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The Powers That Be

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 17, 1895

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 21, No. 41.

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The Powers That Be

International Sabbath-School Lessons
“So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.”—Neh. 8:8
Lesson V.—Sabbath, November 2, 1895.

The Powers That Be.

1. What is the source of all power [or authority]?
“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.” Rom. 13:1.
2. Who has ordained the powers that be?—Id.
3. Therefore, who ordained the existence of civil governments among men?
“And He changeth the times and the seasons; He removeth kings, and setteth up kings.” “The Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men; and giveth it to whomsoever he will.” Dan. 2:21; 4:25.
4. Must they not, then, be for a good and wise purpose?
“For he is the minister of God to thee for good.” Rom. 13:4. See note 1.
5. What is the character of the work which God has ordained the rulers of civil government to perform?
“For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil.” Verse 3.
“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 evil-doers, and for the praise of them that do well.” 1 Peter 2:13, 14. See also Rom. 13:4, last clause.
6. Was man created evil in the beginning?
“Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.” Eccl. 7:29.
7. When did he become “evil”? Ans.—When he sinned; when he transferred his allegiance from God to Satan.
8. Since the rulers of civil governments were ordained to be a terror to “the evil,” and revengers to execute wrath upon him that “doeth evil,” when did they become a necessity? Ans.—Since the fall of man. (See note 2.)
9. What did man lose in the fall that made civil governments a necessity? Ans.—The power of self-control, the fear and love of God, and love toward his neighbor; in other words, he became selfish.
10. What striking illustration of this lack of self-control do we have after the fall? Ans.—The murder of Abel. Gen. 4:1–8.
11. For whom were earthly governments ordained? Ans.—For those who have not the principle in them to govern themselves,—the principle of love.
“For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same; for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain; for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.” Rom. 13:3, 4.
12. Who is the source of love?
“Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” 1 John 4:7.
13. Through what divine agent is this love imparted to us?
“And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” Rom. 5:5; 8:9.
14. How do we obtain the Spirit of God?
“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.” Gal. 3:13.
“And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” Luke 11:9–13.
15. What is the character of this faith?
“For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.” Gal. 5:6.
16. How will this love be manifest?
“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments; and his commandments are not grievous.” 1 John 5:3. “Love worketh no ill to his neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” Rom. 13:10.
17. When, therefore, love is the active principle, who reigns?
18. What is that power and plan called by which God restores to man this principle of love or righteousness?
“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.” Rom. 1:16. See note 3.
19. When men are governed by love, do they need the aid of civil laws and the fear of temporal punishment to keep them from trespassing on the rights of others?
“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” 1 John 3:9. See Gen. 39:7–9, and note 4.
20. Do such need the aid of civil laws to make them know the Lord and serve him?
“Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” 1 John 4:7, 16.
21. Of what use, then, can civil governments be to Christians? Ans.—To protect them, as well as others, in their rights.
22. How long will there be use for civil governments? Ans.—Only so long as there is crime or evil in the world.
23. Will there be any occasion for civil governments, then, in the new earth?
“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Rev. 22:14.
“For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” Eph. 5:5. See also Rev. 21:1–4, 27.
24. What is said concerning the duration of earthly kingdoms?
“I will declare the decree; the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” Ps. 2:7–9. See also Dan. 2:34, 35, 44; Rev. 11:15.
25. In contrast with these, what is the kingdom of the Lord called?
“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall; for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:10, 11.

Notes.