Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight…” John 18:36. God is not directing the leaders of this “present evil world,” Galatians 1:4 It is not that there is no good in the present world, but rather, evil dominates. Additionally, “Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe.” 2 Corinthians 4:4

Which leader or government is ruling in wisdom, justice, and peace? Were God establishing His leaders, there would be peace. Psalm 72:7 (NKJV), “In His days the righteous shall flourish, and abundance of peace…”

But what does Romans 13:1 mean? “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained (permitted, ordered) of God.” This scripture is not teaching that every dictator or ruler is placed in power by God. It is teaching that God has determined that mankind will have the opportunity to attempt to rule themselves. This is what is ordained.

History of Earth’s Dominion

God initially gave Adam and Eve dominion over the earth. (Genesis 1:28) But they lost that position when they sinned. Then the angels tried to rule mankind, but wickedness increased even more. Genesis 6:5, “…every intent of the thoughts of his (mankind’s) heart was only evil continually.”  God ended that “world” with the flood.

Hundreds of years later, God established His typical kingdom with the nation of Israel. But they became idol worshippers and sacrificed their own children to demons. So God removed His protective rulership and gave the Gentiles governmental dominion. This period of Gentile rulership (the Times of the Gentiles, Luke 21:24) was ordained of God to prove that no sinful men (neither Gentiles nor Jews) are able to establish righteousness. 

God considers earthly governments to be beastly. Daniel 7:3, 26-27 (RSV), “3 And four great beasts (empires) came up out of the sea (unruly mankind), different from one another…26 But the court shall sit in judgment (because of injustices, etc.) and his dominion shall be taken away, to be consumed and destroyed to the end. 27 And the kingdom and the dominion…shall be given to…the saints of the Most High; their kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom…” (Compare Daniel 2 to Daniel 7.)

After the “times of the Gentiles,” Christ will establish His kingdom on earth for all mankind. Isaiah 9:7 (NKJV), “Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever.”