I listened to the whole sermon; he makes the same distinction our colonial ancestors made with respect to Romans 13 and he put the pacifist argument to rest the same way they would have as well. I do think, however, that the historic Christian church has seen “the government shall be upon His shoulder” as a prophecy that is ongoing, and being perfected, very incompletely, over time. Before the advent of Christianity, in Europe, our Druid ancestors were wearing their enemy’s heads on their belt loops, (using the eyeball sockets for loops.) It’s hard not to see the civilizing influence of Christ upon history. That’s not to take an ounce away from his argument that only through Christ, and not through the virtuous striving of men, can a just civil state ever be sought, much less achieved, but I sometimes think that we can yield to the temptation not to occupy the vineyard, not to re-build the wall, because we’re waiting for the final kingdom and not taking Christ at His literal word, that “the kingdom is at hand.”
Appreciate that you listened to the sermon. I thought he makes some excellent points.