On Wednesday, March 11, 2020 the Novel Coronavirus Disease,
COVID-19, was declared a pandemic
Since then, many recommendations and guidelines have been
offered by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and others as a means of “flattening
the curve” and controlling the spread of the illness.
As the statistics were gathered from sources all over the
world, China, Italy, Spain, Sweden, etc. the data was sliced and diced every
which way, trying to make sense of it.
Federal, state, and local governments stepped in to recommend
certain behaviors geared toward reducing the risk. Later restrictions were
placed on our movement. Ventilators were put on emergency order. Any business
associated with curbing the coronavirus was deemed essential and priority was
given to its rapid response. Restaurants and other businesses deemed
non-essential were shut down.
Social distancing, wearing face coverings, and limiting
gatherings to ten or fewer people were all new things for us to comprehend in an
effort to protect ourselves and others. Stay home, stay safe.
I don’t know about you, but as each of these measures was
put in place, each more restrictive than the last, I’ve struggled with
compliance.
Not that what was asked was difficult to do. Of course, I
could stay home as much as possible. I could get a face covering and estimate
how far six feet was from the next person when going out. That’s not the
problem I’ve been having. I analyzed the data too and couldn’t understand why
they thought this was all necessary. The numbers don’t add up.
As a result, my struggle has been coming to grips with submitting
to the authority of those implementing such strident measures. Who are they to
tell me I have to self-quarantine? Since when do we quarantine the healthy? Do
they have the authority to restrict my rights as a free citizen? Who are they
to tell us we have to shut down businesses, crippling the American economy? Does
that make sense? Do they have that power? Or is there something else going on
here?
What if I don’t agree with their policies?
Who are they to tell us in the Church what we can and cannot
do?
Do the powers that be have that authority?
As is always the case, my internal angst, anxiety, and struggle lead me to a study of the Bible to find out what the word of God says about such things.
The split-sermon today is the result of my personal study
and prayer in an attempt to align my thinking with the word of God. To bring
every thought into captivity to Christ. To determine if my indignant attitude is
biblically justifiable.
Submitting to Government Authority
Our primary text today will be 1 Peter 2:13-25 but
we’ll start out in Romans 13:1-7. You may want to bookmark those two passages
and cross-reference them in your bible if you do that sort of thing like I do.
The Powers That Be
Rom 13:1-7
KJV
(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.
Wait! What? The powers that be are ordained of
God? All of them? Surely not all of them.
“For there is no power but of God”
“The powers that be are ordained of God.”
It says they are assigned to that position,
appointed by God.
(2) Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance
of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
If I resist them, then I am essentially resisting
God?
Is that something I want to do? Resist God? Do I
want to incur God’s judgment because I don’t want to comply with the edicts of these
people that he appointed? But what if I
don’t agree with them?
(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.
It doesn’t say I have to agree with them. Our
prisons are filled with people who don’t agree with the laws and statutes of
the land.
(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.
We are to comply not just to avoid punishment but
because we are mindful of their appointment by God and are there as God’s
servants, to carry out his will. Isn’t that what a minister is?
(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.
Not only does this passage state that we are to comply with
the mandates of our civil government leaders but that we’re to pay them and honor
them.
Really?! Yes.
Regardless of what we think of the individual, it says we
are to honor them at least in their position as appointed by God.
But look at who these people are!
Isa 3:4-7 KJV And I will give children to be
their princes, and babes shall rule over them. (5)
And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his
neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the
base against the honourable. (6)
When a man shall take hold of his brother of the house of his father, saying, Thou hast clothing, be thou our ruler,
and let this ruin be under thy hand: (7)
In that day shall he swear, saying, I will not be an healer; for in my house is neither bread nor clothing: make me not a
ruler of the people.
We’re there now, aren’t we? Honorable men want no part in
it. Instead, children and babes rule over us and act like it too, like a bunch
of spoiled brats!
That makes it all the more difficult to submit to their
whims and wishes!
