PAPUA Gerbang Emas Di Timur (Golden Gate)

"Siapakah yang boleh naik ke atas gunung TUHAN? Siapakah yang boleh berdiri di tempat-Nya yang kudus?" 

"Orang yang bersih tangannya dan murni hatinya, yang tidak menyerahkan dirinya kepada penipuan, dan yang tidak bersumpah palsu. 

Dialah yang akan menerima berkat dari TUHAN dan keadilan dari Allah yang menyelamatkan dia. 

Itulah angkatan orang-orang yang menanyakan Dia, yang mencari wajah-Mu, ya Allah Yakub." Sela 

Angkatlah kepalamu, hai pintu-pintu gerbang, dan terangkatlah kamu, hai pintu-pintu yang berabad-abad, supaya masuk Raja Kemuliaan! 

"Siapakah itu Raja Kemuliaan?" "TUHAN, jaya dan perkasa, TUHAN, perkasa dalam peperangan!" 

Angkatlah kepalamu, hai pintu-pintu gerbang, dan terangkatlah kamu, hai pintu-pintu yang berabad-abad, supaya masuk Raja Kemuliaan! 

"Siapakah Dia itu Raja Kemuliaan?" "TUHAN semesta alam, Dialah Raja Kemuliaan!" Sela 

Mazmur 24:3-10

Pintu gerbang timur yang tertutup

Kemudian ia membawa aku kembali ke pintu gerbang luar dari tempat kudus, yang menghadap ke timur; gerbang ini tertutup.

Lalu TUHAN berfirman kepadaku: "Pintu gerbang ini harus tetap tertutup, jangan dibuka dan jangan seorang pun masuk dari situ, sebab TUHAN, Allah Israel, sudah masuk melaluinya; karena itu gerbang itu harus tetap tertutup. 

Hanya raja itu, oleh karena ia raja boleh duduk di sana makan santapan di hadapan TUHAN. Raja itu akan masuk melalui balai gerbang dan akan keluar dari situ."

Yehezkiel 44:1-3

Sebab sama seperti kilat memancar dari sebelah timur dan melontarkan cahayanya sampai ke barat, demikian pulalah kelak kedatangan Anak Manusia.

Matius 24:27

Theocratic Democracy: A Paradoxical Concept

Theocratic democracy is a term that combines two seemingly contradictory concepts: theocracy (rule by religious leaders) and democracy (rule by the people). While it might appear like an oxymoron, some societies have attempted to blend these two forms of government.

How does it work?

In a theocratic democracy, religious laws and principles are incorporated into the democratic process. This could involve:

 * Religious leaders as elected officials: Religious leaders might hold positions of power within the government, either through direct election or appointment.

 * Religious laws as part of the legal system: Religious laws and principles might be incorporated into the country's legal framework, alongside secular laws.

 * Public policy influenced by religious beliefs: Religious beliefs might influence government policies on issues such as morality, social welfare, and foreign relations.

Challenges and Criticisms

The concept of theocratic democracy faces several challenges and criticisms:

 * Separation of church and state: The blending of religious and political authority can blur the lines between the two, potentially leading to violations of religious freedom and human rights.

 * Minority rights: In a theocratic democracy, the majority's religious beliefs might dominate public policy, potentially marginalizing minority groups who hold different religious or secular views.

 * Potential for abuse of power: Religious leaders holding political power might be tempted to use their position for personal gain or to enforce their religious views on the population.

 * Democratic principles: Theocratic democracy can raise questions about the compatibility of religious authority with democratic principles such as freedom of speech, expression, and assembly.

Examples of theocratic democracies

While there are no perfect examples of theocratic democracies, some countries have experimented with elements of both theocratic and democratic governance, such as:

 * Iran: Iran's political system is a unique blend of Islamic theocracy and democratic elements, with a Supreme Leader who holds ultimate authority and an elected parliament.

 * Vatican City: As a theocratic state ruled by the Pope, the Vatican City incorporates religious principles into its governance. However, its small size and unique status limit its applicability as a model for larger nations.