Don't miss the bold-faced qualifiers because they tell us exactly what type of rulers God is referring to.
Romans chapter 13
[1] 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.
[2] Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
[3] For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
[4] For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
[5] Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
[6] For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
The rulers who are ordained of God are NOT a terror to good works, but to the evil, and if we do that which is good, then we shall have praise of the same. However, if we do that which is evil, then we need to be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that does evil.
Does this sound like Hitler, Stalin, or Mao to you?
It doesn't sound even remotely like them to me because they are not the types of rulers that God was talking about here.
Romans chapter 13
[1] 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.
[2] Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
[3] For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
[4] For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
[5] Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
[6] For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
The rulers who are ordained of God are NOT a terror to good works, but to the evil, and if we do that which is good, then we shall have praise of the same. However, if we do that which is evil, then we need to be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that does evil.
Does this sound like Hitler, Stalin, or Mao to you?
It doesn't sound even remotely like them to me because they are not the types of rulers that God was talking about here.
Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: Jn.19:11
Our King did't rebel against a corrupt government.