Philippians 3:20-21 emphasizes that believers’ true citizenship is in heaven, indicating that their ultimate allegiance is to God, not earthly governments or human authority. This heavenly citizenship highlights the temporary and fallible nature of human rule compared to God’s eternal and perfect reign. While we live in this world, our true home and government are in heaven, where Christ reigns, and the expectation of His return to transform our humble state into conformity with His glory underscores the need for divine intervention to restore the world to its intended state.
From this perspective, the passage suggests that humans, in their sinful and fallen nature, lack the right or ability to rule justly. Democracy, or “mob rule with extra steps,” is flawed because it relies on the collective will of sinners, leading to decisions that often reflect man’s imperfections rather than God’s divine wisdom. The history of Israel serves as a biblical example of the dangers of following the majority, where collective decisions led to rebellion, idolatry, and straying from God’s commandments.
In contrast, a theocratic system under God’s rule is the only legitimate form of government, as it centers on God’s law, reflecting His perfect will. This concept aligns with the biblical precedent of Israel’s theocracy and is reinforced in the New Testament, which presents Jesus as the ultimate ruler whose authority is rooted in heaven. Until Jesus returns to establish His kingdom and end the current age of human governance, believers should align themselves with God’s will rather than relying on flawed human authority. This perspective justifies the idea of a temporary theocracy, where God’s laws are followed as closely as possible until Christ takes His rightful place as the ruler.