The Role of the Superior Authorities

“It is God’s minister to you for your good. But if you are doing what is bad, be in fear.”​—ROMANS 13:4.

 1, 2. How have many in Christendom become involved in revolutionary activities?

TWO years ago a gathering of bishops in London provoked an indignant editorial in the New York Post. The gathering was the Lambeth Conference, attended by more than 500 bishops of the Anglican communion. The indignation was sparked by a resolution passed by the conference expressing understanding for people “who, after exhausting all other means, choose the way of armed struggle as the only way to justice.”

² The Post said that this was, in effect, an endorsement of terrorism. However, the bishops were merely following a growing trend. Their attitude was no different from that of the Catholic priest in Ghana who recommended guerrilla warfare as the quickest, surest, and safest way to liberate Africa; or of the African Methodist bishop who vowed to carry “the war of liberation to the bitter end”; or of the many missionaries of Christendom who have fought with rebels against established governments in Asia and South America.

True Christians Do Not ‘Oppose the Authority’

 3, 4. (a) What principles are being violated by so-called Christians who promote revolution? (b) What did one individual discover about Jehovah’s Witnesses?

³ In the first century, Jesus said of his followers: “They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world.” (John 17:14) Any so-called Christian who promotes revolution is very much a part of the world. He is not a follower of Jesus; nor is he “in subjection to the superior authorities.” (Romans 13:1) He would do well to heed the warning of the apostle Paul that “he who opposes the authority has taken a stand against the arrangement of God; those who have taken a stand against it will receive judgment to themselves.”​—Romans 13:2.

⁴ In contrast with many in Christendom, Jehovah’s Witnesses have no dealings with armed violence. A man in Europe discovered this. He writes: “At seeing what religion and politics have produced, I became dedicated to overthrowing the established social order. I joined a group of terrorists and received training in the handling of all types of weapons; I shared in many armed robberies. My life was in constant danger. As time went by, it became evident that we were fighting a losing battle. I was a frustrated man, overcome by complete hopelessness in life. Then a Witness knocked at our door. She told me about God’s Kingdom. Insisting this was a waste of my time, I suggested that my wife listen. She did, and a home Bible study was started. Finally, I agreed to attend the study. Words fail to convey the relief I felt in understanding the driving force impelling mankind toward evil. The marvelous Kingdom promise has given me a sustaining hope and a purpose in life.”

 5. Why do Christians remain peacefully subject to the superior authorities, and until when will this be the case?

⁵ Christians are ambassadors or envoys of God and of Christ. (Isaiah 61:1, 2; 2 Corinthians 5:20; Ephesians 6:19, 20) As such, they remain neutral in this world’s conflicts. Even though some political systems appear to be economically more successful than others, and some allow more freedom than others, Christians do not promote or rank one system above another. They know that all systems are imperfect. It is “the arrangement of God” that these continue to exist until his Kingdom takes over. (Daniel 2:44) Hence, Christians remain peacefully subject to the superior authorities while promoting the eternal welfare of others by preaching the good news of the Kingdom.​—Matthew 24:14; 1 Peter 3:11, 12.

Obeying the Law

 6. Why are many human laws good even though “the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one”?

⁶ National governments set down systems of laws, and most of these laws are good. Should this surprise us, in view of the fact that “the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one”? (1 John 5:19) No. Jehovah gave our original father, Adam, a conscience, and this innate sense of right and wrong is reflected in many ways in human laws. (Romans 2:13-16) Hammurabi, an ancient Babylonian lawgiver, prefaced his law code as follows: “At that time [they] named me to promote the welfare of the people, me, Hammurabi, the devout, god-fearing prince, to cause justice to prevail in the land, to destroy the wicked and the evil, that the strong might not oppress the weak.”

 7. If someone breaks the law, who has the right to punish him, and why?

⁷ Most governments would say that the purpose of their laws is similar: to promote the welfare of citizens and good order in society. Hence, they penalize antisocial acts, such as murder and theft, and lay down regulations, such as speed limits and parking laws. Any who deliberately break their laws take a stand against the authority and “will receive judgment to themselves.” Judgment from whom? Not necessarily from God. The Greek word here translated judgment can refer to civil procedures rather than judgments by Jehovah. (Compare 1 Corinthians 6:7.) If anyone acts unlawfully, the superior authority has the right to punish him.

