Letter to (Sir) from Jules Dervaes
Copyright © Jules Dervaes
May 25, 1988
Dear (Sir),
Thank you for your last letter and for your prayers. I hope that you and your family are well and that you had a meaningful Pentecost.
I appreciate your Bible study and the information that you presented on the very important subject of the way Christ works with His people. This has been of concern to me for quite some time. That statement in my last letter about which you had some questions was one which I had the most trouble writing. I readily understand how confusion can exist in this area because it just can’t be explained in a few words.
After sending the letter I was still anxious whether or not I had explained that point clearly enough. What was a very difficult concept, I had attempted to explain in a very few words. It proved impossible. And, as you have recognized, there were some biblical examples that didn’t seem to fit that explanation.
When this situation with the Worldwide Church of God came up several years ago, I looked to God’s Word in order to find out how to properly handle it. Today, it is a very hard thing to realize that the Church-organization that God is working with can be in ERROR. And yet, it really should be the easiest thing in the world to see; for that is exactly what the Bible documents OVER AND OVER again in the history of God’s people. God’s Word reveals how He worked when an anointed individual—such as Saul or Solomon—failed to respond to His correction.
God’s “hands” can never be “tied” by human beings. Never, that is, unless God HIMSELF chose to be bound, as when He made certain promises that were UN-conditional. (Even then, all things still work out only according to His purposes.) Such was the case involving King David.
As you can see on the enclosed chart, God established ONE kingdom, one nation, of ISRAEL. That is the rule. However, BECAUSE OF the unique promise having been given to David, the House of Judah did—for a time—become a second kingdom. That is the EXCEPTION. God “allowed” that tribe to break off and form a separate nation in order to keep in place the throne of David. But that new nation was never THE Kingdom of Israel. And this “detour” was to serve God’s purpose of preserving that throne until the time came when it could be planted BACK in Israel, “until Shiloh (Christ) come.”
Therefore, it would be correct—technically—to say that God did ALLOW “the existence of two structured bodies at the same time.” But, it’s important to remember in this regard that God also allowed both divorce and polygamy in the Old Testament—although that was NOT His way initially. And so neither would it be His way to have the two separate nations—Judah and ISRAEL—existing alongside each other even though He did permit it then for a very special reason.
Also, there is validity to your point that God TRANSFERRED the kingship from Saul TO David and from Solomon TO Jeroboam. When the one He appointed as leader disqualified himself by disobedience, God did look elsewhere to find someone who would “do the job.” But, it is at this juncture that one should proceed with the utmost CAUTION. The whole picture needs to be taken into consideration; and the greatest care should be given here to examine HOW that transfer actually took place.
Briefly, these are the points to consider:
(1) God allowed the formerly chosen leader the full span of his lifetime before He instigated the change. It was in HIS time that He removed the kingship. God’s TIMING is a key element.
(2) Both David and Jeroboam did not occupy the throne until AFTER their predecessors died. Although chosen in advance, both men had to wait. In that interim, they were “on the run” for their lives, living in exile—outside of the kingdom.
(3) Each of God’s successors represented a future kingship that came into power only when the present one had expired. A similar change occurs in the U.S. presidency between the November election and the January inauguration. During this period the outgoing president remains in power even though the nation has a newly-elected head of state. Because of this, one could technically claim that the USA has TWO leaders at the same time. But, realistically, only one rules as the OFFICIAL head while the other “waits in the wings” until the first leaves “the stage.”
(4) God did WORK WITH the new leader even while the “old” government was still in place. During this transition, He would certainly have assisted David, the anointed successor. Could David with his band of men be considered another “government” existing opposite the legally ESTABLISHED kingdom? David—keeping God’s laws—did command a body of God’s people UNDER God. But, his “organization” was not the OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED one of the land. And it was not the FORMAL, authoritative government which ruled OVER Israel and which conducted the affairs of state.
(5) While David was being trained by God, the Kingdom of Israel which was led by Saul was still HEADED by God. Even though Saul, His human agent, was a rebellious king whom He rejected, God remained in charge of HIS kingdom. The human leader(s) “at the top” may go astray but God will continue to HEAD the officially and formally structured body. But, at that time, He will circumvent those who refuse to recognize His authority and will work through others who will obey Him.
Regretfully, the Worldwide Church of God has failed to live up to its covenant with God. Its leadership has taken the Church captive. Its human head has usurped the power of God. So, God will call others to replace “the children of Abraham” who have refused to repent. And He will WORK WITH those who will respond to His direction, as He raises up a kingdom people-in-waiting. GOD WILL FIRST TRAIN this church-in-exile BEFORE He removes the errant leader and his followers. Then, when God determines the time, He can install that tried-and-tested new government IN POWER in a direct and orderly manner. This procedure is God’s way. By this means we can be sure that God is in charge.
Because we live in this transitional period of time, it will be a test of our commitment to God to be faithful to His Body. We should not abandon those whom God has called BEFORE He does. We are to love God’s people to the limit, finding our example in Jesus’ death for His friends.
There is much more to write but, for now, I’ll send this information along. I hope that it will be helpful to you in your study. Thank you for writing. I’ll be praying for you. May God keep you in His care.
In Christian love,
Jules Dervaes