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The Daily Word of Righteousness
A Basic Concept, #23
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. (Romans 13:3,4)
The civil government is "the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil."
"Him that doeth evil" in terms of Bible morality, not in terms of humanistic, democratic morality.
Many of the governments of our day have lost the will to rule. They are afraid of the people because they are elected by the people. But in actuality the politicians serve themselves, not God or the people. They have been weighed in the balances and found wanting.
God has appointed His King.
Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. (Psalms 2:6)
And His lesser kings under the great King, under the King of kings.
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. (Revelation 2:26,27)
God understands better than we that conditions on the earth are caused by those who are in authority. Therefore the training of the future rulers is severe.
All of God's designated kings must suffer, because suffering breaks down our self-will and disobedience insuring that in the future, when we receive great authority, we will be sternly obedient to the Father.
If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: (II Timothy 2:12)
We must patiently endure when we are put in prison, whether a literal prison or a situation where we are not permitted to live as we choose.
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. (Revelation 2:10)
We must look only to the Lord, not permitting another person to take our crown of authority.
Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. (Revelation 3:11)
If we allow another individual to take our crown from us, to persuade us to take a path different from what the Lord has shown us, a friend, for example, or a husband or wife, an employer, an agent of the government, a teacher of the Scriptures, we are not competent to rule as one of God's kings.
If we overcome all the challenges placed before us we will be placed on the highest throne of all.
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. (Revelation 3:21)
To be continued.