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Should Believers in Messiah Yeshua (Jesus Christ) Vote?
Some would say it is our duty to vote. Some might even say it is a sin to not vote. I am of the opinion that we should not vote or take part in the political systems of this world. The following are some brief Scriptural points that formed my current beliefs.
1) The Sovereignty of Yahweh
Daniel 4:17 – This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomsoever He will, and sets up over it the basest of men.
Daniel 5:21 – And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appoints over it whomsoever He will.
Daniel 2:20-21 – Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And He changes the times and the seasons: He removes kings, and sets up kings: He gives wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
Proverbs 8:15-16 – By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
Romans 13:1 – 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.
It is Almighty Yahweh (the Most High) that puts men in positions of leadership whether they be kings, presidents, senators, judges, etc. Yahweh knows in advance who He will put into those positions. They are pre-selected by Him even before any elections by voters takes place. If we vote for a candidate that is not Yahweh’s pre-selected choice, we are fighting against Yahweh. We are choosing to put the candidate of OUR choice in office rather than the one Yahweh chooses. It would behoove us to let Yahweh’s will be done in such matters and not be so naive as to think we can influence an election through our vote.
Some might say, “we must elect righteous men and women who will lead our government to do good. We must elect pro-life candidates who will not allow abortions to continue. We must elect anti-gay candidates who will not allow our society to become a cesspool of abominable practices”, etc. The emotional rhetoric is pervasive in order to sway the vote and put in office those who conform to our beliefs and our agenda. It is all for naught since it is Yahweh who puts people into positions of leadership. If He wants a pro-life candidate in office, that is exactly who will win the election. If He wants a pro-choice candidate in office, it will be so.
Some might say, “Why would God want a person in favor of murdering children in office?” Did Yahweh give Pharaoh the throne of Egypt prior to the exodus? Yes. Did Yahweh know in advance that the man He enthroned as Pharaoh over Egypt would kill Israelite baby boys? Yes, and yet, Yahweh still put him on the throne. Did Yahweh know Herod would attempt the same thing by killing baby boys in the hope of killing the promised Messiah? Yes, and yet, Yahweh still put Herod on the throne.
Yahweh is Sovereign and He will work in the affairs of men to bring about His will even if His will does not conform to our will. He sees the future. We do not. All we desire is for our will to be done without considering all the ramifications that Yahweh sees in advance. I am of the opinion that all those aborted babies and Israelite children who were slain will be resurrected and have an opportunity to live during the Millennium, but even if they are not, may Yahweh’s will be done.
2) We are not of this world and neither is the Kingdom we belong to.
John 17:14 I have given them thy word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
John 18:36 Yeshua answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from here.
Since believers do not belong to this world, but to Yeshua’s Kingdom (government), we should not partake in the governmental affairs of this world. We are part of a different government. We are required to live within the boundaries/laws set by whatever earthly government we live under (Romans 13:1), but we are not required to, nor should we, participate in governmental affairs such as joining their militaries, going to fight in wars, voting, serving on juries, etc.
3) We are ambassadors of a different kingdom/government.
2 Corinthians 5:20 – Now then we are ambassadors for Messiah, …
As ambassadors for Messiah Yeshua, we live in whatever country Yahweh has placed us in and we represent the government/Kingdom of Yeshua. Most foreign ambassadors do not partake in the electoral process of their host nation. The same is true for ambassadors from the Kingdom of Messiah Yeshua. We should not get involved in the affairs of the governments of men, but should enlighten them about a better form of government and how to become part of it.
There are other points to consider as well, but I want to keep this article brief.