Introduction
   When thinking about if we should vote, we’re not talking about parent and teacher meetings at a school or board meetings at a corporation. Specifically, we’re asking, should we vote for prospective government leaders in our country? Should we look to promote a person for president or try to have a particular person put into a senate seat?
  Right now, we see all sorts of debates and interviews among candidates for different house or senate positions and they are all proclaiming what they believe they can do to help this nation and the people in it. But, not one of them is acknowledging that it is Yahweh who places kings and leaders in their positions.
  It is He who changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men and knowledge to men of understanding, Daniel 2:2. The New American Standard is used throughout, unless otherwise noted.
  Kings, Prime Ministers, and the like who the world sees as has having wisdom and understanding are said to be given that wisdom and understanding by Yahweh Himself.
  Do kings always do the right things? No. Do Prime Ministers get into trouble, yes. But their ability to lead with wisdom and understanding is something Yahweh provides. Just as He provides us with the ability to work.
  But you shall remember Yahweh your Elohim, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day, Deuteronomy 8:18.
  Yahweh has not just given all peoples everywhere the ability to work. Though, it is true that there are some with disabilities which can hinder some from doing any work that they want. And of course, not everyone has the abilities to lead as some do in government.
In all of this, we must realize that Yahweh allows certain leaders to come to power. Even knowing that it will bring hardship for the people, even Yahweh’s people.
  And they (elders of Israel) said to him, “Behold, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations.” But the thing was displeasing in the sight of Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to Yahweh. Yahweh said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them,” 1 Samuel 8:5-7.
  The people got their way. They got the change they wanted, but was it really worth it? They were told beforehand what their new king would end up doing.
  Continuing in 1 Samuel 8:11–18, He said, “This will be the procedure of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and place them for himself in his chariots and among his horsemen and they will run before his chariots. He will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and of fifties, and some to do his plowing and to reap his harvest and to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. He will also take your daughters for perfumers and cooks and bakers. He will take the best of your fields and your vineyards and your olive groves and give them to his servants. He will take a tenth of your seed and of your vineyards and give to his officers and to his servants. He will also take your male servants and your female servants and your best young men and your donkeys and use them for his work. He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his servants. Then you will cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, but Yahweh will not answer you in that day.”
  The President we have in this country was demanded by the people, by process of a fair election. Though some may argue the details, the majority rule was in effect and he was placed in office by the people.
  We realize that not all is well in this country nor in the rest of the world. But, it’s all in Yahweh’s hands and He is working out His plan. Our job is to focus on Him and to get in step with His ways, because He has the power and authority to exalt and debase individuals and nations for His purpose.
  Elohim is the Judge; He puts down one and exalts another, Psalm 75:7.
  Whomever Yahweh puts in place; we are to be subject to them. Within the Biblical guidelines we are given.
  Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from Yahweh, and those which exist are established by Yahweh. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of Yahweh; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of Elohim to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of Elohim, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of Yahweh, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor, Romans 13:1–7.
  The Apostle Paul instructs Titus in an abbreviated form to teach the same to others.
  Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men, Titus 3:1.

Tax Exemption Status
   Every single person is to be subject to the government leaders. Sometimes we’re accused of being too involved with the government. Our 501(c)(3), for example, which is given in this state, is a help to not-for-profit organizations.
  The government sanctioned status allows us to enjoy benefits, such as tax breaks to further the work. We have yet, to be told, that we cannot teach Scriptural Truth.
  However, if we are ever told that, then we will be given a choice, similar to what Peter and the other Apostles were given when approached by the religious leaders who were a form of government in Jerusalem.
  When they had brought them, they stood them before the Council. The high priest questioned them, saying, “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey Elohim rather than men, Acts 5:28–29.
  When push came to shove, they chose correctly. They chose to honor the King! And we are told to do the same, by the Apostle Peter:
  Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear Yahweh, honor the king, 1 Peter 2:17.
  It’s interesting he didn’t say the religious governing body of the time, but does include both Yahweh and the king, showing he is speaking of a heavenly King and an earthly King.

