When to Disrespect “Authority”? Reconciling Jesus* and Paul**?

- Pillars of Freedom -
Sustaining ONLY that
which deserves sustaining

First, let me be clear: I believe that law,¹ governments, and authorities² are necessary because of the predilections of the “natural man.” Scripture states:

the natural man is an enemy to God [and thus to fellow men], and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man ... .³

In proof of that judgment, the natural man has demonstrated over millennia that he cannot be trusted with unrestrained power or authority.⁴ Even with checks and balances, the déjà vus of corruption,  oppression, and violence have been the way of the world as tyrants (from within family structures all the way to global empires) have risen and then fallen to other tyrants — age upon age. The Scriptures are, in essence, one long lament⁵ about abuses of power and authority by “natural men” (both high and low) counterbalanced with God's invitation for them to repent, accept and live truth, serve Him and their fellow man, and fill the measure of their creation, all without coercion. 

But what characterizes the natural man? In large measure, the natural man is susceptible to:

• self-delusion / self-deception,
• self-aggrandizement,
• obsessions for power-gain-glory-domination,
• acting without conscience,
• pride,
• addiction,
• gullibility,
• misplaced trust,
• lying,
• stiffneckedness,
• and so forth.

Many seek to be a law unto themselves and thus become enemies to God, their fellow beings, and all creation.

So what are we to do when “natural men” gain positions of authority which they often relentlessly pursue, obtain, corrupt, and abuse? What then are we to make of Paul’s instruction in New Testament Romans?

1 LET every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law (New Testament | Romans 13:1–8).

Here is one man’s answer worthy of our consideration:

For what purpose has [God] given [dominion of the earth] to the children of men? That they may govern it, even as stated in Gen. 1: 26, 27. This is shown in Rom. 13: 1-4, where it is stated that the powers that be are ordained of God, and that rulers are appointed to bear the sword of justice. The expression, “the powers that be are ordained of God,” refers to authority in general, rather than to particular Governments. And this should be sufficient to show that, although God rules the entire universe, he is not the head of any earthly Government. If he were, then there would be but one correct form of Government, and the officers of that Government would be appointed directly by Him, as in the case of the ancient Jewish Government. But no one can claim that of the various nations of earth, one is ordained of God, to the exclusion of the others.

Take for instance, Russia, Germany, England, and the United States. Here we have four Governments, all differing in their structure. Which of them is ordained of God? All of them. They are all for the purpose of preserving order, and of guarding the rights of each individual against the encroachments of others. This is all that earthly Governments are ordained to do. The whole of the law against the violation of which they can execute wrath is, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself,” and this they can enforce only so far as concerns outward acts. They cannot compel a man to love his neighbor in his heart, but they can see that he does his neighbor no personal wrong, and when they do this, they are carrying out that for which they were appointed. And in thus executing justice between man and man the ruler is ordained of God, whether he is born to the throne, or whether he is elected by the people, or appointed by a few. The Czar of Russia, the Emperor of Germany, the Queen of England, and the President of the United States, are all equally ordained of God as ministers of justice; not because God is personally at the head of any one of these Governments, but because he has ordained that men shall be under authority, and the individuals above referred to are in authority in their respective Governments. In the discharge of their duty, they are each personally responsible to God, just the same as the humblest peasant.

But, although man was given dominion over the earth and all that it contains, all things are not now under him. Adam was overcome by the tempter, and so forfeited his dominion. He has not now perfect dominion over the earth, because it does not yield to him the increase that it formerly did; and the beasts of the field, the fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea are not passively subject to his control. What man forfeited, he has no power to regain. And so, since we do not now see all things put under him, Paul says that “we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” Heb. 2: 9. Not only did Christ taste death in order to restore to man his forfeited life, but he also bore the curse of the earth (compare Gen. 3: 17, 18 and Matt. 27: 29), that he might redeem it, and restore to man the possession that he lost. [52] Since Christ alone could redeem the lost dominion, and has paid the price, it is to him that it is to come. Says the prophet, “And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.” Micah 4: 8. And so Paul directs the minds of the disciples forward to the time of “the redemption of the purchased possession.” Eph. 1: 14. And when that time shall come, and the kingdom shall be given to Him “whose right it is,” those who have suffered with Christ shall also reign with him. 2 Tim. 2: 12; Rom. 8: 17.⁶

The prophet Joseph Smith recorded it this way:

12 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law (Pearl of Great Price | Articles of Faith 1:12).

1 WE believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man; and that he holds men accountable for their acts in relation to them, both in making laws and administering them, for the good and safety of society.
2 We believe that no government can exist in peace, except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property, and the protection of life.
3 We believe that all governments necessarily require civil officers and magistrates to enforce the laws of the same; and that such as will administer the law in equity and justice should be sought for and upheld by the voice of the people if a republic, or the will of the sovereign.
4 We believe ... that the civil magistrate should restrain crime, but never control conscience; should punish guilt, but never suppress the freedom of the soul.
5 We believe that all men are bound to sustain and uphold the respective governments in which they reside, while protected in their inherent and inalienable rights by the laws of such governments; and that sedition and rebellion are unbecoming every citizen thus protected, and should be punished accordingly; and that all governments have a right to enact such laws as in their own judgments are best calculated to secure the public interest; at the same time, however, holding sacred the freedom of conscience.
6 We believe that every man should be honored in his station, rulers and magistrates as such, being placed for the protection of the innocent and the punishment of the guilty; and that to the laws all men show respect and deference, as without them peace and harmony would be supplanted by anarchy and terror; human laws being instituted for the express purpose of regulating our interests as individuals and nations, between man and man; and divine laws given of heaven, prescribing rules on spiritual concerns, for faith and worship, both to be answered by man to his Maker.
7 We believe that rulers, states, and governments have a right, and are bound to enact laws for the protection of all citizens in the free exercise of their religious belief; but we do not believe that they have a right in justice to deprive citizens of this privilege, or proscribe them in their opinions, so long as a regard and reverence are shown to the laws and such religious opinions do not justify sedition nor conspiracy.
8 We believe that the commission of crime should be punished according to the nature of the offense; that murder, treason, robbery, theft, and the breach of the general peace, in all respects, should be punished according to their criminality and their tendency to evil among men, by the laws of that government in which the offense is committed; and for the public peace and tranquility all men should step forward and use their ability in bringing offenders against good laws to punishment.
9 We do not believe it just to mingle religious influence with civil government, whereby one religious society is fostered and another proscribed in its spiritual privileges, and the individual rights of its members, as citizens, denied. ...
11 We believe that men should appeal to the civil law for redress of all wrongs and grievances, where personal abuse is inflicted or the right of property or character infringed, where such laws exist as will protect the same; but we believe that all men are justified in defending themselves, their friends, and property, and the government, from the unlawful assaults and encroachments of all persons in times of exigency, where immediate appeal cannot be made to the laws, and relief afforded. ...(Doctrine and Covenants | Section 134:1-9, 11; full section here⁷).

