Romans 13 in the News: Manipulation and Manifestation

The above video is at least a year old, but it's a chilling expose' of Bush's Department of Homeland Security approaching clergymen across the country, and training them to use their propaganda, mixed with Romans 13 as a way to pacify their congregations in the event of Martial Law. The preachers are being prepared to minimize dissent by painting any declaration of Martial Law, for any reason, to be the action of God's appointed leader, whom they should trust.

This is one of many warning signs that the Bush administration fully plans to still be in power when the nation descends into a new level of chaos, and that they have no problem with exploiting God and Christ to obtain their empirical goals. The "Posse Comitatus" law, mentioned in the video, which strictly forbids US troops from policing American streets has been recently undone, by the deployment of a brigade of troops who are fresh out of the Iraq war-zone to a military base in Georgia...their mission objectives are explicitly to put a lid on domestic dissent "just in case" there is a reason for martial law to be declared. Troops were sent to New Orleans after Katrina, and local police forcefully removed guns from citizens, including an old woman, that was tackled by a 250lb police officer. Strange policing actions also took place from the military and local police during the disastrous floods in the Mississippi region this summer.

These are localized practice-runs for a national transformation to martial law. Law Enforcement and Military are both working to train their people to disarm and consider all citizens to be potential enemies of the state. That's the sort of mentality they had in communist Russia. This is all very real, and painfully close. Annon recently shared this mp3 link to a very interesting radio broadcast from John Stadtmiller that paints an eerily possible picture of what could happen between now and the inauguration. It's well worth a listen, if you haven't heard it yet, you can come back to read the rest.

The problem we face, of course, is the fact that Romans 13 seems to support the idea of Christians submitting to ruling kings and governments without exception. Is that really the case, or is there something deeper going on?

Romans 13:1-5

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake.

By isolating the first 5 verses of this chapter, clergy can advise submission to even the most despotic, and lawless of "rulers". Logic would suggest that only the cunning and deceptive minds of despotic rulers would think to use this passage as a way to pacify the masses. When we are interpreting scripture, it is always important for us to remember context. This is not limited to a chapter, or a book, but the entirety of Scriptures works together to preach one great message. There are paradoxes littered throughout, but no real contradictions. That statement is much easier said than learned, but it is true.

It must be established that our allegiance is to God first, and then to the "ruling authorities" that God has sanctioned. If our earthly leaders are in defiance to God, we must stand strong in the light that has been given to us by Christ, and be prepared to die, if necessary, for the sake of our faith. There is no compromise to that order of authority. When we are told to serve our earthly leaders (or ourselves, or anything) above our heavenly king, we are being lied to by a very old, very sinister fallen angel who twists scriptures to promote his own agenda.

In the desert, when he tempted Christ, the Devil offered to give Jesus dominion over all the kingdoms of the world, if Christ would only bow before him. This temptation demonstrates his ultimate desire to divert people's worship of God. I have no doubt that Lucifer was whispering into the minds of the mob that judged Jesus. John 19:15 reveals this twisted reasoning:

(The mob) shouted, "Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!"
"Shall I crucify your king?" Pilate asked.
"We have no king but Caesar," the chief priests answered.

Romans 13, then is a very dangerous passage, if and when it is misinterpreted.

Verse 1 says that "every soul must be subject to the governing authorities", which implies that if a leader does not honor the laws that he has sworn to uphold, that leader is in violation to Romans 13. Only people who violate the law have any reason to fear the law. The Antichrist is described in scripture as being a very boastful, strong and fierce leader who "seeks to change the times and laws" in Daniel 7:25. He is called "The Lawless one" in several other prophetic references. The fact remains on display, that while Bush swore to uphold the constitution on inauguration day, he has actually moved in strong, strident steps to dismantle that constitution (which is the "governing authority" that is above him). Our rights and liberties have been stolen right before our very eyes. Sainthood: the compulsion to love your neighbors and to love your enemies, is now illegal according to the Patriot Act.

I see the constitution as something that God has sanctioned, because the heart of this governing document is wise, and just and fair.

The severe partisanship of the religious right, on the other hand, is not very fair. Think about this: Were leaders of the religious right citing Romans 13 in defense of Bill Clinton? Most pastors actually encouraged people's loathing of Clinton...whipping them up to a partisan frenzy that helped deliver the 2000, and 2004 presidential elections to George Bush. There is a massive anti-government, anti-tax sentiment that partially defines the religious right, and this sentiment runs completely contrary to Roman's 13, not just in verses 1-5, but the entire chapter.

