Of all the provinces under the Roman Empire, Judaea was the most difficult to govern. Since the day Herod was appointed its king in 37 BC, seeds of revolt against Rome seethed continuously. The Jews’ rebellion reached a climax approximately 100 years later in the Great Jewish Revolt (66-73 AD) which resulted in the destruction of the temple. But the Jews’ history of revolt preceded the Roman Empire by many centuries. While the Jews are not recorded to have rebelled against Persian rule, they did rise up against both Greek and Babylonian rulers.
In the days of Ezra, the history of the Jews was used against them by their enemies. In an attempt to thwart the purposes of God, the adversaries of Judah cited historical records that documented Zedekiah’s revolt against Nebuchadnezzar. Wrote their adversaries to the new Persian king:
That search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time: for which cause was this city destroyed. Ezra 4:15
Hoping to incite persecution, Satan was eager to impose the same rebellious stigma earned by the Jews upon the fledgling Christian church. Since it had arisen from the Jewish system, the Romans were naturally wary of this new ‘sect of the Nazarenes’, as it had been dubbed.
Newly planted amidst the imperial seat of power, the church in Rome was not only a spectacle to her citizenry, but to high-ranking soldiers, senators, and even Caesar himself. Therefore, the congregation in Rome bore a greater weight of responsibility than the other churches to give the authorities every evidence that the Christian religion posed no threat to law and order. In order to safeguard the free exercise of Christianity throughout the world, Paul saw fit to instruct the Roman believers regarding their civil duties. Said the apostle:
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. Romans 13:1
According to Paul, ‘the higher powers’, or ‘the powers that be’, are ordained of God. It is worth noting that our Bible uses the English word ‘ordained’ for several Greek words, and the Greek word translated ‘ordained’ in Romans 13 is distinct from the word translated ‘ordain’ in Titus 1:5, where Paul is talking about ordaining a minister by the laying on of hands. In Romans 13:1, the KJV marginal reading offers the word ‘ordered’ as an alternative for ‘ordained’, which provides a clearer meaning in the context of earthly rulers.
Take note that Paul does not state that the individuals in power are themselves ordained or ordered of God, but that the powers that be are ordered of God. The office of government itself is a divinely appointed institution, whereas the men in office may be there by human appointment. It is important to make this distinction because many rulers, both of our day and yesteryear, have been active agents of Satan that God has not appointed. As it was in the case of apostate Israel, it can be said of many in power today: ‘They have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew it not' (Hosea 8:4).
While God does not appoint all persons in power, the office of government itself should be respected as a divine ordinance. Before the entrance of sin, God was the acknowledged ruler over all creation. While God has withdrawn His royal seat from mortal eyes, He has not stepped down from His throne atop the firmament. While men do not recognise this fact, Jehovah’s government rules over heaven and earth:
The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. Psalm 103:19
As the Sovereign of all creation, the authority, or power to govern, is the prerogative of God. When men take upon themselves the office of governors, they are charged – in great peril to their souls – with a commission to execute justice, and ensure the welfare of those under their authority. While the men in office may be of human appointment, they are nevertheless accountable to Him from whom their office is derived, and will be judged severely for any abuses they commit.
Paul is not merely teaching that being subject to (and therefore not resisting) the civil authorities is something we must do for self-preservation. ‘Ye must needs be subject’, says the apostle, ‘not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake’ (Romans 13:5). In pointed language, the apostle instructs ‘every soul’ that non-resistance against the civil powers is a spiritual concern. Since civil authority is an ordinance of God, resisting or rebelling against civil authority is in effect, rebellion against an institution of God Himself. Says the apostle:
Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. Romans 13:2
As was witnessed in the terrible aftermath of the Great Jewish Revolt, the civil authorities will mete out judgement upon them that resist their authority. Yet it is not only judgement, but damnation that is threatened by the inspired apostle. The Jews not only suffered the vengeance of the Romans in that siege, but the wrath of God.
Paul’s words should not be taken to mean that every soul is bound to obey every mandate that their government may decree. For example, it would be sin to receive a mandated drug that you knew to be harmful for your health, or to break the Sabbath because the government commanded you to do so. Sacred history and prophecy reveal that agents of Satan are at work in government offices. Their objective is to pass legislation aimed at coercing men to transgress the law of God. As such, Paul is not teaching that we must unconditionally conform to government laws.
However, submitting to the higher powers as far as conscience permits will give them every reason to leave us alone, that we may live in peace. On a more spiritual level, this leaves them without justification to proscribe our religion, allowing the word of the Lord to have free course. Paul’s testimony to the Romans at the opening of the Christian era is just as applicable to us living at the end of the world.
Christopher Sparks