The bold emphasis above highlights the conditions for respect for authority. When those conditions were violated or exceeded, neither Jesus nor His servants pretended to respect the offending “authority”; on the contrary, they denounced the corruption and abuse, often in the very face of the abuser.⁸

The Prophet Joseph also recorded God’s directive concerning government:

4 And now, verily I say unto you concerning the laws of the land, it is my will that my people should observe to do all things whatsoever I command them.
5 And that law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that principle of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges, belongs to all mankind, and is justifiable before me.
6 Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land;
7 And as pertaining to law of man, whatsoever is more or less than this, cometh of evil.
8 I, the Lord God, make you free, therefore ye are free indeed; and the law also maketh you free.
9 Nevertheless, when the wicked rule the people mourn (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 98:4–9, bold emphasis added).

So, when the wicked rule by corrupting or denying Constitutional and just law or limitation, are we to mourn in silence and inaction? Does not authority cease to exist when “authorities” breach or exceed their contract or calling of service to the people? And where is the alleged authority when natural men claim it in elitist self-delusion and self-appointment? Must we not relentlessly remind “authorities” that all governments:

“are all for the purpose of preserving order [without violating rights of conscience⁹], and of guarding the rights of each individual against the encroachments of others. This is all that earthly Governments are ordained to do”¹⁰?

Added October 31 from Cato’s Letter 15 (February 4, 1720):

“That Men ought to speak well of their Governours is true, while their Governours, deserve to be well spoken of, but to do publick Mischief, without hearing of it, is only the Prerogative and Felicity of Tyranny: A free People will be shewing that they are so, by their Freedom of Speech.”¹¹

Added November 3, 2023:

When Should You Defy the Government? | Jonathan Cahn Sermon (YT: Nov 1, 2023)¹²

---------------------------------/
* Jesus response to corrupted power / authority: https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2023/10/respecting-obeying-authority-what-did.html
** Paul: New Testament | Romans 13:1–8 discussed in the body of this post.

