BY TIM PLATEK

On July 4, 1776, the world was changed forever, as a formal Declaration of Independence was adopted by a unanimous group of men from the North American Colonies of Great Britain.

The events leading up to a declared independence had been building for many years, stated as, “The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States.”

Consequently, this was not a rash, knee jerk reaction to a set of complaints against the British Crown.  “But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”  The prove their right to declare independence, facts they said, would be “submitted to a candid world.”

Not only would the declaration writers submit their clearly articulated and defined 27 grievances to a candid world to see, but they would also appeal “to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions,”.  No judge being of higher authority than the God of Heaven.  They make an appeal for the morally correct, righteous intentions of their actions.  Stated to the world at large but appealed to the individual Supreme God of heaven.

The declaration reaches its crescendo with a bold and historically defining statement, “That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved;”.

A Declaration of Independence was proclaimed to the world in July 1776!  The signing of the engrossed copy would not take place until August.  With a stroke of the pen, an American people had set themselves free from the kingdom of Great Britain, “and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”

Freedom from a kingdom had been declared, but that freedom had not yet been fully had.  The battle for independence would rage on for another seven years.  The Treaty of Paris signed on September 3, 1783, finally solidified America as a free and independent nation.

For nearly 250 years a Declaration of Independence has resonated in the hearts and minds of people from all over the globe, as the United States of America has become a land of hope and opportunity for a fresh start, and better life.  An escape from repeated injuries, usurpations, and tyranny has led the way for many people, looking to make the journey to the United States.  

The Declaration of Independence set the stage for a continued appeal “to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions,”.  The longing for freedom and a better way of life is not unique to the United States and has been at the heart of mankind long before a Declaration of Independence had been formulated.  The Supreme Authority, the God of Heaven, continues to respond to our appeals of deliverance from a kingdom of bondage, and tyranny, to one that is free.

Our appeal to God is a recognition of our hunger and thirst for deliverance, but its ultimately God’s desire to grant it to us.  He waits for our appeal, but longs to give it to us.  For the entire world is born into and subjected to a kingdom of tyranny.

The kingdom of tyranny is a world of darkness.  A place where wrongfulness, injustice, inequality, and suffering abound.  This is the kingdom you and I were born into.  5 “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” (Psalm 51:5) 

As our early years came and went, we began to grow in stature and maturity, 3 “Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:” (Galatians 4:3)

So is the plight of mankind.  Held captive in a kingdom of darkness.  Some diligently long for freedom but end up looking in the wrong place.  Others seemingly accept their fate, thinking this is the best there is.  Others unaware that there is a Kingdom far better.  14 “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:14)

Oh, that a Declaration of Independence from the kingdom of darkness would become a reality!  An appeal “to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions,”.  Should not this be the desire of all mankind? Deliverance from a kingdom of bondage and despair?

The nighttime is always darkest before dawn, and the morning light is upon us.  The Supreme Judge, the God of Heaven, has spoken and offers us deliverance! “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. 2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.” (Isaiah 60:1-2)

A prophesy was given about an unborn child named John. 76 “And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;

77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, 78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:76-79)

The light of a new day was upon us to show us the way!  And John was sent to prepare a people.  8 “He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.” (John 1:8) The light, whose birth is celebrated each December 25th.  His name is Jesus. 4 “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” (John 1:4) 

The Christmas baby Jesus came to fulfill God’s plan of deliverance from the kingdom of darkness.  Jesus the Christ, God’s one and only begotten Son!  Grew into an adult.  While in the Synagogue, he stood up, and read from the Holy Scriptures the prophecy of the coming Messiah!  18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4:18-19)

21 “And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.” (Luke 4:21)

The light had come!  Deliverance from the kingdom of darkness was made available to all who would come to Jesus by faith.  Salvation is found in Him!  Not only was deliverance available all mankind, but Jesus brought with him a new Kingdom of Light.

16 “The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. 17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:16-17)

God’s Kingdom is at hand today!  It’s a Kingdom of light that is pure, Holy, righteous, and true.  Its where freedom from tyranny and transgressions abound!  Someday Gods Kingdom of Light will manifest itself in the physical world, but for now it’s a spiritual place that you enter by faith in Gods Son Jesus, the promised Messiah.  The light of mankind!  For by faith its God, 13 “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:” (Colossians 1:13-14)

A Declaration of Independence, through perseverance and faith, set the stage for deliverance of a people from the kingdom of Great Britain to a new independent nation of United States.

A Declaration of Independence, through repentance and faith, sets the stage for deliverance of a people from the kingdom of darkness to Gods Kingdom of Light!

Independence from the kingdom of Great Britain came with a cost.  The price of freedom is high!  Seven years of war took place after the declaration before independence was had.

Independence from the kingdom of darkness comes with a cost.  Jesus paid the ultimate price of his own life.  The Forgiveness of sin.  The death penalty paid in full by Jesus on the cross.  It’s a gift that is given to us by faith and it’s available today!  Where we pledge our sacred honor to forsake the old ways of the kingdom of darkness and submit to Jesus, the King of Kings authority in his Kingdom of Light.

We may ask the God of Heaven for many things.  For we do have many basic needs in this world.  Jesus provides the answer, saying, 33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)  

The 18th Century prominent minister Jonathan Edwards made it abundantly clear, “The seeking of the kingdom of God is the chief business of the Christian life”.

The famed minister John Wesley of the same time in history speaks similarly, saying, “Give me one hundred men who love only God with all their heart and hate only sin with all their heart and we will shake the gates of hell and bring in the kingdom of God in one generation.”

With a firm reliance on the protection of Almighty God.  Now is the time of true and lasting freedom!  The Kingdom of God is at hand!