Political System

In 1877, the publications described Gentile political rule as a temporary arrangement that would end when God's Kingdom took power. In 1882, the beast of Revelation 13 was associated particularly with ecclesiastical power and its alliance with civil governments, while Christians were advised to avoid political participation. In 1896, voting under compulsion was treated as a matter of conscience. In 1904, compulsory voting was explicitly permitted, including choosing the best available candidates, and in 1908 voting on certain local matters was also allowed. In 1914 and 1915 political separation and nonparticipation in armed conflict were emphasized. By 1921, the wild beast was expressly applied to human governments under Satan's influence. In 1929, the higher powers of Romans 13 were identified as Jehovah and Jesus rather than secular governments. By 1934, political nonparticipation was expressed categorically. In 1941, the seventh world power was identified as Britain. In 1947, a Swiss declaration concerning military duties was publicly repudiated. In 1950, compulsory electoral voting was again discussed in terms of individual conscience. In 1957, the wild beast of Revelation was defined as the combined worldwide political system. In 1962, the interpretation of the superior authorities was reversed to mean secular governments, which Christians must obey relatively. By 1963, the seventh world power was identified as the Anglo-American World Power. In 1976, compulsory membership in a ruling political party was rejected as an expression of allegiance incompatible with exclusive devotion to God. In 1990, it was emphasized that not every human ruler directly serves Satan. In 1993, participation in political demonstrations was expressly rejected. In 1999, the question of personally voting for a political candidate was described as a decision based on Bible-trained conscience. In 2004, the publications again distinguished Satan's influence over the political system from direct control of individual rulers. In 2016, the stated policy explicitly excluded voting in political elections, lobbying, holding political office, and attempts to change governments. Publications from 2018 through 2026 continued to reinforce political neutrality, rejection of political protests and social reform movements, respect for secular authorities, and the identification of the wild beast with human political rulership and its image with the United Nations.