We Must Obey God First

We Must Obey God First - By Pastor Mike Taylor - https://pastormiketaylor.blogspot.com/2021/06/we-must-obey-god-first.html “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. 2. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.” (Roman 13:1-2) In this highly charged atmosphere in this country with all the violence of racial intolerance , terrorist attacks and random police shootings, many people are concernedwith the direction that this country is taking, especially in light of the present “administration”. I use that term lightly, but they were elected by deceit and a liberal leaning nation that mourns basically their decision of electing a man whose claim of “BUILD BACK BETTER” has shocked the nation of the moral collapse of this country, as unparalleled executive orders seek to destroy our economy and our way of life by inflation due to unspeakable spending of “funny” money. Before I continue, I want to make one thing perfectly clear. I am a complete proponent of law and order based on our Constitution and being the parent of a son who is asergeant in the Missouri State Highway Patrol, I am a solid supporters of our men in blue that risk their lives everyday. We as parents are concerned with the lawlessness that has enveloped every section of this country from east to west coast with the majorunrest in large metropolitan cities from Antifa and Black Lives Matter..(both considered terrorist groups) With that admission solidly behind me, let me continue with what I believe Paul was driving at in this passage. Some pastors of modern churches takethe opening verses of Romans 13 to say that we obey authority no matter what they say...but is that correct? My belief, “no it is not”. “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: (Romans13:3) No other country has been an advocate and an enforcer of common sense laws, based on the Ten Commandments as has the USA in times past. But alas, the ship of reason andlaw has become based on shakey ground and it comes from those at the Federal level that filters down to our state and local authorities by edict. I have always, and I suspect most who read this message, have been law abiding citizens that respect and appreciate the job well done by your local branch of law enforcementdepartments. But as we get closer and closer to the end of this age, there are forces that wish to pervert the bedrock foundation that this country was built upon and demands complete submission to their decrees, no matter how onerous they may be. In this passage, Paul gives us a very clear, categorical commandment at the beginning of our text. The commandment is addressed to all mankind, without exception. Everyperson is included in this instruction—both believers and unbelievers. Every person is required to be in subjection to the governing authorities. Subjection certainly includes obedience, but it implies even more. Subjection focuses on the spirit or attitudeof the individual, which leads to obedience. It recognizes an authority over us to which we are obliged to give not only our obedience but our respect. It implies a spirit which seeks to understand the perspective and purpose of the one who is superior andto seek to enhance that one’s position and purpose. WE must obey, TO A POINT!! I am reminding of several passages in the Bible where those who were subject to the powers that be, followed the law of the land that was ruled even by pagan authoritiesand supported those governments in their everyday lives, that is until they overstepped their bounds and opposed the laws of God. Peter when the disciples were brought before the Sanhedrin and the Jewish authorities for their preaching of the death and resurrection of the Son of God, Jesus Christ,when asked why they preached in this name: 27 “And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, 28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man'sblood upon us. 29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Act 5:27-29) This they could not do, lest they disobey God. Though they could not and would not stop preaching about their resurrected Lord, they did not challenge the authority of thisbody. Their answer was evidence of their submissive spirit and intent: “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20). Submission usually is demonstrated by our obedience, but even when we must disobey, we can and should do so in a submissive spirit and manner. Thus, Peter and the Apostles could not suspend preaching and teaching in the name of Jesus, because they had been commanded by our Lord to proclaim the Gospel to every creature.Even though the Jewish authorities demanded why they continued to do so, Peter was respectful and submissive to the questions, but firm in their belief that God and His commands took precedence over the commands of those in authority. Another case in point, the Hebrew children in the book of Daniel of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who were commanded as all those in the Kingdom of Nebuchadnezzar, Kingof Babylon to bow down to the golden image that he had set up as an idol of worship. Note that these three men were leaders and governors in the king's empire and were highly favored in his court because of their loyalty, their intellect, and their supportof the government of the king and as friends and fellow countrymen of the second in command of all the kingdom, the prophet Daniel, in Daniel chapter 3. When brought before the king, who was highly displeased that they had failed to obey his command, the