Romans 13:6-7

For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

I believe that Paul is actually warning us not to engage in violent resistance to tyranny, for he knew that the Christians in Rome, and true followers of Christ in the future would be persecuted without cause, just as Jesus was. That persecution can stand as a testimony, as long as we remain blameless, refraining from any evil, even in our resistance to tyranny. This principle was Echoed by the apostle Peter, in the other, oft-interpreted teaching from 2 Peter 2:13-25.

We are commanded to "Bless those that curse us, bless and do not curse". Paul also taught, "Do not confront evil with evil, but overcome evil with good". That is one of the ultimate expressions of self denial. I don't think any of us would have the strength or the will to behave that way without the spirit of Christ within us. But we can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us.

Dick Chaney is on the receiving end of that sword wielded by the governing authority of the law of the land. In the past three days, he was indicted in a tiny Texas town. This is a time of consequences, a time to pay the piper. The problem is, the Bush Administration is very dangerous, especially when cornered. Justice will be served, if not sooner, certainly later...(and not much later at that).



Romans 13:8-14

Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

The Twilight Zone of the Bush Years.

For this blog, and for thousands of people who already recognize the way that George Bush's presidency has mirrored the rule of Adolph Hitler, and who understand the serious threat that this country has been facing under his rule...we are in a strange time. Considering that these are the waning hours of Bush's legitimate claim to office, I see this time as a "Twilight Zone" of his rule. It is a time where Bush will either spring the trap that he seems to have been preparing throughout his presidency, or he will fade into obscurity. All chips are on the table, but the odds seem to be in favor of a relatively smooth transition into an Obama presidency.

• The war drums that are beating towards Iran, Pakistan, and most recently Russia have not led us to an actual war.
  
• America has survived through the seventh anniversary of 9-11 and beyond without being shocked once again by a massive Terrorist Attack. Thusly, Bush has not declared martial law, as many suspected he would.
  
• The greedy practices of deregulation have been exposed as the utmost in foolishness, and have decapitated several major corporations in the past months.
• Although millions of people have starved in the past year because of the failing world economy, and billions have just gone deeper into debt, it seems that dramatic government intervention and the promise of change have seemed to steer us clear of a financial Armageddon. (despite the fact that the stock market has continued to tumble, regular people are feeling more confident about the future in general.)
  

We have just passed through a historic, dramatic and turbulent election campaign, and it seems like the Democratic party has emerged on the other side completely triumphant. Everywhere, from the News Stations to neighborhoods and villages around the world, people are calling, "Peace and Safety!" They see the dawning rays of a new and better day ahead, and they are so beaten down and weary from the pitch darkness that has defined this millennium so far, that they are basking in it's glory before it has actually arrived.

Even though Bush has promised to make the transition of government as easy as possible, and even though he praised President-Elect Barrack Obama, he's still in power for the next couple of months. The coast isn't clear quite yet. From what I've gathered in my study of George Bush, it seems like he goes out of his way to proclaim and promise the exact opposite of what he actually does. He speaks in opposites. When he said "I am a uniter, not a divider", he actually has worked to polarize and split up the nation into idealogical trenches. When he said "War is a last resort", he meant he was scheming up a way to convince the American people that they should support an upcoming war. When he said he is "Compassionate", he has proven himself to be heartless, merciless, and completely out of touch with almost everyone. When he said, "America does not torture", we have found out that America does torture in quite barbaric ways. Knowing this history makes me believe that when Bush says, "I'm going to make this an easy transition", it means something else entirely. Right now he is focused on passing through as much regulation as he can before the scheduled transfer of power takes place. Bill Clinton did the same thing in late 2000, and most people are so fed up with the wacky, can't-seem-to-do-anything-right ways of Bush that they are already thinking of the President Elect as the President. They don't care what Bush does these days, which gives him plenty of opportunity to plan his surprise stay in office. Bush claiming that it will be a peaceful and cooperative transfer of power might also mean that Barrack Obama is in serious danger, because he is in the way of something much bigger.

