THE SUPREME AUTHORITY

Over 300 times in the Bible, Jehovah is called "Sovereign Lord."  A sovereign is one who possesses supreme authority. What gives Jehovah the right to this status? Revelation 4:11 answers:  "You  are worthy, Jehovah, even our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power, because you created all things, and because of your will they existed and were created."

As our Creator, Jehovah has the right to exercise his authority as he chooses. This might seem frightening, especially when we consider that God has an "abundance of dynamic energy."  He is called "God Almighty" -a term that in Hebrew conveys the idea of overpowering strength. (Isaiah 40:26;Genesis 17:1) Yet, Jehovah shows  his strength in a benevolent way, for his dominant quality is love. -1 John 4:16.


Although Jehovah  that he would bring punishment upon unrepentant wrongdoers, Moses knew him principally as "the true God, the faithful God, keeping covenant and loving-kindness in the case of those who love him and those  keep his commandments." (Deuteronomy 7:9) Just imagine! The authority  of  the universe does not force us to serve him. Rather, we are drawn him because of his love. (Romans 2:4; 5:8) Submitting to his authority is even a pleasure, for his laws always work to our ultimate benefit. - Psalm19:7, 8se
Our first parents rejected God's  sovereignty.  They wanted to decide for themselves what was good and what was bad. (Genesis 3:4-6) As a result, they were ousted from their Paradise home.  Jehovah thereafter allowed ?o   create  authority structures that would enable them to live in an orderly, though imperfect, society.  What are some of those authorities, and to what degree does God expect us to submit to them? 

Next time: "THE SUPERIOR AUTHORITIES"

The Book - KNOWLEDGE That Leads To Everlasting Life, 1995