If a true prophet is to stay nutral in government?

Question

Does that mean the government you live under or earth wide?
If your nutral then how can you fix what is wrong with the world?

weemaryann: get a grip fix the government? I don't even vote yet!

Answer 1

Ok, here you go. It's quite a long answer but it pretty much covers everything, Frax:

On the last night of his life as a perfect human, Jesus uttered a long prayer in the hearing of his disciples. In the course of that prayer, he said something that describes the lives of all true Christians. Speaking of his followers, he said: “I have given your word to them, but the world has hated them, because they are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world. I request you, not to take them out of the world, but to watch over them because of the wicked one. They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world.”—John 17:14-16.

Twice, Jesus said that his followers would be no part of the world. Moreover, that separateness would lead to tensions—the world would hate them. Still, Christians need not be dismayed; Jehovah would watch over them. (Proverbs 18:10; Matthew 24:9, 13) In view of Jesus’ words, we may well ask: ‘Why are true Christians no part of the world? What does it mean to be no part of the world? If Christians are hated by the world, how do they view the world? In particular, how do they view the world’s governments?’ The Scriptural answers to these questions are important because they affect us all.

Our close relationship with Jehovah is one reason why we are no part of the world. The apostle John wrote: “We know we originate with God, but the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one.” (1 John 5:19) John’s words about the world are manifestly true. The wars, crime, cruelty, oppression, dishonesty, and immorality that are so rampant today give evidence of Satan’s, not God’s, influence. (John 12:31; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 6:12) When an individual becomes one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, he will not practice or consent to such wrong practices, and that makes him no part of the world.—Romans 12:2; 13:12-14; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 John 3:10-12.

John said that Christians, in contrast with the world, “originate with God.” All who dedicate themselves to Jehovah belong to him. The apostle Paul said: “Both if we live, we live to Jehovah, and if we die, we die to Jehovah. Therefore both if we live and if we die, we belong to Jehovah.” (Romans 14:8; Psalm 116:15) Because we belong to Jehovah, we give him exclusive devotion. (Exodus 20:4-6) Hence, a true Christian does not devote his life to some secular cause. And while he respects national emblems, he does not worship them, either by actions or in spirit. He certainly does not worship sports stars or other modern idols. Of course, he respects the right of others to do as they wish, but he worships only the Creator. (Matthew 4:10; Revelation 19:10) This too makes him separate from the world.

Christians are followers of Christ Jesus and subjects of God’s Kingdom, which also makes them no part of the world. When Jesus was on trial before Pontius Pilate, he said: “My kingdom is no part of this world. If my kingdom were part of this world, my attendants would have fought that I should not be delivered up to the Jews. But, as it is, my kingdom is not from this source.” (John 18:36) The Kingdom is the means by which Jehovah’s name will be sanctified, his sovereignty vindicated, and his will done on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:9, 10) Throughout his ministry, Jesus preached the good news of the Kingdom, and he said that it would be proclaimed by his followers right up to the end of the system of things. (Matthew 4:23; 24:14) In 1914 the prophetic words of Revelation 11:15 were fulfilled: “The kingdom of the world did become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will rule as king forever and ever.” One day soon, that heavenly Kingdom will be the only ruling power over mankind. (Daniel 2:44) At a certain point, even secular rulers will be forced to acknowledge its authority.—Psalm 2:6-12.

With all of that in mind, true Christians today are subjects of God’s Kingdom, and they follow Jesus’ counsel to ‘keep on seeking first the kingdom and God’s righteousness.’ (Matthew 6:33) That does not make them disloyal to the country in which they live, but it does make them spiritually separate from the world. The prime task of Christians today, as in the first century, is ‘to bear thorough witness concerning the kingdom of God.’ (Acts 28:23) No human government has the right to impede that God-given work.

In harmony with their belonging to Jehovah and being followers of Jesus and subjects of God’s Kingdom, Jehovah’s Witnesses have remained neutral in the national and international conflicts of the 20th and 21st centuries. They have chosen no sides, have taken up no arms against anyone, and have not spread propaganda for any secular cause. In a remarkable demonstration of faith in the face of seemingly overwhelming opposition, they have followed the principles expressed to the Nazi rulers of Germany in 1934: “We have no interest in political affairs, but are wholly devoted to God’s kingdom under Christ his King. We will do no injury or harm to anyone. We would delight to dwell in peace and do good to all men as we have opportunity.”