 8. How will the congregation respond if a member commits a serious crime?

⁸ Jehovah’s Witnesses have a good reputation for not opposing human authorities. If it happens that an individual in the congregation does break the law, the congregation will not help him evade lawful punishment. If anyone steals, murders, libels, cheats on his taxes, rapes, defrauds, uses illegal drugs, or in any other way opposes lawful authority, he will face severe discipline from the congregation​—and he should not feel persecuted when he is punished by the secular authority.​—1 Corinthians 5:12, 13; 1 Peter 2:13-17, 20.

An Object of Fear

 9. What recourse do Christians properly have if threatened by lawless elements?

⁹ Paul continues his discussion of the superior authorities, saying: “For those ruling are an object of fear, not to the good deed, but to the bad. Do you, then, want to have no fear of the authority? Keep doing good, and you will have praise from it.” (Romans 13:3) It is not loyal Christians who should fear punishment from the authority but wrongdoers, those who commit ‘bad deeds,’ criminal acts. When threatened by such lawless elements, Jehovah’s Witnesses may properly accept from the authority police or military protection.​—Acts 23:12-22.

10. How have Jehovah’s Witnesses ‘received praise’ from the authority?

¹⁰ To the Christian who keeps the law of the superior authority, Paul says: “You will have praise from it.” As an example of this, consider some letters received by Jehovah’s Witnesses in Brazil after their district conventions. From the chancellor of a municipal sports department: “The highest praise is deserved for your peaceful conduct. It is comforting in today’s troubled world to know that so many still believe in and worship God.” From the director of a municipal stadium: “In spite of the very large number in attendance, no incident was recorded to tarnish the event, thanks to the impeccable organization.” From a mayor’s office: “We want to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your orderliness and marvelous, spontaneous discipline, and we wish you every success in future events.”

11. Why can the preaching of the good news in no way be said to be a bad deed?

¹¹ The term “good deed” refers to acts in obedience to the laws of the superior authorities. In addition, our preaching work, which is commanded by God, not man, is not a bad deed​—a point that the political authorities should recognize. It is a public service that uplifts the moral caliber of those who respond. Therefore, it is our hope that the superior authorities will protect our right to preach to others. Paul appealed to the authorities in order to establish legally the preaching of the good news. (Acts 16:35-40; 25:8-12; Philippians 1:7) Recently, Jehovah’s Witnesses have similarly sought and obtained legal recognition of their work in East Germany, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Benin, and Myanmar (Burma).

“It Is God’s Minister”

12-14. How have the superior authorities acted as God’s minister (a) in Bible times? (b) in modern times?

¹² Speaking of the secular authority, Paul continues: “It is God’s minister to you for your good. But if you are doing what is bad, be in fear: for it is not without purpose that it bears the sword; for it is God’s minister, an avenger to express wrath upon the one practicing what is bad.”​—Romans 13:4.

¹³ National authorities have sometimes served as God’s minister in specific ways. Cyrus did so when he summoned the Jews to return from Babylon and rebuild God’s house. (Ezra 1:1-4; Isaiah 44:28) Artaxerxes was God’s minister when he sent Ezra with a contribution for the rebuilding of that house and later when he commissioned Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. (Ezra 7:11-26; 8:25-30; Nehemiah 2:1-8) The Roman superior authority served thus when it delivered Paul from the mob in Jerusalem, protected him during shipwreck, and arranged for him to have his own house in Rome.​—Acts 21:31, 32; 28:7-10, 30, 31.

¹⁴ Similarly, secular authorities have served as God’s minister in modern times. In 1959, for example, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that one of Jehovah’s Witnesses accused in Quebec of publishing seditious and defamatory libel was not guilty​—thus counteracting the prejudice of the then premier of Quebec, Maurice Duplessis.

15. In what general way do the authorities act as God’s minister, and what right does this give them?

¹⁵ Further, in a general way, national governments serve as God’s minister by preserving public order until God’s Kingdom takes over that responsibility. According to Paul, to this end the authority “bears the sword,” symbolizing its right to inflict punishment. Usually, this involves imprisonment or fines. In some lands it may also include the death penalty.a On the other hand, many nations have chosen not to have the death penalty, and that also is their right.

16. (a) Since the authority is God’s minister, what have some of God’s servants considered it proper to do? (b) What kind of employment would a Christian not accept, and why not?

