Romans 13 / Revelation 13 - 2 R. 13’s in Tension

Romans 13 / Revelation 13 - 2 R. 13’s in Tension

I had a Communist government official remind me Romans 13 commands Christians to obey the authorities. I replied that he was absolutely right and I endeavored to do so. What I wondered, but was afraid to ask, was if he was familiar with what Scripture says about government in Revelation 13 - some strong words for communists, capitalists, socialists - all those in authority. The grim truth is that Jesus and His Apostles – who commanded Christ-followers to respectfully obey civil authorities – were all unjustly executed by those authorities. God instituted government to promote order and peace. But the prince of this world has been allowed to use this divine tool for his godless agenda. No matter our passport, corruption, oppression, injustice, and even tyranny are sad realities in all our homelands. “…thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven…”!