CHAPTER ONE

 

THE KINGDOM OF GOD (BOOK) 1

INTRODUCTION TO KINGDOM

 

BRO. DAVID OGAGA

NIGERIA

www.demintl.org

 

Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 2Jon 9. kJV.

Anyone who goes on and does not keep to the teaching of Christ has not God: he who keeps to the teaching has the Father and the Son . BBE.

 

What is meant here is, he who abides not in the doctrine which Christ taught, or the true doctrine respecting him, has not the Father and the Son. The truth therefore must be held respecting the precepts, the character, and the work of the Saviour

 

WHAT IS THE JOY OF STAYING WITH THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS?

 

Jon.14:15, 23. “ If ye love me, keep my commandments… Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him”.

 

Those who stay with the teachings of Christ secure the presence of both the Father and the Son : And if you lose one, you do not have the other either.

Thus; you secure the presence of the Father and the Son by way of being their abode, a habitation; “he dwelleth in God, and God in him”; Furthermore, this abiding presence of both the Father and the Son in the one that keep to His teachings produces a communal fellowship, resulting in the Elohim society in and on the Earth, “ We will come unto them, and make our abode with them”. Jesus said'. So we can see that, staying with the very teachings of Christ, not just about the person of Christ and His power only, will bring to pass a clear statement of prophecy,

Rev.21:3-4. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away”

 

And this is actually a reversal of that which happened in Eden when man was driven away from the presence of God. So the teachings of Christ will restore the presence of God again on the earth, restoring the Fellowship of God and man -Eden

 

Now let us observe this fact as we go on, “the tabernacle of God is with men” should read, ‘ the tabernacle of God with men ' as the is, is in italics indicating that it was supplied by the translators.

Now, the word ‘with' meta, really means; that which properly, is denoting accompaniment; amid, among, in union with' By implication, God is now in union with man (kind).

 

Above all, those who stay with the teachings of the Christ have both the Father and the Son, by way of assistance and approbation ; ( approval, consent, praise and esteem of God ) they have God to assist them, to accept them, and to reward them.

 

 

Chapter Two

SO WHAT WAS THE GOSPEL OF JESUS?

By implication, what was Jesus main passion? What occupied the centre of His message? What did He really teach and preach?

 

THE KINGDOM OF GOD IN PROPHECY/HISTORY.

When Jesus started His earthly ministry according to Mark's account, we are told

“Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee , preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God ,

And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel” Mk.1:14-15 (see. Da 9:25; Mt 3:2; 4:17 ; Gal. 4:4; Eph 1:10)

 

Now what ‘ Time is fulfilled' that Jesus is making reference to here? He was simply making reference to the prophetic words of Daniel, In Dan.9:25-26. where we are told “ Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined” (please see our Book ‘light in the word' chapter one for the complete teaching on the above prophecy).

 

But let us quickly move to Daniel Chapter two to see how Prophecy is fulfilled in history.

In Dan.2:44. we read “ And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever” .

 

What kingdoms was Daniel referring to here?

These were the four kingdoms, Babylon , Medo-Persia , Greece and the Roman Empire according to verses 33-43.of Daniel 2.

 

But in verse 45 , we read “Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure”

 

The little stone here represents Christ and His kingdom making it the fifth.

 

This is the same picture painted for us as the ‘four beasts' in Dan.7, and in verse 27, it says; “ And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him”

(Lk 1:33.Rev.11:15).

 

What do we mean the ‘ Greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven?'. This simply means the power, which those several kingdoms had possessed, shall all be turned over to the kingdom of Christ . And Jesus rightly told the disciples “… All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth”. Math.28:18.

 

And when we say "Under ... heaven " shows it clearly that this is a kingdom on earth, not in up their in the sky in a location called heaven.

 

Whereas the phrase “ people of ... saints of ... Most High--" shows the people of God, the saints are gathered out of both Jews and Gentiles, but the stock of the Church is Jewish (Ro 9:24; 11:24); So here we are dealing with a victorious church that no power can stop even in the ages to come.

 

That, it is an “ everlasting kingdom”— shows it cannot be referring to a millennial theology. For the stone that Daniel saw grew and became a mountain, there is no stoppage or stunted growth of the stone which represents the kingdom for a thousand years. Neither did the mustard seed that speaks of the kingdom in Mark 4:30-32, had a stunted growth for a period, but rather grew to become a mighty tree that the birds of the air will lodge under its shadows. “ And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God ? Or with what comparison shall we compare it?

It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it”.

 

So Daniel saw the whole time of future blessedness as one period there was no division, but a continuous growth and the unfolding of events until the glory of the Lord covers the earth as the waters covers the sea. Can we say Daniel was a progressionist? Christ's kingdom is "everlasting.” not even a judgment period can end it, it has started and it will continue to grow but men don't know how that this kingdom is advancing. The word of God says:

 

“Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this”. Isa.9:7.

 

It is interesting to know that, among the shades of the meaning of the word increase is ampily , and multiply . In other words, there shall be a multiplication and an amplification of the government of Christ upon the earth that shall know no end.

Whereas in the Heb. It is marbeh, which means, properly, increasing; as noun, greatness, or (adverb;) greatly:--great, increase”

 

The prophecy about the birth of Jesus confirmed this when it is said “And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name

He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David And He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and OF HIS KINGDOM THERE SHALL BE NO END” Lk I:31-32.

 

For we do also know that He was the son of David according to the flesh even as we can read “ Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh

And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead” Rom.1:3-4.

 

29 “Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, HE WOULD RAISE UP CHRIST TO SIT ON HIS THRONE;

34 for David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, the LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand

35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool

Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ”.Acts.2:29,30,34-:36.

Therefore in Rev.3: 7. Jesus the Christ is identified as “…. These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth”;

Fulfilling the prophecy of Prophet Isaiah, “ And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open”.Isa.22:22.

 

The above scriptures prove the fact that, Jesus is now ruling as Christ on the throne of his Father David as it were. It cannot be a tomorrow's affairs, but now. Christ is reigning and the kingdom is here and progressing.

 

Chapter Three

THE INTERPRETATION OF DANIEL.

While Daniel was interpreting this dream to Nebuchadnezzar, in Dan.2:37. He said “Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory”

 

Now understand this as we move on, that the title king of kings as applied to Jesus is here applied to the king of Babylon, indicating to us that whoever the Father gives Dominion to, in the course of time to rule the world is the ‘king of kings' . Why is it that Christ is bearing that title now? Because all power in heaven and earth has been given to Him by the Father. (Math.28:18). For “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever”.( Rev.11:15).

 

We will need to establish this fact here that, when Daniel spoke about the king being the king of kings , he was not by any means indicating that Nebuchadnezzar was the first king to reign in Babylon. There were other kings before him.

But this is in reference to the fact that, he was the Head or beginning of the reign or Dominion of a Gentile Nation in the earth once Israel was removed or taken into capacity. He was the first Gentile world king and power to rule over Israel .

Let it be noted also that Nebuchadnezzar came into prominence because of his dealings with the Israelites. In the Bible, only those or kings who had

contact with Israel , whether positive or negative are mentioned or recorded.

 

This is made plain from the following passages

 

“Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Because ye have not heard my words, Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north , saith the LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant , and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations”.Jer.25:8-9

 

What families of the North was He talking about? It is simply the Northern kingdom of the two kingdom of Israel after the reign of Rehoboam when Solomon's kingdom was divided.

 

And so we read;

“And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Judah , for that which he did in Jerusalem ”.

“And I will persecute them with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence, and will deliver them to be removed to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, and an astonishment, and an hissing, and a reproach, among all the nations whither I have driven them” Jer. 15:4, .29:18.

 

In the words of Adam Clark, commenting on this verse, he said ‘This seems to have respect to the succeeding state of the Jews in their different generations; and never was there a prophecy more literally fulfilled; and it is still a standing monument of Divine truth. Let infidelity cast its eyes on the scattered Jews whom it may meet with in every civilized nation of the world; and then let it deny the truth of this prophecy, if it can. The Jews are scattered through every nation, and yet are not a nation; nor do they form even a colony on any part of the face of the earth. Behold the truth and the justice of God! ' end quote.

