WHEN TO DISOBEY THE GOVERNMENT [DEAR BRETHREN 36]

Dear brethren,

The majority of true Bible obeying endure-to-the-end Christians want to discover and obey all of the Lord’s commands. Nothing will stop them from discerning the true truth from the seductive error so often expounded by the church system. These persevering saints know most “sermons” and other religious information disseminated from the west are not much more than another coat of white paint on the tomb.

These saints righty know obeying the pagan government’s laws is God’s holy law for He has instituted all governments and their supreme leaders to bear the sword and keep basic order in the world. However, God’s kingdom has no similarity nor absolutely no truck with Satan’s kingdom…the world system.

What can we glean from the Scripture’s examples?

We see Satan’s declaration to Jesus in His second of three temptations. In this, our Lord never corrects this chilling truth.

Luke 4:5-7  And he (Satan) led Him up and showed Him (Jesus) all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, “I will give You all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore if You worship before me, it shall all be Yours.”

Moreover, the kingdoms of this world, the governments, are in the power of the evil one.

1 John 5:19  We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

What major pronouncements do we see here? The world has much glory for the worldly. The evil one is in control of who receives it. I’ve had many conversations with so-called believers who declare the worldly pleasures they receive are actually a blessing from God. “How do you know for certain,” I proclaim, “that these aren’t actually a curse and a failure on your part to reject them to remain content with what you already have?”

The Bible speaks of subjection to government

Now, the famous Scripture we all quote and teach about our obligation to obey and not resist the authority of our respective governments comes from Romans 13, even though the whole doctrine begins in the 12^th chapter with loving our enemy.

Romans 13:1-5  Every 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. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.

For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same;  for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.

Incredibly, we see clearly that the pagan government is a minister of God Himself to avenge Him and bring wrath upon the evil person who disobeys. And Paul warns his audience that we too need to fear them if we ever practice evil against this appointed government and consequently receive condemnation upon ourselves.

All these leaders throughout history, even the terrible despots, are established by God. This includes the Roman emperor Nero who had a fascination for dipping living Christian saints in paraffin wax and lighting them for sport in his garden parties.

Consider those modern leaders in the west that the sinfully patriotic church people either hate or worship: Reagan, Bush 1&2, Trump or Clinton, and Obama. We almost never hear of a western church person praying for the likes of Clinton or Obama.

Didn’t God put these men into power too?

As an aside, there are no “Christian” governments. Ever. The command to love your enemy and not resist those who are evil precludes you or me of every entering the service of our governments. One must swear allegiance to the flag, and the leaders. You have no right to bear the sword for God. But Satan is crafty and he just might insist you kill for the preservation and growth of his kingdom of the world.

Therefore, it follows then there are times that we must disobey the pagan governments run by Satan when they demand we disobey our Master’s doctrines even if they’re still ultimately controlled by God. Some call this act one of civil disobedience. Again, we’re to be non-violent and not resist evil. But might we discover here that this civil disobedience can actually be Godly obedience?

This is a passage that few, if any, western churchgoers ever hear taught or expounded in the proper way.

Matthew 5:38-42  “You have heard that it was said, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.’ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you…”

Here again we see this doctrine commanded. Notice carefully that if you do not love your enemy, you are not a son of GOD.

Matthew 5:43-48  “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

“For if you love (only) those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect (perfectly mature), as your heavenly Father is perfect (flawless)…”

How did Jesus respond in the garden that night He was betrayed when Peter tried to cut off the head but got the ear of the high priest’s servant?

Luke 22:49-51  When those who were around Him saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answered and said, “Stop! No more of this.” And He touched his ear and healed him.

Matthew 26:51-54  And behold, one of those who were with Jesus reached and drew out his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword. “Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?”

But, you might object, we need to protect our loved ones from evil. Our Father didn’t protect His Son from the cross, or resist the evil that put Him there. He put Him on the tree for us. This is an extremely sobering fact.

What examples of civil disobedience exist in the Word?

A classic example of disobeying the government is in the book of Exodus. Satan begins his murderous assault on the males in his attempt to stop the King of king’s birth. Pharaoh commands the Hebrew midwives to kill the baby boys. Not only do they disobey the order but they lie about it too! God rewards the women. Human lives are at stake.

Notice carefully the midwives feared God vs. Pharaoh, as we should too.

Exodus 1:15-21  Then the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other was named Puah; and he said, “When you are helping the Hebrew women to give birth and see them upon the birthstool, if it is a son, then you shall put him to death; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.”

But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt had commanded them, but let the boys live. So the king of Egypt called for the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this thing, and let the boys live?” The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife can get to them.”

So God was good to the midwives, and the people multiplied, and became very mighty. Because the midwives feared God, He established households for them.

