XPost: alt.religion.christian   
   From: usenet@christrose.news   
      
   Matthew 17:24–27   
      
         “Then the sons are free. However, not to give offense to them, go   
          to the sea and cast a hook… Take that and give it to them for me   
          and for yourself.” (17:26–27, ESV)   
      
   Conclusion:   
      
   Jesus explicitly commands payment of a tax imposed by a pagan government   
   and grounds it in avoiding offense, not in satanic allegiance. Obedience   
   here contradicts the claim that participation equals worship of evil.   
      
   1 Peter 2:13–15   
      
         “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution,   
          whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent   
          by him… For this is the will of God.” (2:13–15, ESV)   
      
   Conclusion:   
      
   Peter commands submission to human governments as an act done for the   
   Lord’s sake, not as compromise with Satan. This directly refutes the   
   claim that submission equals bearing the mark of the beast.   
      
   Romans 13:1–7   
      
         “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For   
          there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have   
          been instituted by God.” (13:1, ESV)   
      
         “For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad… for he   
          is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on   
          the wrongdoer.” (13:3–4, ESV)   
      
         “Because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are   
          ministers of God.” (13:6, ESV)   
      
   Christian responsibility stated by Paul:   
      
       • Be subject to governing authorities (13:1)   
      
       • Do what is good to avoid fear (13:3)   
      
       • Pay taxes and revenue (13:6–7)   
      
       • Show respect and honor (13:7)   
      
   Conclusion:   
      
   Paul identifies governing authorities as God’s servants and instruments   
   of His wrath against evildoers. He commands obedience, taxation,   
   respect, and honor. This leaves no room for labeling all governments as   
   satanic systems to be rejected wholesale.   
      
   Acts 5:29   
      
         “But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather   
          than men.’” (5:29, ESV)   
      
   Clarifying statement:   
      
   This principle applies only when human authority commands disobedience   
   to God. It does not revoke the prior commands to submit, pay taxes, and   
   honor rulers in ordinary civic life.   
      
   Distinction between the present age and after the man of sin is revealed:   
      
   Before the man of sin:   
      
       • Governments function as God’s ordained instruments to restrain evil   
         (Romans 13:1–4).   
      
       • Believers submit, pay taxes, honor rulers, and live peaceably   
         (Romans 13:6–7; 1 Peter 2:13–17; Matthew 17:27).   
      
   After the man of sin is revealed:   
      
       • A specific ruler exalts himself against God and demands worship (2   
         Thessalonians 2:3–4; Revelation 13:12).   
      
       • Refusal centers on idolatry and direct rebellion against God, not   
         ordinary civic submission (Revelation 13:15–17).   
      
   Summary:   
      
   Scripture distinguishes ordinary human government, which God presently   
   uses and commands believers to submit to, from the final lawless ruler   
   who demands worship. Collapsing all governments into the beast erases   
   this biblical distinction and contradicts Christ, Peter, and Paul.   
      
   --   
   Have you heard the good news Christ died for our sins (†), and God   
   raised Him from the dead?   
      
   That Christ died for our sins shows we're sinners who deserve the death   
   penalty. That God raised Him from the dead shows Christ's death   
   satisfied God's righteous demands against our sin (Romans 3:25; 1 John   
   2:1-2). This means God can now remain just, while forgiving you of your   
   sins, and saving you from eternal damnation.   
      
   On the basis of Christ's death and resurrection for our sins, call on   
   the name of the Lord to save you: "For 'everyone who calls on the name   
   of the Lord will be saved'" (Romans 10:13, ESV).   
      
   https://christrose.news/salvation   
      
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   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)