Yet, they still wield the sword and can execute wrath
against us if we don’t comply. We don’t have to like them personally or agree
with their policies. We still have to obey them.
There are times, however, when as Peter said in Acts 5:29, “We
ought to obey God rather than men.” In cases where they overstep their
authority and order us to go against the commandments, statutes, or precepts of
God, then we have to draw a line in the sand.
May God grant us the wisdom and discernment to know when
that is.
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as
the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day
approaching. (Heb 10:25 KJV)
But even if we are obeying God rather than men, they
still wield the sword over us and can execute their wrath upon us. And even
then, we still are to honor and respect them because of the positions they hold
as God’s servants.
Why would God allow such people to hold office over us? I
think we know. Look back over the history of the children of Israel. It can be
said, they got the government they deserved. That’s where we are now.
As a nation turned from God, we’ve gotten the government we
deserve.
Until we as a nation humble ourselves and turn back to God,
and repent of the evil we’ve allowed to pervade our land, this will be our way
of life and worse as God continues to withdraw his hand of blessing.
We’re all very familiar with the verse in 2 Chronicles that
tells us this so we don’t need to turn there, but let’s turn there
anyway and read the verse that comes immediately before it.
2Ch 7:13-14 KJV
(13) If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the
locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;
(14) If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble
themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then
will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
How do we stay the spread of the pestilence? We can wear the
most effective face masks made, social distance to 100 feet, quarantine every
last one of us, lockdown the economy until it’s totally destroyed, or whatever
else the children that rule over us come up with, but until we turn to God in
repentance, our land will not be healed.
We can complain and chafe at the restrictions our government
officials place on us all we want. It’s not going to get better. There’s always
going to be something, one calamity or another until and unless we as a nation
make a wholesale return to God and reconcile with him.
I don’t see this happening. Oh, there will be some that feel
the need to “get right with God.” God will get some people’s attention. The
chastening from the Father will jar some of us from our stupor.
Instead, we as a nation look to the government to solve our
problems. If we just had the right government in place, all would be well. If we
could vote in the right political party, if we could get a majority in Congress
and the right man in the White House, then you’ll see. Then we’ll fix it. And
when that doesn’t work, we can blame the individuals in power. We can tear them
down and get upset with them.
But you see, we don’t have a political problem.
We have a spiritual problem.
And you can’t solve a spiritual problem by political means.
You can’t solve a spiritual problem by political means.
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the
wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. (Pro
29:2)
There’s no sense in getting ourselves all worked up and
emotional about something we can’t change. All we do is cause ourselves
problems, health problems, sleepless nights, digestive issues, anxiety.
Instead of bristling against their authority, instead of
becoming indignant and rebellious and causing ourselves all kinds of issues, is
there anything we can do besides prayer?
Yes. Peter outlines seven reasons for submitting to
government authority. Doing so serves to relieve our anxiety and calms our
spirit.
Peter’s 7 Reasons for Submitting to Government Authority
Peter outlines for us in 1 Peter chapter two not just that
we should submit to government authority but why we should submit to
them.
He answers the questions I’ve been asking myself for the
last five months.
Why should I submit to their authority? It’s unjust and it’s
unwarranted. Why should I submit to the edicts of children who can’t do basic
math and don’t know what they’re doing? Why should I submit to a government
that appears to have a hidden agenda? They’re obviously employing the Cloward-Piven
strategy of “never letting a crisis
go to waste, even if you have to create one”?
Peter tells us why in 1 Peter chapter two.
1Pe 2:13-25
KJV
(13) Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake:
whether it be to the king, as supreme;
(14) Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and
for the praise of them that do well.
(15) For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to
silence the
ignorance of foolish men:
(16) As free, and not using your
liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
(17) Honour all men. Love the
brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
(18) Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good
and gentle, but also to the froward.
(19) For this is thankworthy,
if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
(20) For what glory is it, if,
when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye
do well, and suffer for it, ye take it
patiently, this is acceptable with God.
