Romans 13 and Revelation 13: Two Chapters, One Warning
Romans 13 and Revelation 13 aren’t enemies. They’re bookends. One describes government as God intended it to be: rewarding good and restraining evil. The other warns what happens when government abandons that mission and begins demanding loyalty that belongs to God alone. History is filled with examples of Romans 13 being used to justify kings, slavery, and authoritarian regimes, while Scripture repeatedly reminds believers that their highest allegiance is not to a political party, a flag, or a nation. Christians are called to be good citizens, but faithful disciples. God first. Everything else second.