PROTESTS AND RIOTING

[Micaiah]

Protest and Rioting

Glen C. Robertson

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Tragically, the rioting, violence, murder, and destruction now being committed in the USA is only to be expected; it was initiated and legitimized in that country, not in recent years by social injustice, but at the start, in the 1770s. The country was born out of sedition, treason, revolution, and rebellion, and they therefore declared these things legitimate actions. Embedded within the US Declaration of Independence is their self-declared ‘right’ to do what became the taking up of arms and by violence and killing, the overthrow of authority, despite the fact that Scripture tells us that ALL authority is God-given and they were thus condemning themselves to hell!

1 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.
3 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:
4 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.
5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
Romans 13:1-7 The BIBLE

Indeed, the US Declaration of Independence claims that, if they feel government is improper, “… it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, … .[1]”! Ignoring the Word of God, their Declaration of Independence goes on to actually claim and seek God’s support for such unGodliness! But what is born out of division and violence declares a legititmacy for division and violence, and has no right to condemn division and violence. The country’s birth in division and violence has plagued them ever since, in division, violence, and in civil war. The country born by the sword must necessarily live in fear of dying by the sword.

12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till He come and rain righteousness upon you.
13 Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.
14 Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, and all thy fortresses shall be spoiled,
Hosea 10:12-14 The BIBLE

52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
Matthew 26:52 The BIBLE

Yes, it is true that our Heavenly Father has been using the US in an incredible manner for good things, and that it is a bastion of Christianity, a blessing to all nations, but the end definitely does NOT justify the means:

21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.
22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
… .
1 Samuel 15:21-23a The BIBLE

Our Heavenly Father doesn’t need our intervention to accomplish His work, especially if it means disobeying Him, ignoring Scripture, overthrowing government! Our Lord will bring about the changes needed in His Own, perfect time, especially if the people which are called by His Name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will He hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land - II Chronicles 7:14.

9 And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD's anointed, and be guiltless?
10 David said furthermore, As the LORD liveth, the LORD shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish.
11 The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the LORD's anointed … .
1 Samuel 26:9-11a The BIBLE

And God’s use of the US in no way justifies the means by which the US was born! Man’s use by God for His glory in no way suggests that we or our actions, past or present, were or are necessarily Godly (this author writes of this more in detail in another location[2]). In fact, our Heavenly Father even uses our very sin, if necessary, to do His righteous work:

19 Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that My fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.
Jeremiah 2:19 The BIBLE

1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Romans 6:1-2 The BIBLE

So NO violence, nor overthrow, nor rebellion against authority is legitimate nor justified, whether in 1776, in 1861, or the present, regardless of the cause, and regardless of the goal or end result! The Bible tells us this! GOD tells us this! But, tragically, only the Godly obey God.

As a result of this US institutionalized self-justification of violent overthrow of government, we now see in the US a left-wing approval of and attempt to justify and legitimize the riots, looting, destruction, and murder currently roiling that country! On September 4, 2020, WND News Services[3] published a list of 31 Times Media Justified Rioting And Looting[4]! And, in the spirit of 1776 and 1861, many liberals there are actually hoping for and planning another outright revolution!

But SCRIPTURE says:

20 For the wrath of man WORKETH NOT the righteousness of God.
James 1:21 The BIBLE

11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
Proverbs 17:11 The BIBLE

2 You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice.
Exodus 23:2 The BIBLE

Just as the violent and insurrectional history of the US is unGodly, so also the current rioting and lawlessness is unGodly, and by no means in the will of God! Our Heavenly Father sees any and all injustice, and WILL react accordingly! It is not up to US to take matters into our own hands, in manners contrary to the many Words of God! Our Heavenly Father SEES all injustice. Bring this before Him in prayer, and wait, and see the salvation of your God!

8 If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent perversion of justice and righteousness in a province, do not marvel at the matter; for high official watches over high official, and higher officials are over them.
Ecclesiastes 5:8 The BIBLE

21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD,
and He pondereth all his goings.
Proverbs 5:21 The BIBLE

13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in fornication and indecency, not in strife and envying.
Romans 13:13 The BIBLE

17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
Hebrews 13:17 The BIBLE

30 And the times of this ignorance God turned a blind eye to; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Acts 17:30 The BIBLE

You who are rioting, revolting, or seeking insurrection and revolution, cease from trying to take things into your own hands! If our Heavenly Father and the Bible actually mean anything to you, read the following passage of Scripture, and follow what our Heavenly Father has said to us:

1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.
10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
12 The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
13 The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.
14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.
15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.
16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.
17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.
Psalms 37:1-17 The BIBLE

28 Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
Proverbs 22:28 The BIBLE





[1] US Declaration of Independence, 1776
[2] Is God’s Blessing Vindication – Or Is It Just Love? - Is God's Blessing Approval - Or Love?
[3] WND News Services, Author at WND
[4] Exposed! 31 times media justified rioting and looting

 

[Enxu]

There is a fine line between overthrowing governments through violence and not submitting to governments when they act in a way contrary to God’s commands.