1. Doctrine and Covenants | Section 88:34-39
   34 And again, verily I say unto you, that which is governed by law is also preserved by law and perfected and sanctified by the same.
   35 That which breaketh a law, and abideth not by law, but seeketh to become a law unto itself, and willeth to abide in sin, and altogether abideth in sin, cannot be sanctified by law, neither by mercy, justice, nor judgment. Therefore, they must remain filthy still.
   36 All kingdoms have a law given;
   37 And there are many kingdoms; for there is no space in the which there is no kingdom; and there is no kingdom in which there is no space, either a greater or a lesser kingdom.
   38 And unto every kingdom is given a law; and unto every law there are certain bounds also and conditions.
   39 All beings who abide not in those conditions are not justified.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 88:21–25 (Bold emphasis added.)
   21 And they who are not sanctified through the law which I have given unto you, even the law of Christ, must inherit another kingdom, even that of a terrestrial kingdom, or that of a telestial kingdom.
   22 For he who is not able to abide the law of a celestial kingdom cannot abide a celestial glory.
   23 And he who cannot abide the law of a terrestrial kingdom cannot abide a terrestrial glory.
   24 And he who cannot abide the law of a telestial kingdom cannot abide a telestial glory; therefore he is not meet for a kingdom of glory. Therefore he must abide a kingdom which is not a kingdom of glory.
   25 And again, verily I say unto you, the earth abideth the law of a celestial kingdom, for it filleth the measure of its creation, and transgresseth not the law—
2. Pearl of Great Price | Articles of Faith 1:12
   12 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 88:34-39
   34 And again, verily I say unto you, that which is governed by law is also preserved by law and perfected and sanctified by the same.
   35 That which breaketh a law, and abideth not by law, but seeketh to become a law unto itself, and willeth to abide in sin, and altogether abideth in sin, cannot be sanctified by law, neither by mercy, justice, nor judgment. Therefore, they must remain filthy still.
   36 All kingdoms have a law given;
   37 And there are many kingdoms; for there is no space in the which there is no kingdom; and there is no kingdom in which there is no space, either a greater or a lesser kingdom.
   38 And unto every kingdom is given a law; and unto every law there are certain bounds also and conditions.
   39 All beings who abide not in those conditions are not justified.
3. Book of Mormon | Mosiah 3:19 
   19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father .
See also: https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2010/05/natural-man.html
4. Doctrine and Covenants | Section 121:39-40 (bold emphasis added)
   39 We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.
   40 Hence many are called, but few are chosen.
See also:
https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2016/02/2-flags.html
https://dejavu-times.blogspot.com/2020/08/anarchy-four-fatal-flaws.html
https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2020/06/gazlighting-by-anarchists.html
https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2018/03/a-few-questions-for-anarchists-and.html
5. https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2014/01/gods-lament.html
6. Jones, Alonzo T. . The American Sentinel: Volume 1 (pp. 251-253). Adventist Pioneer Library. Kindle Edition (bold emphasis added).
7. Doctrine and Covenants | Section 134:1-12 (bold emphasis added above)
   1 WE believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man; and that he holds men accountable for their acts in relation to them, both in making laws and administering them, for the good and safety of society.
   2 We believe that no government can exist in peace, except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property, and the protection of life.
   3 We believe that all governments necessarily require civil officers and magistrates to enforce the laws of the same; and that such as will administer the law in equity and justice should be sought for and upheld by the voice of the people if a republic, or the will of the sovereign.
   4 We believe that religion is instituted of God; and that men are amenable to him, and to him only, for the exercise of it, unless their religious opinions prompt them to infringe upon the rights and liberties of others; but we do not believe that human law has a right to interfere in prescribing rules of worship to bind the consciences of men, nor dictate forms for public or private devotion; that the civil magistrate should restrain crime, but never control conscience; should punish guilt, but never suppress the freedom of the soul.
   5 We believe that all men are bound to sustain and uphold the respective governments in which they reside, while protected in their inherent and inalienable rights by the laws of such governments; and that sedition and rebellion are unbecoming every citizen thus protected, and should be punished accordingly; and that all governments have a right to enact such laws as in their own judgments are best calculated to secure the public interest; at the same time, however, holding sacred the freedom of conscience.
   6 We believe that every man should be honored in his station, rulers and magistrates as such, being placed for the protection of the innocent and the punishment of the guilty; and that to the laws all men show respect and deference, as without them peace and harmony would be supplanted by anarchy and terror; human laws being instituted for the express purpose of regulating our interests as individuals and nations, between man and man; and divine laws given of heaven, prescribing rules on spiritual concerns, for faith and worship, both to be answered by man to his Maker.
   7 We believe that rulers, states, and governments have a right, and are bound to enact laws for the protection of all citizens in the free exercise of their religious belief; but we do not believe that they have a right in justice to deprive citizens of this privilege, or proscribe them in their opinions, so long as a regard and reverence are shown to the laws and such religious opinions do not justify sedition nor conspiracy.
   8 We believe that the commission of crime should be punished according to the nature of the offense; that murder, treason, robbery, theft, and the breach of the general peace, in all respects, should be punished according to their criminality and their tendency to evil among men, by the laws of that government in which the offense is committed; and for the public peace and tranquility all men should step forward and use their ability in bringing offenders against good laws to punishment.
   9 We do not believe it just to mingle religious influence with civil government, whereby one religious society is fostered and another proscribed in its spiritual privileges, and the individual rights of its members, as citizens, denied.
   10 We believe that all religious societies have a right to deal with their members for disorderly conduct, according to the rules and regulations of such societies; provided that such dealings be for fellowship and good standing; but we do not believe that any religious society has authority to try men on the right of property or life, to take from them this world's goods, or to put them in jeopardy of either life or limb, or to inflict any physical punishment upon them. They can only excommunicate them from their society, and withdraw from them their fellowship.
   11 We believe that men should appeal to the civil law for redress of all wrongs and grievances, where personal abuse is inflicted or the right of property or character infringed, where such laws exist as will protect the same; but we believe that all men are justified in defending themselves, their friends, and property, and the government, from the unlawful assaults and encroachments of all persons in times of exigency, where immediate appeal cannot be made to the laws, and relief afforded.
   12 We believe it just to preach the gospel to the nations of the earth, and warn the righteous to save themselves from the corruption of the world; but we do not believe it right to interfere with bond–servants, neither preach the gospel to, nor baptize them contrary to the will and wish of their masters, nor to meddle with or influence them in the least to cause them to be dissatisfied with their situations in this life, thereby jeopardizing the lives of men; such interference we believe to be unlawful and unjust, and dangerous to the peace of every government allowing human beings to be held in servitude.
8. https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2023/10/respecting-obeying-authority-what-did.html
https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2023/10/respecting-obeying-authority-what-of.html
9. (as long as such conscience is not used to justify sedition or conspiracy against lawful authority)
10. Jones, Alonzo T. The American Sentinel: Volume 1 (pp. 251-253). Adventist Pioneer Library. Kindle Edition (bold emphasis added).
11. Cato's Letters, John Trenchard and Thomas Gordon (Letter Number 15 Of Freedom of Speech, That the Same is inseparable from Publick Liberty, February 4, 1720). Source: https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Freedom_of_speech
12. Added Nov 3, 2023:
When Should You Defy the Government? | Jonathan Cahn Sermon
(Jonathan Cahn Official | Nov. 1, 2023 | Time 9:18 min) at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2c4rAz9y2Mo

Respecting / Obeying “Authority”: What of the Prophets, et al.?

Thru the Prism
of Scripture

Further to the post “What Did Jesus Do?”* concerning “authority,” let us briefly consider what His prophets and other believers did through the ages. And if they, too, disrespected authority what is the common denominator? The corruption of peoples and their “authorities”? If we pay attention, almost every God-fearing soul in scripture disrespected corrupted authority? The following are just a few abbreviated accounts of accusation and exposure of that corruption:

Enoch
37 And it came to pass that Enoch went forth in the land, among the people, standing upon the hills and the high places, and cried with a loud voice, testifying against their works; and all men were offended because of him (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 6:37).

Noah
20 And it came to pass that Noah called upon the children of men that they should repent; but they hearkened not unto his words;
21 And also, after that they had heard him, they came up before him, saying: Behold, we are the sons of God; have we not taken unto ourselves the daughters of men? And are we not eating and drinking, and marrying and giving in marriage? And our wives bear unto us children, and the same are mighty men, which are like unto men of old, men of great renown. And they hearkened not unto the words of Noah.
22 And God saw that the wickedness of men had become great in the earth; and every man was lifted up in the imagination of the thoughts of his heart, being only evil continually.
23 And it came to pass that Noah continued his preaching unto the people, saying: Hearken, and give heed unto my words;
24 Believe and repent of your sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, even as our fathers, and ye shall receive the Holy Ghost, that ye may have all things made manifest; and if ye do not this, the floods will come in upon you; nevertheless they hearkened not (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 8:20-24).

