Political Powers Appear

In Babylon there appeared features of human society that developed in defiance of Jehovah's sovereignty. One of these was political. As mankind multiplied, other ambitious humans followed Nimrod's example in seizing power. Man began to dominated man to h is injury. (Ecclesiastes 8:9) During the days of Abraham, for instance, Sodom and Gomorrah, and nearby cities fell under the control of kings from Shinar and other far distant lands. (Genesis 14;1-4) Eventually, military and organizational geniuses carved out huge empires for their own enrichment and glory. The Bible refers to some of these, including Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome.

Jehovah tolerated the existence of those political powers, and his people rendered relative obedience to them when they lived in lands under their control. (Romans 13:1, 2) Sometimes, political authorities even served for the furtherance of God's purposses or as a protection for his people. (Ezra 1:1-4; 7:12-26; Acts 25:11, 12; Revelation 12:15, 16) Nevertheless, many political rulers have viciously opposed true worship, showing themselves to be part of the seed of the Serpent.-1John 5:19.

For the most part, man-rule has failed miserably to bring happiness to us humans or to solve our problems. Jehovah has permitted mankind to experiment with every form of government, but he does not approve of corruption or the way governments have misruled the people. (Proverbs 22:22, 23) Revelation portrays oppressive world powers as making up a proud and monstrous wild beast.- Revelation 13:1, 2.

Next time: Selfish Commercial Traffickers