1Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 5Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. 6For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. 7Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
Romans 13:1-2, 5-7
This is one of the hard sayings that messes some people up. Not all governments are good, but we are to be in subjection to the government we have while striving towards the government we desire.
Hitler, Hussein and a thousand and one tinpot dictators before them have governed peoples who, by the Grace of God, eventually were freed from their servitude. Chavez, Castro, Kim Jong-il are next on the list to be deposed-but things might get pretty ugly between now and then. We are not excused from obeying the government we live under-we can only pray that God will deliver us from evil governments, specifically those in opposition to God and, by extension, His creation, those made in His image. Humanity. Us.
Tyrants don’t accidentally subjugate peoples, and, wicked as the heart of man is, it doesn’t explain all the evil in the world. Remember that we are involved in a spiritual war:
“12Then he said to me, “Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words. 13“But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia. 14“Now I have come to give you an understanding of what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision pertains to the days yet future.”
20Then he said, “Do you understand why I came to you? But I shall now return to fight against the prince of Persia; so I am going forth, and behold, the prince of Greece is about to come. 21“However, I will tell you what is inscribed in the writing of truth. Yet there is no one who stands firmly with me against these forces except Michael your prince.”
Daniel 10:12-14, 20-21
Fallen angels (the prince of the kingdom of Persia, the prince of Greece) in conflict with Holy angels (Gabriel, Michael) were doing battle in Daniels time. They may not be eternal beings, but there is no reason to think that they have disappeared.
“12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Ephesians 6:12
I think that the princes (principalities) of Daniels time have been wreaking havoc on this Creation since the Fall, and I believe they are still at work today.
If you have been looking at the conflict of Civilizations in purely physical terms, consider the spiritual element. I believe the Bible from Gen to Rev. I believe that this is indeed a spiritual battle as well as a physical one. And I believe that we ‘haven’t seen nothing yet’.
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