"Happy Are Those Who Keep Their Integrity" to Jehovah -"THE SUPERIOR AUTHORITIES

 Read Romans 13:1.In this verse, the term "superior authorities" refers to human rulers who have power and control over others. Christians are subject to these secular authorities.  These rulers  maintain public order, enforce the law, and at times even come to the defense of Jehovah's people.(Revelation 12:16) Thus, we are commanded to render them the taxes, tributes, fear, and honor that  they demand.  (Romans 13:7) However,  those secular governments  have authority only because Jehovah allows them to have it.  Jesus made that principle clear when he was interrogated  by Roman Governor Pontius Pilate.  When Pilate referred to the authority he had either had to spare Jesus' life or to have him put to death.  Jesus told him: "You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been granted to you from above." (John 19:11) As was the case with Pilate, the authority of a human rulers and politicians today is limited.

Christian submit to human governments when secular laws do not contradict God's laws. But we cannot obey men when they require men  to fight in the armed forces of the nation.  Or they ban our Bible and our Bible-based publications an forbid us to preach and to worship together.  When rulers misuse their authority, such as by persecuting Christ's disciples, they mst answer to God. Jehovah is watching! - ECCLESIASTES 5:8.

The word "superior" means "better, greater, higher in rank."  But it does not mean "best, greatest, highest in rank." That describes another word -"supreme" Even though human governments are referred to as "the superior authorities," there exists another authority that is the highest rank-supreme.  Four times in the Bible, Jehovah God is given the title "the Supreme One." - DANIEL 7:18, 22,25, 27.

Next time: "Happy Are Those Who Keep Their Integrity" to Jehovah - "THE SUPREME ONE

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