1950 This Means Everlasting Life - A2Z.org

196 "THIS MEANS EVERLASTING LIFE"
The ruler of this world, the dragon, and the visible
ruling system which he put in power range
themselves up in opposition to God and his Kingdom
Heir . So there is often a clash between the
commands and laws of God and those of the visible
ruling system of this world. Under such circumstances,
to whom must the believing soul be
subject in unwavering obedience? The answer is
so simple : To the Authorities superior to men and
devils . Subjection to them means eternal life .
8 Rome was the dominant world power in Paul's
day, and this apostle wrote a letter to the Christian
believers there: "to all those who are in
Rome as God's beloved ones, called to be holy
ones." Romans 1 :1-7, NW He did not address
his letter to souls outside the Theocratic organization
to discuss worldly politics with them . In
chapter twelve of this letter he shows the Theocratic
organization is like a human body with
Jesus Christ as the God-appointed Head, and then
he answers the question on universal sovereignty
for us, saying :
9 "Do not let yourself be conquered by the evil,
but keep conquering the evil with the good . Let
every soul be in subjection to the superior authorities,
for there is no authority except by God ;
the existing authorities stand placed in their relative
positions by God. Therefore he who ranges
himself up against the authority has taken a stand
8 . To whom did Paul address Romans, chapter 13? On
what question?
9. What does he say, for us to benefit from existing
authorities?