Obey Yahweh
   Certain things we should not do, such as worship-ping falsely. There are other examples besides what the Apostles did. Daniel, for example, submitted to Yahweh rather than man just as they did.
  All the commissioners of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the high officials and the governors have consulted together that the king should establish a statute and enforce an injunction that anyone who makes a petition to any elohim or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, shall be cast into the lions’ den. Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document so that it may not be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked. Therefore King Darius signed the document, that is, the injunction. Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his Elohim, as he had been doing previously, Daniel 6:7-10.
  Notice that Daniel didn’t protest, he didn’t hit the streets with a sign saying the King’s ruling was unfair and was religious discrimination. He didn’t call for a petition to have a vote for an amendment. He simply did what was right in Yahweh’s sight. Which he had been doing all along.
  There is also Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego who refused to worship an idol Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they were protected from the fire they were thrown into because of their obedience to Yahweh.
  They also did not go out and gather people to protest or call for the King’s resignation. They simply told the King that they would obey Yahweh rather than commit false worship.

Yahshua’s Teaching
   In Scripture we know that Yahshua did not vote for government leaders. The question is, “WHY?” Shouldn’t we have the same understanding as He had?
  Yahshua answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm,” John 18:36.
  Yahshua’s Kingdom is not of this world. Guess what, neither is ours. Yahshua was speaking to the Roman Governor, a high ranking government leader. Yahshua was respectful, but spoke the truth.
  If we are ever brought before government leaders we are also to be respectful, but we are also to speak the truth.
  The Kingdom Yahshua spoke of is coming, it is what we are also to be looking forward to. Yahshua’s example prayer, gives us guidance and focus:
  “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven,’” Matthew 6:9–10.

Kingdom Life Now
   We are sojourners and pilgrims in this land, we are, so to speak, to occupy until the Kingdom is established by Yahshua when He returns.
   All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore Yahweh is not ashamed to be called their Elohim; for He has prepared a city for them, Hebrews 11:13–16.
   Even, anciently, there was an understanding that Yahweh’s Kingdom would be established in the future. Where Yahweh’s ways would be the rule of day.
Just as Yahshua prayed, “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven,” we are to be living The Way (The Kingdom Life) even now.
   When will Yahweh’s kingdom be established? We don’t know, but we are to live as if it were to be established tomorrow. In a sense, the Kingdom lifestyle and way of living is being established through the body of Messiah right now in our time.
   Paul says that our citizenship is in heaven, in Philippians 3:20, he says, For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Master Yahshua Messiah.
   Those in Messiah, will be changed at His return into Spiritual beings, and be as He is. Immortal. Sitting with Him on His throne, teaching and helping to serve the physical people brought into the Millennial Kingdom Rule on earth. A remnant of Israel.
   We are ambassadors for Messiah who is in heaven seated at the right hand of Yahweh.
   Therefore, we are ambassadors for Messiah, as though Yahweh were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Messiah, be reconciled to Yahweh, 2 Corinthians 5:20.
   If we consider ourselves as ambassadors for the coming King, should we be voting for kings on this earth now? Should we be politically involved trying to change government now? Do we have the time to be politically involved if we are spending time doing what we’ve been told to do? That is, proclaiming the good news to the world of the Messiah and the coming Kingdom?
   Let’s read the last verse again, but with a clearer translation. It says, in 2 Corinthians 5:20, NLT, So we are Messiah’s ambassadors; Yahweh is making his appeal through us. We speak for Messiah when we plead, “Come back to Yahweh!”
   With that said, our job it to teach of Salvation through Yahshua and of His coming rulership in the Kingdom of Yahweh. We need to prepare for that government rule now by submitting to its’ authority and being ambassadors for it, not only in word, but by the way we live.

No End in Sight
   Yahshua’s reign will have no end. For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His Name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty El, Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of Yahweh of hosts will accomplish this, Isaiah 9:6–7.
Who is going to accomplish this? We’re reminded of Zechariah 4:6, which says, “‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says Yahweh of hosts.”

In Conclusion
   If you think about voting in any upcoming presidential race or trying to promote a particular candidate for this current world’s governments, think again about what our priorities are supposed to be.
  Spend time and effort rather making sure Yahweh’s Word in Messiah is shared with others; That true repentance, salvation and righteousness is preached in and through the Name of Yahshua; That the coming Kingdom of Yahweh is proclaimed, and that people are to seek that Kingdom right now and not another which will be passing away.