Romans 13: For God or Country

“I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty. But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soup. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years. So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice, but do not fear me, says the Lord Almighty. I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.” (Malachi 3: 1-6)

The world is witnessing a new weapon against countries of power. This weapon has been spreading across the Middle East and threatens the United States of America after decimating Europe and Africa. Our history books talk about atrocities against mankind from cruel and evil leaders but the destruction we are witnessing is beyond comprehension. The weapon of human suffering combined with massive civilian migration is engulfing our world at a staggering rate.

Anyone who has being watching the news coming out of Europe can see the Syria migrant crisis has rocked the very foundation of the European Union. Countries are fighting among themselves about accepting migrants and seeing the fabric of their culture being ripped apart. Numerous countries have closed their borders and now there is discussion about creating migrant centers to hold these downtrodden individuals. This crisis is engulfing the European economic system and there is discussion by Italy and Greece of abandoning the Euro and moving away from a unified governing system. Little do the citizens understand that this is by design, this is an act of war by an evil power that is rising up across the world.

We are seeing this power rise up all across the globe from Africa and South America. World leaders are trying to crack down against countries, according to the standards and mandates associated to United Nations Human Right Council, but those in power are not worried about a governing body that has no true authority. These laws are just guidelines and the Trump administration showed their true power by its recent withdraw from the UN Human Rights Council. This lack of control is also amplified by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the country of Syria that was established in 2011. Considering the amount of human rights violations the Syrian regime is accused of and the massive refugee crisis that has ensued, we can see the extent of the usefulness of the UN Human Rights Council. Nations demonstrating this powerlessness combined with the amount of countries that are coming up on renewing their membership, (in the next 2 years) we are witnessing the world moving away from protecting civilians from the persecution of its governing bodies.

Syria is not the only country that is showing the world what is coming. The countries of Venezuela and Libya are two additional examples of how this war strategy is being used. We have heard recent stories of Italy refusing to accept migrants from Libya, causing other European countries to make preparations for their arrival. This has been an ongoing problem as the countries of the Mediterranean are being overwhelmed from the amount of refugees that are streaming onto their land.

The crisis has becoming front and center in the United States as the countries of South and Central America are coming unraveled, causing many to flee their homes. Main stream media is inundated with the stories of separated families who are seeking refuge in the United States of America.
We have to understand that this is by design. This feeling of oppression is being caused by the leaders in power and the civilians are being used as weapons against their neighboring countries. All of these countries understand that the use of economic and social tools to remove the undesirable from their countries lead to successful reelection campaigns. The reelection of Assad in Syria by a margin of 90% demonstrates the successfulness of this tactic. Egypt’ President Sisi’s reelection with 97% of the vote is another example. This oppression is all about power and staying in power.

When those in power are willing to sacrifice the lives of their subjects to maintain authority, we as a people are entering a very dark time. The United States of America is becoming polarized by the different factions and groups who have ruled over this country. It does not matter which side is chosen, we are all pawns in this master chess game.

The United States of America has always been seen as different as the rest of the world. They have not seen the horrors that the majority of the world citizens have had to endure nor have they been faced with an internal crisis that could shatter its very foundation. Americans have been blessed and because of this blessing we have become blind to what the world is truly capable of. We see ourselves as untouchable and unbeatable. Who can challenge the most powerful nation on the face of the world? Who could conquer a country with vast resources and expansive lands? As Rome has shown us, a country like this can only be defeated from within and those in power will do everything they can to remain in power, when the cracks start to form.

Those in power will do everything they can to maintain the status quo but history has shown mankind that their efforts will be useless. We are already seeing their effort to distract the subjects and to cause the masses to turn on each other. This is needed to ensure that those in power remain in power. The reasoning for this is if the servants were to understand that their unified power would overwhelm the ruling party, those in power would not stand a chance against the overwhelming masses. Divide and conquer has been a tactic used by major historical figures since the beginning of time.

We can see this tactic being used within the United States at this current time. Choose any topic and it can be seen that both sides are viciously opposed to the opposite. Violence has already erupted between the Alt-Right and Antifa on numerous occasions. This is just one example of the state of our union and this division will continue to get worse.

Another tactic we are currently witnessing is the destruction of any competition that may threaten the power structure. Unfortunately, the United States has created a political environment that has become so bureaucratic that it no longer has the ability to govern properly. The American political structure has become a system with the only goal to create a law so that representatives will be remembered in history. It does not matter what the law is as the only goal is to be named on the bill. Look at any state legislator and see how many new laws are created every session. Why must we have thousands of new laws every year just to satisfy the egos of those in power? Looking at the current political climate, with mandates being reversed, showing the uselessness of the current system. No longer are we creating laws to help the people. Laws are created to help politicians satisfy their campaign contributors. This is how the old system was controlled by those who “make the rules”.

In the Trump era we are witnessing a change in the guard. We are seeing a rise of public anger against the political stance of our elected officials. The masses are seeing their hypocrisy and are demanding to have a voice. This is leading to less efficiency within the government and stagnation within our political system. Nothing is being accomplished and if laws are passed, there is massive backlash from the populous.

