1 Peter Verse 9-10 we are a nation within a nation. In verse 11 we are sojourners which means strangers, travelers, temporary residents living in the worldly nations / governments. These people were living under pagan rule of the Roman empire.
Verses 13-17 are very hard to swallow but indeed it says that even these pagan wicked rulers were appointed by God for good and that we are to be subject to them.
It’s difficult for me to see the postmill view that we are to go out and make Christian governments of all nations but this view has become very popular amongst my reformed brothers and sisters.
As much as I would love to see our nation bow to King Jesus the scripture commands me to be subject to even the most wicked rulers so we have to be very careful not to go against God. It would seem we can only resist when commanded to disobey God..
Unfortunately I’ve encountered many young (not all) reformed postmill guys who view any other position besides postmill as a defeatist view but the apostles didn’t see being ruled by wicked leaders as defeat nor that it would stop the Gospel.
Quite the opposite. In Romans 5 Paul says we also glory in tribulations and I would humbly argue in order to have tribulation there must be wickedness in the world. If Christ is coming back to a Christianized world I would humbly argue these will be some of the weakest Christians ever having suffered no persecution or tribulation of any kind.
That being said I would walk hand in hand going out preaching the Gospel and making disciples of all nations as we are commanded to no matter what eschatological view they hold to. Whatever the Lord wills to happen will be.
1 Peter 2:9-10
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.1 Peter 2:11-12
11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.1 Peter 2:13-17
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will [a]bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.
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