Should a Christian Vote in 2008?

Dr. Meredith and I in his office (January 2008)

There is to be a scheduled presidential debate tonight between Barack Obama and John McCain in Hempstead, New York.

In the current edition of Tomorrow’s World magazine, LCG’s Roderick Meredith wrote:

John McCain is widely honored as a war hero for the suffering he endured in a North Vietnamese prison camp. Barack Obama inspires his supporters like few politicians since John F. Kennedy. As the United States prepares for an election that may change the course of the nation, we ought to consider our Savior’s perspective on the matter…

Across the United States, the Presidential election campaign is in full swing…

Remember, very few professing Christians realize that Jesus’ gospel was about world government. One of the most clever, Satanic deceptions ever spread is that Jesus Christ’s message was principally about Himself. The starting point of true Christianity is accepting the shed blood of Jesus Christ after truly repenting (seldom mentioned elsewhere!) of sin. However, Jesus’ main message—the gospel He preached—centered on world government and the willingness of each human to genuinely surrender to God and eventually become part of His divine Family…

Although Jesus Christ did not actively participate in the governments of this deceived world, He did set us an example of obedience to civil law, showing respect to those in office. When the Pharisees came to ask Jesus about paying taxes, He answered: “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21).

God inspired Paul to write: “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. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves” (Romans 13:1–2). And Paul further explains: “For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor” (vv. 6–7).

Paul tells us to pray for those in positions of authority. “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (1 Timothy 2:1–2).

True Christians—who make up the church (Greek ekklesia, literally, the “called-out ones”)—are like foreign ambassadors. “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20)…

But, as Paul wrote, we are “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20). We should conduct ourselves with love and respect for all human beings—including those in political offices. But we must always remember that our ultimate citizenship is not in or from the governments of this Satan-inspired society! Although we should serve others and do good on an individual basis, we cannot and must not get involved with military or political efforts to reorganize or to clean up Satan’s deceived world. For the system itself is not< God’s system! He is only allowing deceived human beings to go their own way and experiment with various types of government during this present 6,000 years of human experience.

Paul wrote: “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?” (2 Corinthians 6:14–15). Referring to the religio-political system that will dominate most of the developed world when Jesus Christ returns, God commands His people: “And I heard another voice from heaven saying, ‘Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues’” (Revelation 18:4).

You can click here for the entire article, which is titled How would Jesus Vote for President?

The fact is that Christians are not to be part of this world and should not vote in 2008.

Yet, many Protestants, Orthodox, SDAs, Mormons, and Catholics have a different perspective.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

Should a Christian Vote? This article gives some of the Biblical rationale on this subject. Would Jesus vote for president? Is voting in the Bible? This is a subject Christians need to understand.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? True religion should be based upon the true gospel.
Hope of Salvation: How the Living Church of God differ from most Protestants How the Living Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a Church of God background.
The Similarities and Dissimilarities between Martin Luther and Herbert W. ArmstrongThis article clearly shows some of the doctrinal differences between in the two. At this time of doctrinal variety and a tendency by many to accept certain aspects of Protestantism, the article should help clarify why the Living Church of God is NOT Protestant. Do you really know what the Protestant Reformer Martin Luther taught and should you follow his doctrinal example?
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Living Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions.
Some Similarities and Differences Between the Orthodox Church and the Living Church of God Both groups claim to be the original church, but both groups have differing ways to claim it. Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?
SDA/LCG Differences: Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666The Living Church of God is NOT part of the Seventh-day Adventists. This article explains two prophetic differences, the trinity, differences in approaching doctrine, including Ellen White.
Five Dissimilarities Between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the Living Church of God The Living Church of God is not related to the Mormons and this article explains five differences.

Other articles of interest may include:

Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States Some claim that Barack Obama is the prophesied “son of Kenya”. Might Bible prophecy be fulfilled if he is elected president?
Barack Obama Carries Hindu Monkey God Although there are some strange and false stories about Barack Obama, this one seems to be true.
Might Sarah Palin Fulfill Prophecy? Why might Sarah Palin fulfill Bible prophecy?
Barack Obama is Not the Antichrist Some have suggested that he may be, but neither he nor John McCain will be. Find out why they cannot be.
Some Doctrines of Antichrist Are there any doctrines taught outside the Churches of God which can be considered as doctrines of antichrist? This article suggests at least three. It also provides information on 666 and the identity of “the false prophet”. Plus it shows that several Catholic writers seem to warn about an ecumenical antipope that will support heresy.
Do Certain Catholic Prophecies About Antichrist Warn Against Jesus? Will the final “Anti-Christ” be Jewish, insist on Saturday, be opposed to the trinity, and bring in the millennium? Catholic writings indicate this, but what does the Bible show?
Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 This article explains how the LCG views this, and compares this to Ellen White. Neither John McCain nor Barack Obama are 666.