 

And this truth of the scattering of the Jews and being ruled over by the Gentile world, Nebuchadnezzar being the first king in this regard, of cause can be verified as well from the writing of Apostle Luke when he wrote of what will befall the Jews-Jerusalem by the hands of the Romans as prophesied by Jesus.

 

“And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled”.Lk.21:24.

 

History has it that those who perished in the siege are reckoned to be not less than eleven hundred thousand. (See Mt 24:22)

While those who were taken into slavery was to the number of ninety-seven thousand, according to Josephus, the Jewish historian.

 

And when we speak of the prediction of ‘ Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles' . It has been so ever since its destruction. In the succeeding years, it has been held by the Romans, the Parthians, the Saracens, the Crusaders and the Turks, but never by the Jews. Judea was so completely subjugated that the very land itself was sold by Vespasian; the Gentiles possessing it, while the Jews were either nearly all killed or led away into captivity and scattered all around the world.

 

So when we are talking about ‘the time of the Gentiles being fulfilled' . It simply means the different nations of the earth, to whom God shall have given the dominion over this land, will have to accomplish all that which the Lord hath appointed them to do; until the time of their conversion to God will take place. Even the Mohammedans it is said to had possession of the city since AD 636 in succession to the ‘'fourth” or Roman possession. But when shall the conversion of these people be? No one knows yet. The nations are still treading down Jerusalem , and the end is known only to the Lord. For the times and seasons are in his hands. Acts.1:7.

 

So according to Dan.2:44.we are told “ And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever”

 

‘ Days of these kings', What kings? This is reference to the successive kingdoms of Babylon , Greece , Medo-Persia and the last being the Roman Empire . Now what the Lord is referring to here, according to this prophecy is that, the Father will set up a kingdom which can not be moved. Speaking to us of a 5th kingdom or power, which is now the kingdom of God . And this took place when the fourth kingdom was in place, the Roman kingdom and that is when Christ was born.

 

In Dan.7:27 this kingdom is described as “ And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him”

 

Jesus confirmed this prophecy of Daniel as fulfilling it when He was on trial by Pilate who was a Roman Governor in Charge of Jerusalem as well in Jon.18:33-37.

 

“Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews 34 Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?

35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done 36 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 .

37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then ? Jesus answered; Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world , that I should bear witness unto the truth . Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice”.

 

Now we have some very interesting facts here to consider

Why did Pilate ask this question; Art thou the king of the Jews? This is simply because according to Lk. 23:2, when the Jews brought him to Pilate they began to accuse him as a rebel, who said he was king of the Jews, and so stopping the people to pay tribute to Caesar. So Pilate was trying to find out from Jesus if this accusation is really true. By implication, if he is really a king of the Jews, then He will be in pace to be collecting tributes from the people and they will no longer be paying to the Romans. Secondarily, it is a major fear of another king arising from among the Jews. The same fear that Herod had when the wise men from the east said they saw the star of the new king that was born.

Part of the answer Jesus gave to the above question is that, my kingdom is not of this world. By this He meant to say, His kingdom is not Jewish in nature, function and character. In other word, He is not a successor neither His kingdom a succession to any Jewish monarch. But He admitted He has a kingdom and by that as well, He is a king. For you cannot have a kingdom without a king.

 

And again, when He said, my kingdom is not of this world … Now is my kingdom not from hence .

He was simply saying, I am a king whose kingdom does not take its root from the social, economic and the political structure of this world, neither is it an offshoot of the previous four kingdoms that existed.

For you know that, every kingdom that is conquered, its elements of governance, political and economical structure are most often carried over to the present one by the new king.

For instance, the principles in God's kingdom, which is being administered by Christ, if you want to be great, you have to be a servant, serving others. For you to be successful financially, you have to be a regular Tithe payer and a giver. It is more blessed to give than to receive, the word says. You do not give or do good to be seen by men and praised, but in secret for only God to reward you openly by exalting you. For you to be highly exalted you have to be humbled. In other words, for you to go up, you must first go down. The fact is everything in this kingdom is opposite to human understanding and operational modalities. It is an upside down kingdom. You win by loosing. You give off two coats, when your enemy wants one. You go two miles, if you are compelled to go one. You don't open your mouth in self defense when on trial and being accused unjustly. You look like a fool to every man because you don't seems to have a right. You gain your life by loosing it and loose your life by retaining it. The very poor are your friends and companion in celebrations and not the rich who can reward you or invite you in return to their festivities. You don't judge by what you see or hear, but by what the spirit ministers to you, as you hear the mind of the Father. You don't fight wars with human instruments and philosophies, but by the word of God which is defined as sharper than any two edged sword. It is truly a kingdom upside down.

This is what Jesus was telling Pilate when He said my kingdom is not from this world.

 

Again in response to the question as to whether Jesus is a king, He admitted so by saying “ To this end was I born”, In other words, the only major reason why I am born is to be a king. The wise men from the East did not come looking for a child, but for a king that was born.

The proof of their conviction is that they came with gifts meant for a king for it is customary in major traditions of the world not to go to the king without a present, no matter how small. The queen of Sheba who came to King Solomon with all manner of gifts was not because Solomon was a poor man and has needs, but it was in recognition of his kingship. It is therefore a fact here also that your calling Jesus king, does not prove you recognized Him as such except by honouring Him with gifts.

So Jesus was saying, I am truly a king and not just one of the kings of the Jews that rose at a time, but rather I am a universal king. My Domain is not just Israel , but the whole wide world. And with that He simply told Pilate, with regards the question Art thou a king? . He replied by saying; “Thou sayest ” which is common form of expression for, yes, it is so . I was born into the world that I might set up and maintain a spiritual government, but this government is established in and by truth

 

Furthermore, He said; “ and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth” What truth was He to bear witness to? First of all this government is to be established in and by truth

But above all, it is to bear witness and fulfill the truth of the prophecy of Daniel. “ And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever . Dan2:44

 

Again, we state that ‘In the days of these kings' means in the days of these kingdoms, that is, of the last of the four. Therefore Christianity was set up when Rome had become mistress of Judea and the world

  God of heaven will set up a kingdom; This then is the "the kingdom of heaven," set up by God of which Christ is the head.

 

Here it is said that by the setting up of this kingdom, all the empires which human hands have established shall be destroyed; but the kingdom which God has established "without hands" meaning efforts through warfare shall increase continually, till the earth is filled with its glory and blessedness.

And this kingdom shall.. not be left to other people.. All the preceding empires actually swallowed up each other successively. So we see that the Chaldees were forced to leave their kingdom to the Medo-Persians, and these to the Greeks, and the Greeks to the Romans

 

But here is the kingdom of God which shall never be destroyed which is the extensive and extending empire of Christ over the world that shall remain to the end of the ages.

 

Chapter Four.

‘THE KING OF KINGS..'

Before proceeding, let us take a look at the above phrase which is commonly applied to Christ. It is used six times in the Bible, one time for Artaxerxes, twice for Nebuchadnezzar, and three times for Christ. The question then is, does it have any special significant? What does it connote when it is applied to a person? This is important, because we realized that even Artaxerxes and Nebuchadnezzar were addressed by this title, so why is it also applied to Christ?

 

The first place that we encounter this phrase is in Ezr 7:12 where it is said “Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time”.

 

Now, Artaxerxes itself is not a persons name, but the title of the several kings of Persia , eg Smerdis the Margian, Longimanus and Xerxes.

 

Whereas the second place is in Ezek 26:7,where it is said of “.. Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, a king of kings..”

 

Then you have it used in addressing Christ in 1 Tim.6:15, as He “ who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;” and then in Rev.17:14, and Rev.19:16.

