Who is God’s Candidate?

“Every person should place themselves under the authority of the government. There isn’t any authority unless it comes from God, and the authorities that are there have been put in place by God” (Romans 13:1 Common English Bible).

On Tuesday, November 5, the people of the United States will elect a new president. The event itself is almost anticlimactic compared to the anticipation built up through debates, the media, and rallies. Both ex-President Donald Trump and Vice-President Kamala Harris promise to accomplish great things. Whether either, if elected, can accomplish these things is secondary to the rhetoric surrounding the campaign promise.

Henry Kissinger, former Secretary of State, wrote in his third memoir, Years of Renewal, about the Presidency. “The great statesmen of the past saw themselves as heroes who took on the burden of their societies’ painful journey from the familiar to the as yet unknown. The modern politician is less interested in being a hero than a superstar. Heroes walk alone; stars derive their status from approbation. Heroes are defined by inner values; stars by consensus. When a candidate’s views are forged in focus groups and ratified by television anchor persons, insecurity and superficiality become congenital (a disease).”

Past systems of government have failed over the long term to secure permanent peace and happiness for all constituents. Monarchies began to fall in Europe during the 18th century when the movement known as the “Enlightenment” put the age-old connection between religion, politics, and social hierarchies under scrutiny. Aristocracies of 16th century England and 18th century France failed when Industrialization and revolution by the oppressed demanded civil equality. Socialism promised prosperity, equality, and security through government intervention in all things, but it has proven to result in tyranny and misery, mainly due to the lack of incentives it creates. Three years after the Russian Revolution, Austrian economist Ludwig von Mises argued that Communism would fail because it had abolished free markets so that officials had no guide for competitive planning production.

The first known Democracy in the world was in Athens, Greece. Perhaps its most notable citizen was Socrates, who used the analogy of a ship to criticize its democracy. “The owner of the ship (the people), is big and strong — but he is hard of hearing, shortsighted and not much of a navigator, easily swayed by the quarreling sailors (politicians), who lack navigational expertise but constantly fight for control of the ship. They recklessly gorge themselves on the ship’s resources, while disagreeing with one another about who should be in charge on board, with each sailor believing he should be the captain (despite having neither experience nor training). Ultimately, it leads to disaster due to their lack of true knowledge and leadership.”

Here is an excerpt from the winning essay in the Carnegie Council’s 2019 contest, “Is it important to live in a Democracy?” “First and foremost, democracies are a crucial step in achieving equality for oppressed groups by giving people who would otherwise be excluded from politics the ability to vote for the policies and people that they believe in. However, democracy alone is insufficient in the pursuit of equality because the majority faction will still overpower minority factions.”

Jesus Appointed by God to Rule the World in Due Time

“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan” (Proverbs 29:2 NKJV).

Under the existing state of things, it is good that there is a measure of patriotism for the common interest that binds the individuals of a country into one homogeneous society or nation. This insures the welfare of their citizens along various lines of human kindness. But the good is often offset by national selfishness, greed, pride and unholy ambition. The sentiments of patriotism often indicate animosity toward neighboring nations. Patriotism is created when national interests are believed to benefit the interests of the individual. So, there is little in the politics of nations that is purely unselfish.

This form of patriotism then should not be the goal for a Christian, who should embrace the interests of all humanity. No nations today are founded on perfect righteousness. None are willing to devote energies toward the elevation and blessing of all people. To a considerable extent, the nations are under the dominion of the prince of this world and therefore unfit for a Christian’s patriotism. Such devotion should be reserved for the one and only righteous government: the Kingdom of God that will bless all the families of the earth. Although that Kingdom is not yet established, yet Jehovah’s Anointed is now the incoming King, and his dominion will soon extend over all the earth.

The complete separation of God’s people from the world, although repeatedly emphasized by the Lord and the apostles, is generally overlooked by professed Christians. They often support its political, social and military ambitions. In contrast, when describing his followers, Jesus said, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:16). We are to be in it as law-abiding aliens rendering to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s (Matthew 22:21, Mark 12:17). We are to owe nothing but to love one another. If we are law-abiding, tax-paying, well-behaved citizens, we are living according to Paul’s admonition. We are to render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom is due; fear to whom fear is due; honor to whom honor is due (Romans 13:7).

Custom here likely refers to a toll or tariff. The term fear is in context of an authority — caring what they think and giving heed to the consequences they can bring to bear. We are supposed to recognize authorities that can create consequences for us and pay them appropriate heed. The Greek word translated honor can also be rendered “price.” This means to value authorities, to give them appropriate attention.

If we were currently under a theocracy, we should have the most patriotic devotion towards it. To as many as believe and consecrate themselves fully to the cause of the new King, whose dominion begins in their hearts long before its establishment in the earth, will be granted the privilege of heirship with him when, in due time, his Kingdom is established on earth.

The world does not yet know of this Kingdom. Its citizens cannot appreciate its principles of righteousness. If we wholly follow the Lord and walk apart from the world in all things, we can only expect to be misunderstood and even criticized. “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they followed My word, they will follow yours also” (John 15:18-20 NAS).

Let us rejoice and pray for the one true candidate to rule the world — our glorified Lord. And may we continue to strive to be with him in the task of bringing true equality to the resurrected billions who will find joy and comfort in that Kingdom!