If the messianic kingdom was imagined to rule gentile peoples like the Roman empire did (i.e., by conquest) then yes they could require tribute from the subjected nations. Taxation is what taxation does, I suppose.
In the Roman empire, conquered nations usually surrendered conditionally, to retain some vestige of the old power structures. On these would be imposed the tribute, as a reminder to remaining power structures in those nations that Judea was now the boss.
If the destruction was carried to the point of destroying all power structures (they did not surrender, but were annihilated) then the area is usually incorporated into the empire as a province. Yes, provincials did pay some sort of taxes to the Romans, although this varied from province to province.
Client kingdoms would be a different matter, as they only rarely were required to pay tribute, and then only when they were "bad." They *were* expected to contribute troops for battles being fought by the nation exercising overall rule, or at least put up resistance to incursions by other nations not within the empire (that is, serve as buffer states).
Whether one expects the messianic age to be established by force, or by divine intervention that sweeps away any vestige of the old power structures, might make a difference as to whether gentile nations might be expected to pay tribute.
An empire brought about by conquest will have by definition un-conquered peoples to contend with, so clients kings acting as buffers (Armenia comes to mind for the Romans, and Adiabene for the Parthians) are still important. This, as we see from the example of the Roman empire, was not an especially stable system, as the remaining power structures will in time regain strength and revolt against their overlords.
An empire brought about by god which sweeps away all power structures in gentile regions throughout the inhabited world, and leaves only Judeans in charge by means of administrators who would rule justly, would not require tribute, but some sort of property or head tax might be imposed to offset the cost of the administration.
DCH
FransJVermeiren wrote:DCHindley wrote:
Yet acknowledging that the Judean God is the supreme god is not the same as being taxed. This age, at least in Judea, would be incredibly fruitful, and in some POVs this might extend all over the world. In either case, the gentiles might send thanksgiving offerings to the Jerusalem temple of the supreme god, either to thank him for the abundance they receive or for his just rule.
From the messianic 17th Psalm of Solomon (v. 30):
And he will have gentile nations serving him under his yoke.
Could paying taxes be part of serving under the yoke of the messiah?