Is Rebellion Against Tyranny Obedience to God?
“Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.” (Psa. 91:13) I find this to be another of the promises given to those who are dwelling in the shelter of the most high. So often we read things in the language of the day and pass over them without discerning what is really being said; I don’t believe David was literally talking about lions and serpents, as these terms often refer to despotic kings, tyrannical rulers, and groups like the Pharisees.,,,
“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.” (Rom. 13:1-7) This is one of the most abused and misused scriptures in all the Bible, resulting in a destructive doctrine of total submission to government authority. I believe we are only to offer limited submission to legitimate authorities established by God who enforce His laws and judge righteously, rather than to any government that happens to rule over us.,,,,,,
“Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,” (Tit. 3:1) I see this as a condensed form of the instructions found in Romans 13, reminding us to be subject to authorities while being ready for every good deed.,
“Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.” (1 Pet. 2:13-14) These verses identify the specific kind of government I am obliged to be in subjection to—one that punishes evildoers and praises those who do right. If a government does not meet these criteria, I believe we are not required to submit to it, which is why many who teach total subjection remain silent on these specific verses.,,,
“He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.” (Pro. 18:17) I want you to listen to this principle because it fits scriptural interpretations as well as individuals; the common interpretation of total submission sounds just until it is examined against other scriptures.
“Set the trumpet to thy mouth. He shall come as an eagle against the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my law. Israel shall cry unto me, My God, we know thee. Israel hath cast off the thing that is good: the enemy shall pursue him. They have set up kings, but not by me: they have appointed princes, and I knew it not: of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that they may be cut off.” (Hos. 8:1-4) I want you to pay special attention to verse four, which shows that people can set up kings and princes that are not authorized or known by God. This contradicts the idea that all existing government authority is always sanctioned by God.,
“By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.” (Pro. 8:15-16) In contrast to those rulers not set up by God, I see here the description of those who rule by His authority: those who decree justice and judge righteously.
“My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.” (Dan. 6:22) Daniel recognized the correct authority structure and knew that the king’s edict against prayer was no authority at all. I believe that by being obedient to the true authority of God, he was innocent and had committed no crime against the king.,
“Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, because he willingly walked after the commandment.” (Hos. 5:11) I believe that if you follow man’s command instead of God’s, you will be punished. Ephraim was crushed in judgment precisely because he was determined to follow man’s command, which is the opposite of what most churches teach today.,
“He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.” (Pro. 17:15) I believe our current government authority is an abomination before God because it justifies the wicked and punishes the righteous, and therefore it is not a government that we are ordained to be in subjection to.
“And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD.” (2 Chr. 19:2) I find these to be powerful words that question whether we should help the wicked. Since taxes help support a government, I believe paying them to a wicked authority brings wrath on ourselves.
“He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.” (Mar. 7:6-9) I apply this verse to modern interpretations of Romans 13 because I believe people honor God with their lips while neglecting His commandments to follow the traditions and precepts of men.,
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” (Mat. 6:24) I believe you cannot serve two masters; you cannot set up a government authority that is not in alignment with God and His laws and think you can serve both.
“And it was the preparation of the Passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! But they cried out, away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, we have no king but Caesar.” (Joh. 19:14-15) I see this as the inevitable result of trying to serve two masters. Eventually, people stop following Christ as King and declare that they have no king but Caesar, placing their lordship in the state instead of in God.