Because God be true, Thomas Jefferson and all American revolutionaries who resisted and overthrew King George III shall receive to themselves damnation. "Hey, N., does that mean they all are going to spend an eternity in hell? Are they going to receive damnation for starting and finishing the revolution that resulted in the foundation of the United States of America, the greatest God-fearing nation on earth?" Yes, if the word damnation written in Romans 13:2 be defined as eternity in hell. If, however, the word damnation used here be defined as judgment, as many biblical students hold, then we have a situation no different than any other sin for which we shall receive to ourselves damnation.

It is my personal belief that the word damnation in the context of v.2 means judgment. I truly believe the Founding Fathers believed this also and that is the sole reason for the appearance of the phrase, "...deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed..." in the American Declaration of Independence. In other words, the Founding Fathers did not believe that God ordained human governments with absolute powers to govern in all matters as so many voices are preaching from the pulpits. They believed, as I do, that God endowed (ordained) all men with the power to defend themselves and that men are justified in using force, to the extent necessary, to resist evil and evildoers coming against them. They also believed, as I do, that men may delegate to rulers, ordained of God for that purpose, their God given right to defend themselves. Further, men do not surrender their just power to defend themselves when they delegate government to secure their rights. Every American has the right to hire a security guard to protect his property while he is away on vacation. The security guard's authority is limited to the just authority delegated to him and he must give up that authority when you return home, unless you agree to keep him on.

My fair weather friends, the politicians of America are constantly bombarding you with the notion that you have no right to defend yourself (that's their job) and when you even dare to speak out against their self-serving proposals for hospitals, compulsory public schools, swimming pools, nursing homes and a jillion other social programs, you are resisting God and you're gonna receive to yourselves His damnation - all supported by most American pulpits. Because God is just, that is correct. You will receive judgment. However, God may say to you and to the Founding Fathers, "Job well done." To the politicians and preachers He may say, "well job done" - a very deep well!

I don't know how many times God gives a reason for His laws or ordinances, but Romans 13 VS. 1-6 clearly states, "the powers that be are ordained of God to minister terror and execute wrath against evil and evildoers…for this cause pay ye tribute." Therefore, this writer further asserts that the powers that be (governments) are ordained of God for the sole purpose of executing wrath upon evil and evildoers. To stretch these powers beyond the limitations set by God is evil and the evildoers put themselves in danger of eternal hellfire.

Have a good week!