Source: https://www.bertha-dudde.org/en/proclamation/1870

1870 Worldly power.... righteous leadership....

April 1, 1941: Book 28

In the worldly power the spiritual embodies itself, which is destined to rule on earth in order to again be a guide for many people on earth. The ruling power can likewise fulfil tasks on earth in the will of God if it humbly submits to Him, i.e. asks His blessing for everything it has to carry out according to its power.... Then the ruler will be a just and wise leader for the people, for God's will will then be revealed through him. The spiritual power of such a ruler is therefore likewise prepared to serve, and it has been given an office for earthly time which prescribes the leadership of many people. But now the leader must fulfil this task in such a way that the people entrusted to him derive an advantage from it, both earthly and spiritually. The ruler must not abuse his office by harming people in body or soul. Those entrusted to him must not suffer any earthly or spiritual disadvantage as a result of his ruling power, they must be happy and content under his rule and their state of mind must improve, then the ruler will exercise his power in accordance with divine will. And he then serves on earth even though he rules. For he gives an infinite number of people the opportunity to mature spiritually and at the same time he also exercises neighbourly love towards those for whom he makes earthly life bearable. However, if he abuses his power in order to oppress his subjects, if he tries to take advantage of them himself, if he uses violence, i.e. unkindness, against them, if he does not respect their property or otherwise causes them any physical or psychological harm, then his rule is not service which is God-willed but he is influenced by the adversary who fights love and only allows unkindness and hatred to speak. Then the people who are subject to such a ruler are endangered in body and soul. For unkindness will lead to unkindness again. People will inflict on each other what is inflicted on them by this power. Whoever is in danger of losing property will also want to take his neighbour's property, every injustice that the ruler inflicts on his people will be imitated, and people will harass and antagonize each other because they are following the example of the one who is supposed to be their leader. As he leads them, so these people go, they are, as it were, in bondage to him as long as they do not yet fully recognize him. They do the same as he does before them and believe themselves to be in the right, even if it is an act of unkindness. And the spirit harboured in such a ruler is far from redeeming itself.... It is still too much under the power of the opponent and does what he wants. And then the people are misled and in great danger, for the souls are likewise dominated by evil power. And that is why people must be made to realize that if they have a leader who does not carry out God's will but is in the service of evil, so that they may learn to judge his deeds and refrain from imitating them. A ruler should always be a shining example for his subjects, he himself should live in such a way that no blame can fall on him, he should acknowledge God and always seek His will, he should be a strict and just but also a kind judge who influences his people in love and tries to influence them so that they follow him gladly and willingly.... Then he will have great power over his people and use this power for good.... Then he will lead his people as God wills.... He will be their counsellor in earthly as well as in spiritual need, he will only be concerned to administer the office given to him justly and wisely, he will lead the people on the right path, he will pray to God for strength for his earthly task, and God will help him to be a just and loving ruler for his people....

Amen

Translated by Doris Boekers