¹⁶ The fact that the superior authorities are God’s minister explains why Daniel, the three Hebrews, Nehemiah, and Mordecai were able to accept responsible positions in the Babylonian and Persian governments. They could thus appeal to the authority of the State for the good of God’s people. (Nehemiah 1:11; Esther 10:3; Daniel 2:48, 49; 6:1, 2) Today some Christians also work in government service. But since they are separate from the world, they do not join political parties, seek political office, or accept policy-making positions in political organizations.

The Need for Faith

17. What situations may provoke some non-Christians to resist the authority?

¹⁷ What, though, if the authority tolerates corruption or even oppression? Should Christians try to replace the authority with one that seems better? Well, governmental injustice and corruption are nothing new. In the first century, the Roman Empire countenanced injustices such as slavery. It also tolerated corrupt officials. The Bible speaks of tax collectors who cheated, an unrighteous judge, and a provincial governor who looked for bribes.​—Luke 3:12, 13; 18:2-5; Acts 24:26, 27.

18, 19. (a) How do Christians react if there are abuses or corruption on the part of government officials? (b) How have Christians improved the lives of individuals, as indicated by a historian and the box below?

¹⁸ Christians could have tried to bring an end to such abuses back then, but they did not. For example, Paul did not preach an end of slavery, and he did not tell Christian slave owners to release their slaves. Rather, he counseled slaves and slave owners to show Christian compassion when dealing with one another. (1 Corinthians 7:20-24; Ephesians 6:1-9; Philemon 10-16; see also 1 Peter 2:18.) Similarly, Christians did not get involved in revolutionary activity. They were too busy preaching “the good news of peace.” (Acts 10:36) In 66 C.E., a Roman army besieged Jerusalem and then withdrew. Rather than stay with the rebellious defenders of the city, Hebrew Christians ‘fled to the mountains’ in obedience to Jesus’ direction.​—Luke 21:20, 21.

¹⁹ The early Christians lived with things as they were and tried to improve the lives of individuals by helping them to follow Bible principles. Historian John Lord, in his book The Old Roman World, wrote: “The true triumphs of Christianity were seen in making good men of those who professed her doctrines, rather than changing outwardly popular institutions, or government, or laws.” Should Christians today act any differently?

When the State Will Not Help

20, 21. (a) How did one secular authority fail to act as God’s minister for good? (b) How should Jehovah’s Witnesses react when persecuted with the complicity of the State?

²⁰ In September 1972, vicious persecution broke out against Jehovah’s Witnesses in a country in central Africa. Thousands were robbed of all their belongings and subjected to other atrocities, including beatings, torture, and murder. Did the superior authority fulfill its duty to protect the Witnesses? No! Rather, it encouraged the violence, forcing these harmless Christians to flee to neighboring lands for safety.

²¹ Should not Jehovah’s Witnesses rise up in anger against such tormentors? No. Christians should patiently endure such indignities, acting humbly in imitation of Jesus: “When he was suffering, he did not go threatening, but kept on committing himself to the one who judges righteously.” (1 Peter 2:23) They remember that when Jesus was arrested in the garden of Gethsemane, he rebuked a disciple who came to his defense with a sword, and later he told Pontius Pilate: “My kingdom is no part of this world. If my kingdom were part of this world, my attendants would have fought that I should not be delivered up to the Jews. But, as it is, my kingdom is not from this source.”​—John 18:36; Matthew 26:52; Luke 22:50, 51.

22. What fine example did some Witnesses in Africa set when they suffered severe persecution?

²² With Jesus’ example in mind, those African Witnesses had the courage to follow Paul’s counsel: “Return evil for evil to no one. Provide fine things in the sight of all men. If possible, as far as it depends upon you, be peaceable with all men. Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but yield place to the wrath; for it is written: ‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says Jehovah.’” (Romans 12:17-19; compare Hebrews 10:32-34.) What a stimulating example our African brothers are for all of us today! Even when the authority refuses to act honorably, true Christians do not abandon Bible principles.

23. What questions remain to be discussed?

²³ What, though, can the superior authorities expect from Christians? And are there any limits to the demands they can rightfully make? This will be discussed in the next article.

[Footnotes]

Our Relative Subjection to the Superior Authorities

“There is therefore compelling reason for you people to be in subjection.”​—ROMANS 13:5.

 1. What hard experiences did Jehovah’s Witnesses have at the hands of the Nazi superior authorities, and was this because of “doing what is bad”?