In Joshua 2 we see Rahab hiding the spies and God rewards her. In 1 Samuel 14 we see the people refusing King Saul’s edict to kill his son Jonathan when Jonathan refreshed himself with honey after the battle. In 1 Kings 18 we see Obadiah disobey Jezebel and hide the hundred prophets from death. In 2 Kings the king’s daughter hides Joash so he can become king later.

And who of us is not encouraged by the valor of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to defy King Nebuchadnezzar’s command to bow down to his statue and survive the fiery furnace?

Be encouraged by seeing this modern video rendition of the fiery furnace here.

These examples are all when lives have been threatened directly.

In Daniel again, we see him asking for and getting permission to eat God’s food vs. the king’s food. It certainly could have been life threatening if he’d been caught.

The New Testament speaks

There are two distinct examples of civil disobedience in the New Covenant. First, we see the faithful Peter declaring they would not obey the ruling Jewish leaders edict to remain silent, even though the Romans at this time seemed to have no fear of these courageous disciples.

Acts 4:18-20  And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

So, they kept right on preaching God’s Word until arrested and were brought before the false religious authorities once again.

Obey God, not man

Acts 5:27-29  When they had brought them, they stood them before the Council. The high priest questioned them, saying, “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men…”

Indeed. We too must obey God rather than man at all times. At all times.

Lastly, in Revelation we see that believers were defiant and disobey the anti-Christ…and are martyred for the privilege.

Revelation 13:15  And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed.

Earlier in Revelation, we see those killed for their faith and under the throne of God are crying out for revenge. God answers…

Revelation 6:9-11  When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained; and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”

And there was given to each of them a white robe; and they were told that they should rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed also.

A long history, and what about today

When the time comes for us in these end times of end times to practice civil disobedience to obey God we can fully trust the Holy Spirit to give us direction and leadership. We’re blessed in that we saints have a long history in which to revel…and the examples are clear and frequent.

And today, as in times of old, we can confidently refuse the governments edicts whenever necessary.

So, anything that endangers my life or those around me, I’ll do everything in my power to resist the edict. In addition,  I’ll preach to them the wrath to come, the forgiveness of sins, healing, and the joy of the glorious gospel of our Father’s Son.

If they come to kill me and I can’t flee, I’ll not resist their violence. I’ll stand between them and my loved ones, or cover them physically, but won’t resist.

If I can flee, I’ll flee as Jesus warned. I’m not a coward or afraid to die, but I’ll use my God given wisdom to stay alive as long as He wills to serve His people and kingdom.

Matthew 24:16-18  then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains.  “Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things out that are in his house. Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak…”

There’s no mention of storing up goods and prepping extensively. Actually, we’re not to store up treasures on earth beyond the basic necessities. Give us this day our daily bread, dearest Lord.

With the advent of the “scamdemic” known as Covid-19 at the time of this writing, many are wondering if and when this civil disobedience may be prudently allowed by our great God.

The demonic realms and their worldwide governments now have the technology to place nanoparticles in a vaccine that when injected can monitor and control your body, send “health” information to your smart phone and consequently on to the civil authorities. They’re able then to completely control, track, and even kill you.

Be sure of this. This is life threatening, and I’ll not willingly take any such vaccine. Or participate in anything of a similar nature. My civil disobedience in these cases is walking worthy and constitutes holy behavior as I fully represent the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Do you have oil in your lamps, and are alert for the last trumpet?

Do you have the oil in your lamps, saints, like the wise virgins? Are you completely ready to meet your God with joy and not shrink back at His appearing? It’s clear in these type passages that we’re to endure through The Great Tribulation until His return.

We’ll know the signs of His second coming. And…there’s only one last trumpet…and one return of Christ in triumph.

Luke 21:25-28  “There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD with power and great glory. But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Matthew 24:27-31  “For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather. But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other…”

What about being on the alert?

Matthew 24:42-44  “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will…”

Will you, and are you, being faithful and sensible now to avoid hell and the lake of fire? Or are being disobediently evil in the eyes of your Creator?

Luke 45-51 “Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But if that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is not coming for a long time,’ and begins to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards; the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth…”

Let us honor our God in all things and in all ways as we walk worthy of His kingdom and King. Maranatha, Lord Jesus!

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See the courageous stand against the Pope and Luther until martyrdom by the Anabaptists here.

See Bible translator William Tyndale practice civil disobedience against the government and church leaders here.

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Please comment on this post right below. Feel free to write and proclaim your leadings in the Spirit in an honorable fashion.

Your friend and brother in fighting the good fight,

Marc

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Saints, we’re one day closer to Home, and Him! Love Him wholeheartedly!

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You may view our Archives here: DEAR BRETHREN – ARCHIVES;   Complete Archives. May our Father richly bless you with His grace, through Jesus Christ our Lord, in order to walk worthy of His name.

Please comment on this post right below. Feel free to write and proclaim your leadings in the Spirit in an honorable fashion.

Marc White, Director, Walk Worthy Ministries, www.WalkWorthy.org