 

But the true meaning of this Title comes out when you read of what Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar when interpreting the king's dream to him in Da 2:37-38 “Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory . And whosesoever the children of men dwell, the beast of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all, Thou art this head of gold”

 

That tells us that, this title is given by God to whomsoever He has given absolute authority to per time to rule in the universe as his kingly regent if you will, just like Adam was before the fall. It is to those who have been given a kingdom, power, strength and glory that all men under heaven and the creatures may obey him.

 

Math.6:13 reveals to us who owns all authority when Jesus said in reference to God.. “ For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”

 

It is this kingdom Dominion mandate that He now gives to the one He has elected at a particular time in human history to take charge of the earth.

 

And so as it relate to Nebuchadnezzar, we are told, God said “Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant , and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations… And it shall come to pass, that the nation and kingdom which will not serve the same Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, and that will not put their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, that nation will I punish, saith the LORD, with the sword, and with the famine, and with the pestilence, until I have consumed them by his hand”. Jer.25:9, 27:8.

 

Now, are you beginning to see the weight of this title to those who bore it? Hear God saying that Nebuchadnezzar is His servant, because He has given him an assignment specifically to deal with other kings in order to bring God's kingdom rule and ethics to bear on them. Here we observed that all other kings are to be subject to the particular one that is to bear this title. The purpose is not just for political expansionism on the part of the elect kings with this mandate, but that the mind and desires of God for His creation and humanity might be fully expressed through these instruments of His which He has chosen, that is why they are called God's servant. But unfortunately too, these kings being used of God do not know that they are only playing out the will of God and so ought to limit themselves to the dictates of the Father and know where to draw the line. But power often corrupts, therefore they go over board thinking it is by themselves that they are doing and achieving those glory. So Nebuchadnezzar will say ‘is this not the great Babylon that I have built'? All because he did not know that he was only a servant.

 

 

 

CHRIST AS KING OF KINGS

So what then do we mean when we say Christ is the ‘king of kings and the Lord of Lords'?(1 Tim.6:15).

Just like we have indicated, those whomsoever receive this title is the servant of God to do His will; therefore God introduced Christ to us as. “Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles”.Isa.42:1

 

And while introducing Himself to the Disciples and commissioning them once He has finally being given this mandate therefore qualifying for this title, He said “ …. All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” Math.28:18-19.

 

What He was actually saying here is that just like all kings and authority was to bow to Nebuchadnezzar, this same power has being transferred from Nebuchadnezzar to Him, such that Christ who is now in charge of God's affairs in the world with all kings and the realms of the heavens and earth being subject unto Him. Therefore, the disciples should go and make this known and cause the Nations and inhabitants therefore to be brought under obedience to the rule and will of God-‘ thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth' using man as the instrument to bring this to pass. This is the expression of the kingdom.

 

This is what it really means to have someone Baptized, it is to bring someone into absolute realization, believe and obedience to a ruling and higher authority and not necessarily to be dipped in water of any river. And there is nothing wrong with that as a religious ritual or belief, because we do know that water by itself cannot save man, but the issue at stake about baptism is that of salvation. We can understand this from the life and ministry of Moses as we read in 1Cor.10:1-4. “Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat;

And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ”

 

Verse two in the Amplified says;

“And every one of them (allowed too) to be baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, ( that is, they were thus brought under obligation to the law, to Moses and to the covenant, consecrated and set to the service of Go;”

 

In other words, being baptized into Moses, a person, simply means being brought under obligation to the law and the leadership of Moses, to be able to get them out of the wilderness into the Promised Land.

In the same vein, to be baptized into the name of the ‘Father, son and holy Ghost' is to be brought into alignment, and full obedience to the threefold manifestation of the Godhead for total salvation, not three persons. Again on this fact, talking about Christ now, just as Moses we read;

 

“For in Him the whole fullness of Deity ( the Godhead) ,continues to dwell in bodily form-giving complete expression of the divine nature, And you are in Him, made full and have come to fullness of life-in Christ you too are filled with the Godhead; Father, son, and Holy Spirit, and reach full spiritual stature .And He is the head of all rule and authority-..” Col.2:9-10.Ampl.

 

What it is saying here is that, the Father, son and Holy Ghost which are simply titles, is a dimension of spiritual experience and expression that every true believer must come into which is our ultimate baptism, and this is what we are asked to go and bring the Nations into. That by so doing they too will come into this experience. And with that, we are establishing the kingdom of God all over the world, for that is the desire and the purpose of Christ coming even as the servant of God.

 

“Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high

As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:

So shall he sprinkle many nations ; the kings shall shut their mouths at him : for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider” .Isa.52:13-15.

 

Therefore in Rev.11:25 we are told;

“And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever”.

 

At the sounding of the seventh last trumpets, with rejoicing in the heavens implies, there has come to an end to the series of visions, and next thing to be introduced is the new dispensation under which the affairs of the world were to be brought to completion. One thing is important; you can not have a proper understanding of the Book of Revelation without the Book of Daniel and major elements from the old Testament. For to a large degree, the Book of Revelation opens the sealed Book of Daniel and the events thereof.

The period in question under discussion has to do with the events that pertains to the Roman power—which is the fourth kingdom of Daniel (Daniel chapters 2-7)—then, should have been completed, and with the introduction of the reign of the saints according to Daniel 7:9-14,27-28. This is also directly tied to the finished work of Christ, leading to the overthrow of the ecclesiastical power of the Roman Empire . So we found that with the end of the persecuting power, is the introduction and beginning of the reign of the saints, the downfall of the Papacy, and the emergence of the kingdom of God and its establishment on the earth. This is the picture being painted for us here.

 

So the joy in heaven as it were, is because a new order of God's reign has being introduced with the right foundation laid.

Therefore, when we are saying “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdom of our Lord..”. The declaration is simply that all the kingdoms of the earth, though many, but being ruled by one spirit, the prince of the power of the air-satanic deceptions, have now been brought under the one authority of the Christ; as the world controlling power has now been legitimately been given to Christ by God.

 

Therefore it is now ‘ the kingdoms of our Lord' . The word Lord--kuriov--implies the notion of possessor, owner, sovereign, supreme ruler—and that is God Himself .

 

And ‘ the kingdom is of his Christ'. Of his anointed; of him who is set apart as the Messiah, and consecrated to this high office. Even as God appointed Him to perform the work appropriate to that office on earth, just like we indicated earlier on that He is the servant of God in this service. The clear simple meaning here therefore is that, the kingdom of this world had now become the kingdom of God under Christ. That is, in other words, it is that kingdom, that is been administered by the Son of God. Even as the word says; “Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession”.Ps.2:8.

 

And “ He shall reign for ever and ever” as opposed to the previous ‘king of kings-Artarxexes and Nebuchadnezzar whose reign ended. This kingdom which has commenced shall never come to an end. The point that calls for rejoicing and why it is good news is that, the sceptre of this world has now, after so long a time, come into the hands of the son of God never more to pass away or to be passed to another. It may not seem it mow, but we are in the very reign of the Almighty Father, whose kingdom shall be universal on the face of the earth, whose laws shall be everywhere recognized as binding; for all idolatry and human philosophy shall come to an end; and the understandings and the hearts of men everywhere shall bow to his authority.

“Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved,…” Heb.12:28a

 

And “All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee

For the kingdom is the LORD'S: and he is the governor among the nations.

All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul”. Ps.22:27-29.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Five.

THE PRESENT SPIRITUAL REALITY OF THE KINGDOM

At the very beginning of Jesus ministry in Mrk.1:14-15. we read “ Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

 

Within the 31/2 years of His earthly ministry, we are told in Lk.8: 1 “And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God : and the twelve were with him”

 

When He commissioned the Apostles in Lk.9:1-2. We read, “Then he called His twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God , and to heal the sick”

 

Even to the man who gave the excuses not to follow Jesus because he wants to bury the Father, He told him in verses 50- 60.. “And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God ”.

 

To Jesus, the kingdom message is a priority above any social or paternal obligations.

