Government

“The powers that be are ordained of God,” Rom. 13:1. “The most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will,” Dan. 4:17. God permits both evil and good men to rule, Prov. 29:2. Satanic forces are often dominant, Luke 4:5, 6; Rev. 13:2; Dan. 10:13, 20. Pilate was given power from above, John 19:11. Capital punishment is a necessary part of government, Rom. 13:4; Gen. 9:5, 6.

God’s people are not to meddle with changes sought by enemies of rulers, Prov. 24:21. Evil men seek rebellion, Prov. 17:11. Apostates, and not God fearing people, despise government and speak evil of authority, 2 Pet. 2:10; Jude 8. When the wicked seek to oppress the godly, the principle of obedience to God rather than man may be invoked, Acts 5:29.

Believers are required to be subject to the higher powers, Rom. 13:1. Nero was ruling when this precept was written. They are to obey magistrates, Tit. 3:1; to pay taxes, Rom. 13:7; Luke 20:25; to submit to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, Rom. 13:2; 1 Pet. 2:13.

Christians are instructed to pray for all in authority, 1 Tim. 2:1, 2. The people of Israel were told even to pray for, and to seek the peace of the cities where they were held captive, Jer. 29:7.

William Evans, The Great Doctrines of the Bible, (Chicago: Bible Institute Colportage Assoc., 1912), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 294-295.

I add that believers are required to be subject to governmental laws only to the extent of what is written in the Bible. If the law requires that you call Ceasar or any other entity Lord, that it requires you to break your covenant with God, then you have to make a personal decision, which might cost you your very life.

I will not obey the Government or any authority that requires worship or rebellion against my Lord Jesus.

Indeed, days are coming when you will be required not only to do that, but to take upon yourself the very mark that disqualifies you for salvation.

• Revelation 13:16-17 (NKJV) ¹⁶  He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, ¹⁷  and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
• Revelation 20:4 (NKJV)  And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

Sincerely yours,

John S. Kodiyil.