Moses
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw that he was a peculiar child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.
24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years of discretion, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;
25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible (JST New Testament | Hebrews 11:23-27).
1 AND the LORD spake unto Moses, Go unto Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me.
2 And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs:
3 And the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly, which shall go up and come into thine house, and into thy bedchamber, and upon thy bed, and into the house of thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thine ovens, and into thy kneadingtroughs:
4 And the frogs shall come up both on thee, and upon thy people, and upon all thy servants (Old Testament | Exodus 8:1-4; see also 9 other plagues).

Abraham
5 My fathers having turned from their righteousness, and from the holy commandments which the Lord their God had given unto them, unto the worshiping of the gods of the heathen, utterly refused to hearken to my voice;
6 For their hearts were set to do evil, and were wholly turned to the god of Elkenah, and the god of Libnah, and the god of Mahmackrah, and the god of Korash, and the god of Pharaoh, king of Egypt;
7 Therefore they turned their hearts to the sacrifice of the heathen in offering up their children unto these dumb idols, and hearkened not unto my voice, but endeavored to take away my life by the hand of the priest of Elkenah. The priest of Elkenah was also the priest of Pharaoh.
8 Now, at this time it was the custom of the priest of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, to offer up upon the altar which was built in the land of Chaldea, for the offering unto these strange gods, men, women, and children.
9 And it came to pass that the priest made an offering unto the god of Pharaoh, and also unto the god of Shagreel, even after the manner of the Egyptians. Now the god of Shagreel was the sun.
10 Even the thank–offering of a child did the priest of Pharaoh offer upon the altar which stood by the hill called Potiphar's Hill, at the head of the plain of Olishem.
11 Now, this priest had offered upon this altar three virgins at one time, who were the daughters of Onitah, one of the royal descent directly from the loins of Ham. These virgins were offered up because of their virtue; they would not bow down to worship gods of wood or of stone, therefore they were killed upon this altar, and it was done after the manner of the Egyptians.
12 And it came to pass that the priests laid violence upon me, that they might slay me also (Pearl of Great Price | Abraham 1:5-12),

Elijah
17 ¶ And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?
18 And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim (Old Testament | 1 Kings 18:17-18).

Elisha
32 But Elisha sat in his house, and the elders sat with him; and the king sent a man from before him: but ere the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, See ye how this son of a murderer hath sent to take away mine head? look, when the messenger cometh, shut the door, and hold him fast at the door: is not the sound of his master's feet behind him? (Old Testament | 2 Kings 6:32)

Isaiah
4 Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.
5 ¶ Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.
6 From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment (Old Testament | Isaiah 1:4-6).
10 His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.
11 Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter (Old Testament | Isaiah 56:10-11).

Jeremiah
1 THE word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar.
2 For then the king of Babylon's army besieged Jerusalem: and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the prison, which was in the king of Judah's house.
3 For Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying, Wherefore dost thou prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it;
4 And Zedekiah king of Judah shall not escape out of the hand of the Chaldeans, but shall surely be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon, and shall speak with him mouth to mouth, and his eyes shall behold his eyes;
5 And he shall lead Zedekiah to Babylon, and there shall he be until I visit him, saith the LORD: though ye fight with the Chaldeans, ye shall not prosper? (Old Testament | Jeremiah 32:1-5)

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego
12 There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
13 ¶ Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. Then they brought these men before the king.
14 Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?
15 Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up (Old Testament | Daniel 3:12-18).

Daniel
10 ¶ Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
11 Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.
12 Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.
13 Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day (Old Testament | Daniel 6:10-13).

Amos
14 ¶ Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:
15 And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.
16 ¶ Now therefore hear thou the word of the LORD: Thou sayest, Prophesy not against Israel, and drop not thy word against the house of Isaac.
17 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Thy wife shall be an harlot in the city, and thy sons and thy daughters shall fall by the sword, and thy land shall be divided by line; and thou shalt die in a polluted land: and Israel shall surely go into captivity forth of his land (Old Testament | Amos 7:14-17).

Micah
1 WOE to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand.
2 And they covet fields, and take them by violence; and houses, and take them away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.
3 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, against this family do I devise an evil, from which ye shall not remove your necks; neither shall ye go haughtily: for this time is evil (Old Testament | Micah 2:1-3).

Lehi
18 Therefore, I would that ye should know, that after the Lord had shown so many marvelous things unto my father, Lehi, yea, concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, behold he went forth among the people, and began to prophesy and to declare unto them concerning the things which he had both seen and heard.
19 And it came to pass that the Jews did mock him because of the things which he testified of them; for he truly testified of their wickedness and their abominations; and he testified that the things which he saw and heard, and also the things which he read in the book, manifested plainly of the coming of a Messiah, and also the redemption of the world.
20 And when the Jews heard these things they were angry with him; yea, even as with the prophets of old, whom they had cast out, and stoned, and slain; and they also sought his life, that they might take it away. But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 1:18-20).

Alma / Amulek
2 But the more part of them were desirous that they might destroy Alma and Amulek; for they were angry with Alma, because of the plainness of his words unto Zeezrom; and they also said that Amulek had lied unto them, and had reviled against their law and also against their lawyers and judges.
3 And they were also angry with Alma and Amulek; and because they had testified so plainly against their wickedness, they sought to put them away privily.
4 But it came to pass that they did not; but they took them and bound them with strong cords, and took them before the chief judge of the land.
5 And the people went forth and witnessed against them—testifying that they had reviled against the law, and their lawyers and judges of the land, and also of all the people that were in the land; and also testified that there was but one God, and that he should send his Son among the people, but he should not save them; and many such things did the people testify against Alma and Amulek. Now this was done before the chief judge of the land (Book of Mormon | Alma 14:2–5).

