What is a form of theocracy?

Answer 1

The word 'theocracy' was coined by historian Flavius Josephus of Jerusalem around the 1st Century AD. (Josephus was not a Christian.)

The word is of Greek origin; from 2 words, to wit: 'theo'=god, and 'kra-tia'=rule.

Namely 'God rule'; or 'Government by God'. [other forms of rule are: a)people's rule (democracy) b)wealthy persons rule (plutocracy) c)technical experts rule (technocracy) d)government committed to many bureaus (bureaucracy)]

Although the term is not found in The Bible, the term 'theocracy' is quite a fitting Bible concept.

Under 'God Rule', it's understood that God himself would anoint anyone whom he would have represent him (ie: a 'human king'). God anointed the first king for the Israelites (Saul). God also anointed the second king (David) and decided that his lineage would continue to provide 'human representatives' in the form of 'kings'.

Under 'God Rule', it's also understood that God himself would lay down a 'set of laws'; also a 'judiciary system'; and a system of 'punishment'. God did just so. He provided the 10 main commandments; and the other 500+ commands.

God foretold that he would arrange for a 'messiah' to come, and he would become their 'permanent king'. After all, Jesus is called 'the Word' in John. He would be God's representative. Jesus would be given The KINGDOM. This Kingdom would be Christ's Government, ruled as a 'theocracy'. His Kingdom would be a 'heavenly government'; which domain would include this earth. This 'Kingdom of God' or 'Kingdom by Christ' would be the means used to bring to fulfillment God's original purpose mentioned to Adam in the Garden of Eden.

The Kingdom is also a 'theocracy' because Christ Jesus gave mankind 'new laws'; different laws. Sacrifices were no longer required by his Father. Warfare was eliminated from the lives of his followers (Christians). While many of the laws of Moses were no longer required; in essence, Christ's laws were actually still based on the principles of the ancient laws given to the Israelites by his Father.

Christ's heavenly Kingdom, and any extensions of it, would be considered as part of 'theocracy'.

It may be a surprise to many, but eventually God's Kingdom will eliminate all other forms of human rulership (even democracy). Daniel 2:44 states that God's Kingdom would 'crush all these kingdoms' here on earth; and then there would only by one Kingdom for the whole universe, namely God's Kingdom by his appointed representative, Christ.