Did you vote? Was your ballot among the record vote cast in the last election?

The second largest landslide victory in this nation’s history was rendered in favor of the incumbent
president. He could have been elected by a small majority or even a minority of the popular vote,
provided he gained the needed electoral vote majority. But this overwhelming support seemed
strange to many especially in view of the charges of corruption, wickedness, and immorality laid
at the door of his close associates. The campaigns were termed by, some to be the "muddiest" in
our history with these charges being made so frequently. Now it is not our purpose to enter more
deeply into this issue than to say it seems a solemn omen that a vote of such approval should be
cast in favor of one so accused.

Many Christians campaigned vigorously_for both parties. Many Christians gave financial support
and labored hours to support their candidate. Most radio preachers departed widely from the
Scriptures, urging God’s people to "get out and vote" some even expressing political preferences!

What is the proper attitude for the Christian on this subject? The truth on this subject was never
more spurned and flatly rejected by most professing Christians than it is today. We are not an
earthly people with earthly promises. Our King is not visibly on the throne here in this scene. His
last appearance here before the world was when He was rejected and crucified. The world then
cried out, "away with Him, crucify Him," and "His blood be on us and on our children" (John
19:15, Matthew 27:25), but now is trying to ease the burden of guilt resting on all, but more
especially on the Jews (John 19:11).

In the face of His rejection, our Saviour declared, "My Kingdom is not of this world" (John
18:36).

In Hebrews 3:1 the inspired writer declares:"Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly
calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus."

It seems that few of His own today realize their heavenly calling, and that we "are not of the
world, even as" He was "not of the world" (John 17:16).

God says that "our commonwealth has its existence in (the) heavens, from which also we await
the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philippians 3:20, J.N.D. trans.). The Greek word for "commonwealth",
politeuma, means also "citizenship" or "community." (Conversation, as in the King James
Version, poorly conveys this meaning to us today.) This word has come into our language as
POLITICS and should forcibly impress us with our portion above. In this scene we are pilgrims
and strangers. We are called to be subject to "the powers that be" (Romans 13:1) insofar as these
powers do not demand of us what the Lord forbids. Our subjection to these powers is to be "for
the Lord’s sake" (I Peter 2:13). Only when these powers conflict with the Word of God and go
beyond their divinely appointed bounds of suppressing evil and rewarding good (Romans 13:3)
is the Christian permitted_nay, bound_to "obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29). This, of
course, is not asserting our rights but God’s, and His Word as supreme.

Although we are presently in the "day of grace" or the "church age," neither grace nor the church
sets aside God’s principles established for world governments during the present ”times of the
Gentiles" (Luke 21:24). Since the Babylonian captivity of Judah in Daniel’s day until the end of
the future tribulation when Israel shall have paid double for all her sins (Isaiah 40:2), the
principles as to world governments remain unchanged.

At the beginning of these "times" Daniel interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams wherein it was
revealed "to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men,
and giveth it to whomsoever He will, and setteth up over it the basest of men" (Daniel 4:17). See
also Daniel 2:35; 4:3, 25, 32, 34, 36; 5:18, 21; etc.

God’s man is always on the throne in this and every other country where government prevails.
God sets them up, whether Nebuchadnezzar of old or Mr. Johnson of today. God removes men
too, whether Belshazzar, who trembled at the handwriting on the wall spelling out his doom the
very night he was slain, or by an assassin’s bullet of a year ago. Men take credit for these changes
whether by revolution or by the more peaceable means of voting. When will God’s people learn
that He rules over the kingdoms of men, and go about their proper calling of holding forth the
words of life in this scene of sin and death? Our warfare is in the spiritual realm with the
archenemy of the souls of men, and not taking part in the politics of this or any other nation
wherein we are truly strangers.

We are called to the path of returning good for evil and blessing those that curse us (Matthew
5:39). To the Christian God says, "See that none render evil for evil to any man" (I Thessalonians
5:15). Governments are called upon to suppress evil by forcible means. Of governments we read
that "he beareth not the sword in vain" (Romans 13:4). Again we read of God establishing
government through Noah, and holding government responsible to put murderers to death
(Genesis 9:5,6). This capital punishment is to clear the government of the innocent blood involved
and offers a solemn deterrent to any who think to shed the blood of others.

What a contrast is this God-instituted government with our Lord’s stern rebuke to Peter who did
bare his sword, cutting off a man’s ear. When we see then that God has called rulers and His
redeemed to opposite paths in response to the evil here, we are not surprised at the confusion in
government when Christians are in office. This confusion was evident again at this last election
when, under the leadership of their professed-Christian Governor, Mark Hatfield, the state of
Oregon voted out the death penalty.

We call upon the redeemed of Christ today to pray for all in governmental authority, and to
recognize them in their God-given place as did our blessed Saviour (John 19:11). Let us therefore
find our place of intercession with the Lord on behalf of all around us here, like Abraham of old
communing with the Lord and pleading for the cities of the plains (Genesis 18), instead of being
like Lot striving among them and judging between them to the shameful dishonor of himself, his
family, and his Lord.