Hebrewchildren in this passage were humble and submissive to the king, but firm in their conviction of who they must worship. They made it clear that they were in submission to all his decrees, just not this one: “16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” (Daniel 3:16-18) Notice they were careful in their speech and showed respect and humility to their king, even a king of a pagan government, but stood firm when the command conflicted withthe laws of God and who should be worshiped.: 3, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4, Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under theearth. “ 5, Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the thirdand fourth generation of them that hate me;” (Exodus 20:3-5) Jesus is our Supreme example of giving to God what belongs to God: When Jesus was tempted by the Jewish authorities over taxes paid to Caesar. Jesus answered their trickery: 21 “And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly: 22 Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no? 23 But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? 24 Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's. 25 And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.” (Luke 20:21-25) From several Scriptures one might come to the conclusion that there are exceptions to the rule or precept Paul has laid down here. There were times when men had to choseto "obey God, rather than men" . I would like to suggest to you that while the Christian may not, in good conscience before God, be able to obey the government in every instance, true submission to the government is never actually set aside. Generally, submissionis exhibited by one’s obedience. But when one cannot obey, they can still demonstrate a submissive spirit. This submissive spirit should never be set aside when it comes to those in authority over us. Civil Government Is Divinely Ordained From Paul's argument, the civil authorities are set up by God for order and the rule of law. It is based upon a fundamental premise: God is sovereign. He possesses ultimateauthority. He is the sole authority of His creation. All human authority is delegated to men by God. No one has authority independent of God. How do we know that a government is ordained by God? Because it exist and that it possesses divinely delegated authority.Paul says, “those which exist are established by God.” God is sovereign. He is in control of all things. He causes all things to “work together for good” . The Bible says: “20, Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: 21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: 22 He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.” (Daniel 2:20-22) And for our benefit: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Roman 8:28) We have had good and bad presidents and administrations in the past 26 years and even before that to the beginning of the 20th century But God has raised up each accordingto His sovereign will for our good and to prevent lawlessness to abound, where the hearts of evil men abound if left unchecked. BUT, In the previous 8 years of Obummer, the “usurper in chief”, I have never seen the rule of law perverted as I have seen it done beforehand in any other time. Our Constitutiongives us the right, even the duty to remedy such abuse. We have laws that give the people an avenue to address such lawlessness and disregard of the Laws that made this country the greatest in all the earth, like no other in any other time period. In the Declarationof Independence there is a passage that addresses lawlessness in government: “But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it istheir duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.“ Such was the intent of our founding fathers, who saw and attempted to prevent the rise of tyranny by a run away government who abdicates it's duty to follow the Declarationof Independence, the Constitution, or the Bill of Rights. Now we are subjected to what some call the administration of Obama 3.0, as Biden is led around by the hand, and obviously, he is not in charge as edicts he doesn't evenknow what is signing are destroying this economy and causing increased inflation, destroying our energy sector all in the name of “Climate Change”....which is a farce. But there is a right way and a wrong way to address these abuses, and it's not taking to the streets in anarchy by rioting as have the Black Lives Matter and Antifa “domesticterrorists” groups that are financed by the likes of George Soros and the liberal left to damage and even to destroy the foundation basis of this Republic. Nor do we take matters into our own hands in lawlessness by shooting innocent men and women, even thosewho are entrusted with our safety on the streets: your local law enforcement agencies and departments. We have courts and judges to hear such cases and pronounce judgment through jury trial and grand juries that investigate abuses of law, even by governmentalagencies. You may not always agree on their verdict, but they are entrusted to enforce and interpret the laws of this land. To do otherwise, is to play into the desires of the global elite that only wish to destroy the last vestige of the mankind's freedom found in the USA. We, this land we callhome, are THE LAST MAN standing to combat evil in this world. And what if this nation falls and there is NO one to stand in the gap, either locally, nationally, or internationally? The likes of the present administration is salivating when the idea of “martiallaw” and