Editorial – “For Kings And All Those In Authority”

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (1Ti 2:1,2).

Last month, Americans — and observers around the world — saw the election of a new President of the United States. As the long campaign neared its climax, we published in this magazine several articles (written before the results were known) that reminded us of important matters:

  1. God rules in the kingdom of men, and sets in power whomever He pleases, even at times the “basest” of men (Dan 4:17,25,32). It ought to be noted here that the old-fashioned English word “basest” (KJV) does not mean here the most immoral or the most inferior, but simply the “lowest” (ASV) or the “lowliest” (RSV, NIV).
  2. As followers of Christ, who recognize that God works in this world, we must be respectful of those whom He places in authority over us. While we may disagree personally with what this leader or that one may do, we must not lose sight of the fact that he (or she) could not act at all if the Almighty had not allowed it to be so — or, perhaps, even directly caused it to be so. “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases” (Prov 21:1).
  3. Furthermore, we must not only respect, but also submit to and obey the rul­ers (Rom 13:1-7; 1Pe 2:13-17; Tit 3:1), except for the rare occasions when we have a clear duty to “obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).
  4. Finally, we dare not involve ourselves in any partisan political activities, lest we endanger our standing, first and foremost, as “citizens” of God’s Kingdom.

As the United States, or any nation in the world, selects its leaders, Christadel­phians stand aside respectfully, as observers and not participants in the process. Of course, this standing aside does not preclude us from having opinions as to which candidate might make a ‘better’ president, governor, congressman, prime minister, member of parliament, etc. We may express our opinions privately, to one another, but we should be careful about how we express our opinions to others in the world around us. We could too easily be drawn into the “strife” or “quarrels” of this world (Prov 20:3), and stand accused of meddling in a quarrel that is not our own (Prov 26:17). “The Lord’s servant must not quarrel” (2Ti 2:24; see the Minute Meditation in this issue).

Our opinions

We might also want to give some thought to our opinions about political matters, even if held confidentially or expressed privately in Bible classes and the like. How do we develop these opinions?

Possibly we develop political opinions, even when we don’t vote, on the basis of financial self-interest or personal prejudice of one kind or another. Putting that aside, however, we might answer: ‘My opinion is based on an informed reading of the Bible, of course.’ Even this may mean something like: ‘I’m hoping for, or rooting for the candidate whom I believe will most effectively do God’s will’ or ‘the one who will most likely fulfill my interpretation of Bible prophecy’.

This raises an interesting question: If I truly believe that God chooses whom He pleases, and if I truly believe that God can turn a ruler’s heart wherever He wishes, and guide a ruler’s actions to His own divine purposes, then… why in the world do I have a ‘rooting interest’ at all? “Will not the Judge [‘shaphat’: Ruler] of all the earth do right?” (Gen 18:25).

As to our understanding of unfulfilled Bible prophecy, how and when (and by whom) any particular revelation might be fulfilled, we do well to remember three things:

  • The Jews of the first century, the best Bible students in the world, including some who believed in Jesus Christ, failed consistently — time after time after time — to see how or when the words of the Hebrew prophets, or the words of their Savior, would be fulfilled. Invariably, it was only when the prophecy was actually fulfilled before their eyes, and drawn to their attention, that they understood what Almighty God had done.
  • Christadelphians understand the general tenor of Bible prophecy, i.e., that when the Jews are back in their land but threatened by their enemies, the Lord will return from heaven to raise and judge the dead, to save Israel, and to establish the Kingdom of God in the earth. But our record as would-be ‘prophets’ is filled with mistaken expectations, and wrong guesses, about when and where and how latter-day prophecies will actually be fulfilled. We have guessed wrong so many times that the continual reordering of timetables, and the constant circling of new dates on our calendars, runs the risk of cast­ing doubt on our fundamental Bible teachings. We really ought to be more careful.
  • Even when we think we know what a particular candidate might do upon becoming president, it often doesn’t work out that way. History is filled with promising rulers who did little, as well as the most unlikely of rulers who actually fulfilled the purpose of God. Ages ago an Egyptian Pharaoh, who worshipped a myriad of idols, opposed the God of Israel, but his blind stub­bornness brought about the Exodus. Adolph Hitler, whose hatred of Jews led to millions being exterminated, and whose lust for power precipitated a war that ravaged the world, provided the impetus for the remnants of God’s people to return to their own land. Shortly after World War II ended, the American President Harry Truman — who had no reason whatsoever to be favorably disposed toward the fledgling nation of Israel — courageously approved their recognition by the United Nations. All this cries out for us to examine ourselves: how can we ever know, before it happens, what the most unlikely or unpromising of rulers might do to further the purpose of God?

Pray for rulers

This leads us back to Paul’s exhortation that we quoted at the beginning:

“I urge that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made… for kings and all those in authority.”

Paul mentions four distinct types of prayer above:

  • “requests”: petitions, supplications for the wellbeing and the needs of ourselves and others;
  • “prayers”: an all-purpose word, including especially public prayers;
  • “intercession”: the work of a priest, going into the presence of God on behalf of others; and
  • “thanksgiving”: a grateful remembrance of God’s past blessings, by which those praying strengthen their faith that the same God will meet future needs.

Paul exhorts us to offer every sort of prayer on this list. Furthermore, every sort of prayer may have as its object “kings and all those in authority”:

  • We may beseech God’s care upon those who rule over us, that they may be protected and prospered, all with the aim that they will be better able to carry out God’s will.
  • It is appropriate that, in our assemblies, we occasionally offer public prayers for our national leaders, and other government officials.
  • Of all peoples, we are uniquely situated to do the work of priests, that is, to offer prayers of intercession on behalf of leaders. Those very leaders will almost certainly be totally oblivious to our prayers, and to any good that those prayers might do. But we know better. If we do indeed know the Truth of God’s Word, and belong to Him, then our prayers may be the most effective ones uttered for those rulers: “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man [and woman, and congregation] availeth much” (James 5:16, KJV).
  • We thank God for the protection He has given us, by means of those whom He has placed over us. In remembering what our heavenly Father has done in the past, we encourage ourselves and others that He will continue to do so, “that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (1Ti 2:2).
  • Undoubtedly, it is easier to pray for our rulers when we see them as good and admirable people, and when we are well disposed toward them personally. However, our obligation to do so is not lessened when they fail to suit us, or to meet the standards we may impose upon them. If we are tempted to shirk our duty in this regard because, frankly, we just don’t want to do it, then we ought to remember:
  • The respect and submission shown toward, and even the prayers on behalf of, rulers (Rom 13; 1Pe 2; 1Ti 2; Tit 3) had as their immediate beneficiaries Roman Caesars like Nero!
  • If that weren’t enough, then Christ has also commanded us to “love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt 5:44); only if you do so, he implies, will you truly be “sons of your Father in heaven” (v 45).
  • God is always in control, and can use even the most difficult of experiences in this life to shape our characters and prepare us for the world to come.
  • Finally, to pray for anything is to acknowledge that — not just what we have or might have, not just what we are or what we might be — but our very lives, every day and every moment, are in His hands.