 

In the prophetic declaration of the signs of the Fall of Jerusalem and what we can apply as the End of the Age, He said in Math 24: 14 “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come”

 

It shows that ‘The Gospel of the Kingdom' getting to all hooks and corners is a major sign of the end. But I wonder if the Church is aware of this, such that they have to commit themselves to it.

 

In Acts 1:1-3. In what we can called the post- resurrection message of Jesus the Christ, for forty good days while He walk on the earth with flesh and bones, (Lk.24:39) we are told in Acts.1:1-3. “ The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:

To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

 

There was nothing more central, passion driving and life consuming for Jesus than the message of the Kingdom. It must be noted that, things like healing and the casting out of demons were all the integral part of the message of the kingdom. Jesus never classified them as a ministry of their own. The Lord's pattern in ministry reveals this “And Jesus went about all Galilee , teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom , and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments , and those which were possessed with devils , and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy ; and he healed them”. Math.4:23-24.

 

Surely enough, Jesus has left for us an example to do ministry. The emphasis is ‘teaching' and ‘preaching' the ‘Gospel of the knigdom' and the rest things follow. Don't forget, doing what he did, preaching and believing what he preached, will grant us access to both the Father and the son. Or else we will become orphans and be without God in the world, though we are still running with signs and wonders in the world, only to be told, for

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity”.Math.7:21-23.

 

The word ‘iniquity' is anomia, which means illegality, i.e. violation of law or wickedness; transgress (-ion of) the law, unrighteousness. It means, no matter the nature of your ministry, or the signs and wonder following, if it is done out of the contents of the will and purposes of God and without the true communion with him, then you have no place in His kingdom. It also means doing a thing that is not in line with the will of the Father whether it be ministry is simply ‘ unrighteousness' . The only statement awaiting us at the end is ‘Go Away'. You better watch it!

 

. Acts.8:12.Philip the Evangelist message was the kingdom, “ But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God , and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women” .

 

Paul's Message was the kingdom of God . Acts.19:8. “And he went into the synagogue and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God ”.

 

Acts.20:25. And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God , shall see my face no more.

 

Acts.28:22-23. 22 “But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against. And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not”.

 

Acts.28:30-31. “And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,

Preaching the kingdom of God , and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him”

The kingdom Message was central in the Gospel of Paul.

 

Chapter Six.

THOSE WHO UNDERSTOOD PRESSED INTO THE KINGDOM.

 

Lk. 16:16. The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

The word pressed is biazo, and it means to force, i.e. (reflexively) to crowd oneself (into), or (passively) to be seized:--press, suffer violence.

 

Mathew would say; “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force” Math.11:1-12.

 

The word pressed as used by Luke is the same thing as suffered violent ,( biazo.) as used by Mathew.

 

So we can see that, the kingdom is a whole new dimension in God's Economy, full of force, power and dominion that is completely different from all the former moves and economy of God put together to be made manifest at the last time. The law and the prophets were truly the words and works of God but never the Reign and the Rule of God. These were men in contact with God but never the Dominion of God . They could declare the intentions of God but do not have the power to live it. They prophesied about it but never come under the influence of that which they spoke and wrote about

 

The phrase “Every man' Many men or multitudes” was supposed to be a very common expression just like when we say ‘everybody is engaged in a particular piece of businesses, meaning that it occupies general attention.

Even the -- Publicans and sinners , indicating that all levels of persons, were eagerly forcing their way into the kingdom because of what they have seen and have come to understand . Those who were given to mere forms of religious economy of the Law and the Prophets which was passing away could not discern the signs of this time.

 

It is such a serious issue for the very tide of the present order of God's dealing with man in His ultimate plan to go past you and be found a stranded monument of blindness and religious rebellion. In this case, you require divine insight based on prophetic understanding to move beyond the level of just being religious in order to press into the kingdom as you begin to behold the power and the dominion therein

 

EXAMPLES OF MEN WHO WERE PRESSING INTO TE KONGDOM

 

Math.20:20-21 “ Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him , And he said unto her, what wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom”.

 

The mother of the sons of Zebedee discovered something great and ahead and was prepared to go for it. She knew that what the Lord came for, was not just a mere religious movement, neither a repetition of the movement of old. But rather the establishment of God's Government and rule upon the earth, and so she desire that her sons be partakers of that order.

 

In a similar vein, in Jn.6:15, we read “ When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone”.

 

These groups of people could not wait for anything else or longer, they wanted the kingdom NOW, no matter the cost.

 

Same with those in Lk 19:11. Who “ … thought the kingdom will soon appear because Jesus told Nicodemus that Salvation has come to his house and that he is a son of Abraham, then He gave a parable of a man that must go away to receive a kingdom”

 

But the story of Joseph of Arimthaea marks a turning point in the haert of those desiring the kingdom and their level of investment and commitment because of what they know.

 

Mark.15:42-46. “And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath,

Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God , came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and crave the body of Jesus . (Isa.53:9, Math.27:57. Jon.19:38)

And Pilate marveled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.

And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.

And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulcher”.

 

It is a clear indication from the life of Joseph that those who find excuses not to invest in the kingdom is simply because they lack proper understanding and have not seen it. Those who have seen it, gave their best like Joseph, for they have an understanding of what they are investing in. They don't need to be cajoled or forced to do so.

 

Chaoter Seven.

THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM.

Math.4:23-24 .” And Jesus went about all Galilee , teaching ( to teach-) in their synagogues, and preaching (herald- kerusso, to herald, as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel):--preacher(-er), proclaim, publish).

the gospel of the kingdom, and healing –(to wait upon menialyly,to adore, to relieve of (of disease ,cure ,heal ,worship-demonstration ) all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them”.

 

So what is ‘ The Gospel Of The Kingdom of God '? . The Greek word for Gospel is euaggelion, and it means ; a good message, i.e. the gospel; gospel.

And Kingdom is; basileia , and it also means, properly, royalty, i.e. (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm-kingdom. When put together therefore, ‘the Gospel of the Kingdom of God ' simply means ‘the Good news of the realm of the royal kingdom, and rule of God on the earth. Just like He taught the disciples to pray - “ Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven ” Math.6:9-10.

 

‘Thy kingdom come' --The kingdom of God can as well be described as that moral and spiritual kingdom which the God of grace is setting up in this fallen world, whose subjects consist of as many as have been brought into hearty subjection to His gracious authority, and of which His Son Jesus is the glorious Head. . In the inward reality of it, this kingdom has existed ever since there were men who ‘walked with God' on the face of the earth.

 

And so the kingdom is defined in 1 Cor.4:20 as;

“For not in word is the reign of God, but in power” YLT.

 

“For the kingdom of God consists of and is based on not talk, but MORAL POWER and EXCELLENCE OF SOUL” Amp.

 

“God's way is not a matter of talk; it's an empowered life” (The Message).

 

“For Apostolic authority is not a thing of words, but of power”.

WNT.

 

In the same vein, ‘The Message' in defining the kingdom in Math.6:10 say “ Set the world right; Do what's best-as above, so below ”.

 

In other words, God should set the world that has gone ‘haywire' through the fall of Adam, right, by reigning again in the lives of men. And this is what God is achieving through the release of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not just a factor for gifts manifestation, but the reconfiguration of our ‘inner man' that is tainted with evil so that we can finally begin to release the attributes, the mercies, justices and the compassionate nature of God on the earth. Therefore in Ps 82:1-6. “ God is in the meeting-place of God; he is judging among the gods.

How long will you go on judging falsely, having respect for the persons of evil-doers? (Selah.)

Give ear to the cause of the poor and the children without fathers; let those who are troubled and in need have their rights.

Be the saviour of the poor and those who have nothing: take them out of the hand of the evil-doers.

They have no knowledge or sense; they go about in the dark: all the bases of the earth are moved.

I said, You are gods; all of you are the sons of the Most High” BBE

 

This is the role that the Father is intending us to place as those who have come into the place of maturity and aware of their position on the earth.