Paul described himself and fellow anointed Christians as “ambassadors substituting for Christ, as though God were making entreaty through us.” (2 Corinthians 5:20; Ephesians 6:20) Since 1914, spirit-anointed Christians can properly be spoken of as ambassadors for God’s Kingdom, of which they are “sons.” (Matthew 13:38; Philippians 3:20; Revelation 5:9, 10) Further, Jehovah has brought out of the nations “a great crowd” of “other sheep,” Christians with an earthly hope, to support the anointed sons in their ambassadorial work. (Revelation 7:9; John 10:16) These “other sheep” can be termed “envoys” of God’s Kingdom.

An ambassador and his staff do not meddle in the affairs of the country where they serve. Similarly, Christians remain neutral in the political affairs of the nations of the world. They do not take sides for or against any national, racial, social, or economic group. (Acts 10:34, 35) Rather, they “work what is good toward all.” (Galatians 6:10) The neutrality of Jehovah’s Witnesses means that no one can honestly reject their message by claiming that they are associated with an opposing side of some racial, national, or tribal division.

In addition to the foregoing, Christians are neutral in the world’s affairs because of their relationship with other Christians. Jesus said to his followers: “By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves.” (John 13:35) Brotherly love is a key to being a Christian. (1 John 3:14) Related as it is to his relationship with Jehovah and Jesus, the relationship a Christian has with other Christians is very close. His love is not restricted to those in the local congregation. It embraces “the entire association of [his] brothers in the world.”—1 Peter 5:9.

Today, Jehovah’s Witnesses demonstrate their brotherly love by fulfilling the words of Isaiah 2:4: “They will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war anymore.” Instructed by Jehovah, true Christians are at peace with God and with one another. (Isaiah 54:13) Because they love God and their brothers, it would be inconceivable for them to take up arms against fellow Christians—or anyone else—in other lands. Their peace and unity is an essential part of their worship, a demonstration that they truly have God’s spirit. (Psalm 133:1; Micah 2:12; Matthew 22:37-39; Colossians 3:14) They “seek to find peace . . . and pursue it,” knowing that “the eyes of Jehovah are toward the righteous ones.”—Psalm 34:14, 15.

Jehovah has pronounced an adverse judgment on this world, but he has not yet judged all individuals in the world. He will do that through Jesus in His own due time. (Psalm 67:3, 4; Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Peter 3:10) Meanwhile, he shows great love toward mankind. He even gave his only-begotten Son so that everyone might have the opportunity to receive everlasting life. (John 3:16) As Christians, we imitate God’s love by telling others about God’s provisions for salvation, even if our efforts are frequently rebuffed.

How should we view secular rulers in the world? Paul answered that question when he wrote: “Let every soul be in subjection to the superior authorities, for there is no authority except by God; the existing authorities stand placed in their relative positions by God.” (Romans 13:1, 2) Humans fill “relative” positions of authority (greater or lesser in relation to one another, but always inferior to Jehovah) because the Almighty allows them to. A Christian submits to secular authority because that is an aspect of his obedience to Jehovah. What, though, if a conflict arises between God’s requirements and those of a human government?

Daniel and his three companions provide a fine example of how to balance submission to human governments with submission to divine authority. When the four young Hebrews found themselves in exile in Babylon, they obeyed the laws of that land and were quickly chosen for special training. Daniel, realizing that the training would likely lead to a conflict with Jehovah’s Law, discussed the matter with the official in charge. As a result, special arrangements were made to respect the consciences of the four Hebrews. (Daniel 1:8-17) Jehovah’s Witnesses follow Daniel’s example when they tactfully explain their position to officials so as to avoid unnecessary problems.