(21) For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered
for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
(22) Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
(23) Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered,
he threatened not; but committed himself
to him that judgeth righteously:
(24) Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that
we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye
were healed.
(25) For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the
Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
Did you pick up on the seven points Peter makes as to why we
should submit to our civil leaders? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read
this passage or portions of it and never saw the “why”. I only saw that he said
we should submit and even honor them, and maybe I even bristled a bit at
the thought.
Americans don’t take kindly to being told to submit to anyone, especially someone so undeserving.
Texans even more so.
1. For the Lord’s Sake
1Pe 2:13-14
KJV
(13) Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the
Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
(14) Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the
punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
Every. ordinance. of man. Not just the ones we agree with.
Why? For the Lord’s sake.
Let’s see what David thought about this. He was fleeing for
his life when King Saul was hunting him down to kill him. David spared Saul’s
life in the wilderness of Engedi when he came upon him sleeping in a cave.
1Sa 24:4-6 KJV And the men of
David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I
will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it
shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's
robe privily. (5) And it came to
pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's
skirt. (6) And he said unto his
men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD'S
anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.
David spares Saul a second time in the wilderness of Ziph
1Sa 26:7-11 KJV So David and
Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the
trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner [the commander of his army] and the people lay round about him. (8)
Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this
day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the
earth at once, and I will not smite him
the second time.
“Let me go! I’ll pin him to the earth like a bug with his
own spear!”
Abishai was probably a Texan.
But what did David say?
(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: but, I pray thee, take thou now
the spear that is at his bolster, and
the cruse of water, and let us go.
David would not allow Saul to be harmed even though he hunted
him down to take his own life. He lamented that he had even cut off a piece of
his robe.
Why? For the LORD’s sake. God had anointed this man
to be king and even though David was the heir apparent to the throne, he didn’t
take matters into his own hands but instead he put the matter in God’s hands,
in God’s own time.
The first reason we are to submit to government authority is
for the Lord’s sake, to honor God.
2. Because of Their Purpose
1Pe 2:13-14
KJV
(13) Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake:
whether it be to the king, as supreme;
(14) Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the
punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
Submit to the king, the President. Submit to the Governor.
Submit to them that are sent by him. Paul tells Titus to obey the magistrates.
(Tit 3:1) That might be someone like a county judge, even one who’s only 29
years old and has never really been a judge or even have a law degree.
Presidents, governors, and magistrates are given for the
purpose of deterring sin, even chastening us and for promoting righteousness.
They deter sin by discipline and they encourage righteousness through
commendation or reward.
The second reason we should submit to government is
because we understand their purpose.
3. To Silence the Ignorance of Foolish Men
1Pe 2:11-12 KJV Dearly beloved, I
beseech you as strangers and pilgrims,
abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; (12) Having your conversation [your conduct] honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as
evildoers, they may by your good
works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
1Pe 2:15 KJV For so is the will
of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish
men:
The
word, “silence” means in the sense of putting a muzzle over their mouths, to
stop the mouth, to make speechless.
Forgive them, for they know not what they do. They’re
ignorant of God and of God’s way of life. They don’t know how to do right. We
don’t fault our children for acting out of ignorance. Neither should we fault
the children who rule over us.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Mat 5:16)
Rom 12:14 KJV Bless them
which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Rom 12:17-21 KJV Recompense to no
man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. (18) If it be possible, as much as lieth in
you, live peaceably with all men. (19)
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather
give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is
mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. (20)
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for
in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. (21) Be not overcome of evil, but overcome
evil with good.
By doing so, you make it very hard for them to dislike you
and want to do you harm. You actually “muzzle” them making it impossible for
them to speak harshly about you.
The third reason we submit to government authority is to
silence the ignorance of foolish men.
4. Because You are Free
1Pe 2:16-17 KJV As free, and not
using your liberty for a cloke of
maliciousness, but as the servants of God. (17)
Honour all men. Love the brotherhood.