ON JANUARY 7, 1940, Franz Reiter and five other young Austrians were executed by guillotine. They were Bibelforscher, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and they died because they could not conscientiously take up arms for Hitler’s Reich. Reiter was one of thousands of Witnesses who died for their faith during the second world war. Many more endured long years in concentration camps. Did all of these suffer by “the sword” of the Nazi superior authorities because of “doing what is bad”? (Romans 13:4) Absolutely not! Paul’s further words show that these Christians obeyed God’s commands in Romans chapter 13, even though they suffered at the hands of the authority.

 2. What is the compelling reason for being subject to the superior authorities?

² At Romans 13:5, the apostle writes: “There is therefore compelling reason for you people to be in subjection, not only on account of that wrath but also on account of your conscience.” Previously, Paul said that the authority’s bearing of “the sword” was a good reason to be subject to it. Now, though, he gives a stronger reason: conscience. We strive to serve God “with a clean conscience.” (2 Timothy 1:3) The Bible tells us to be subject to the superior authorities, and we obey because we want to do what is right in God’s eyes. (Hebrews 5:14) Indeed, our Bible-trained conscience moves us to obey the authority even when no human is present to check up on us.​—Compare Ecclesiastes 10:20.

“That Is Why You Are Also Paying Taxes”

 3, 4. What reputation do Jehovah’s Witnesses have, and why should Christians pay taxes?

³ In Nigeria some years ago, there were riots over the payment of taxes. Several lives were lost, and the authorities called in the army. The soldiers entered a Kingdom Hall where a meeting was in progress and demanded to know the purpose of the gathering. Upon finding that it was a Bible study meeting of Jehovah’s Witnesses, the officer in charge told the soldiers to leave, saying: “Jehovah’s Witnesses are not tax agitators.”

⁴ Those Nigerian Witnesses had a reputation for living in harmony with Paul’s words: “For that is why you are also paying taxes; for they are God’s public servants constantly serving this very purpose.” (Romans 13:6) When Jesus gave the rule, ‘Pay back Caesar’s things to Caesar,’ he was speaking about paying taxes. (Matthew 22:21) Secular authorities supply roads, police protection, libraries, transportation systems, schools, postal services, and much more. We often use these provisions. It is only right that we should pay for them through our taxes.

“Render to All Their Dues”

 5. What is meant by the expression “render to all their dues”?

⁵ Paul continues: “Render to all their dues, to him who calls for the tax, the tax; to him who calls for the tribute, the tribute; to him who calls for fear, such fear; to him who calls for honor, such honor.” (Romans 13:7) The word “all” embraces every secular authority that is God’s public servant. There are no exceptions. Even if we live under a political system that we personally do not like, we pay taxes. If religions are tax exempt where we live, congregations can take advantage of this. And like other citizens, Christians can use whatever legal provisions are made to limit the taxes they pay. But no Christian should illegally evade paying taxes.​—Compare Matthew 5:41; 17:24-27.

 6, 7. Why should we pay taxes even if the money is used to finance something we disagree with or even if the authority persecutes us?

⁶ Suppose, though, that a tax seems unjust. Or what if part of the tax money is used to finance something we disagree with, such as free abortions, blood banks, or programs that conflict with our neutral views? We still pay all our taxes. It is the authority that must take responsibility for how it uses the tax money. We are not commissioned to judge the authority. God is the “Judge of the earth,” and in his own time, he will hold an accounting with the governments as to how they have used their authority. (Psalm 94:2; Jeremiah 25:31) Until that happens, we pay our taxes.

⁷ What if the authority persecutes us? We still pay taxes because of the everyday services that are rendered. Regarding Witnesses suffering persecution in one African country, the San Francisco Examiner said: “You might regard them as model citizens. They pay taxes diligently, tend the sick, battle illiteracy.” Yes, those persecuted Witnesses paid their taxes.

“Fear” and “Honor”

 8. What is the “fear” that we give to the authority?

⁸ The “fear” of Romans 13:7 is not a cowardly fear but, rather, a respect for secular authority, a fear of breaking its law. This respect is given because of the position involved, not always because of the individual filling the position. The Bible, when speaking prophetically of the Roman emperor Tiberius, calls him “one who is to be despised.” (Daniel 11:21) But he was the emperor, and as such, a Christian would have owed him fear and honor.