 

And so we read in Rom.14:17-18;

“God's kingdom isn't a matter of what you put in your stomach, for goodness' sake. It's what God does with your life as he sets it right, put it together, and completes it with joy. Your task is to single –mindedly serve Christ. Do that and you'll kill two birds with one stone:-please the God above you and proving your worth to the people around you” (The Message).

 

But the Weymouth Translation says “For Apostolic authority is not a thing of words, but of power”.

 

Now why is the kingdom seen as “an Apostolic Authority” It is because the Apostle is ‘a sent one' “ Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men (Apostles ), and scribes: (Teachers) and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city”: The word send is apostello; which means; set apart, i.e. (by impl) to send out (properly, on a mission)

And because they are sent by God, they therefore carry His authority. This is why we read that the Church is… “…built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” Eph.2:20.

 

And, on this issue of being sent, Jesus Himself said;

“And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me” .Jon.8:15-16

 

Again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me”. Jon.13:20.

. And so for those who wanted to know what to do in other to work the works of God, we are told;

“Then said they unto him, what shall we do, that we might work the works of God?

Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent ”. Jon.6:28-29 .

 

By implication, His authority to do things was resting on the Father that sent Him.

It therefore follows that the Apostle whose core message and values is and should be the kingdom of God, that have to do with the transformation and transitioning of the world-(Reformation?) into the reign of God, is a man of transformed character, moral power and excellence of soul according to the Amplified Translation.

 

Don't forget that the soul of a man is made up of his Mind, Intellect, Will and Emotions .(1 Thes.5:23). And so in demonstration of this fact, Paul would say; “ 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”-“Looking at it one way, you could say, “Anything goes. Because of God's immense generosity and grace, we don't have to dissect and scrutinize every action to see if it pass muster” But the point is not to just get by. We want to live well, but our foremost efforts should be to help others live well” (1 Cor.6:12, KJV. 1Cor.10:23.The Message)

Besides, like we read of Jesus, the kingdom message carries with it the demonstration of the power of God for signs and wonders. It is not just theoretical but practical. Jesus said if I cast out devils with the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come unto you. So while He was preaching it, He like the Apostles was also healing the sick.

`

Evidently then we found that, the shift from kingdom to Church is a misgiving of theological imbalance resulting from uninformed Biblical ethics and premise. God's mind for His people is kingdom, because that is what can only lead to world transformation as paradise on earth.

 

*The Church therefore is raised for the Purpose of the kingdom and not the kingdom for the church, though they both cannot be ultimately separated.

* The kingdom is the sphere of God's rule and not just a gathering of some people

* Those He is ruling over in this sense are they who have accepted the Lordship of the Christ-the Image of God.

* The Church is a servant structure meant for the expression of kingdom values. It must not be taken as the Normative or finale

* The seduction of the church occurs when its institutional values are shaped by the prevailing cultural values rather by kingdom perspectives.

* The Church is an agent for subduing of that which is not of God in a person, Family and Nation etc .in other to awaken in them the reality of the God's life within-the unlighted candle- the spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, the Bible says, not the candle of man.. Prov.20:27 . He God owns the candle and it is the centre of the king's Authority, hence the kingdom is within you.

Chapter Eight.

SO WHAT AND WHERE IS THE KINGDOM?

Therefore in Lk 17:20 -2i, in answer to the question of the Pharisees as to the location of the kingdom, we are told;

“And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:

Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you”.

 

Here we see that Jesus answered the where but not the when . The location , but not the time . This shows that the kingdom has always being in existence, and it is not to be measured by time frame.

 

The kingdom is within and not around or among you. This is so because the word ‘ within' is enthos= inside (adverb or noun)-within, in the Greek, which is the same word used in Math 23:26 when Jesus said to the Pharisees “Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also ”

 

It is also a fact that man is capable of experiencing two kingdoms, which is Darkness and Light, just as we can see in

 

Rom.7:22-23. “ For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.”

 

Again, in Col.1:12-13.we read: “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son”

 

The first dimension of the kingdom here is the realm of the soul.

And the second dimension is the realm of the spirit, and you have both within you. Therefore when we read in Jon,1:9, that Jesus “.. was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world ”. What He lightens is the spirit of man which is the candle of the Lord. Even as the word tells us that God is the Father of our spirits.

 

“ Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation”…“Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? ” . Nub.27:16, Heb.12:9

 

So we can see that ;

1.The kingdom of God is not a date on the calendar

2. It is God's light.

3 It is a condition that takes place within a people

4 It is the light in our understanding that begins to dawn in our consciousness, which elevates our awareness of God and the dimension of spirit.

5. It is the revelation of God's Glory and Majesty. Starting from within the individuals to be revealed outwardly at the end.

 

Therefore when we read in Math.12:28. But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you . It is really describing a dethroning of a reign, a kingdom of darkness within, to be replaced by another reign, the kingdom of light. Here again, it is evident that the Holy Spirit is the carrier of the kingdom of God . This is why we read

 

“ Let not then your good be evil spoken of:

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost .

For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men”.Rom.14:16-18.

 

‘But righteousness'. This word here means virtue, integrity, a faithful discharge of all the duties which we must perform toward God or to our fellow-men.

Thus it is said, "Every one that doeth righteousness is born of God;" 1Jon 3:10 .

 

By doing righteousness here is meant the practice of universal goodness, and a thorough conformity to the law of God in opposition to sin, which is the transgression of the law.

 

In line with the above thought, William Burkitt has commented

“That every man may come to the certain knowledge of his own condition, whether he be a good or a bad man; By this the children of God are manifested; that is, hereby good and bad men are really distinguished; the Scripture has laid down real marks of difference between them.

 

That the love and practice of universal righteousness, and nothing short of it, will denominate a person a child of God, and evidence to his own conscience, that he is brought into a state of grace and favour with him: In this the children of God are manifest, whosoever doth righteousness is of God.

 

This discovers a farther difference between the children of God and the children of Satan, namely, Brotherly love; he doth not say, he that hateth his brother is a child of the devil, but he that loveth not his brother; intimating, that not only hatred and malice against, but want of brotherly love towards each other, is the mark and sign not of a child of God, but of the devil. He that doth not unfeignedly love men as men, and all Christians as Christians, is no child of God, no lover of God; for he that loveth not God's image, loveth not God himself” .end quote.

 

Therefore Apostle James would say;

“ But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace”.Jm.3:18.

 

“The wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceful, courteous, not self-willed, full of compassion and kind actions, free from favouritism and from all insincerity.

And peace, for those who strive for peace, is the seed of which the harvest is righteousness”.WNT.

 

“Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with holy and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating other with dignity and honour” The Message.

 

Here we see that the issue of Righteousness' is not an isolated one, but that which gendered to the building up of the entire Christian community. Therefore you cannot claim to be a righteous man when you are living in isolation and having nothing to do with others. And anything you do that does not work towards developing a healthy robust community is unreasonable, wicked and perverse. As a matter of fact, the fruit of righteousness can only be revealed and known by your response and relationship to others. And this will demonstrate to the world your Christ like nature. Anything short of that is termed living in an unreasonable life. So righteousness' is not just about what you think is in you that will guarantee your going to heaven, but that which you do that helps to transform the world into a better place than you met it. Don't forget the drive of the Father is the Earth recreation into a paradise state that it was before the fall. And your life style is an impute in this regard.

 

So Paul would say, the true life of righteousness that can only be imparted by Christ, is worth living out;

“So that you may be men of transparent character, and may be blameless, in preparation for the day of Christ,

Being filled with these fruits of righteousness which come through Jesus Christ-- to the glory and praise of God”.Phil.1:10-11.WNT

.

Therefore

“ Put in the seed of righteousness, get in your grain in mercy, let your unploughed earth be turned up: for it is time to make search for the Lord, till he comes and sends righteousness on you like rain”. Hos.10:12.

For “The sinner gets the payment of deceit; but his reward is certain who puts in the seed of righteousness”.Prov.11:18.

“And THE WORK OF RIGHTEOUSNESS shall be PEACE; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever” .Isa.32:17.

And the throne of God found in His kingdom is established by Righteousness. Prov.16:12, Heb.1:8.

