Rebellion to Tyrant is Obedience to God

“Rebellion to tyrant is obedience to God.” This quotation is very true. This serious and profound statement was coined by Benjamin Franklyn in 1776, and was to be the motto on the seal of the United States of America the greatest democracy that exists today. However this quote was later used by Thomas Jefferson on his personal seal.

“Rebellion to tyrant is obedient to God” can the truth in this statement be proven. Let us look to the bible, to see if this statement can be proven.

• In the book of Genesis, the tyrannical King of Egypt: Pharaoh, enslaved the Israelites and subjected them to much inhumane treatment. It was as a result of Moses obedience to Jehovah and his love for his people that caused Moses to lead a rebellion against Pharaoh in the name of his God: Jehovah and thus he secured the freedom of his people.
  

• In the four gospels of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John we saw John the Baptist rebelled against the hypocritical religious leaders and the immoral political leaders of his day; he also exposed their vile practices. This was done to their great disapproval; as a result, John was beheaded for his bold and courageous actions.
  

• In Daniel 3: The tyrannical Babylonian King: Neb-u-chad-nez-zar ordered the world to worship him; his likeness was superimposed in the golden statue, the three Hebrew boys servants of Jehovah rebel against the king by not complying with his orders; as a result the boys were thrown into a super heated fiery furnace.
  
  

• In Daniel 6: when King Darius forbid the worship of Jehovah and ordered that all recognition and worship be awarded only unto him. Here we saw Daniel rebelling against the king and his instruction. Daniel continued to file his petition with Jehovah his God and as a result of Daniel’s action, he was thrown into the lion’s den.
  
• Religious leader who hides behind the cliché, God’s will, will be done are nothing more than cowards. Jehovah bestowed the responsibility on us to ensure that his will is done on earth and when such is beyond human ability he assured us he will step in and take care of business.
  
  Now let us take a look at some example that most conscionable human were in supports of; examples which occurred in the distant and recent pass:

• The mothers and fathers of emancipation who rebelled against the wicked and the then legal system of slavery and secured the freedom of the black slaves. Their rebellion resulted in the lost of millions of life over hundreds of years
  

....Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: The Father of the United States of Anerica Civil Rights Movement

• Martin Luther King led a rebellion against the tyrannical system of segregation in America; a system which taught: black people are inferior and they were not human and members of the black race were treated as such. Dr. King’s actions were the catalyst that secured the rights of African American to live in America free and to be treated as a people who are equal. Martin Luther King paid the ultimate price for his people: death.
  
• Mahatma Gandhi: was one who recognized the tyranny of the colonial government that occupied his country; and his heart could not bore the exploitation of his people. Thus Gandhi the Indian “spiritual leader” rebelled and inspired his people to rebel against the colonial tyrant. Gandhi’s action was the vehicle that propelled India to secure her independence. Mahatma Gandhi also suffered the ultimate price for his people: death.
  

.............................. Nelson Mandella: the South African Liberator

• Nelson Mandela: the South African liberator who rebelled against the tyrannical system of apartheid and secured freedom for his people and ensured that his country became an unconditional self-governing nation, free of the prejudices that cause the exploitation and un-necessary death of millions of innocent black people. Nelson Mandela’s actions caused him to lost 27 youthful years of his life sitting in a prison cell for a cause he believed in; and a cause he knew was right.
  

One thing I know for sure and that is; if anyone asked these men if the suffering they undertook for their cause was worth it. They will answer with pride and let you know they will do it again if they are needed.

If from the examples provided above, we agree that rebellion to tyrant is indeed obedience to God, then obedience to tyrant is rebellion to God. It is time that people who have tyrant in their lives, such as a bosses, a political leader etc. to get up and rebel against any such tyrant that bully them. When we rebel we must expect retaliation from the tyrant in the same way John the Baptist, Daniel, the three Hebrew boys, Martin Luther King, Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela suffered; hence we must be prepare to suffer at the hand of a tyrant. But when all is said and done, we will experience a quality of life that will be better, richer and more rewarding; so much so, that we will ask ourselves why didn’t I rebelled sooner.

We must always remember that “a tyrant will always find pretext for his tyranny and it is useless for the innocent to try to reason to get justice when the oppressor intend to be unjust.”

All these men knew exactly what Jehovah expected of them and what was his desire for his people. They also knew that Jehovah has no hands or voice but there (our) hands and voices. What is Jehovah’s will for his people? The American Declaration of Independence out lined the answer to this question perfectly. “We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” If there is a person or group who act against the principles out lined in the quote in any way may be a tyrant.

1. If you or another are treated by anyone or a group as if you or the other is not created equal to them.
   


2. If you or another are deprived of your rights to live.
   


3. If you or another had your liberty to express themselves freely etc. taken away.


4. Or who make living condition social and otherwise so unhealthy that it is almost impossible to enjoy even the pursuit of and attainment of happiness.
   

Let us take a look at another part of the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America “whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive to these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government.” In other words any time a government is corrupt, and or is unable to provide the rights as outlined above, in such cases, it is the rights of the people to alter or abolish that government and institute new government. This is very powerful counsel coming from the fathers of democracy.

Unfortunately many Caribbean leaders after they have been duly elected to lead the counties of their birth, normally adopt a tyrannical character, becoming enemies of the people, and voluntarily indulge in their own selfish gratification while the people suffer.

I will end with these two un-dissected quotation: Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God."
The United States of America Declaration of Independence:
"We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. . . whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive to these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."