The kingdoms of this world rule because God has given them the power to do so. In the middle ages when kings claimed that they ruled by divine right, they were right. You don’t need to take my word for it. In Romans 13 the Apostle Paul talks candidly about the responsibility of a government and for its citizens. After you read those verses about “submitting to a governing authority,” you might be tempted to think, “The Apostle Paul is talking about good rulers, right?” If the government is bad, then I don’t need to obey the authorities. You would be wrong. Yes, even “bad” governments are a blessing from God. I would take an evil government over anarchy – no government, any day of the week.
Still don’t believe me? Consider whom Paul had in mind when he penned these words by the Spirit’s inspiration. The Roman emperor was most likely Nero. There is a line of bad emperors from Rome, but Nero is up there with the worst. Some church father’s claim he was the first one to persecute the Christians.
In any case it can be helpful to see the difference between the two kingdoms. This chart breaks down the church and the state by how each is established, governed, endurance, goals, and functioning. It is important to remember these differences going forward. The state should not care what our God thinks because if it did, would the Christian be comfortable with a state that followed the will of Allah or Shiva? The fact that kingdoms of this world do not endure should be humbling and point of concern. It is the height of folly to try and pour all of our efforts only into creating a perfect nation. Such a place is impossible in this veil of tears. The state is necessary because creation is fallen and damaged. Governments are meant to limit sin, not cure it. The only cure for sin is Jesus.
Want to hear more? Watch this week’s study – the second in our series Politics: Two Kingdoms.
You can find all of the Bible classes in our Politics series HERE.
Please click HERE for the Bible class slides.