Should Christians Be Like The Zealots?
2 Corinthians 10:3
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to
the flesh.
The Zealots belonged to a radical Jewish political-religious
group in the first century AD. They violently opposed the Roman rule in
Judea. They were very fanatical, having an uncompromising devotion
to a political ideology, cause or person.
These Jewish Zealots were called “kana'im” which meant
"those zealous for God.” They sought to overthrow the Roman
occupation, leading to the First Jewish-Roman War from 66 to
70 AD. The climax of the war was the Roman army's destruction of
Jerusalem and its Second Temple.
One of the twelve disciples of Jesus was a Zealot.
Luke 6:12-16
The Twelve Apostles
12 Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the
mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
13 And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from
them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles:
14 Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; James
and John; Philip and Bartholomew;
15 Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon
called the Zealot;
16 Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who also became a
traitor.
But Jesus did not join the Zealots. Our Lord did not seek to
bring change in the political realm while He was living in Israel.
He did not seek to free the Israelites from the rule of the Romans
or try to establish a better government for the Jews. He did not
encourage His disciples to seek positions in public office.
Unlike the Zealots, our Lord did not vocally speak out against the
oppressive Roman government. He did not desire to lead a people
movement and revolution to overthrow the Romans.
Jesus did not organize a day of prayer for the nation of Israel
to pray and intercede against the oppressive powers of the Romans.
But Christ did call sinners to repent and be saved. His kingdom
is not the same as the world’s.
Our calling comes from above. The kingdom of God is from above! It
is not the same as what is happening in the nations of the earth.
Isaiah 9:6-7
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called Wonderful,
Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
The government will be upon His shoulder. His ever-expanding and
peaceful government will never end. He will rule with perfect
fairness and justice. He will bring true justice and peace to all
the nations of the world. This is going to happen when He comes
again! And the zeal of God will do it!
When Jesus was living in Israel, He was not ruling and lording
over others but serving others. His kingdom of love is different
from the other kingdoms of the world!
Matthew 20:25-28
25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that
the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who
are great exercise authority over them.
26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to
become great among you, let him be your servant.
27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your
slave—
28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to
serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Among the people of the world, kings are tyrants and each minor
official lords over those beneath him. But it is quite different
for Christians. Anyone wanting to be a leader among us must be a
servant. And if we want to be right at the top, we must serve like a
slave. Our attitude must be like our Lord. For He did not come to be
served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.
But our minds and attitudes are often not the same as the mind of
Christ. Many of us are actively wanting to overthrow governments and
starting a revolution. Many want to rule but not to serve! Many false apostles and prophets think that
the kingdom of God is here when Christians regain back the
government of the nation. But history tells us otherwise.
In ancient Israel, there were bad and wicked kings even through
they were one nation under God. Worst, the spiritual and religious
leaders were the problems and the culprits!
Throughout history, when government was placed in the hands of
the church, it was always a bad testimony and example. The crusades and the
killing and tortures of the unbelievers were things we should not
repeat and commit again!
The most important reason why we should not be actively involved in
political revolutions is the Great Commission. We are called to
reach the world with the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ.
We are not called to change the world and make our society to do
what we think are morally right! Sometimes, our worldviews and
perspectives are not righteous according to the Biblical standards.
But many people aggressively pursue some political issues, confusing
and thinking that they are Biblical. They do some things right, but
they also do a lot of things wrong!
They do not know the laws of God. Yet, they try to pass laws to
others. Like the priests, prophets and leaders of ancient Israel,
many were not right in the eyes of God! They just did what was right
in their own eyes! They were lawless and very ungodly!
One thing for sure, political reformation does not equate spiritual
transformation. While boasting about victory in the political realm
and having a sense of great accomplishments and achievements, the
hearts remain deceitful and sinful .
Jeremiah 17:9-10
9 “The heart is deceitful above all things,
And desperately wicked;
Who can know it?
10 I, the LORD, search the heart,
I test the mind,
Even to give every man according to his ways,
According to the fruit of his doings.
The human heart is the most deceitful thing on earth. It is
desperately wicked. No one can really know how bad it is! Only God
knows! He searches all hearts and examines the deepest motives so He
can give to each person his right reward, according to his deeds and
how he has lived.
No physical government can change the heart of man. Only God can
transform us. When our hearts are renewed and our life is right with
God, our spiritual transformation will lead to our willingness to
serve others better with love, joy and peace.
The world is looking for Jesus. But sadly, many Christians do not
have Christ, and is not shining for Jesus. As such, we lose our
testimony and voice to share the love of Christ!
Our national decay is not found in our country laws but in our
hearts. No legal laws can save a person! Only Christ! Our faith and
salvation is founded in Him and Him alone!
It is okay to vote for whatever political party we choose. But it is
not okay to oppose whatever party that is elected and not what we
have chosen! We cannot claim
that our political party is better. Our ways are better! We are more
superior and more worthy! In fact, we need to pray for all men! We
need to pray for all people, regardless of their race, language,
religion and political affiliation.
1 Timothy 2:1-2
Pray for All Men
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,
2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we
may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
We need to pray and plead for God’s mercy upon them, giving
thanks for all He is going to do for them. We need to pray for
kings, and all others who are in authority over us, or are in places
of high responsibility, so that we can live in peace and quietness.
We need to spend our time in godly living and thinking more about
the Lord.
Regardless of whatever political party is elected, we need to pray
for those elected so that we can live in peace, and have quietness in our
hearts!
We need to remember what we are called to do. The Great Commission!
When He comes again, our world will be changed not by our human
hands but His! Not by our will but His! Not by our zeal but His!
Written on 15 September 2025