There are thousands–perhaps millions–of men who pretend to be Christians.
The Bible calls these very close look-a-likes “tares.”
Most are not aware of the many differences between true believers and the tares, having been mis-taught from an early age: the great majority of these folks genuinely believe they are Christians.
Some, however, are workers of iniquity who pretend to be Christians in order to deceive.
Many of the second group are successful at their charade, fooling the church folk and others who are worldly.
However, where the workers of iniquity fail at fooling the few who have been transformed is the HUNDREDS of little things that separate the true believer from the tares.
ONE such little thing is the true Christian will obey the rules of the authorities, whether the authorities are popular or not.
The true believer obeys the authorities because he is COMMANDED by God’s Word to obey them.
Regardless of the arguments to the contrary by the workers of iniquity, God’s Word is crystal clear on the point.
“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.”
–Romans 13:1-2
“For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.”
-–1 Samuel 15:23
“Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.“
–1 Peter 2:13-14
”For the kingdom is the LORD’S; and he is the governor among the nations.”
-—Psalm 22:28
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;“
–1 Timothy 2:1-3
“Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,“
–Titus 3:1
“The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government [authority].“
–2 Peter 2:9-10
“My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:”
—Proverbs 24:21
“Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.”
—1 Peter 2:17
“And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.”
—Mark 12:17
(Most of the attacks on scriptural commands to obey the civil authorities focus on ROMANS 13 because that chapter is VERY clear on that point. Romans 13:1-2 is also VERY clear as to the ETERNAL consequences. “Damnation” is not a word EVER used for earthly consequences.)
This point came up recently during a discussion of whether to wear a mask or not.
“The government orders everyone to wear a mask, I’ll be the first one on it.”
“YOU? But you think wearing a mask is a joke!”
“It doesn’t matter what I think. IF the authorities order everyone to wear a mask, I’ll be wearing a mask. IF wearing a mask was contrary to God’s commands, then I would not wear a mask. But it isn’t, so I would.
Obeying the government will NOT make the believer popular.
But then, IF popularity was a factor, the believer would have switched sides long ago.
Obeying the civil authorities:
- EVEN if one disagrees with what they order.
- EVEN if one thinks they are tyrants.
- EVEN if one believes that disobeying them is a form of protest that is sacred.
As the Bible puts it: obeying the government authorities is like obeying God.
Just one of the hundreds of little things which separate the true believers from the tares.
HAS the reader heard that resisting tyrants is an honor?
DOES the reader believe this?
It is not YET too late: there is still time to change direction (repent), place your faith (hope) for the future entirely on Jesus Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven.
DOES the reader believe he is saved?
Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival
DOES the reader believe he is NOT saved?
Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: Making a Choice
- The Gospel of Jesus Christ
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: The Power of God Unto Salvation
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: The End Times Power of God Unleashed
THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-8
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16
MORE: Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report
[Portions of this piece appeared originally in End Times Prophecy Headlines: April 21, 2020.]
MORE
- Symbols and Signs of Rebellion in a Land of Rebellion
- How Would You Like Your Rebellion?
- OBEY and SUBMIT vs REBELLION
- American Rebel or Child of God: Make Your Choice
- The American Rebel is no Christian
- The Great End Times Revolt and Rebellion Against God and Jesus Christ
- Revolt, Rebellion and Revolution in the End Times
MORE
- Man Struggles Against God
- God is in Control
- The Nature of Spiritual Deception
- Tender Mercies of the Lord: Will Not Always Be Available
RELATED ARTICLES
- Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report
- Do You Know if You are Going to Heaven? Be Sure!
- END TIMES PREPARATION: 15 Ways to Prepare for the End Times
- Deceitful Workers are Victims of Deception Themselves
- End Times Survival, End Times Preparation
- 35 Most Important ETPR Articles
- DISOBEDIENCE and REBELLION: The Wisdom of Man OR the Word of God?
- Apostate Church: Breaking Every Chain
- Persecution, Tribulation, Troubles, Trials: What the Bible says to Christians
by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier
image: Photo by Sharon McCutcheon from Unsplash.com
© Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report, 2012-20. © Mondo Frazier and End Times Prophecy Report, DBKP 2007-2020. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Link Disclaimer: inclusion of links to other blogs/websites is not necessarily an endorsement of all content posted in those blogs/websites.
[NOTE: The following articles are from a service. We neither endorse nor at times have much control over them–although we do, of course, enjoy articles originating from this website on this service. Some articles illustrate points made in ETPR articles; some are merely for the reader’s edification or education.
ALL such links appearing in End Times Prophecy Headlines, such as those below, should originate at ETPR.
RE: our link disclaimer: there are links, from time-to-time which appear on this site which we neither approve nor endorse. The frequency of these types of links will no doubt grow worse. All effort is made to remove such links when we become aware of them.]
Related articles
Filed under: End Time Deception, END TIMES PREPARATION, End Times: What does the Bible say, true Christianity: the hundreds of little things