Abinadi
20 And it came to pass that there was a man among them whose name was Abinadi; and he went forth among them, and began to prophesy, saying: Behold, thus saith the Lord, and thus hath he commanded me, saying, Go forth, and say unto this people, thus saith the Lord—Wo be unto this people, for I have seen their abominations, and their wickedness, and their whoredoms; and except they repent I will visit them in mine anger.
21 And except they repent and turn to the Lord their God, behold, I will deliver them into the hands of their enemies; yea, and they shall be brought into bondage; and they shall be afflicted by the hand of their enemies.
22 And it shall come to pass that they shall know that I am the Lord their God, and am a jealous God, visiting the iniquities of my people.
23 And it shall come to pass that except this people repent and turn unto the Lord their God, they shall be brought into bondage; and none shall deliver them, except it be the Lord the Almighty God (Book of Mormon | Mosiah 11:20–23).
9 Now Abinadi said unto him: I say unto you, I will not recall the words which I have spoken unto you concerning this people, for they are true; and that ye may know of their surety I have suffered myself that I have fallen into your hands.
10 Yea, and I will suffer even until death, and I will not recall my words, and they shall stand as a testimony against you. And if ye slay me ye will shed innocent blood, and this shall also stand as a testimony against you at the last day (Book of Mormon | Mosiah 17:9-10).

Captain Moroni
[Moroni mispreceived who was corrupt, but this expresses his attitude to corruption.]
1 AND it came to pass that he wrote again to the governor of the land, who was Pahoran, and these are the words which he wrote, saying: Behold, I direct mine epistle to Pahoran, in the city of Zarahemla, who is the chief judge and the governor over the land, and also to all those who have been chosen by this people to govern and manage the affairs of this war.
2 For behold, I have somewhat to say unto them by the way of condemnation; for behold, ye yourselves know that ye have been appointed to gather together men, and arm them with swords, and with cimeters, and all manner of weapons of war of every kind, and send forth against the Lamanites, in whatsoever parts they should come into our land.
3 And now behold, I say unto you that myself, and also my men, and also Helaman and his men, have suffered exceedingly great sufferings; yea, even hunger, thirst, and fatigue, and all manner of afflictions of every kind.
4 But behold, were this all we had suffered we would not murmur nor complain.
5 But behold, great has been the slaughter among our people; yea, thousands have fallen by the sword, while it might have otherwise been if ye had rendered unto our armies sufficient strength and succor for them. Yea, great has been your neglect towards us.
6 And now behold, we desire to know the cause of this exceedingly great neglect; yea, we desire to know the cause of your thoughtless state.
7 Can you think to sit upon your thrones in a state of thoughtless stupor, while your enemies are spreading the work of death around you? Yea, while they are murdering thousands of your brethren—
8 Yea, even they who have looked up to you for protection, yea, have placed you in a situation that ye might have succored them, yea, ye might have sent armies unto them, to have strengthened them, and have saved thousands of them from falling by the sword (Book of Mormon | Alma 60:1–8).
24 And now, except ye do repent of that which ye have done, and begin to be up and doing, and send forth food and men unto us, and also unto Helaman, that he may support those parts of our country which he has regained, and that we may also recover the remainder of our possessions in these parts, behold it will be expedient that we contend no more with the Lamanites until we have first cleansed our inward vessel, yea, even the great head of our government.
25 And except ye grant mine epistle, and come out and show unto me a true spirit of freedom, and strive to strengthen and fortify our armies, and grant unto them food for their support, behold I will leave a part of my freemen to maintain this part of our land, and I will leave the strength and the blessings of God upon them, that none other power can operate against them—(Book of Mormon | Alma 60:24–25).

Nephi₂
1 AND now it came to pass that when Nephi had said these words, behold, there were men who were judges, who also belonged to the secret band of Gadianton, and they were angry, and they cried out against him, saying unto the people: Why do ye not seize upon this man and bring him forth, that he may be condemned according to the crime which he has done?
2 Why seest thou this man, and hearest him revile against this people and against our law?
3 For behold, Nephi had spoken unto them concerning the corruptness of their law; yea, many things did Nephi speak which cannot be written; and nothing did he speak which was contrary to the commandments of God.
4 And those judges were angry with him because he spake plainly unto them concerning their secret works of darkness; nevertheless, they durst not lay their own hands upon him, for they feared the people lest they should cry out against them.
5 Therefore they did cry unto the people, saying: Why do you suffer this man to revile against us? For behold he doth condemn all this people, even unto destruction; yea, and also that these our great cities shall be taken from us, that we shall have no place in them (Book of Mormon | Helaman 8:1-5).

Samuel, the Lamanite
29 O ye wicked and ye perverse generation; ye hardened and ye stiffnecked people, how long will ye suppose that the Lord will suffer you? Yea, how long will ye suffer yourselves to be led by foolish and blind guides? Yea, how long will ye choose darkness rather than light?
30 Yea, behold, the anger of the Lord is already kindled against you; behold, he hath cursed the land because of your iniquity (Book of Mormon | Helaman 13:29-30).

Peter and the other apostles
27 And when they had brought them [Peter and the other apostles], they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
29 ¶ Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
33 ¶ When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them (New Testament | Acts 5:27-33).

This is just a sample from prior millennia. In more recent times, we have the remarkable U.S. Constitution that was hammered out during resistance to corrupted authority.

In the next post, I intend to consider: What authority is worthy of respect and obedience, and why?

------------------------------------/
* https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2023/10/respecting-obeying-authority-what-did.html

Enoch’s Solar Calendar – Month VIII?

(Times and Seasons series: Post #XIV)

Note: These calendar posts are my way of exploring Enoch’s solar calendar. I don’t know yet how to reconcile Enoch with present-day observations, but I plan to keep observing and studying. If these posts prompt others to greater observation and inquiry then so much the better. We learn by asking questions and observing, which we should probably be doing more of since much of God’s sign-language is forecast to occur in the Heavens according to His schedule and calendar. If there are mistakes herein they are undoubtedly mine, not Enoch's.

Background:

Signs, Seasons, Days, and Years: # II (Enoch)¹
Pondering Enoch's Calendar?²

According to the Book of Enoch, the sun continues southward, now rising and setting through East and West portal 2 for 30 days. My observation over the past months is that the sun's movement seems incremental and does not manifest a sudden jump to a new portal after a 30 or 31 days cycle.

Allegedly, Month VIII has 30 days, with the light / dark division being 7L / 11D (out of 18 parts); and follows Day 30 of Month VII.  According to Enoch, the first day of Month VIII always falls on Day Three of the week (our Tuesday).