“And peace”. . The word peace here does not in itself refer to only the internal peace and happiness which the Christian has in his own mind in the midst of trouble, such as the one Jesus had, sleeping while with His disciples in a stormy sea.

This kind of peace is that which is described as the “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”.Phil.4:7.

 

The word ‘Passeth' =( huperecho) , means, to hold oneself above, i.e. (fig) to excel; superior, superiority, better, excellency, higher, pass, supreme.

 

While ‘Understanding'=( nous), means; t he intellect, i.e. mind (divine or human; in thought, feeling, or will); by impl, meaning:--mind, understanding.

 

So here Paul was describing to us the kind of peace that is granted us in the midst of trouble and very hard conditions. It is living and being at peace, yet there is commotion every where around you. It will look stupid and unreasonable for one to be sleeping as Jesus was doing in a situation where others are seeing death right in front of them. This is why it is the peace that goes beyond and far superior to any human reasoning and intellectual articulation of any sort, put together either to resolve an issue or being prompted to fight back, where others will want you to do so in there reasoning.

 

But above and beyond that, the kingdom peace that we are talking about is beyond personal issue or self, this is rather the peace or agreement in opposition to strife and contention among brethren. This is why verse 19 of Rom 14, says; “ Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another” .

 

Not just your peace, but the peace of others. Why, you may ask? Because the ultimate goal, structure and design of the kingdom of God is to produce harmony and love, and to put an end to division, alienation and strife amongst men of all race and gender. It is that inner strength and disposition to promote the peace of Jerusalem -the Church of God and humanity, that is truly the kingdom peace. You cannot be talking of kingdom peace when you are pursuing your own selfish interest and favour. When all you are after is that which can make you happier even when others are perishing, then you have not seen nor entered the kingdom, neither have you received the grace for peace from the lord.

 

Therefore we are told “… the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace ”. (Ps.37:11) because “ … God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints ”( 1Co.14:33). Therefore we should “ Endeavour-(ing) to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace,.. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you”(.Eph 4:3;31-32). for “ Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God” ( Mt 5:9)

So “…let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful”.Col.3:15.

 

“And joy” This refers, doubtless, to the personal happiness produced in the mind by the influence of the gospel as in Rom.5:.2-5. “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us”.

 

Jesus personally gave us a clue to the nature and cause of this joy when He spoke to the Apostles in the book of John, while speaking about His death and Resurrection.

 

“Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?

Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy .

A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish , for joy that a man is born into the world .

And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you” Jon.16:19-22.

 

The Little while that He spoke about was the period of His Death, Burial, Resurrection, His walk with them for Forty days and finally the outpouring of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost. The period of sorrow was the persecution they will face when their leader was taken from them, but He came back to them as the Holy Spirit, fulfilling the ‘ little while' that He promised them. The man-child is the birth of the New Church as the Holy Spirit was released. That empowered church that was destined to rule, that really shook the Roman Empire .

Thus we found that no persecution or trial was able to shake their faith; therefore, in the midst of all their afflictions, they had an unshaken source of joy. The resurrection was such an assurance to them, that they should never have a doubt concerning it and the rest of the promises He made to them; and consequently that their joy should be great and permanent, knowing that the atonement has been made, the victory over death and the world gained, and the kingdom of heaven opened to such that will be humbled enough to believe.

The same faith follows all those who are in the kingdom today, with absolute confidence in the Lord as we live out the life In the Holy Ghost. So we are talking about the Joy as Produced by the Holy Ghost.

 

“For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men”.

What things? They are righteousness, peace, and joy.

 

Serving Christ in the kingdom therefore means, obeying all that He commanded, and in doing these things, is to do honour to Christ, by receiving Him as your Master and Teacher and thereby proclaiming the Excellency of the Christ Faith.

 

Then you will have the acceptance of God into and in this new Faith from which religious background you have been so converted, your past not withstanding.

 

And finally, you have “the approved of men” . That is, men will approve of such conduct; they will value it to be right, and to be in true conformity with the spirit of Christianity. This is not to say there will never be criticism from or persecution from the unconverted world, but the lifestyle of righteousness, peace and joy as kingdom ethics will commend itself to the dying world, demonstrating how men ought to live and lead their lives through the influence of the spirit of the Christ, and so re –inaugurating, re-introducing and re-producing the lost paradise of God on the Earth.

 

The scriptures therefore would say “Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:

Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men”. 2 Cor.8:20-21.

 

Again, “Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation Pet 2:12 .

 

Therefore

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven”.Math5:16.

 

This is God's kingdom in expression in the midst of a perverse world. You are not called or lightened by the Lord to live in Isolation as a monk. Your true worth is revealed in the midst of the unbelievers in the market places etc.

 

Chapter Nine.

GOD USED CHRIST SACRIFICE TO BRING US INTO THE KINGDOM.

For us to understand the kingdom of God properly, we must understand the purpose of God in Christ and His sacrifice. Why did God become a human being in Christ Jesus?

For we must understand that Jesus took His flesh nature from Mary to identify with humanity, but His blood, He took from God and not Joseph (.. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

 

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins” Math.1:18-21 ).

 

And so in Acts 20:28 we are told “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God , which he hath purchased with his own blood ”.

 

The word clearly states here that the Church is bought with God's own blood, and this blood was release through a man called Jesus in order to free man from their sins that they incurred in Adam, knowing that the blood of animals cannot redeem or pay for man's sins, help or deliver him from corruption or death because that is not the equivalent of the blood of a man. This is why animal sacrifices to gods and shrines and the Jewish sacrifices cannot bring deliverance to any body or bring Him to perfection.

 

“But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come… Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

For if the blood of bulls and of goats , and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

How much more shall the blood of Christ , who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Heb.9:10-14.

 

So, talking about the purpose of God in Christ, we are told; “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God , being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit” 1Pet.3”18.

 

Therefore, “ … God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himsel f, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation” 2 Cor.5:19.

 

This then is the mystery of Christ death, which to me is God, who is Spirit becoming a man in order to die for the purpose of reconciling man back to Himself.

 

And so “ Without controversy, the mystery of godliness is great: God was revealed in the flesh, Justified in the spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the nations, Believed on in the world, And received up in glory”1 Tim.3:16. WEB.

 

“This Christian life is a great mystery, far exceeding our understanding, but some things are clear to us; He (God) appeared in a human body ,was proved right by the invisible spirit ,was seen by angels, He was proclaimed among all kinds of peoples, believed in all over the world ,taken up into heavenly glory”. The Message

.

Now, we can understand the role of God in Christ towards humanity and as many as have received Him constitute a community of people-the Church, through whom He is now passing to reach the rest of mankind of all tribe and tongue just like He passed through Jesus in a human form.

Meaning, for those whose eyes have being enlightened, and have come to this awareness of the dealings of God in humanity, now constitutes God's New Race of humanity-a Royal priesthood, a holy Nation, (1 Pet.2:9) to Himself upon the earth, and here is the attitude, exclamation and the appreciation to God of these group of people;

 

“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” Col.1:12-13.

 

“God rescued us from dead –end alleys and dark dungeons. He's set us up in the kingdom of the Son He loves so much, the Son who got us out of the pit we are in, got rid of the sins we were doomed to keep repeating” The Message

 

So how did we receive the inheritance of the saints in light according to verse.11?

 

Paul explained this when he was giving his defense before Festus on the way of his conversion into the faith that he now professed in Acts 26, reading from verses 13-18, which says; “

 

“At midday , O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.

14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,

18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me”

 

 

Now, the word inheritance kleros, is very important to us here, for it means;- a portion (as if so secured); by extension, an acquisition (esp. a patrimony, fig.-heritage, inheritance, lot, part.

 

What it is saying therefore is that, those of us who have been able to come to the lord have, and should receive our own portion or lot in the Father's house as sons. This is something we ought to receive by right of birth that is why it is an inheritance . You never worked or laboured for it. You got it because you were born into the family and you have a father whose's got so much wealth for every one in the family to have a share. “For the earth is the Lords and the fullness threreof” (Ps.24:1).