Fear God. Honour the king.
Remember, when this was written it is believed that Nero, or
Domitian was on the throne and Christians were being thrown to the lions and
burned at the stake. It seems like an ideal time for malicious actions, but
that is not what Peter advises. He tells them instead to submit to the unjust
authorities in charge.
You can imagine what people were thinking about the Roman
Emperor and his evil officials in the government. Why should I honor a man who
is trying to kill me? How is that even possible?
Peter says it is possible because they are free men. What
does he mean by that? The Romans were clearly ruling over them, so how could
Peter claim that they were free.
Joh 8:31-36 KJV Then said Jesus to
those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in
my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; (32) And ye
shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (33) They answered him, We be Abraham's
seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made
free? (34) Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin
is the servant of sin. (35)
And the servant abideth not in the house for ever:
but the Son
abideth ever. (36) If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be
free indeed.
We are free from sin and as such we’re to live as free
people because of what Christ has done for us. And we’re to stand fast in this
liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not
entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
(Gal 5:1)
1Co 7:22-24 KJV For he that is
called in the Lord, being a servant, is
the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant. (23) Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants
of men. (24) Brethren, let every
man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.
Christians have been freed from slavery to sin, emancipated
from sin and the fear of death, (Heb 2:15) yet we are still bond servants to
Jesus Christ who paid the price of our redemption. (Gal 4:5)
Peter says, Live as free people, yet without employing our freedom as a pretext for insolence, disobedience,
or insurrection; but live at all times as servants of God.
We are free from sin and bondage, but for the sake and cause
of Christ, we submit to those placed in authority over us. We are not to use
our liberty, our freedom as a justification for disobedience. We are
representatives and ambassadors of the Kingdom of God.
The fourth reason we submit to government authority is because
we are free.
5. For Conscience Toward God Who Rewards the Faithful
1Pe 2:18-20 KJV Servants, be subject to your
masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the
froward.
[the crooked, perverse, wicked, unfair]
(19) For this is thankworthy,
if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. (20) For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults,
ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
This is acceptable with God. To be persecuted unjustly
brings glory to God.
Why? Because it removes all doubt about the injustice of our
sufferings.
Peter says, “acceptable with God”. Jesus says “blessed” are
those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake. (Mat 5:10-12)
“Rejoice and be exceedingly glad. Great is your reward in
heaven,” he says.
The fifth reason we submit to government authority is for
conscience toward God, who rewards the faithful.
6. Because of the Example of Christ
1Pe 2:21-25 KJV For even hereunto
were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example,
that ye should follow his steps: (22)
Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: (23) Who, when he was reviled, reviled not
again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: (24) Who his own self bare our sins in his
own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto
righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (25)
For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and
Bishop of your souls.
Another reason Peter gives for submitting to authority is because
of the example of Christ. First, he appealed to the Father in the garden at Gethsemane
to find another way to atone for our sins, yet he submitted to the Father’s
will.
But he did not submit to the Father only; he submitted to
the unjust authorities and suffered for it. He did not curse Pilate. Instead,
he talked about how God had given Pilate his power, his authority. (Joh
19:10-11)
Christ knew Pilate would have had no power unless the Father
had granted it to him. So, he honored Pilate in recognition of God as the
ultimate authority.
When Christ was taken captive, he submitted to both civil
and religious authorities and suffered willingly. He did not resist. He did not
fight back nor did he direct his disciples to fight back.
Instead, he entrusted himself to the Father.
Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he
suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation
unto all them that obey him; (Heb 5:8-9)
The sixth reason we submit to government authority is because
of the example of Christ.
7. Because God Judges Righteously
1Pe 2:21-23 KJV For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered
for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: (22) Who did no sin, neither was guile found
in his mouth: (23) Who, when he
was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but
committed himself to him that judgeth
righteously:
When Christ was persecuted unjustly, he didn’t retaliate but
committed himself to God the Father trusting in his righteous judgment. Knowing
that God would avenge his unrighteous treatment or else would forgive them in
his mercy, he released himself from concerning himself with the outcome. It is
God’s prerogative to deal with the matter however he wishes.
