Caesar Augustus was one emperor in a long line of rulers in a world that God constructed back in the days of the prophet Daniel and king Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. God revealed this new world order to Nebuchadnezzar, and it is recorded in Daniel 2.
Nebuchadnezzar had a dream. This dream was of a statue that had a head of gold, chest and arms of silver, abdomen and thighs of bronze, legs/shins of iron, and feet of iron mixed with clay. A stone was cut out of a mountain without human hands, rolled down, hit the statue at the feet, and brought it down to the ground. The stone that destroyed this statue itself became a great mountain-kingdom that filled the entire earth.
Daniel interpreted the dream for Nebuchadnezzar. The statue is one, but it is a succession of empires. The head of gold is Nebuchadnezzar. The chest and arms of silver are the Persians. The abdomen and thighs of bronze are the Greeks. And the iron and iron mixed with clay are all in the time of the Roman rule. The stone that is cut out of the mountain will roll down some time during the time Rome rules the empire-world, and it will bring down that old system. It will become the kingdom that will cover the earth of which all nations will be its provinces.
When Luke tells us in Luke 2 that during the days surrounding Christ’s birth that Caesar Augustus decreed that all the world should be registered for taxation, this world set up during the days of Daniel is the world of which he is speaking.
Caesar Augustus, like rulers before him, arrogated to himself more than what God allowed. After putting down Mark Antony and all rival claimants to the throne, Augustus proclaimed his adopted father, Julius Caesar divine, thus, making him “son of god.” Through massive bloodshed Augustus ushered in the Pax Romana, Roman peace, and was, therefore, called “savior.” He ruled the world and was acclaimed “lord.” Provinces began celebrating his birthday as the beginning of the year. The proclamation of his birthday as well as all of his exploits was the “gospel,” good news, for the world.
But his time and the time for all of his ilk was coming to an end. Luke tells us that the one born of Mary is “the Son of God” (1.35). At his birth the angels proclaim the “gospel,” the good news, of great joy which shall be to all people (2.10). The Savior is born, who is Christ the Lord (2.11). Through him there will be peace on earth (2.14).
The parallels are not incidental or coincidental. Luke knows exactly what he is doing. This baby born in Bethlehem is the rock that is coming from the house of David that will bring down the giant statue. The time of the old empire-world is coming to an end. The kingdoms of this world are becoming the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ (Rev 11.15). Caesar, the embodiment of all world powers, must yield to their true Lord and Savior.
The Son of God was revealed to us, not merely so that we may have some internal work done on our hearts so that we can escape this world and go to heaven when we die. Jesus came to take down the old world structures and rule the world. He came to set up a new empire of which all the nations would be provinces.
The mission of bringing in the nations to submit to and worship the Lord Jesus Christ has been left to the church. Because all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus, because he is the Lord of all, we, the church, are to proclaim the gospel of the king and disciple the nations (Mt 28.18-20). Moreover, we can be assured that because Jesus is already reigning that our mission will be successful.
This is a great task. It is overwhelming for a person or a local church to think about. But the entirety of the task is not given to one person or a local church. It is given to the entire church, every congregation in the world. The responsibility of each individual, family, and local church is hold the line and press the crown rights of king Jesus right where they are. Sin is to be put to death in my personal life, my family, and my church. We are to continue to work and pray right where we are and trust that our brothers and sisters are doing the same all over the world.
So, pull your weight. Man your post. Continue to fight. And never forget that we are fighting a winning battle with brothers and sisters all over the world.