 

The trouble with us in the Body of Christ today, is that, though we claimed to be born again, we do not know that we have a father and as such we ought to have an inheritance so as to live in it. Jesus taught the disciples to pray “ our father which art in Heaven”(Math.6:9) Which really means the Father belongs to all of us, His Father is our father too, we being joint heirs with Him and He being our eldest brother in he Family.

 

Even when we have come to know this fact of God been our father, we still religiously believe that the so called devil can rob us of our right though we are in the Father's house who has released to us what rightly belonged to us. And so we go about ‘devil chasing'. The truth is, whatever is ours, the devil can't take from us, unless it was not ours in the first place and it was not given to us by God.

You might be tempted to be thinking of the ‘prodigal' son here. Well you better be informed that, he chose to waste it and not the devils that rob him of it. But besides, when he came back to his mind and went back to the father's house, there was still more than enough for him. So what is this trouble of ‘devil chasing' all over the place instead of giving attention to the will and mind of the father for us?

 

Again, don't be tempted to think that, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (Jon.10:10) has anything to do with the so called devil. Jesus was not talking about the devil, but about the ministers of the gospel who will not come through Him as the door in practice and principle, to minister to the body –the sheepfold. When He said in verse 8. “ All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them”. Was He saying some devils came before Him that the people did not listen to or it was a reference to the religious ministers who claimed to have been sent from God even the Pharisees who sat on Moses seat? (Math,23:1-7).

Please read your Bible very well and stop picking information from ‘the box'.

 

Now, what has resulted today in the strife and competitive spirit that we now have within the body of Christ? It is because, we do not yet know what belongs to us individually, so we end up envying the other person as to what we feel they are enjoying that we think we do not have, all because we have left off minding our portion and that which belongs to us, and so there is no contentment. Any wonder then, that we are never happy with life and even the work we are doing, or the call that we are into to which the lord has called us?

 

Why then can't we discover our portion and be satisfied? Simply, because our eyes have still not been opened to know what belongs to us though we claimed to be born again.

 

“and from the power of Satan” —Beloved, please be diligent to observe this phrase. Can you see the connection between being "turned from darkness" and "from the power of Satan," What do you think is the strength of satan? It is simply keeping people in ignorance, ‘in the dark', That is simply his whole power over men, hence he is called "the ruler of the darkness of this world."

 

“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” 2Co 4:4.

 

“Of the saints in light” . In Jon. 3:17-19 we are told “ For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil ”

 

This is simple enough, that those who have received Christ are in the light and so they are accurately termed ‘the saints in light' because Christ is truly “… the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world... In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not ” Jon.1:9, 1:4-5.

 

So ‘ the saints in the light' are those that have presently been taken over by the Christ of God. It is a community of people who have so received the light that the Father sent into the world in order to redeem and transformed the world unto Himself. This is why God Himself is called “… the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” Jm.1:17.

 

In other words, every one of those lights in the kingdom is endowed with a unique gifting, properly fitted to manifest an aspect of His mind in the kingdom as released by the Father who doesn't deny anyone neither will do so at any time as long as you are in the kingdom and have so received the son whom He sent. You can not claim to be in the kingdom and be envious of any mans gift, for you have yours specially given to by the Father.

 

This is why John said “.. A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven” (Jon.3:27) When he was told by his disciples that Jesus whom he introduced is Baptizing and all men are coming to Him (Jon.3:27). Those who have discovered their place in the kingdom are at peace within themselves and in the Body of Christ.

 

And beyond that, Light, in the scriptures, is used to express knowledge, felicity, purity, comfort, and joy of unimaginable kind; Just as darkness stands for blindness, hatred, misery.

 

And so for those who are perverting the gospel, it is said;

“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isa.8:20).

As “They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof”.Job.24:13.

 

What light are we then talking about? The scriptures talking of Christ, said “ …light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”(Jon.3:19).

 

And this state of not coming into the light is called condemnation (krisis, kree'-sis) decision (subj. or obj., for or against); by ext., a tribunal; by impl, justice (esp, divine law):--accusation, condemnation, damnation, judgment.

 

By implication, those who refused to come to the light-Christ because of what they believe and trust in, have received to themselves divine judgment of exclusion from the rights, privileges and the favour of sonship now, not just in the ages to come. Judgment therefore is not just a matter of tomorrow, but even now for refusing the light of God.

 

And of course we do know that, the holy and gracious persons, that walk uprightly, certainly love the light; in other words, they delight to have their thoughts, words, and actions, tried by the light of the word, because they proceed from the Father ; in whose presence they dwell. They live out the direction of the word of God, and with a single eye and with a sincere motive, aiming at the glory of Father.

 

It must therefore be observed that, the word of God, the very gospel of Jesus Christ, has all the properties of a great and true light. With such a pure and purifying nature, that is revealing and discovering in nature. As a double edged sword, it has the piercing capacity power, and penetrating virtue; that enters into the darkest recesses of the soul, and detects the errors of men's judgments, as well as discovers the abnormalities of men's lifestyle.

So now, as we talk about the saints in the light and the power of darkness, it is here being used to make a difference between those in the darkness of the world of sin ruled by the power of evil as compared to Egypt-the world, and the Children of Israel –the Church-(Zion), who had light in the midst of darkness.

Therefore we found that, the worldly, the unredeemed, the unenlightened being, is the ones that make satan their god (Php 3:19 ). He is, itruly " the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that ruleth in the children of disobedience" (Eph 2:2)

 

So also by the phrase “ that they may receive forgiveness” ... “ and inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith that is in me” we do understand, beloved of the Lord, that the instrument that guaranteed you, your inheritance in the Father's house is the power of Faith. Now the first thing that faith guarantees you in the process of your salvation is forgiveness , and then your admission as a free citizen into the home of the sanctified. But the faith leads you into all these, is the one that is released to us by the glorified Redeemer to rest upon Himself, hence this ‘FAITH', is spoken of as that “even THAT WHICH IS IN ME”. It can't be drummed up, by human and religious methods of ‘seven steps to great faith'. This is rather an impartation from the Lord Himself. And it is called the ‘ goodness and mercies of God' “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance”? (Rom.2:4).

 

This is why for those of us who have come to this realization, that our salvation is not a matter of our personal choice and desire, and the inheritance thereof, that we have come into is all from and through the Lord, all that we owe the Lord is ‘Thanksgiving' “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light” Col.1:12.

 

Why are we giving thanks to the Father?, it is because, of ourselves we merit nothing, but all things have come to us by the mercies and goodwill of God the Father who deemed it fit to get us back to Himself.

 

“For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it” 1 Cor.4:7.

“For who do you know that really knows you, knows your heart?.And even if they did, is there anything they would discover in you that you could take credit for?Isn't everything you are sheer gifts fromGod?..” The Message.

 

Furthermore, when read of “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son”

 

The word Delivered . Is the Greek word “ rhoumai,” which actually means to to rush or draw (for oneself), i.e. rescue:-deliver(-er) , indicating to us that

the redemptive work of God in Christ is a rescue operation, as God in His love and mercies snatches us from the ruling power of darkness that we were once under.

from--Greek, "out of the power," the sphere or the realm in which the power of satan is exercised. The major manifestations of satanic power through ignorance, is that, it is restrictive , abusive and stagnates its reluctant captives, while those in the kingdom of light are cherished, nourished and are provided for by their merciful and loving king as they willingly submit unto Him as His subjects.

 

In the light of the above understanding of where and who we are right now, we are admonished in 1 Thes. 2:12. That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

 

Firstly, let us observe that, it didn't say we shall be called, but we have been called into the kingdom already.

