A Theology Of Revolution

FRI., FEB. 1, 1991, 6:05 AM
FARM, STUDY

There shall be occasions when you shall be asked to speak on your experiences in Cuba. In addition you may volunteer for such talks or just find them spontaneously happening. Lenore’s comment recently that most people don’t know about the revolution in that country… or see it just as another communist takeover… should push you to offer your version of that occurrence. Hence, you need some help in describing this in at least some theological ways. You’re welcome, o son.

Theological statements are those about Me, as Almighty God… and as My Triune Self. Thus, the theology of revolution must include some observations on how I, the Sustainer of the universe, am involved – in revolutions in general and in this Cuban one, in particular.

First, I’ll say that I am not the instigator of every revolution. That should be evident from My earth life as Jesus, for it was a time and place for revolution. The Jewish people were ruled by Gentiles from afar, and the tasks to maintain that Roman Empire were burdensome. The welfare of the Hebrew people and of individual Jews was not a high priority. Some miraculous happening like unto, and even exceeding, that of Moses, of Joshua, and of David would have been good for the morale and for the spiritual commitment of My chosen people. Can you but imagine what stories there would be, even today, of the Messiah Who came and liberated them from Roman rule. I would have reestablished the power of the temple, and I would have led them to a higher way of life, with much sharing of resources…and much peace and prosperity?! That would have been a Messianic venture worthy of the tradition of a Savior, in this earth life.

It didn’t happen. I was urged, and I refused. My kingdom is not of this world, I said. And so it was not a time for revolution. Some revolutions succeed. Others fail. Though I guide the spirits of some who lead revolutions I rarely am strongly for one side and opposed to the other. Sometimes I guide those who deny or ignore Me, and I feel ashamed of the actions of others who say Lord, Lord constantly but evidence little of My love for others.

So, theologically, God has the power to foment and successfully carry out a revolution that can be seen as an evidence of My omnipotence and My desire to improve the earth lives of some people. But also I may well refuse to lend My support, a revolution fails, and faith in Me is diminished or lost.

The Cuban revolution is interesting, theologically and religiously. It was not led by those who were open followers of Mine. Yet you heard the story of Frank Pais, who was a servant of Mine and who was a revolutionary leader as a Christian. His Christian spirit was part of the reason for his being killed, but then his death became a rallying point, and the other revolutionaries continued.

I like the spirit of sharing and of independence that is dominant, though not universal, in Cuba now. I like the move toward including Christians in the on-going society of the revolution, for the goals are quite similar. And yet there are followers of Mine among those who would foment counter-revolution and reestablish the country as capitalist and “free.” Many are benefitted by the present system. Some would benefit by a return to the old system. On the whole I favor the present balance, but I shall not promise to sustain it against all opposition.

The spirit of the those who empower revolutions is rarely mirrored in all who run the government that comes after the victory. Spirit does not automatically translate into a perfectly running system. Systems of equal sharing are not often popular with those who are most productive and most able. It is difficult to see justice in a system that rewards equally those who do much and those who do little.