It’s a bit of a turn of providence that this passage comes the Sunday after election day, though I didn’t plan it. Also, many of you know I don’t like talking politics during sermons ever, but Revelation sort of demands it. It's full of encouragements and warnings about being too invested in this world, it's treasures, it's powers, it's system. Let me start today with some vulnerability about my personal political journey over the last decade. As recently as 8 years, I was too distracted by American politics. My obsession with our government could have become an idol. I had allowed my politics, who I voted for & policies I wanted to get conflated with my view of Kingdom work. Through others, God began to show me how political obsession was compromising my Kingdom loyalty. Passion & energy for the Great Commission was being sucked away by passion & energy for elections & headlines. I confused patriotism with Godliness. I made politics a frontline spiritual battle instead of the Great Commission. No matter your politics, don’t make the mistake of confusing politics with loyalty to the Kingdom of God. There is nothing wrong with loving America, political engagement, or working in government but you must keep it in it's place. Here’s why: while government is subject to God’s sovereign plan, NO government makes Gospel it's priority, except one. Today’s passage reveals a sober truth: every government since the fall of Adam & Eve is influenced by evil. Even ones you like.