Power is always granted from the bottom up.  You can make a law.  You can make a rule.  But to get someone to follow the rule or the law, they have to decide to do it.  They have to grant you the authority over them.  The authority to make the law.

So we understand that rebellion is refusal to grant authority to the governing powers.  And crime is actually following through with that rebellion and doing the opposite of the law.

There are two possibilities for committing a crime.  You get caught.  Or you don't.  If you get caught, there is punishment.  Consequences.  If you don't get caught, it gives you an inner confidence to commit the crime again.  And again.  But eventually, you will probably be caught.  And pay a price.

However, there are times to rebel.  Some laws are made without serious thought as to what the effect on people will be.  We are blessed here in America that we can rebel through protest.  The greater the number of protesters, the greater the probability that the law will be reversed.

But breaking the law is much more serious.  When groups break a law, it creates chaos.   Rioting serves no purpose.  Property loss is inflicted on people who did nothing wrong.

It seems to me that we have reached the "riot" stage in the world.  In Romans 13:1-2, God said, "All of you must obey those who rule over you.  There are no authorities except the ones God has chosen.  So whoever opposes the authorities opposes leaders whom God has appointed..."

I think he was talking about Israeli leaders--some of which were evil.  The part that is hard for us is to rebel in an effective way when our leaders lead us down a primrose path.  We need to rebel in unison, in a manner that leads to peace.  Not by screaming, busting windows and setting things on fire.

We should love peace.  And work toward changes that benefit us.  It takes time.  Rebellion?  Yes.  Crime?  No.