There has been much contention throughout the world over disagreements on how to address the various calamities that are coming on the earth, who has what authority in addressing these issues, and what to do when we do not agree with how those with authority over us exercise that authority.
As with all things in the Christian's life, let's look and see what the Word of God has to say on these things.
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. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. ...Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. (Romans 13:1-3, 7)
Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. (Matthew 22:21)
Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto govenors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. (1 Peter 2:13-14)
Jesus answered (to Pilate), Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. (John 19:11)
No earthly power would have any authority if it were not first given to them by God, and whether they be righteous rulers or evil rulers who abuse that authority, the ultimate authority it God. So what should the Christian's response to wicked or corrupt rulers?
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengence is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. ...Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:18, 19, 21)
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (Matthew 5:9-12)
And who is that that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. (1 Peter 3:13-17)
Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. (John 18:36)
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:18-10)
Christ's kingdom is a heavenly kingdom, not an earthly one. As Christ's ambassadors, we are here to represent his character and the principles of his kingdom; to wins souls from Satan's kingdom of darkness here on earth to Christ with the gospel.
Jesus promised that we would be misrepresented and suffer persecution for his name sake. However, it is our duty, as his name and image bearers, to make certain that we are not unnecessarily bringing persecution upon ourselves.
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. (Matthew 7:6)
Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: but I say unto you, that ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with hm twain. (Matthew 5:38-41)
Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? And if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? How much more things that pertain to this life? ...I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? No, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethern? But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. ...Why do ye not rather take wrong? Why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? (1 Corinthians 6:1-3, 5-7)
Better to "choose our battles" and suffer any losses, even among the brethren, than risk giving any opportunity for the wicked and unbelieving to misrepresent us and Christ.
All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. ...For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (1 Corinthians 6:12, 20)
Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience? For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit o many, that they may be saved. (1 Corinthians 10:29-33)
Of course, everything within reason. If, in order to please all men, even those whom God has given rulership over us, we are required to disobey the Word of God, then obviously we must obey God and not be surprised, but expect the displeasure, even the persecution, of those who are offended by our fidelity to God's word over man's law.
It is in times like these that our faith will be tested, but God promises to deliver his children from all oppression and use the enemy's plans for evil against us as opportunities for us to be his witnesses.
We ought to obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29)
Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts. (Psalms 119:134)
The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. (Exodus 14:14)
For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey unto thee: because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the LORD. (Jeremiah 39:18)
But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. (Genesis 50:20)
The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. (Proverbs 21:1)
And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, (1 Samuel 17:47)
The Word of God does not forbid the wearing of masks to help prevent the spread of infectious disease, (see Leviticus 13:45-46).
Private citizens and businesses are well within their rights to restrict who enters their homes or places of business, including virtual businesses such as social media like Twitter, YouTube and Facebook. It is unreasonable to expect exemptions or accommodation based on religious beliefs as Christians when our faith is a matter of choice not birth (such as race or sex).
Malls and gyms and cinemas and restaurants, while made open to the public, are NOT public spaces, but privately owned. If you enter such properties despite the owners not giving you permission, you ARE guilty of trespassing.
The restriction of information by privately owned news media and social media is not a restriction of your personal freedom of speech because privately owned media is under no legal obligation to give you such a platform. The STATE is under obligation to not restrict the freedom of expression of it's citizens in the public sphere.
It is not reasonable to expect exemptions based on religious beliefs from the private sector (although it cannot hurt to ask) as religious beliefs are a matter of personal choice and not birth (such as race and sex). Put yourself in their shoes: would you want to be forced to engage in a business transaction that involved a personal lifestyle choice you did not approve of?
Regarding many of the restrictions and mandates being put forth, while they may be unreasonable, illogical, disagreeable, unlawful even, they are legal, and unless they ask us to violate a commandment or principle of God's word, we ought to lay aside our pride and our "martyr complex" and be the peacemakers God wants us to be. Let us instead learn to turn to God to fight our battles, not the unions, or the courts, or even our pastors.
Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is not help. Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God. (Psalms 146:3, 5)
If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee. (Exodus 15:26)
Let us learn to trust God for those mandates that DO ask us to violate God's laws, such as those that require us to pollute our bodies. Let us not be hypocrites saying we don't want to pollute our bodies with toxins while we continue to eat unhealthfully, or use tobacco, or drink alcohol, or caffeine. Nor let us be hypocrites saying we will trust the lord to prevent and overcome sickness while relying on prescription drugs for our lifestyle related diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
Let us obey the health principles found in the Bible and, like Daniel and his friends, allow the servants of Babylon see for themselves who's health plan brings better results, Babylon's or God's.
And
he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to
pray, and not to faint; saying, There was in a city a judge, which
feared not God, neither regarded man: and there was a widow in that
city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he
would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I
fear not God, nor regard man; yet because this widow troubleth me, I
will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord
said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his
own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with
them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when
the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:1-8)
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with the truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Ephesians 6:10-18)