Paul also entrusted his fate to God the Father when he was
imprisoned.
2Ti 1:12 KJV For the which
cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know
whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I
have committed unto him against that day.
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather
give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is
mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. (Rom 12:19)
If they hated me, they will hate you also.
Joh 15:18-21 KJV If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before
it hated you.
(19) If
ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of
the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth
you. (20) Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is
not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute
you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. (21) But all
these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not
him that sent me.
But we know him, brethren, and place our faith and
trust in him who judges righteously.
The seventh reason we submit to government authority is because
God judges righteously.
Conclusion
Christians are urged to repay evil with goodness and to love
one another. We are cautioned to
safeguard our reputation as good citizens of high morality, thereby removing
all doubt about the injustice of our sufferings.
Why should believers submit to government authority? Peter
outlined seven reasons why we should submit to government authorities even
unjust ones:
1. We as Christians should submit to government
authorities for the Lord’s sake to honor God.
2. We as Christians should submit to government authorities because
of their purpose.
3. We as Christians should submit to government authorities to
silence the ignorance of foolish men.
4. We as Christians should submit to government authorities because
we are free.
5. We as Christians should submit to government authorities for
conscience toward God who rewards the faithful.
6. We as Christians should submit to government authorities because
of the example of Christ.
7. We as Christians should submit to government authorities because
God judges righteously.
I leave you with the message Paul gave to Timothy regarding
this matter.
1Ti 2:1-3 KJV
(1) I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and giving of thanks, be
made for all men;
(2) For kings, and for all
that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all
godliness and honesty.
(3) For this is good and
acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
I can’t in good conscience say I have been successful yet at
adopting all seven of these principles. But I can say that I have been
able to free myself from the rebelliousness and indignation I had been feeling.
Compliance is less of an issue. And I’m much calmer and less anxious as a
result.
I pray you will be too.
Editor's Note:
Since posting this, the question has been raised, "Does
God set up ALL rulers even Hitler, Mussolini, Pol Pot, Stalin, and other
totalitarian rulers?"
This is a valid question especially in light of this passage
in Hosea –
They have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew it not: of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that they may be cut off. (Hos 8:4)
God is the sovereign ruler of the universe and nothing takes
place without his permission. As sovereign over all, he has power to appoint
leaders or if not appointing them, allowing leaders to rise or fall according
to man’s free will.
Satan is currently the god of this world (2 Cor 4:4) and God
has allowed him to bestow power to whomsoever he will. (Luk 4:5-6)
However, neither Christ, nor Paul, nor John advocated rebellion
against the government of Rome even though the likes of Nero and Caligula ruled
and wickedly persecuted true Christians.
We are still to obey and not rebel until and unless it is
being mandated that we go counter to God’s Law, commandments, statutes, and precepts.
THEN, we who do know our God will be strong and do exploits,
(Dan 11:32) but even then, not to overthrow the government, but to do all we
can to obey God. Our exploits will testify to God’s sovereignty and our loyalty,
and devotion to Him; our allegiance to Him and His Kingdom and not to the
governments of this temporal world. (2 Cor 4:18)
God allows man to set up governments, even those that are
ungodly, to give man every opportunity to prove that he cannot rightly govern
himself though given 6,000 years to do so.
God can still control those world leaders as he did with Nebuchadnezzar
(Dan 4:31-37) and Cyrus (2Chr 36:23; Isa 45:1).
He will let the powers that be rule within his constraints
until it is time for the final ruler, that man of sin to be revealed, the son
of perdition. God will then remove such restraints and man will come within a hair’s
breadth of totally destroying himself unless Christ intervenes. (Mat 24:22)
Christ will then make it plain who rules over all!
And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 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: (2Th 2:6-8)
Hasten the day. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
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