 

Now, “That ye would walk worthy of God” Simply means that, those of us in the kingdom should, in every respect, act up to the high calling that the Father has bestowed upon us, such that our attitude and conduct both in the house of faith and among the gentiles would not bring a reproach to the name and God of holiness and love, who have acknowledge us as His sons and daughters in the world. What should constitute this worthy walk? Paul in answer to this would say in Eph.4:1-6;-

 

“ In light of all this, here's what I want you to do. While I'm locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk-better yet, run!- on the road God called you to travel. I don't walk any of you sitting around on your hands. I don't want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark you do this with humility and discipline-not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences. You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, work through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with oneness”. The Message.

 

Apostle Peter adds his voice to this when he said;- “Friends, this world is not your home, so don't make yourselves cozy I it. Don't indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an examlary life among the natives so thatyour actions will refute their prejudices. Then they'll be worn over to God's side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives”(1 Pet.2:11-12).

 

Albert Barnes commenting on this would say;- “A child "walks worthy of a parent" when he lives in such way as to reflect honour on that parent for the method in which he has trained him; when he so lives as to bring no disgrace on him, so as not to pain his heart by misconduct, or so as to give no occasion to any to speak reproachfully of him. This he does, when

 

(1.) He keeps all his commands;

 

(2.) When he leads a life of purity and virtue;

 

(3.) When he carries out the principles of the family into his own life;

 

(4.) When he honours a father by evincing a profound respect for his

opinions; and

 

(5.) When he endeavours to provide for his comfort, and to promote his welfare. In a manner similar to this, a true Christian honours God. He lives so as not to bring a reproach upon him or his cause and so as to teach the world to honour him who has bestowed such grace upon him”. end quote.

 

And when we read of “ His Kingdom and glory”. That is another way of saying ‘His Glorious kingdom' which actually is His Church here and now, for that is the medium of the expression of God's kingdom amongst men; and of course we do know that the dispensation of grace in His church will lead to a greater glory in the ages to come.

 

Evidently therefore, “ the kingdom of His dear son” is the same thing as “ the kingdom of sons” because, He rules through the church, if only the church can understand this fact the she might brace up to this divine responsibility even as we read;-

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: {in...: or, for the acknowledgement}

The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, {his mighty power: Gr. the might of his power}

Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all” Eph.1:17-23.

 

“And he has put all things under his feet, and has made him to be head over all things to the church,

Which is his body, the full measure of him in whom all things are made complete”.(22-23). BBE

 

“God has put all things under His feet, and has appointed Him universal and supreme Head of the Church, which is His Body,

the completeness of Him who everywhere fills the universe with Himself”. WNT.

 

“ The Church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the Church. The Church is Christ body, in which He SPEAKS and ACTS, by which He fills everything with His presence.” (The Message). Emphasis mine.

 

The word ‘ Peripheral' means, marginal, unimportant, side-line, minor nonessential and secondary . In other word, the Church does not need the world, but the world needs the Church to survive.

 

It simply means the dominion of Christ over the universe can not be made known except through the Church, for He has filled the Church with Himself. Therefore we are called to manifest the kingdom lifestyle, and the dominion of the kingdom in and to the world.

 

 

Chapter Eleven

‘IN THE KINGDOM OF HIS DEAR SON'?

THE DIVINE GOVERNMENT

Once the word kingdom is mentioned, then we must be thinking of Governance. For no kingdom can exist without Government-rulership, if you will.

And like we have mentioned earlier, ‘the kingdom of His dear son' is the same thing as “the kingdom of sons”, reason because, He is ruling through the sons-His church.

Now, a Government can only be formed out of citizenship. You must first become a citizen of a nation or kingdom before you become among those that constitute the government, in this case the Divine Government of God in His kingdom.

In Rev.20:6.we read of “ Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years ”.

On the rulership of the priest, I recommend you study J.Preston Eby's work on “From The Candle Sticks To The Throne”

 

But the fact I want to draw out from the above passage is that, the Priesthood is made up of the Elect, while those born again are the citizens. You can see this clearly in man's democratic principles and practice of governance, when those that are elected are empowered to take on the rein of leadership and to rule the rest of the citizens.

But in God's Divine Government, the Priest are not Elected or voted for, but they are rather chosen by God Himself as we can read in the case of the Levites and even Aaron as the High Priest and that of Christ . “For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins….. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee”.Heb.5:1-5.

 

And so in, Eph.2:10-12,19 we read in regards to our citizenship. “ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them

Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world-- Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God”;

The word fellow –citizen- sumpolites, means a native of the same town, i.e. (fig) co-religionist (fellow-Christian):--fellow- citizen . A citizen has the right to vote,

Whereas the word –stranger- xenos, alien, a guest , and this man cannot vote constitutionally until the citizenship has been conferred on him. Meaning tha,t those who are born again, has constitutional right in the word and will of God both to made demands and change things in this world using the will of God-the Bible, which is what we called, Governmental prayer . That is exactly what Daniel did in Babylon . Even Joseph has to manifest his kingdom right as a market place minister in Governance in Egypt .

People make the mistake of thinking that they have to be a gospel preacher-man of God? Before they can change things in the world. That is far from the truth, all you need to make changes governmentally is to align yourself with the will and mind of God for that season and in that Nation, after you have obtained your heavenly citizenship by being born again into the kingdom.

 

OUR CITIZENSHIP IS HEAVENLY.

 

“ But ye are come unto mount Sion , and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem , and to an innumerable company of angels,

To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,” Heb 12:22-23

 

“For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ” Php 3:20.

 

“ But ther's far more to life for us. We're citizens of high heaven!..” The Message.

 

People of God, let understanding be granted us that, the citizenship of those born again is not a tomorrow issue, but right now in a heavenly state of being. The word comversaton as we read from Phil.3:20 is politeuma, which means “ community, citizenship” What it means therefore is that, the body of Christ to which we belong is presently existing in a heavenly state by way of Character, attitude and norms as opposed to earthly the Government and lifestyle of men. It has nothing to do whatsoever with our relocating latter to a geographical location called heaven above when we die. This has never being in the intents of God for His people as that itself will violate his thought for creating man to not only have Dominion over everything that He God has created, but that Man should inhabit the earth.

Isaiah prophesied about this fact when he said, “ I have made the earth, and created man upon it : I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded. I have raised him up in righteousness , and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the LORD of hosts… For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none els”. Isa.45:12,13,18.

 

The above scripture proved beyond doubt that the earth was not created in vain, but it is created to be inhabited by man. The very redeemed enchrist man, for when he said, ‘ I have raised him up in verse 3, it was in direct reference to king Cyrus in verse 1, whom he called His ANOINTED, because of the assignment He has given to him to carry out in the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple wall that were fallen down.(44:28). And Cyrus is this sense is a type of the glorified church that shall be raised up upon the face of the earth, to which all nations shall come bowing down and submitting their resources unto the lord through her, for the building as it were the tabernacle of God-man, that is fallen down. Such that God shall truly have a place of worship again on the face of the earth.

Jesus Himself confirmed this fact of man inhabiting the earth, and even went further to add that it is not just a question of inhabiting the earth, but man inheriting it, meaning the earth was given to man by God for an inheritance. Listen to Him.

“ Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth” Math.5:5 .

 

Paul also knew this, so he said;

“ For the promise, that he (Abraham) should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith”. Rom.4:13.

And we are Abraham seed by faith, for “ And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise”. Gal.3:29.

If we be heir, what are we to inherit then? But only that which is promised to our Father and that of course is the world-earth.

 

 

So the belief of you going up into the sky later on in life, denies you your right as a citizen right now to effect changes around you and in the world as operators of Gods kingdom Government.

“ And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

And hast made us unto our God kings and priests : and we shall reign on the earth” Rev.5:9-10)

 

From the scripture, we reiterate the fact that the Priest are the Elect that are formed into the Divine Government out of the citizen of a nation. The Kings are those in rulership in the market places, in contact with the world every day, while the priest functions within the body.

This shows that, there are some with real sphere of influence in the market place just like even in the priesthood, there are spheres of influence, for;-

“Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles”? 1 Cor.12:29.

 

Beloved, the “ time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is a hand: repent ye, and BELIEVE THE GOSPEL”.