Below is a PDF grid of what Month VIII (Eight) might look like if we looked to the Book of Enoch instead of Pope Gregory (assuming, of course, that Enoch hasn't suffered text corruption — and who knows for sure?!). Also, this Month Eight follows the same pattern layout as Months Two, Five, and Eleven. To see the full year, repeating grid, see here.³



For those interested in what has happened in scripture / history during Month VIII [Gregorian October / November], here is a list. And if there is parallelism or déjà vu in times, seasons, and prophecy, could any of these recitations of date have any relevance to these last days? — (the last week of Daniel's 70 weeks?)

Month Eight (5 references):

38 And in the eleventh year, in the month Bul, which is the eighth month, was the house [Solomon's Temple] finished throughout all the parts thereof, and according to all the fashion of it. So was he seven years in building it (Old Testament | 1 Kings 6:38).

28 Whereupon the king [Jeroboam] took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
29 And he set the one in Beth-el, and the other put he in Dan.
30 And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan.
31 And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi.
32 And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that is in Judah, and he offered upon the altar. So did he in Beth-el, sacrificing unto the calves that he had made: and he placed in Beth-el the priests of the high places which he had made.
33 So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Beth-el the fifteenth day of the eighth month, even in the month which he had devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast unto the children of Israel: and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense (Old Testament | 1 Kings 12:28–33).

1 NOW the children of Israel after their number, to wit, the chief fathers and captains of thousands and hundreds, and their officers that served the king in any matter of the courses, which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year, of every course were twenty and four thousand. ...
11 The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zarhites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand (Old Testament | 1 Chronicles 27:1, 11).

1 IN the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,
2 The LORD hath been sore displeased with your fathers.
3 Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.
4 Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD.
5 Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever? (Old Testament | Zechariah 1:1-5)

---------------------------------------------/
1. https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2022/09/signs-seasons-days-and-years-part-ii.html
2. https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2023/02/pondering-enochs-calendar-v.html
3. https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2023/02/pondering-enochs-calendar-v.html
The calendar / time series posts:
https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2022/04/gods-prophetic-day-evening-to-evening.html
https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2022/09/deciphering-heavens-times-signs-and.html
https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2022/09/deciphering-night-and-day-or-day-and.html
https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2022/12/signs-seasons-iv-do-we-need-sundial.html
https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2023/02/whats-with-moon.html
https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2023/03/new-season-new-year-enochs-calendar.html
https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2023/03/new-season-new-year-enochs-calendar.html
https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2023/04/enochs-solar-calendar-month-ii-two-t.html
https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2023/05/enochs-solar-calendar-month-iii-t-ix.html
https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2023/06/enochs-solar-calendar-month-iv-t-x.html
https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2023/07/enochs-solar-calendar-month-v.html
https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2023/08/enochs-solar-calendar-month-vi.html
https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2023/09/enochs-solar-calendar-month-vii.html

Respecting / Obeying “Authority” | What Did Jesus Do?

(JST quotes from http://www.archive.org/details/holyscripturestr00smituoft | New Testament text begins p. 925 of PDF.)

In this time of escalating authoritarianism and its demands for respect and strict obedience, where can we look for guidance on when respect for “authority” is justified and when it is not? Could we look to Jesus’ example?

But let us begin with His forerunner, John:

33 But when he [John] saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers! who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
34 Why is it that ye receive not the preaching of him whom God hath sent? If ye receive not this in your hearts, ye receive not me; and if ye receive not me, ye receive not him of whom I am sent to bear record; and for your sins ye have no cloak.
35 Repent, therefore, and bring forth fruits meet for repentance;
36 And think not to say within yourselves, We have are the children of Abraham, and we only have power to bring seed unto our father Abraham; for I say unto you that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham [JST NT | Matthew 3:33-36. Source: JST-1867 Holy Scriptures, NT, p. 5].

John was already known as a radical, challenging the religious and civil authorities with his camels’ hair raiment, locusts and wild honey fare, (JST Matthew 3:30; Mark 1:5; KJV 3:4) and blunt, accusatory speech to the point that the civil authorities beheaded him (JST Matthew 14:3-10; Mark 6:18-30, etc.). It seems John was witnessing to the people of his day, and also informing subsequent generations, that corruption was generational, though many didn’t need to be informed because they were already enduring corruption, praying for deliverance, and expecting an avenging Saviour.

So onto the question: Did Jesus follow in His forerunner’s heavy footsteps pertaining to the culture of corrupted authority? Here is Jesus’ opening salvo:

22 For I [Jesus] say unto you, except your righteousness shall exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven (JST New Testament | Matthew 5:22; JST1876-NT, p.7).

We are so used to the image of a meek Jesus, we don’t seem to hear His blunt words directed at the authorities of His day. We seem also to forget that His convicting words and tone were delivered in the hearing of His disciples and attentive multitudes — multitudes who would have little trouble recognizing the  hypocritical behaviors described by Jesus:

2 ... when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do, in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men (JST Matthew 6:2; JST1876-NT. p. 8).

5 ... when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites; for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men; (JST Matthew 6:5; JST1876-NT, p. 8).

7 ... when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the hypocrites do; for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
8 Therefore be ye not like unto them; (JST Matthew 6:7-8; JST1876-NT, p. 8).

17 Moreover when ye fast, be not as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance; for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast (JST Matthew 6:17-18; JST1876-NT, p. 9).

If we think that criticism of authority was a right exclusive to Jesus, what think ye of this?

6 And Jesus said unto his disciples, Beholdest thou the Scribes, and the Pharisees, and the Priests, and the Levites? They teach in their synagogues, but do not observe the law, nor the commandments; and all have gone out of the way, and are under sin.
7 Go thou and say unto them, Why teach ye men the law and the commandments, when ye yourselves are the children of corruption?
8 Say unto them, Ye hypocrites, first cast out the beam out of thine own yes; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
9 Go ye into the world, saying unto all, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come nigh unto you (JST Matthew 7:6-9; JST1876-NT, p. 10).