Another crisis tactic scarily mimics the fall of Rome. This issue of economic hardship and inflation. Rome devalued their currency so much that at the time of the fall, their currency barely had any true silver within their coins. The weight of silver within the Roman currency can be seen as the ability for the Roman leaders to spread their currency out and “print more money”.

The entire world has been printing massive amounts of currency since the “Great Recession” in 2008. This printing has not stopped and we are witnessing hyper-inflation taking hold in many countries around the world. With the new Trump tax plan, Trillions of dollars that were trapped overseas are allowed back into the United States. This combined with the ensuing Trade War ensures that we are at the doorstep of a massive economic crisis.

This leads us to the reason the refugee crisis is such a critical issue for the United States. The final straw that brought the destruction of Rome was invasion. The use of economic hardship within South and Central America is causing an invasion of civilians that will test the very fabric of America. The United States has been a beacon of hope for the world and has always had the message of freedom to all. We have shown our prosperity to the entire globe and everyone has looked upon us as the symbol of economic prosperity. It only makes sense that under hard economic times, people would flock to the country that has it all.

American’s must also understand that the issues brewing with our neighbor to the north could also lead to conflict if tensions continue to rise. Both borders could be compromised as conflict is growing between both of our neighbors. This slow invasion against our southern border and economic strife at our northern border is by design, using innocent people as pawns in a game for billionaires. Those in power have shown that if the loss justifies the means, then it’s acceptable to have some collateral damage. That is all we are to the game makers and once we understand this we will see the entire picture.

We as Christians must be aware of what is happening around us. Too many have been misled to follow the doctrine that is being presented without evaluating the issues themselves. We are being quoted Scripture by politicians stating that good Christians do what their government tells them to do. The verse referenced is Romans chapter 13:

“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.” (Romans 13: 1-5)

It can be seen how this can cause some to be confused when ruled by a leadership system that does not cherish their well-being. What are believers to do when given the decision to follow the authorities that no longer uphold the love and compassion of our savior Jesus Christ? We were instructed by Jesus to love one another and to give without expecting anything in return. The same can be true for a governing body. The leaders must uphold the moral stance of our savior or they are not following the one who has given mankind the ability to be forgiven. If this government requires our allegiance, then what must we do?

We must and will have to make this decision. We are foretold that during the time of the end, a leader will rise up and demand our allegiance. He will be given power over the world system and will overcome the saints.

“The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, ‘Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?’

The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months. It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. It was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast – all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.

Whoever has ears, let them hear. ‘If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity they will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword they will be killed.

This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people” (Revelation 13: 1-10)

We are clearly told that every nation and people will be given over to the authority of the beast and he will wage war against the people of God. We are also told that these followers of Christ will be conquered. The world system that is rising is not our friend nor are we immune to what is coming.

The only conclusion that can be given is that either the United States of America is the beast that is coming or it will be overcome as all nations will be given over to this leader. Many Christians believe that the United States will be the savior to the land of Israel and will be a beacon of light during this dark time. This wishful thinking is wanted by everyone within this great country but the chances are very slim that this is going to happen. Instead Scripture depicts the outcome of the greatest country the world has ever seen:

“After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. With a mighty voice he shouted: ‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great! She has become a dwelling for demons and a haunt for every impure spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal. For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.’

Then I heard another voice from heaven say: ‘Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes. Give back to her as she has given; pay her back double for what she has done. Pour her a double portion from her own cup. Give her as much torment and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself. In her heart she boasts, ‘I sit enthroned as a queen. I am not a widow; I will never mourn.’ Therefor in one day her plagues will overtake her: death, mourning and famine. She will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.

When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her. Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry: ‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, you mighty city of Babylon! In one hour your doom has come!’ The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore – cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and human beings sold as slaves.

They will say, ‘The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.’ The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn and cry out: ‘Woe! Woe to you great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls! In one hour such a great wealth has been brought to ruin!’

Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off. When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, ‘was there ever a city like this great city?’ They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out: ‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth! In one hour she has been brought to ruin!’

‘Rejoice over her, you heavens! Rejoice, you people of God! Rejoice, apostles and prophets! For God has judged her with the judgment she imposed on you.’

Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said: ‘With great violence the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again. The music of harpists and musicians, pipers and trumpeters, will never be heard in you again. No worker of any trade will ever be found in you again. The sound of a millstone will never be heard in you again. The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. The voice of bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again. Your merchants were the world’s important people. By your magic spell all the nations were led astray. In her was found the blood of prophets and of God’s holy people, of all who have been slaughtered on the earth.” (Revelation 18: 1-24)

The description of the New Babylon and its economic prosperity and control mimics the United States of America. No other nation in the face of the world is the purchaser of goods on a scale that would cause the entire world to mourn its loss. The destruction that is coming upon the United States will be swift and sudden.

The question again arises as to what Christians are to do when living under an evil governing system? The only solution that can be provided has already been done by those closest to Jesus himself, his disciples:

“The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. ‘We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,’ he said. ‘Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.’ Peter and the other apostles replied: ‘We must obey God rather than human beings!’” (Acts 5: 27-29)

 

Clinton Kowach
7/3/18