Romans 13

**Romans 13** is the thirteenth chapter to the Epistle to the Romans in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is the first of the Pauline epistles, having been authored by the Apostle Paul himself.

Verses 1-7 are the most abused portion of Scripture, and have been used by some of the most renowned theologians and Evangelicals to preach absolute submission and to condemn the American Revolution. Many renowned evangelical preachers have used this portion of Scripture to condemn gun ownership and to encourage American Christians to give up their firearms in the case of gun confiscation.

## Text

In the King James Bible, Romans 13:1-7 reads the following:

*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. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.*

Most notably, the chapter opens up with the command to be subject unto the higher powers. The term "higher powers" stands in stark contrast to most modern perverted translations such as the NIV, ESV, NLT, the Living Bible, and many others, most of which use the term "governing authorities" or "government".

The term "higher powers" implies that there are different levels of authority. In the United States, the highest authority is the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Any government official, whether elected or not, who violates the Constitution or the Bill of Rights is technically in violation of Romans 13, and unconstitutional laws are not to be followed.

Most importantly, verses 3-4 addresses the purpose of government. However, verses 3-4 only describe a government that is functioning properly, a government that is functioning with just laws.

## Armed Resistance in the Bible

Despite the massive popularity of the absolute submission message and the popularity of pastors who promote such a doctrine, the Bible contains numerous examples of armed resistance.

In Judges 1-17, God ordains numerous godly men to resist and overthrow wicked governments by force. Throughout the Book of Judges, the nation of Israel repeatedly finds itself conquered and oppressed by foreign nations such as the Canannites, the Philistines, the Moabites, and many others. God raises up numerous judges and military leaders such as Othniel, Ehud, Deborah, Barak, Gideon, and Samson to lead the nation of Israel to revolt and throw off the yoke of foreign oppressors.

In 2nd Kings 9, the prophet Elisha ordains Jehu as the new king of Israel (Northern Kingdom). Under Elisha's orders, Jehu kills both Joram (Northern Kingdom) and Ahaziah (Judah), in addition to the house of Ahab, most notably the defenestration of Jezebel. Jehu ends up taking over as king and slaughters a large number of prophets of Baal (2nd Kings 10:18-28).

In 2nd Kings 11 and 2nd Chronicles 23, Jehoiada (priest) saves Joash, an infant son of Ahaziah, and the sole to have survived the massacre of Ahaziah's children by Athaliah (Ahaziah's mother) following his death. Six years into Athaliah's reign as queen, Jehoiada organizes a military coup and overthrows her, killing her and installing the 7-year-old Joash as king.

## Logical Arguments against Absolute Submission

Preachers who teach absolute submission tend to be of two groups, Calvinists and pacifists. Pacifism is relatively easy to debunk using Scripture, but Calvinism is a far more popular religion, as the most popular preachers in the modern United States are typically Calvinists, such as S. Michael Houdmannn, Joni Eareckson Tada, John Piper, John MacArthur, Tim Keller, Francis Chan, and many others.

According to the religion of Calvinism, the sovereignty of God means that He ordains and installs all governments. This itself is easily debunked by Revelations 13:1-7, but the logical reasoning of this argument is false. According to Calvinists, since God installs all governments, all governments are to be obeyed. There are two problems with this reasoning:

1. If all governments are God-ordained, this must include governments brought to power by revolution. If that is the case, then revolution is not necessarily wrong, because it may be a means by which God installs a new government. If the revolution ends up succeeding and a new government takes power, the revolution will have been the means by which God installed it.
2. If revolution is always wrong or sinful, then all governments that came to power by revolution are illegitimate and could not have been ordained by God. God could not have caused the revolutions that brought them to power. Scripture is clear that God is not responsible for sin (James 1:13-16). Therefore, if revolution is always wrong, then governments that took power by revolution could not have been ordained by God. In that case, we do not have to obey them, because they came to power in a sinful way. Governments that came to power by revolution include not only the American Republic, but also the People's Republic of China, the Castro regime in Cuba, the Soviet Union, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.

Either case, the absolute submission doctrine of Romans 13 cannibalizes itself. If all governments are God-ordained, this includes governments that came to power by revolution. Therefore, revolution is not necessarily sinful, because it may be a means by which God brings a new government to power. If revolution is always wrong/sinful, then governments that came to power by revolution are all illegitimate, and we do not have to obey them. We are thus free to fight them and take up arms against them.

In other words, the Chinese Communist government is illegitimate and Chinese Christians are free to take up arms against them. The same applies to the Ayatollah regime in Iran and the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.

## The New World Order

The reason why preachers of the absolute submission heresy are extremely popular and well-liked is largely due to the New World Order and the preparations being put in place. Since the 20th century, the world has arguably been moving closer and closer to a global government, with the formation of the United Nations in 1945, coupled with other globalist organizations such as the World Health Organization, the International Criminal Court, and the European Union, all of whom promote totalitarian goals such as depopulation, mass vaccination, mass sterilization, abortion legalization, feminism, centralized governance, and gun control.

Preachers who push the absolute submission heresy are extremely popular, being glorified by the mainstream media and Big Tech. The reason is simply because these organizations are preparing for the New World Order, along with governments of this world. Unsurprisingly, John MacArthur, a major preacher of this heresy, has said that one can take the Mark of the Beast and still be saved.

Revelation 13:1-7 destroy the absolute submission garbage.

*And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.*

As the above passage states, the dragon (Satan) will be responsible for giving the Beast his power. The description of the rule of the Beast in Revelation 13:1-7 diametrically contradicts God's description of a proper government in Romans 13:1-7, as Revelation 13 describes a ruler that blasphemes God and makes war with the saints.

Revelation 13:16-18 further discuss the rule of the Beast.

*And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.*

Under his rule, all will be obligated to take the mark, and those who refuse will be unable to participate in the economy. Modern technology makes such an absolute possibility, as consumers and vendors are moving away from the use of cash and preferring to conduct transactions digitally, through credit cards or even phones.

Revelation 14:9-13 discuss the eternal fate of those who submit to the Beast's rule, and praise those who resist his rule and choose God.

*And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.*

The punishment for taking the Mark of the Beast is nothing other than an eternity of torment in the Lake of Fire, in the presence of the Holy Angels and the Lord Himself. This stands in contrast to pretty much every modern preacher who tones down the reality of Hell.

Revelation 16:1-11 discuss the earthly judgements and tribulation that will be imposed upon those who worship the Beast and submit to his rule.

*And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image. And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea. And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood. And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments. And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory. And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.*

The chapter as a whole discusses the 7 vials, but verses 1-11 discuss the judgements on those who worship the Beast and take the mark. Despite the magnitude and severity of the judgements, those who worship the Beast and take his mark are shown to be unrepentant.

Revelations 13-16 serve well to debunk the false doctrine of absolute submission. Clearly, we see that the popularity of the absolute submission doctrine is part of the preparation for the New World Order, or the rule of the Antichrist.