Kingdom Ambassadors

"Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (II Corinthians 5: 20, 21)

The Greek word for "ambassador" means "to be elder or eldest, prior in birth or age" or "to be an ambassador," 2 Cor. 5:20; Eph. 6:20; for Phm. 1:9.

To be an "ambassador" for Christ involves experience and is closely associated with the word "elder." Traditionally, elder men were chosen as "ambassadors."

An ambassador is a legal representative of a country, an agent and spokesman for it, and he himself must be a citizen of the country he represents, and must be fully knowledgeable of his country's laws and customs, and must have as his priority the promotion of his country's well being and interests. He must also be knowledgeable of the laws and customs of the foreign country and peoples to which he is sent as an ambassador.

"Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven." (Philippians 3: 19, 20 NIV)

This "present evil age" (Galatians 1: 4) is a "foreign country" to the Christian. He is a citizen, not of this world, but of the kingdom of the Messiah, the kingdom of God and Heaven, of a "heavenly country" and "city." (Hebrews 11: 10-16) He thus represents his Lord and King in this world.

"A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health." (Proverbs 13: 17)

A country has reason to be thankful for its "faithful ambassadors." The health of a country, to a great measure, lies in the ability of its ambassadors, who are "ambassadors of peace" (Isaiah 33: 7), to promote the interests of their own country and leader, and to convert other nations to the superiority of their own country's laws, government, and way of life.

"As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ." (II Corinthians 8: 23 NIV)

"Therefore thus saith the LORD, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, and thou shalt stand before me (or be my spokesman): and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth: let them return unto thee; but return not thou unto them." (Jeremiah 15: 19)

An ambassador for Christ is a spokesman and representative for him and his government. He is endowed with authority for such a commission. The chief work of Christ's heavenly ambassadors is to follow Paul's example. He asked for prayer from the churches that he might "open his mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak." (Ephesians 6: 19, 20)

It does happen that ambassadors do get treated with open hostility by the foreign country and people to whom they are sent. So Paul was put in prison for preaching the gospel, for representing Christ and his kingdom, and thus was truly and literally an "ambassador in bonds."

"And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him." (Deuteronomy 18: 19)

God will hold all accountable for their treatment of his ambassadors. An attack on them is an attack on him and on his rule and authority. An ambassador comes "in the name of" his country and ruler, or "in his stead," so that to reject the ambassador is to reject the ruler and country he represents.

"Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets (spokesmen or ambassadors) that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not." (Jeremiah 14: 15)

"For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the LORD." (Jeremiah 29: 9)

"As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the LORD, we will not hearken unto thee." (Jeremiah 44: 16)

Those who claim to speak for the Lord and his kingdom and government are not always genuine ambassadors, but either imposters or treasonous individuals. They are false representatives of Christ and God. It is a form of spiritual "identity theft." They will receive their judgment from the Lord. Likewise, to reject an ambassador of Heaven is utter foolishness and calls forth judgment from Heaven's throne.

"For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever." (Micah 4: 5)

Every person represents some deity or god, is an ambassador of some system of theology or religion, is a spokesman for some pretended deity, but the Christian will walk only in the name of the Lord and his Christ, and only represent the interests of the heavenly kingdom and country.

"And I will strengthen them in the LORD; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the LORD." (Zechariah 10: 12)

This is what a "roving ambassador of good will" might do as his job. He would travel around to other countries and promote the interests of his own country. He would go in the name of his Governor and King.

"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 29: 18-20)

Jesus is the one Lord and "Potentate" (I Timothy 6: 15) of this and every other world. He has all authority in heaven and earth. He is the highest plenipotentiary. But, he commissioned others to act on his behalf and in his stead, and these too become ambassadors and plenipotentiaries.

Friend, in who's name do you walk? What god do your represent? Are you a member and promoter of the "kingdom of darkness" or the "kingdom of light"? (See Colossians 1: 13 & Revelation 16: 10)