 9. What are some ways that we render honor to human authorities?

⁹ As regards honor, we follow Jesus’ command not to give titles based on religious position. (Matthew 23:8-10) But when it comes to secular authorities, we are happy to address them by whatever title may be required in honoring them. Paul used the term “Your Excellency” when speaking to Roman governors. (Acts 26:25) Daniel called Nebuchadnezzar “my lord.” (Daniel 4:19) Today, Christians may use expressions such as “Your Lordship” or “Your Majesty.” They may stand when a judge enters the courtroom or respectfully bow before a ruler if that is the custom.

Relative Subjection

10. How did Jesus show that there are limits to what a human authority can demand of a Christian?

¹⁰ Since Jehovah’s Witnesses are subject to human authority, why did Franz Reiter and so many others suffer as they did? Because our subjection is relative, and the authority does not always recognize that there are Biblically set limits to what it can demand. If the authority demands something that offends a trained Christian conscience, it is going beyond its God-given limit. Jesus indicated this when he said: “Pay back . . . Caesar’s things to Caesar, but God’s things to God.” (Matthew 22:21) When Caesar demands what belongs to God, we must acknowledge that God has the prior claim.

11. What principle demonstrating that there are limits to what a human authority can demand is widely accepted?

¹¹ Is this position subversive or treacherous? Not at all. It is, in fact, an extension of a principle recognized by most civilized nations. In the 15th century, a certain Peter von Hagenbach was put on trial for initiating a reign of terror in the area of Europe over which he had authority. His defense, that he was merely following the orders of his lord, the Duke of Burgundy, was rejected. The claim that a person committing atrocities is not accountable if he is following the orders of a superior authority has been made a number of times since then​—most notably by the Nazi war criminals before the International Tribunal at Nuremberg. The claim has usually been rejected. The International Tribunal said in its judgment: “Individuals have international duties which transcend the national obligations of obedience imposed by the individual state.”

12. What are some Scriptural examples of servants of God who refused to obey unreasonable demands by the authority?

¹² God’s servants have always recognized that there are limits to the subjection that they conscientiously owe to the superior authorities. About the time that Moses was born in Egypt, Pharaoh commanded two Hebrew midwives to kill all newborn Hebrew boys. The midwives, however, preserved the babies alive. Were they wrong to disobey Pharaoh? No, they were following their God-given conscience, and God blessed them for it. (Exodus 1:15-20) When Israel was in exile in Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar demanded that his officials, including the Hebrews Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, bow before an image that he had placed on the plain of Dura. The three Hebrews refused. Were they wrong? No, since following the king’s command would have meant disobeying God’s law.​—Exodus 20:4, 5; Daniel 3:1-18.

“Obey God as Ruler”

13. What example did the early Christians furnish in the matter of relative obedience to the superior authorities?

¹³ Similarly, when the Jewish authorities commanded Peter and John to stop preaching about Jesus, they replied: “Whether it is righteous in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, judge for yourselves.” (Acts 4:19; 5:29) They could not keep silent. The magazine The Christian Century draws attention to another conscientious stand taken by the early Christians when it says: “The earliest Christians did not serve in the armed forces. Roland Bainton notes that ‘from the end of the New Testament period to the decade A.D. 170-180 there is no evidence whatever of Christians in the army’ (Christian Attitudes Toward War and Peace [Abingdon, 1960], pp. 67-8). . . . Swift says Justin Martyr ‘takes it as a matter of course that Christians refrain from violent acts.’”

14, 15. What are some Bible principles that governed the relative obedience of the early Christians to human authorities?

¹⁴ Why did the early Christians not serve as soldiers? Doubtless, each one carefully studied God’s Word and laws and made his personal decision on the basis of his Bible-trained conscience. They were neutral, “no part of the world,” and their neutrality forbade them to choose sides in this world’s conflicts. (John 17:16; 18:36) Further, they belonged to God. (2 Timothy 2:19) Laying down their lives for the State would have meant giving to Caesar what belonged to God. Moreover, they were part of an international brotherhood bound together in love. (John 13:34, 35; Colossians 3:14; 1 Peter 4:8; 5:9) They could not in good conscience take up arms with the possibility of killing a fellow Christian.

