Respect the Authority of God

A government or president that keeps the Commandments, statutes and Laws of God deserves respect.   They would have authority with God. Corrupt governments and leaders propped up by wealth, weapons and power do not deserve respect.  They only achieve it through fear and threat.  Knowing this, these powers enlist false teachers to convince you that you should submit to authority and that failure to do so will result in tragedy and social unrest. The fact is, corrupt governments and leaders are the cause.

Pat Robertson recently stated the following regarding the shootings in Las Vegas:

“Violence in the streets, ladies and gentlemen. Why is it happening? The fact that we have disrespect for authority; there is profound disrespect for our president, all across this nation they say terrible things about him. It’s in the news, it’s in other places. There is disrespect now for our national anthem, disrespect for our veterans, disrespect for the institutions of our government, disrespect for the court system. All the way up and down the line, disrespect.”

First, let me say, Citizens exercising their right to free speech is not disrespectful of veterans who fought and died to uphold the Constitution which guarantees the right of free speech. That statement is completely oxymoronic.

Now, how many kings and governments have the Children of God been under.  Which of those were given or deserved the respect of our forefathers?  Consider the following:

Abraham vs. Nimrod

Abraham said to Nimrod, “You foolish, simple, and ignorant king, woe unto you forever.” Nimrod was bringing in idolatrous worship practices and oppressing the children of Shem.  “If you were Abraham’s children you would do the works of Abraham.”

Moses vs. Pharaoh

Moses said to Pharaoh, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel, ‘Let My people go.’” Pharaoh was oppressing Israel and furthering idolatrous worship practices. Here Moses has no regard for Pharaoh or his earthly power as he speaks with the authority of God.

Prophets vs. the Kings of Israel and Judah

Regarding the Kings of Israel and Judah, there are too many to list here.   Nearly all “did evil in the sight of the LORD and walked in the way of his father”.  What were the ways of their fathers? Oppression, false worship practices and false feast days. The prophets opposed the kings without respect for them or their government.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego vs. Nebuchadnezzar

Remember the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from Daniel 3? Nebuchadnezzar set up an image representing him and his government and made a decree that at what time you hear the sound of the music (a national anthem?), you shall turn to face and worship the image that represents the government.

Dan 3:16-18 “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we don’t need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto you, O king, that WE WILL NOT serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up.”

Jesus vs. Rome and the Pharisees

Matt 22:21 Jesus said, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s and unto God the things that are God’s.” Since all things belong to God, nothing is left for Caesar. Jesus showed disrespect for an oppressive government.

John 2:13-17 “…Jesus went up to Jerusalem, and found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; And said to them that sold doves, Take these things out of here; don’t make my Father’s House an house of merchandise.” Jesus showed disrespect for mammon and false worship practices.

Violence and Idolatry

God is no respecter of persons (Rom 2:11). That means position and wealth in society mean nothing to Him. All persons are judged alike no matter what their status.  In all the examples above and in fact the Bible as a whole, you can boil the problem down to two things.

1. Oppressive and violent government 
2. False religion/idolatry

A government that prints “In God we Trust” on its worthless money and spends it on War and Violence does not deserve the respect of anyone, especially the people of God. If you truly trust in God and you are right with Him, you don’t need physical weapons and there would be no national debt to be paid back by the taxpayers at usury to the banks.

Pat Robertson goes on to say:

“We have taken from the people the vision of God, the whole idea of reward and punishment and ultimate Judge of all our actions…If there is no Vision of God the People run amok”

Robertson is correct in saying “We (him and the false religions of the world) have taken from the people the vision of God”, in implying that it is “reward and punishment” and that without these people will start shooting each other. Does a sane person need the threat of punishment in order to not commit murder? What a sad day for humanity when the only reason to do good or evil is for reward or punishment.

God’s Response

Gen 6:13 God caused the flood because of violence. Ex 3:9 God delivered Israel from the Egyptians because of oppression. Isa 5:7 God looks for Righteousness and Judgement in the place of violence and oppression.

Jer 22:3 Thus says the LORD; Execute judgment and righteousness. Deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor. Do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place.

Matt 22:36-40 “Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, You shall love your brother as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

Ezek 18:5-9 “If a person is just/righteous, and does that which is lawful and right, …has not oppressed any, but has restored to the debtor his pledge, has spoiled none by violence, has given his bread to the hungry and has covered the naked with a garment; Has not given forth upon usury, neither has taken any increase, that has withdrawn his hand from iniquity, has executed true judgment between man and man, Has walked in My statutes, and has kept My judgments, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live, says the LORD God.

What is the Vision of God?

The vision of God is that His creation is based on Truth, Love, Judgement and Righteousness.  On the other hand, it is not based on violence, oppression, a falsified balance, personal gain and usury.  Robertson said, “Until there is Biblical authority there has to be some controlling authority…” which proves that he is a blind leader and has no understanding of God. God’s Word and those who understand it are the “Biblical authority”. Giving worth (worship) and respect to something that is completely opposed to God is absurd.

What happened in Las Vegas is a tragedy caused by a complete disregard for life. This disregard is distilled down from the religions, governments and corporations.  They have only a regard for profit and power while completely oblivious to the human cost of all they do.

1 Tim 6:10-11 “For the love of money is the root of all evil: … flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience.”

Eph 6:12 “For we war not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

The answer is not to pay respect, but to realize where the wickedness comes from.  Stand up and say “Woe unto you wicked, foolish and stupid rulers, you should have cared for God’s Creation but you have caused waste, violence and destruction.  Your time is up, woe unto you forever!”