Answer: According to Bible chronology, the Gentile lease of power ended in 1914; however, as long as the Gentile powers are in control, the Biblically inculcated duties toward them should be fulfilled by God’s people. Hence, we should obey, respect, support by taxes and pray for the civil rulers, even though their lease of dominion is over; for as long as they exist they are the powers that be, to which we owe the above-stated duties (Romans 13: 1-6).

Another passage bearing on this question is 1 Timothy 2: 1, 2: “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” We should not pray that the civil rulers and all that are in authority may be continued in power and control, for that would be out of harmony with our prayers for God’s Kingdom to come. But it is appropriate to pray for civil rulers: (1) that God will overrule and direct among nations in harmony with His plans and for the benefit of His people, “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty;” (2) that God may bless the nations in harmony with His will, because we are interested in the welfare of mankind in general; and (3) recognizing that the civil rulers face insurmountable problems in trying to govern a fallen race, that God may grant such wisdom to them as He sees best.

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