And what too of these accusing words?

18 Then said the Pharisees unto him, Why will ye not receive us with our baptism, seeing we keep the whole law?
19 But Jesus said unto them, Ye keep not the law. If ye had kept the law, ye would have received me, for I am he who gave the law.
20 I receive not you with your baptism, because it profiteth you nothing.
21 For when that which is new is come, the old is ready to be put away (JST Matthew 9:3-14, 18-21; JST1876-NT, pp. 12-13).

29 And Jesus said [to the Pharisees], O ye generation of vipers! how can ye, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh (JST Matthew 12:29; JST1876-NT, p. 17).

33 Then certain of the Scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them,
34 An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; (JST Matthew 12:33-34; JST1876-NT, p. 17).

1 Then came to Jesus Scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,
2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your traditions?
4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother; and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death which Moses shall appoint.
5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to father or mother, By whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me, it is a gift from me from one, and honour not his father or mother, it is well.^[Corban*]
6 Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your traditions.
7 O ye hypocrites! well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draw nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
8 But in vain they do they worship me, teaching the doctrines and commandments of men. ...
11 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?
12 But he answered and said, ...
13 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch (JST Matthew 15:1-8, 11-13; JST1876-NT, p. 21).

1 The Pharisees also, with the Sadducees, came, and tempting Jesus, desired him that he would show them a sign from heaven.
2 And he answered and said unto them, When it is evening ye say, The weather is fair; and in the morning ye say, The weather is foul today; for the sky is red and lowering.
3 O ye hypocrites! ye can discern the face of the sky; but ye cannot tell the signs of the times.
4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas.
5 And he left them, and departed. ...
7 Then Jesus said unto [his disciples], Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. ...
13 Then understood they, how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees (JST Matthew 16:1-5, 7, 13; JST1876-NT, p. 22).

23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God (JST Matthew 19:23-24; JST1876-NT, p. 26).

10 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that bought and sold in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; and said unto them,
11 It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves (JST Matthew 21:10-11; JST1876-NT, p. 28).

21 And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?
22 And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I, in like wise likewise, will tell you by what authority I do these things.
23 The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men?
24 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him? But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people. For all people hold held John as a prophet. And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell.
25 And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things (JST Matthew 21:21-25; JST1876-NT, pp. 28-29).

31 Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and harlots shall go into the kingdom of God before you. ...
34 And except ye repent, the preaching of John shall condemn you in the day of judgment; for unto you that believe not, I speak in parables; that your unrighteousness may be rewarded unto you (JST Matthew 21:31,34; 1867 JST-NT, p. 29).

45 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. ...
47 And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spoke of them. ...
50 And now his disciples came to him, and Jesus said unto them, Marvel ye at the words of the parable which I spake unto them?
51 Verily, I say unto you, I am the stone, and those wicked ones reject me.
52 I am the head of the corner. These Jews shall fall upon me, and shall be broken.
53 And the kingdom of God shall be taken from them, and shall be given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof; (meaning the Gentiles.)
54 Wherefore, on whomsoever this stone shall fall, it shall grind him to powder.
55 And when the Lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, he will destroy those miserable, wicked men, and will let again his vineyard unto other husbandmen, even in the last days, who shall render him the fruits in their seasons.
56 And then understood they the parable which he spake unto them, that the Gentiles should be destroyed also, when the Lord should descend out of heaven to reign in his vineyard, which is the earth and the inhabitants thereof (JST Matthew 21:45, 47-56; JST1876-NT, pp. 29-30).

18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Ye hypocrites! why tempt ye me? Show me the tribute money. ...
28 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God (JST Matthew 22:18, 28; JST1876-NT, p. 30).

1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, saying, The Scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:
2 All, therefore, whatsoever they bid you observe, they will make you observe and do; for they are ministers of the law, and they make themselves your judges. But do not ye after their works; for they say, and do not.
3 For they bind heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, and they are grievous to be borne; but they will not move them with one of their fingers.
4 And all their works they do to be seen of men. They make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, and love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi, (which is master)  (JST Matthew 23:1-4; JST1876-NT, p. 31).

10 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
11 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees! for ye are hypocrites! for Ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers; therefore ye shall receive the greater punishment.
12 Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than he was before, like unto yourselves.
13 Woe unto you, blind guides, who say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he committeth sin, and is a debtor.
14 You are fools and blind; for which is the greatest, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?
15 And ye say, Whosoever shall sweareth by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.
16 O fools, and blind! For which is the greatest, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? (JST Matthew 23:10-16; JST1876-NT, pp. 31-32).

20 Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint, and anise, and cummin; and have omitted the weightier things of the law; judgment, mercy, and faith; these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
21 You blind guides, who strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel; who make yourselves appear unto men that ye would not commit the least sin, and yet you, yourselves, transgress the whole law.
22 Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you make clean the outside of the cup, and of the platter; but within they are full of extortion and excess.
23 You blind Pharisees! Cleanse first the cup and platter within, that the outside of them may be clean also.
24 Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but are within full of the bones of the dead, and of all uncleanness.
25 Even so, you also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
26 Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,
27 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
28 Wherefore, you are witnesses unto yourselves of your own wickedness; and you are the children of them who killed the prophets;
29 And will fill up the measure then of your fathers; for you yourselves, kill the prophets like unto your fathers.
30 You serpents, and generation of vipers! How can you escape the damnation of hell?
31 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes; and of them you shall kill and crucify; and of them you shall scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city;
32 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
33 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.
34 You bear testimony against your fathers, when you, yourselves, are partakers of the same wickedness.
35 Behold your fathers did it through ignorance, but you do not; wherefore, their sins shall be upon your heads (JST Matthew 23:20-35; JST1876-NT, p. 32).

And what final act of defiance to corrupt authority could there be than to stand silent in the face of their questions?

61 And the high priest arose and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? Knowest thou what these witness against thee?
62 But Jesus held his peace (JST Matthew 26:61-62; JST1876-NT, p. 38).

