coming One, or are we to expect a different one?” (Matthew 11:2, 3) Perhaps John wondered whether someone else would come to free the Jews. *Later, two disciples met Jesus on the road to Emmaus after he was resurrected. They said they had hoped that Jesus was the one who would free Israel. (Read Luke 24:21.)* *Soon after that, the apostles asked Jesus: “Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?”​—Acts 1:6.5.*

*The Jews expected that the Messiah would solve their problems. That is probably why the people of Galilee wanted Jesus to become their king.* They must have thought that he would be the best leader. He was an excellent speaker, could cure the sick, and could even provide food for those who were hungry. After Jesus fed about 5,000 men, the people were amazed. Jesus realized what they wanted to do. The Bible says: “Jesus, knowing that they were about to come and seize him to make him king, withdrew again to the mountain alone. John 6v10-15.

*Shortly before his death, Jesus realized that some of his followers believed that he would start ruling as king in Jerusalem.* Jesus told them the illustration of the minas to help them understand that this would not happen. That illustration was about “a man of noble birth,” Jesus, who would have to go away for a long time. (Luke 19:11-13, 15) *Jesus also clearly told the Roman official Pontius Pilate that he did not take sides in the world’s politics.* Pilate asked Jesus: “Are you the King of the Jews?” (John 18:33) Pilate may have been afraid that Jesus would make people revolt against the Romans. *But Jesus answered: “My Kingdom is no part of this world.” (John 18:36) Jesus refused to get involved in politics, because his Kingdom would be in heaven.* He said that his work on earth was to "bear witness to the truth " See John 18v37

*Jesus Christ made it clear that he and his disciples were not part of this world political system, John 17v16, He made it clear to his disciples that until God's kingdom which will be established in heaven comes down on Earth, mankind will not have all their needs and heart desires met on earth. He made it clear that getting involved in the worlds political system will never bring Gods kingdom to earth as the Jews earlier thought. He told people to seek this God's kingdom and it's righteousness. Matt.6v33, when Gods kingdom comes on the earth, the earth will become a paradise again and righteousness will dwell on Earth forever. As environmental hazards, sickness, suffering, hunger, death, Satan, troubles, human governments etc will be no more.See Dan.2v44, 2Pet.3v13, Rev. 21v1-4. Jesus also told us in our model prayer to always pray for this kingdom of heaven to come to earth, then the will of God will take place on earth. Matt. 6v9-10.*

You won’t worry so much about what other people think of you if you realize how seldom they do.