The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland now has a new government, with a greatly increased majority seen as enabling it to implement the democratic decision to leave the European Union. Some traditional loyalties have been overthrown in favour of progress towards change, startling or depressing many.
Should we be surprised when rulership changes so dramatically?
Many years ago there was a king who was told that his dynasty would be replaced by an inferior one. He was not prepared to accept that, and expressed his defiance very publicly. He was later made to realise the folly of his attitude.
The message came to him in a dream, related and interpreted by Daniel - read Daniel 2. "Thou art this head of gold" sounded promising: "After thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee" less so. The four kingdoms having dominion over Israel were represented by four metals in an image: gold, silver, bronze (probably copper) and iron represented Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome.
Nebuchadnezzar's response was to make a huge statue, about 90 feet high and 9 feet wide, of a single metal, gold, as though to challenge the prophecy and make his own prediction. Read Daniel 3. He was made to realise that there was a force greater than himself at work, protecting His servants.
He had another dream, again interpreted by Daniel, foretelling in symbol a period of mental illness which would temporarily take him away from rulership, but from which he would recover. The purpose of this was "to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men." This happened. Read Daniel 4. In his pride he said "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?" Then came the illness for the promised period, at the end of which he showed his conviction, drastically changed from his earlier defiance and arrogance. "I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?" What a change of attitude!
In the New Testament Paul puts the situation very concisely. "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." Romans 13:1
God has a purpose with this earth, to fill it with His glory when His will is done on earth as it is in heaven. Those who have served God faithfully will be part of the new government, serving with the Lord Jesus Christ at his return. In vision John is shown them addressing the Saviour. "And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth." Revelation 5:9-10
For those who espouse this prospect the nature of present governments is irrelevant, except as observers of unfolding prophecies: all is under God's control, moving to the fulfilment of His purpose, to be enjoyed by those who become God's new government.