suspending our God given rights are usurped by a lawless government. Must we play into their hands? This coming election will either hasten that implosion of this country or delay it for a time as it did the last four years, but understand my brethren,the time is coming, and sooner than anyone would like to think. God uses powers of government to either reward, or to punish a nation who has neglected or even thrown the God of Heaven out of every part of our national institutions from the top down, fromthe POTUS, even to the local level of your city council. THE RISE OF THE ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT AND THE ANTI-CHRIST The powers of darkness have been working very hard for the last 100+ years to make that very idea of a “utopia” of a One World Government and it's partner in evil, the OneWorld Religion that will demand worship of one man, as a god. “And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. 2, And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.” (Revelation 6:1-2) With the rampant evil that we see roaming our streets, or the lack of following the laws of our land by a POTUS that has gone hog wild to abuse his oath of office, the implosionof that “Last man standing” could be on the foreseeable horizon, just over the next political hill, just out of site. It was stated in times past, in a quote attributed to Henry Speak the former premier of Belgium when he said: “"What we want is a man of sufficient stature to hold the alliances of all people and to lift us out of the economic morass into which we are sinking. Send us such a man,and be he god or devil, we will receive him." That has been the mind-set of politicians since this was quoted in as far back as 1957. The world is even in a bigger mess, than it was then and is growing exponentiallya dangerous and unsafe place to live. The world of any sane human being longs for peace and safety, and if this is any indication of the beliefs of an unsaved generation of godless people, then our time, this generation is ripe for the coming of what the Biblecalls “the Lawless One”. I believe the man of sin is alive today, noting how the rise of anarchy, murder and terrorist attacks upon innocent men and women in the Western World have increased, especially in the last 10 years...(”thank you, POTUS Joe Biden....thepuppet president. He has created a climate that is ushering in what Henry Kissinger spoke of when this last democrat POTUS before Trump was elected...Kissinger said, and I quote: “The president-elect is coming into office at a moment when there is upheaval in many parts of the world simultaneously,” Kissinger responded. “You have India, Pakistan;you have the jihadist movement. So he can’t really say there is one problem, that its the most important one. But he can give new impetus to American foreign policy partly because the reception of him is so extraordinary around the world. His task will beto develop an overall strategy for America in this period when, really, a new world order can be created. It’s a great opportunity, it isn’t just a crisis.” That is why this present POTUS was elected to bring about his “BUILD BACK BETTER” and a false unity to the detriment of our freedom and our Constitutional Republic. Anda marvelous job he has done in their evil eyes. Some will say, that Obama was the Anti-Christ, and he sure was “ANTI-” on so many of our basic beliefs that of the rule of law, the bible, marriage, homosexuality, abortion, and every Christian idea that hascreated this nation. And now Biden has picked up the mantle Obama left behind for Obama 3.0 who may secretly be running this country. Many believe the man is a closet Muslim educated in Indonesia in a midrash or an Islamic school. Is HE the foreseen Anti-Christ?If not, then he sure is precursor to the evil one and is making his path easy to follow. THE COMING TRIBULATION IS CLOSE AT HAND Jesus warned us, that the generation that shall see these changes will see the coming of the Lord: “32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: 33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. 34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. 35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” (Matthew 24:32-35) We are living in that generation of the budding of the fig tree. Israel has been a nation now 71 years ending in May, 2021. Are we on the cusp of the coming of the AC? Ibelieve we are...when? Jesus said that “no man knoweth the day or the hour, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (Matthew 24:36) He speaks of His soon return. It will before this man is revealed. You can see that we are bumping up right upon the threshold of the coming Tribulation and soon returnof our Lord Jesus Christ, but getting back to what this message was about. WHAT MUST WE DO IN THE MEANTIME? As we patiently wait for the coming of our Lord for His Bride, the Church, we must be about our Father's business. We are to give due respect to those who are in authorityover us, and obey the laws that have been given as God has used them for our good, but when those laws become in direct conflict with the laws of God, then as Peter, the Hebrew children did and many more examples as even the Apostle Paul wrote: “Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. 8, Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.” (Romans 13:7-8) Unfortunately for those who do not have a guarantee of their deliverance from the wrath to come, there is coming a time I've been speaking of, when it will be impossibleto follow the laws that will be given to control every man and woman on this earth without going against Almighty God. When I spoke of a man on a white horse in Revelation 6, who carries a bow with no arrows and destroys be deceit, if you should see this man,then know that the Tribulation hour has come. We will not see him, as the Church of the Living God is my firm belief, but we will have a good idea of who he is. Why do I say that? “6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:” (2nd Thessalonians 2:7-11). The Restrainer by much Bible study, can only be One Person, as the personal pronoun is of One Person, and that is the Holy Spirit. It can't be Michael the arc- angel, ashe could not do it alone, as the word is singular, not plural as using other angels. Nor can it be Satan, as the devil would not work against himself. But when “He” is withdrawn, or should I say, changes His focus upon this earth to Pre-Pentecostal manifestations,then the evil man called the Anti-Christ will be revealed to do what his father, Satan bids him to do without restraint. WHAT WILL YOU DO IN THIS HOUR? You who see this world imploding, being an unbeliever in Christ Jesus, you know that something is terribly wrong. You can feel it. There is a deep down foreboding that isgripping your mind and your heart. Your fear level is growing. You try to ignore it and go on with your life, that is until it slaps you up side the head with disaster that strikes way too close to home. It could be your family, your friends, or your neighbors,or even yourself, but your world has just been thrown into total chaos and you're afraid and angry at such lawlessness that has invaded your private space. What can you do? Nothing, as it is prophesied that it will happen, no matter if you're ready for itor not. Prophecy is warning us to all who will listen, that the time of this world's end is upon us. Where will you appear on what side of either God or the god of this world? Will your allegiance be with God, or with the man who is coming, the man calledthe “lawless one” the Anti-Christ? This man will demand allegiance that he forces all to take a “mark” in their right hand, or their forehead: “15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of thebeast should be killed. 16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.” (Revelation13:15-18) Those who dare take this mark, are doomed to “outer darkness, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. Where the worm dieth not, nor the fire quenched.” 9 “And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, 10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstonein the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: 11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the markof his name.” (Revelation 14:9-11) If you think the time we live in right now is bad, wait to see this man, the Anti-Christ when he comes upon the scene. As the old saying goes, “you ain't seen nothing yet.” “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.” (Matthew 24:21-22) As I always do , I beseech you my reader to be taken away from this hour of the coming Tribulation and submit to our only Hope in this world, Jesus Christ, the Son of theLiving God. This time coming will be unspeakable death, lawlessness, and tyranny that if not halted by God, “no flesh would be saved, but for the elect it will be shortened”, as Jesus spoke of above. How can you avoid such an unspeakable time of horror that is coming upon this world? “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him, might be saved.” (John 3:16-17) Jesus said “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no man cometh to the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) 8 “But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Roman 10:8-13) This is just a warm up of what's coming. Man in his nature is evil to the core. Unrepentant men will continue to do indescribable evil and murder upon other men. When thistime gets wound up and God's wrath found beginning in Revelation chapter 6 gets firing non-stop, then all hell will break loose on this earth, from Satan, from evil mankind found in the “man of sin” the AC, and from God Himself, as He pours out His wrath upona rebellious world in righteous indignation. BUT UNTIL THEN..... Until then, we submit in love, the powers that have authority over us, UNLESS it is in direct conflict with the Laws of God. Know that God uses the authority of the governmentfor our good, or for judgment upon a idolatrous nation. That is where I believe we are. Judgment may have started and God is using the powers that be to enact coming judgment upon the whole earth. Only we here in the USA have never seen this type of lawlessnessuntil recently. We must stand strong in the power of His might and pray God's protection upon each of us, and be submissive in love and honor to the law of the land, as long as we can do so with a clear conscience . For we must submit ourselves to obey Godrather than obey man in those coming abuses leading up to a time called the Tribulation. We will know the difference, as it will go against what is taught in your Bible. This is pastor Mike Taylor, praying that you stay strong and putting your faith in Jesus Christ for deliverance. If you have a question, need counseling, prayer, or justa listening ear, email me at pastormiketaylor@yahoo.com, or visit me online for more sermons preaching the end of this age. God bless you all, TILL WE MEET AT JESUS FEET. VISIT: PROPHECY WATCHER WEEKLY NEWS: HTTP://PROPHECY-WATCHER-WEEKLY-NEWS.BLOGSPOT.COM