What will be the form of government in the Millennial Kingdom? Will it be a democratic republic?
Most people who never ponder the form of government in the Millennial Kingdom merrily assume that it will be some sort of democratic republic with Messiah at the head. But, is that a safe assumption?
Most all nations in western culture, particularly ‘christian’ nations, are some form of democratic republic, often with a strong bent toward egalitarian feminism. We generally regard this as the result of ‘Enlightenment’, but do we find any support for the ideals upon which most governmental forms are founded anywhere in Scripture? (Yes, dyed in the wool Presbyterians may think Paul’s eldership is, but that is simply how to behave in the diaspora…)
In fact, while western culture may have drawn a now fading moral code from, primarily, the Torah, any honest student will readily admit that the form of government comes straight out of Greece and Roman systems contemporary to Second Temple Judea. And, if one is to trace it further back, they would be surprised to find that Greco-Roman democratic ideas came from Esau and Genesis 36, but I digress. A good study on that topic is The Esau Effect from The Messianic Message.
As the authors of this blog have studied deeper into the form and function of family and governance in the Torah it is becoming increasingly evident that when God established Israel as a person, then family and later a people/nation, the centrality of patriarchy was never blunted. In fact, at every level, it is very clear that God affirms the role and calling of man to lead his family.
Paul reminds us in I Cor. 11:3, But I want you to understand that Messiah is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Messiah.
No where is there any Scripture that God’s design is some permanent structure inserted between God and man. There is a Levitical role for some of the basic organization, but the individual leadership inside of each tribe was patriarchal based on families, clan and elders (patriarchs) within the gates. But, none of this in any way indicates a ruling class or governmental ‘system’ such as the political systems and election systems of our respective nations.
Even modern Israel with all of its division, corruption and political wrangling while using a democratic republic form of government evidences what I am relaying here. Torah teaches no such thing. Torah teaches theocratic patriarchy.
Man’s governmental systems, by definition, remove headship from the man and transfer his allegiance from God to state. It is an inevitable flaw in self-serving man made governments, even the supposedly freeing ‘republics.’
God/Messiah at the helm and men following Him and leading their respective families is the consistent picture from Scripture. Israel’s human king was merely a placeholder for the Divine King. And, His government, unlike Solomon’s unbearable burden, will not have some mammoth infrastructure for ruling.
Without question, we need to be studying and understanding Yah’s ways for governing His people and learning the basics in our families. As we do, He will form us into communities, led by experienced patriarchs who seek the Messiah and walk in unity toward Torah obedience.
Will the Kingdom be a democratic republic or a theocratic patriarchy? Are you preparing to walk out your answer? Ponder.
11:3 Restoration 
Shabbat Shalom Pete…interesting article…I always believed the best form of government was a kingdom ruled by a righteous king…hence all that you are bringing out now about the patriarchal family. It begins to make sense how it is beautifully structured from YHVH, Yahshua, husband wife children and so on…can’t wait to set and midrash with you…may it be soon
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You are welcome any time, brother. Shabbat Shalom!
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