Romans 13: Wake Up – The King Is Coming
Key Verse: “The night is far gone; the day is at hand.” – Romans 13:12
The Setting
Paul writes from Corinth to the believers in Rome—a city of emperors, gladiators, idolatry, and oppression. The year is A.D. 57. The Church is small, scattered, and increasingly aware of the storm clouds gathering over Rome. Within a few years, Nero will set fire to the city and blame the Christians.
The Charge: Honor Authority, But Fear God
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God…” – Romans 13:1
At first glance, it sounds like a call to blind obedience. But this is the same Paul who fled Damascus (Acts 9:25), confronted magistrates in Philippi (Acts 16:37), and later defied Rome’s court by appealing to Caesar (Acts 25:11). So what’s he saying?
He’s teaching respect for God’s order, not servitude to tyranny.
“We must obey God rather than men.” – Acts 5:29
“By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just.” – Proverbs 8:15
Paul knew: even corrupt emperors exist within the sovereign boundary of God’s plan (Daniel 2:21). But God is the highest Authority, and conscience must always answer to Him.
The Royal Law: Love Your Neighbor
“Owe no one anything, except to love each other.” – Romans 13:8
“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” – Leviticus 19:18
This is not soft love—it’s covenant faithfulness. Love that reflects the heart of Christ and fulfills the Law (Matthew 22:37–40). When governments fail and darkness deepens, Paul tells believers to love harder, not grow colder.
“Because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.” – Matthew 24:12
The Alarm: The Night is Almost Over
“You know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep.” – Romans 13:11
“For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.”
He’s not speaking of the past tense of salvation (justification), but the future tense—our glorification at Christ’s return (Romans 8:23).
Time is short.
“Behold, the Judge is standing at the door.” – James 5:9
“The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded.” – 1 Peter 4:7
The Call to Arms: Put on Christ
“The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” – Romans 13:12
The imagery is military:
•Darkness = the present evil age
•The Day = Christ’s return
•Armor = truth, righteousness, readiness (cf. Ephesians 6:10–18)
We are not spectators. We are soldiers.
“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh.” – Romans 13:14
To “put on Christ” is to wear His character, live in His presence, and walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16). The world is obsessed with self-indulgence and lust (v.13), but we are called to live with eternity in view.
Prophetic Echoes: A Church on the Brink
Romans 13 echoes through every era of persecution—but especially today. As global lawlessness rises, governments drift toward tyranny, and morality collapses, Paul’s words ring like a trumpet:
“See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.” – Matthew 24:6
“When these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” – Luke 21:28
True Submission Looks Like This
He’s preparing the Church to be a light in a collapsing world—honoring God’s design while standing firm for truth.
Like the Hebrew midwives who defied Pharaoh (Exodus 1:17), or Daniel who continued to pray (Daniel 6:10), or Peter and John who refused to be silent (Acts 4:19), we submit until obedience to man becomes disobedience to God.
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Final Charge
You were born for this hour.
The light of Christ must shine through you.
Put on the armor.
The King is coming.
“Behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” – Revelation 22:7