These are great and valid questions which have troubled me for a long time too.
A few observations:
- At the time Paul wrote this, Nero was emperor of Rome, a ruler just about as despotic as we endure today.
- The American Founders acted in their capacity as official representatives of their states, not as individuals.
- Christians are warned NOT to take the mark of the Beast (the coming world empire) - resistance seems authorized here.
- Following the loss to William the Conquerer in 1066 AD, when were the Anglo Saxons obligated to obey the Normans?
- If a street gang establishes de-facto local governing authority over your neighborhood, must you obey them? How is any government different at any level?
- We are told to obey all established authorities, even a harsh employer, while we agree to work for them.
Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God's slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 1 Peter 2:13-21
It would seem that we generally retain the option to leave the jurisdiction of an unacceptable government but are obligated to obey it while we live under its jurisdiction.
Then I heard another voice from heaven say: " 'Come out of her, my people,' so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; -- Revelation 18:4
Except for Americans. There is no place where we can go on this planet to be free.