13 And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.
14 Then saith Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?
15 And he answered him not to his questions; yea, never a word, insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly (JST Matthew 27:13-15; JST1876-NT, pp. 39-40).

And what was Jesus’ advice near the conclusion of the Last Supper?

25 And I give unto you a commandment, that ye shall observe to do the things which ye have seen me do, and bear record of me even unto the end (JST Matthew 26:25; JST1876-NT, p. 32).

In the entire Gospels, almost every interaction Jesus had with corrupt authority was one of:

1 CRY aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins (Old Testament | Isaiah 58:1).

Yes, most of the Gospel record concerns His interactions with religious authorities, and we haven’t even gotten into the accounts from Mark, Luke, or John, but if Jesus were consistent in character, would He not have been as forthright with the civil authorities as with religious?

As well, we have not considered the disturbing, disrupting new doctrine converting the “old time” commands from action to “mere” thought or “mere” speech; from killing to “mere” anger; from adultery to “mere” lust; all the way to loving and praying for one's enemies (JST Matthew 5:23-50; JST1876-NT, pp. 7-8) — a new, elevated doctrine that probably convicted every one of the first Century power elite. Nor have we considered in this post, Jesus’ frequent action-response to charges that “it is not lawful,” however, it was considered here:

https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2020/05/it-is-not-lawful.html

So, if we follow Jesus' example and advice, what might we expect from this generation of corrupt powers? We can expect what we are already witnessing: the increasing persecution and censorship of those who see and seek to expose the corruption and abuse of power. The wicked powers and their servitors, generation on generation, since the coming of Christ have always had, hanging in the imagery of their minds, something like this for Jesus and His followers:

†Image source below

Were we not warned already?

10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you (New Testament | Matthew 5:10–12).

As this post is long enough, I hope in the future to consider how we are to reconcile Jesus’ response to corrupt authority with other teachings about “honoring, obeying, and sustaining the law.”** In the meantime, when studying Mark, Luke, and John, pay attention to Jesus' interaction with the powers and authorities. 

------------------------------------------/
* Corban: see https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2023/03/deja-vu-corban-variant.html
**Pearl of Great Price | Articles of Faith 1:12
   12 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

Additional criticisms:

JST Matthew 7:24-33; JST1876-NT, pp. 10-11
24 And, again, beware of false prophets, that come to you in sheep’s clothing; but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
25 Ye shall know them by their fruits; for do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
26 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
27 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit; neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
28 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
29 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
30 Verily I say unto you, it is not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, that shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven.
31 For the day soon cometh, that men shall come before me to judgment, to be judged according to their works.
32 And many will say unto me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name; and in thy name have cast out devils; and in thy name done many wonderful works?
33 And then will I say, Ye never knew me; depart from me ye that work iniquity.

JST Matthew 9:3-14; JST1876-NT, p. 16
3 And, behold, certain of the Scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.
4 And Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, Wherefore is it that ye think evil in your hearts?
5 For is it not easier to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee, than to say, Arise and walk.
6 But I said this that ye may know that the Son of Man hath power on earth to forgive sins.
7 Then Jesus said unto the sick of the palsy, Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thy house.
8 And he immediately arose, and departed to his house.
9 But when the multitude saw it, they marvelled and glorified God, who had given such power unto men.
10 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom place where they received tribute, as was customary in those days, and he saith said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.
11 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him, and with his disciples.
12 And when the Pharisees saw them, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your master with publicans and sinners?
13 But when Jesus heard them, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
14 But go ye and learn what this meaneth, I will have mercy and not sacrifice; for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
JST Matthew 11:22-26; JST1876-NT, pp. 15-16
22 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:
23 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! Woe unto thee, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long since in sackcloth and ashes.
24 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.
25 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
26 But I say unto you, That It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

JST Matthew 12:2-6; JST1867-NT, p. 16
2 But when the Pharisees saw them [pluck and eat the ears of corn], they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the Sabbath day.
3 But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungered, and they who were with him? How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him; but only for the priests?
4 Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the Sabbath day the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and ye say they are blameless?
5 But I say unto you, that in this place is one greater than the temple.
6 But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath
▪ And note here the contrast between Jesus’ power structure and that of an abusive world and its obsession with the appearance of things:

JST Matthew 20:25-28; JST1867-NT, p. 27
25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them; but it shall not be so among you.
26 But whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
JST Matthew 21:1-4; JST1867-NT, p. 28
1 ..., then sent Jesus two disciples,
2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway you shall find a colt tied; loose it, and bring it unto me; and if any shall say aught unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of it; and straightway he will send it.
3 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, saying,
4 Tell ye the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy king cometh unto thee, and he is meek, and he is sitting upon an ass, and a colt, the foal of an ass. ...

†Image:
Arthur Henry Young (January 14, 1866 – December 29, 1943) was an American cartoonist and writer. He is best known for his socialist cartoons, especially those drawn for the left-wing political magazine The Masses between 1911 and 1917 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_Young Recycled by SMS 2022: no need to repurpose, just added to the caption: "And anyone who looks like Him or fits a similar description."
Page URL: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2108-young-arrestthisman.jpg
File URL: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f5/2108-young-arrestthisman.jpg
Attribution: Art Young, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Description: English: "Arrest This Man," by Art Young. Reward. For information leading to the apprehension of —. Jesus Christ. Wanted - for sedition, criminal anarchy - vagrancy, and conspiring to overthrow the established government. Dressed poorly, said to be a carpenter by trade, ill-nourished, has visionary idea, associates with common working people the unemployed and bums. Alien - beleived to be a jew. Alias : 'Prince of peace', 'Son of man - Light of the world', &c &c. Professional agitator read beard, marks on hands and feet the result of injuries inflicted by an angry mob led by respectable citizens and legal authorities.
Date: circa 1921
Source: First published in Good Morning magazine, vol. 3, no. 10 (Aug. 1921), pg. 9.
Permission: Digitized for Wikipedia by Tim Davenport ("Carrite"), no copyright claimed for the work. Released to the public domain without restriction Author: Art Young | 1866 – 1943