Let me be perfectly clear by saying that I voted for Obama, and I hope that there is a peaceful transfer of power. I hope that I'm wrong about the timing of these days, and about the identity of the Antichrist. But I've done a lot more homework than most people can tolerate, and I know our current president's style and habits very well. I hope that Obama takes his security needs seriously, because the foolish, fundamentalist, boy-king who has promised to play nice is in reality a monstrous man who was aware of, and involved in the 9-11 attacks. Bush is a part of that evil cabal that destroyed the lives of so many over seven years ago. That's why Osama Bin Laden was never caught. That's why he sounded so calm, eloquent, and rehearsed in the statements he made on that day. That's why he dragged his feet and actively interfered with the 9-11 investigation. Bush most likely was not the mastermind, but he has been the spokesman for the true conspirators of 9-11. That's why Barrack Obama's life is at risk.

I do not believe this will be a peaceful transfer of power, because America was taken over 8 years ago. We were the victims of a coup that we never came to terms with. The evidence of it is screaming at us to pay attention to it, but many will not...can not. The real truth about what is going on in the world is so much uglier than what most people are ready to accept. Most people can accept the fact that the Iraq war was based on lies, but they are not willing or able to accept the fact that the entire War on Terrorism, and the invasion of Afghanistan were also based on a lie. Most people can agree the 9-11 was a day that many of our nations defenses failed simultaneously, but they are not willing to consider that 9-11 was an inside job. It's entirely possible for almost anyone to become educated about the events of that day and other world events, but most people resist the truth about it, without even being aware of their resistance.

President Bush has shaped this century so far in a profoundly vulgar way. His legacy is one of torture, of lies: the very dictionary definition of Evil. It amazes me that people still allow themselves to believe that he could be a born again Christian, filled by the Holy Ghost, and representing Christ on earth as a member of his church. People who think this way have not held Bush accountable for his claims; they have not tested his spirit.

The truth is that Bush is a documented demon worshipper, who took part in a Black Mass and was "born again" unto Satan in 1968. The truth about this man has been exposed, if people would only seek it out. The dots of documents and facts have all aligned themselves before the whole world, and they are begging to be connected. But only some people are connecting these dots.

People everywhere want change, though. They want the restoration of law, and of peace, and of hope for the future. They want change, but they're not quite sure how to get it. Everywhere, people are groaning in tribulation. They are suffering under the weight of a world-wide non-stop "War on Terrorism", they are going hungry because of the recent spike in food prices. The earth itself is becoming more and more furious over time, at the same time that species of plants and animals are dying at an alarmingly accelerated rate. This is a historic time of tribulation for the entire world. It is a time of judgment, because the majority of western believers have abandoned Christ for the sake of Christianity. They have been led like sheep into a very dark place. We do not need a man with common sense and optimism to save us, we need divine intervention, and a change of our own hearts.

There is a spiritual war in full swing at this very moment. But you have to realize that God is watching, is very close, and is seeing who is faithful and who is not in order to understand the reason for the increase in suffering around the world. God is judging the Prosperity movement as guilty through this economic meltdown, he is judging the war-mongering, gay-bashing moral bankruptcy in the church by allowing curses, not blessings, to pour upon America these days. If people would repent, would change their hearts and lives, and start acting out of the Love that is available to us all, we would see the world truly improve. That's what's needed for change. Not one good man as our leader, but what my roommate refers to as a "Revolution of the individual". Everyone needs to understand that the Spiritual battlefield is as close as our own minds, and victories and defeats are tallied by the decisions we make, by our every action. The judgment of the world is not something outside of ourselves, that is being judged independently of ourselves. It is here, now, and we are all a part of it. All will be judged by a standard that has been written in stone, and preserved for thousands of years. The only way to ensure that you will escape the wrath of God is to serve Him, and Love Him with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength; to respond when you hear Him in your conscience; to love your neighbors (all of them! Muslim, Jewish, Religious Right, Gay, Straight, Red, Yellow, Black, and White).

Repentance is a very basic message, the problem is that it's not taken very seriously by most. Let's not give our new elected officials the responsibility of our repentance, because they cannot take it. Let's not hope to move on and gloss over the mistakes that we have made, because we will continue going in the wrong direction if we do not first confess our mistakes, and start out on a new course. This day is an opportunity to repent, I hope that many come to realize it, and take advantage of our shared opportunity.

The Gospel of John (Part 1).