¹⁵ In addition to this, Christians could not go along with popular religious observances, such as emperor worship. As a result, they were viewed as “peculiar and dangerous people, and the rest of the population naturally suspected them.” (Still the Bible Speaks, by W. A. Smart) Although Paul wrote that Christians should ‘render to him who calls for fear, such fear,’ they did not forget their greater fear of, or respect for, Jehovah. (Romans 13:7; Psalm 86:11) Jesus himself said: “Do not become fearful of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but rather be in fear of him that can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.”​—Matthew 10:28.

16. (a) In what areas do Christians have to weigh carefully their subjection to the superior authorities? (b) What does the box on page 27 illustrate?

¹⁶ As Christians, we face up to similar challenges today. We cannot take part in any modern version of idolatry​—be it worshipful gestures toward an image or symbol or the imputing of salvation to a person or an organization. (1 Corinthians 10:14; 1 John 5:21) And like the early Christians, we cannot compromise our Christian neutrality.​—Compare 2 Corinthians 10:4.

“A Mild Temper and Deep Respect”

17. What counsel did Peter give to those suffering because of conscience?

¹⁷ The apostle Peter wrote of our conscientious stand and said: “If someone, because of conscience toward God, bears up under grievous things and suffers unjustly, this is an agreeable thing.” (1 Peter 2:19) Yes, it is agreeable to God when a Christian stands firm despite persecution, and there is the additional benefit that the Christian’s faith is strengthened and refined. (James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 1:6, 7; 5:8-10) Peter also wrote: “If you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are happy. However, the object of their fear do not you fear, neither become agitated. But sanctify the Christ as Lord in your hearts, always ready to make a defense before everyone that demands of you a reason for the hope in you, but doing so together with a mild temper and deep respect.” (1 Peter 3:14, 15) Helpful counsel indeed!

18, 19. How can an attitude of deep respect and reasonableness help if the authority places limits on our freedom of worship?

¹⁸ When persecution arises because the authority misunderstands the Christian position or because Christendom’s religious leaders have misrepresented Jehovah’s Witnesses to the authority, presenting the facts to the authority might result in an easing of the pressure. Having a mild temper and deep respect, a Christian does not fight back physically against persecutors. He does, however, use every legal means available to defend his faith. Then he leaves matters in Jehovah’s hands.​—Philippians 1:7; Colossians 4:5, 6.

¹⁹ Deep respect also leads a Christian to go as far as he can, without violating his conscience, to obey the authority. If, for example, congregation meetings are banned, Christians will find some less obvious way to continue feeding at Jehovah’s table. The Supreme Authority, Jehovah God, tells us through Paul: “Let us consider one another to incite to love and fine works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together, as some have the custom.” (Hebrews 10:24, 25) But such gatherings can be held discreetly. Even if just a few are present, we can be confident that God blesses such arrangements.​—Compare Matthew 18:20.

20. If the public preaching of the good news is banned, how may Christians deal with the situation?

²⁰ Similarly, some authorities have forbidden the public preaching of the good news. Christians living under them remember that, through Jesus himself, the Supreme Authority said: “In all the nations the good news has to be preached first.” (Mark 13:10) Hence, they obey the Supreme Authority at whatever cost to themselves. Where possible, the apostles preached publicly and from house to house, but there are other ways of reaching people, such as informal witnessing. (John 4:7-15; Acts 5:42; 20:20) Often the authorities will not interfere with the preaching work if just the Bible is used​—which highlights the need for all Witnesses to be well trained in reasoning from the Scriptures. (Compare Acts 17:2, 17.) By being bold, yet respectful, Christians may often find a way to obey Jehovah without inviting the wrath of the superior authorities.​—Titus 3:1, 2.

21. If Caesar is relentless in his persecution, what course must Christians choose?

²¹ Sometimes, though, the authority is relentless in persecuting Christians. Then, in clear conscience, we can only endure in doing what is right. Young Franz Reiter faced a choice: compromise his faith or die. Since he could not stop worshiping God, he courageously went to his death. The night before he died, Franz wrote to his mother: “I will be executed tomorrow morning. I have my strength from God, the same as it always was with all true Christians away back in the past . . . If you will stand firm until death, we shall meet again in the resurrection.”

22. What hope do we have, and how should we proceed meantime?

²² Some day all mankind will be under just one law, that of Jehovah God. Until then, we must in good conscience observe the arrangement of God and maintain our relative subjection to the superior authorities while at the same time obeying our Sovereign Lord Jehovah in all things.​—Philippians 4:5-7.