On a later occasion, however, a conflict in the matter of subjection could not be avoided. The Babylonian king erected a large idol on the plain of Dura and commanded high officials, including administrators of jurisdictional districts, to assemble for its inauguration. By now, the three friends of Daniel had been appointed administrators of the jurisdictional district of Babylon, so the order applied to them. At a certain moment in the proceedings, all assembled were to bow before the image. But the Hebrews knew that this would be against God’s law. (Deuteronomy 5:8-10) So when everyone else bowed down, they remained standing. By disobeying the king’s order, they risked a horrible death, and their lives were saved only by a miracle; but they chose to risk death rather than to disobey Jehovah.—Daniel 2:49–3:29.

In the first century, the apostles of Jesus Christ were called before the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem and commanded to stop preaching in Jesus’ name. How did they react? Jesus had commissioned them to make disciples in all nations, which would include Judea. He had also told them to be his witnesses in Jerusalem as well as in the rest of the world. (Matthew 28:19, 20; Acts 1:8) The apostles knew that Jesus’ commands represented God’s will for them. (John 5:30; 8:28) Hence, they said: “We must obey God as ruler rather than men.”—Acts 4:19, 20; 5:29.

The apostles were not being rebellious. (Proverbs 24:21) Still, when human rulers forbade them to do God’s will, they could only say, ‘We must obey God, not man.’ Jesus said that we should “pay back Caesar’s things to Caesar, but God’s things to God.” (Mark 12:17) If we disobey a divine command because a human tells us to, we are giving to man what belongs to God. Instead, we pay back everything we owe to Caesar, but we recognize Jehovah’s supreme authority. He is the Universal Sovereign, the Creator, the very Source of authority.—Revelation 4:11.

I hope that helps.

Answer 2

Well, who determines that the prophet is true? He may be a prophet for some, but not everyone. Mixing religion and government is trouble. It always has been. Why do you think the Mideast is in constant turmoil?

Frankly, you don't need a "prophet" to tell you to do the right thing. You should already know how to treat others and yourself. To fix the world everybody on the planet would have to raise their consciousness and stop hurting, lying, cheating and deceiving each other - we are whats wrong with the world.

We, as a collective people, need to realize this and stop doing whatever it is that's tearing the world apart. You can't sit back and say I'm not in this, I'm an innocent by-stander, quick, quick someone fix it. We're all in it and we're all doing it all of the time....from buying clothes that are made by kids in a sweat-shop to gouging someone on their health insurance to working for company's that fuel millions of dollars into some corrupt politicians campaign...somebody somewhere at every moment is sticking it to someone else...we are all part of the mess.

Maybe it all needs to be torn apart, and then, after the whole world has hit rock bottom, we can start over and not dig ourselves into a hole. I think we already know what needs to be done - so what's really left for a "prophet" to do?

Answer 3

I don't know whom you would consider a "true" prophet, but if you mean that religion or religious leaders should be involved in government, then I have to disagree.

I don't think anybody expects believers to be neutral in public life; you can choose to think whatever you like. But the world belongs to everybody, and that includes a great many people who do not think as you do. It's arrogant to presume that religion has the "fix" for the ills of the world, and it's illegal (at least in the United States) to enact legislation with the intent of forcing your "fixes" onto the general populace.

Answer 4

Remeber what Bishop Desmond Tutu said... it may shed some light on the question:

If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.

Answer 5

A REAL prophet,,,,from God is anything BUT neutral!

Lets see,,,,every real prophet in the bible has usually been poor, maltreated, and is sent on a specific mission from God.

Look at how King Ahab responded to his prophets?
"I hate this prophet- he never tells me anything good like my other prophets"

Every FALSE prophet is rich, and tells both the people and the government what they want to hear.

Answer 6

What prophets are you talking about? Biblical prophets were not neutral. They usually went straight to the king. The king was the government.

If we're talking about some other kind of prophets, I don't know...

Answer 7

King Saul WAS the Government of GOD's People.
And GOD would tell Saul what to do through GOD's Prophet Samuel.
So what's the Deal? Nuetral?
Ditto..............

Answer 8

Democracy and *civilized* exchanges between people who can reach a consensus through compromise is always best. Religion should be something private between yourself and whatever God you believe in.

Answer 9

"Neutral"

You simply help EVERYONE. No discrimination.

Answer 10

hmmmmmmm

Answer 11

yes sure!