Paul in Romans 13 was writing about the first scenario in a time when the Jews were trying to overthrow their Roman rulers through violence. In no way, shape or form are Christians to overthrow their governments and engage in anarchy. That is all there is to this.

 

[Sue D.]

It is Never 'okay' to riot, destroy property, attack other people.

 

[Sue D.]

@Micaiah -- don't know where you got your 'facts' from -- well -- you Did mention a name a Glen C. Robertson. But I wouldn't put too much credance to what he's saying. People came to this country for Freedom that was not available in other countries. The freedom to practice their own religious beliefs and not be jailed / arrested for doing so. But, unfortunately, there Are groups who want to sanitize this country Of Christianity. There have Always been trouble-makers and will continue to Be trouble-makers, but they need to be Stopped.

 

[Brad Huber]

Protest and Rioting

Removed, for sake of space.

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Well, there really isnt very many nations still going today that didnt get their start rebelling against the nation they came out of. Not sure what your point of focus on the US as any different. Even ancient civilizations like egypt and china that still exist today, are the current product of many, many revolutions.

 

[Hekuran]

Good reminder that as followers of Jesus our lives, words and values should be shaped by his example and the word of God, not any national constitution or political ideology.

 

[Sue D.]

The Constitution of the U.S.A. is Very important to stand upon. Our forefathers were Christian men -- maybe not by today's definition of Christian -- but 'In God we trust' - type of Christian men. God's Word was important to them as it Needs to be to us Now. There are groups today that are trying to take over -- Destroying where ever they go.

The COVID is being fueled by political ideology. Fear mongering - - political to the core. We are all adults who are capable of making our own decisions - good , bad and in between -- but that Needs to be Our personal responsibility -- not that of government agencies. Obeying the laws of this country as long as they don't go against God's Word.

 

[Hekuran]

As an outsider to the United States looking across the Atlantic it seems to me that often the Bible is read and judged in light of the American Constitution and American values, rather that the Constitution read in the llght of the Bible.

 

[Sue D.]

Actually -- they Could go hand-in-hand. Because Of our constitution -- we Do have freedom of speech and freedom of assembling in a peaceable manner. Now Lately, the assembling has Not been by supporters Of our Constitution. The assembling has been in the form of destructive rioting -- burning businesses. All of which Is against the law.

Just the past two days -- yesterday and today -- there have been two boat parades supporting Trump 2020 -- very colorful with flags -- big boats -- one on the Potomic and one on Lake Travis. Very good positive 'assemblings'

 

[Hekuran]

Here's an example of American values - idolising freedom - swallowing the biblical. National pride takes the place of Jesus, and America takes the place of the Kingdom of God:

'So let's run the race marked out for us. Let's fix our eyes on Old Glory and all she represents, fix our eyes on this land of heroes and let their courage inspire ...let's fix 8our eyes on the author and perfector of our faith and freedom...and never forget that "where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom," That means freedom always wins....'

 

[Sue D.]

@ Hekuran -- don't agree -- as an American -- I Live here. Hardly Anyone is 'swallowing' the Biblical. Lots of churches don't teach Bible as Bible.

You Do realize that BLM and Antifa are here reeking havoc on this country. Major towns. They Are trying to Destroy our country. They couldn't consider it to be Their country because they are Destroying it.

We Are gradually realizing that we're going to Loose what freedoms we have left if we don't do something NOW. Like vote President Trump back into office. Any one else Will ruin this country. We have the Most freedom in the world.

The socialism presented in the Bible and what's trying to be set up Now are two Very different concepts. Even in socialism -- someone Is the boss. Someone tells us how much we Really need to live on -- what economic level we Will be content on. And That has never been very good for other countries. In fact -- it's Ruined countries.

God does win -- He is in control. Only He knows the Big picture.

 

[Hekuran]

Ok. I've shared my observation. I'm not out to win an argument.

 

[Dave M]

America is soon coming under Judgement of God, as a nation we are far from God. unless we as a nation repent we will see GOds Wrath upon us. Yes there are many great followers of Christ here in the USA,, but in general we have become a Godless nation. I hate to say it.

 

[Sue D.]

As a nation, we Have been feeling God's displeasure -- all the fires, riots and the COVID, etc. He promised He'd never flood the entire world again. But He certainly is trying to get our attention. And it's each individual repenting as needed and sharing Gospel unto salvation with all who will listen. And , yes. there Are still many great followers of Christ in this country. Many great Preachers I was just at Memorial Baptist for Bible study this evening. He teaches Bible. We learn and he has discussion time -- he knows what we understand.


And it's not a matter of 'winning an argument' as it is expressing our views.