Sunday, 31 March 2024

Kingdom principles (Part 2)

 


Chapter 5 

KINGDOM CONCEPT #2 

UNDERSTANDING THE KINGDOM CONCEPT OF LORD




The word dominion refers to a king’s authority—his power; the word domain refers to the territory, the property, the geographical area over which his authority extends. A king exercises authority (dominion) over a specific geographical area (domain) and within that area his authority is absolute. Without a domain there is no king. To put it another way, if kingship has to do with authority, then lordship has to do with ownership.


Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is He, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty—He is the King of glory (Psalm 24:7-10).

If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9). By “saved,” Paul means redeemed, bought back, salvaged, restored from the estrangement of our rebellion against God the King into a right relationship with Him. 

But if we say, “Jesus is Lord,” what does that mean in practical terms? What does it mean to live under a “lord”? The only experience most westerners have with a lord of any kind is with a landlord. If you now live or have ever lived in rental property, you know that the landlord is the landowner (or the landowner’s direct representative who exercises the landowner’s authority, which amounts to the same thing), the person you pay rent to and to whom you are accountable for the way you treat his property. Why? Because you do not own the property; the landlord does.

If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me (Luke 9:23b).
If Jesus is Lord, He must receive first priority in your life. He is above every other love and every other loyalty. He is above every goal, dream, and ambition. You cannot be a disciple and say, “Lord, first let me…” He must be first…in everything.

 
Living under a Lord also means giving up all concepts of personal ownership. This does not mean you have to sell your house or sell your car or give away all your personal possessions. It does mean learning not to take a proprietary view toward these things.

What happens when we think of ourselves as owners? In our dog-eat-dog culture it means we feel we have to fight for what we get, hoard what we have, and guard it anxiously from fear that someone will take it away. And our neighbors do the same thing. We live in fear of economic downturns, inflation, downsizing, and never having enough. This is not Kingdom thinking!

In the Kingdom of Heaven, there is no economic crisis and there are no shortages. With a King who owns everything, how could there be? When we relinquish our sense of ownership and acknowledge God as the Owner and ourselves as stewards, it relieves us of the pressure of having to worry about how we are going to make it because we are now depending on Him for our welfare. And He is a benevolent and generous Lord of infinite resources. Relinquishing ownership then also puts us into the position of full access to those resources. As we learn to give and receive and transfer at His will, He shares with us freely and abundantly. But a hoarding sense of personal ownership that shouts, “Mine!” cuts us off from those same resources. Which position would you rather be in? Letting go of personal ownership also nourishes and releases a generous spirit within us. If we are only stewards and not owners, we can give freely as the Lord has given freely to us, knowing that He, who has no limitations, can replace what we give to others. His reputation as King and Lord rides on how well He cares for His citizens and He will give special care to those citizens who reflect His character by giving as He gives.

As a matter of fact, the best time to give is when things are tight personally because that is when you acknowledge that He owns even what you don’t have. The greatest sign that you truly believe that Jesus is Lord is by how much you are willing to get rid of. You have learned how to live under a Lord when you can give freely without regret, or fear and say to the Lord of all with a joyful and willing spirit, “It’s all Yours! It’s all Yours!” 

Chapter 6
KINGDOM CONCEPT #3 
UNDERSTANDING THE KINGDOM CONCEPT OF TERRITORY

The word kingdom derives from the phrase “king domain.” Domain refers to the property, the territory over which a king exercises his dominion.
Heaven is a real Kingdom with a real government. The fact that its primary realm encompasses the spiritual dimension of creation does not make it any less real. But the realm of the Kingdom of Heaven also takes in the natural world. God designed it this way when He created the earth and then fashioned man in His own image to rule it for Him. The sequence of events here is very important. God envisioned man to be a king in his own right, but a king is not a king unless he has territory over which to rule. So God prepared the territory first—the earth—and then brought forth man. God placed man on the earth and told him, “I am giving you dominion over this physical domain. You have authority over every acre of land and sea and over every creature that inhabits the earth. Rule it freely as My legal representative.” A careful review of the model prayer of our Lord Jesus reveals that it specifically identifies the location of the Father and King of Heaven: “Our father who is in Heaven….” His location is the key to our power and authority on earth. If He comes to earth, we lose our privileged position. Mankind was designed to serve as a corporate rulership of kings representing their Father, the King of Heaven, in the colony called earth.
 That ideal arrangement was shattered, however, when man  Kingdom Concept #3 115 rebelled against God, abdicated his regency, and passed control of his realm to a demonic usurper, a fallen angel who had no right or authority to take it. God’s purpose isunchanging. He created man for rulership, and so immediately set into motion His plan to restore to man the Kingdom he had lost. The Bible lays out a detailed record of the historical outworking of God’s plan
The domain of earth is mankind’s legal right, power, and authority of rulership. When God said, “Let them have dominion,” He transferred the legal rights to the earth to us. He did not say, “Let us have dominion,” including Himself, because He already had His dominion in heaven. He said, “Let them have dominion over that territory called earth. I’m going to rule heaven; My kids are going to rule earth. I’m going to be King of heaven; they’re going to be king of the earth. I’m going to be Sovereign of heaven; they’re going to be sovereign of earth.” The dominion of earth is our legal right. We have a right to be here and God gave us that right. So many believers look forward to going to heaven, but I look forward to coming back to rule the “new earth” that God will fashion when this earth passes away! (see Rev. 21:1). Heaven is fine, and it will be a glorious place, but ultimately it is not where we belong. In heaven we have no legal authority to rule; it is God’s domain. We were made for the earth, and that is where our place of dominion will be in the life to come.

BINDING AND LOOSING 

This transfer of ruling authority over the earth from God to man has major implications for all of us regarding our daily circumstances and our relationship to our society and culture Every human being on earth who is a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven. God is not to blame for human evil and suffering. We brought these things on ourselves by our own selfishness and rebellious spirit. God wants to help but won’t intervene unless invited to do so by Kingdom citizens who know their dominion authority. Through prayer we invite God to act in our domain. This is what Jesus meant when He said: I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven (Matthew 18:18).

Seeing life from this perspective will require a major change of mind-set for most people. We have to learn, we have to train, we have to be taught to think this way. A change of mind is what the Bible calls “repentance.” So now the words of Jesus become much clearer when He says, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matt. 4:17). He is saying, “Change your mind! Stop thinking like the world with its inadequacies and inequities, and start thinking like a Kingdom citizen! Stop operating from a worldly mind-set of “never enough” and start operating from a Kingdom mind-set of “more than enough”! The Kingdom of Heaven is here and everything has changed!”


Chapter Seven 
KINGDOM CONCEPT #4 
UNDERSTANDING THE KINGDOM CONCEPT OF CONSTITUTION

The constitution of a kingdom is the documented will, purposes, and intent of the king. It expresses the king’s personal desires for his kingdom and sets out the principles under which the kingdom will operate as well as establishing the manner and conditions of how the king will relate to his people and they to him. A kingdom constitution is stamped with the essence of the nature, character, and personality of the king.This is why it is always good to have a king who is righteous, benevolent, and compassionate, with a genuine concern for the welfare of his citizens.

. A contract generated by the people is a democracy, the complete opposite of a kingdom. A royal contract, on the other hand, originates completely and exclusively in the heart, mind, and will of the king. His citizens have no input concerning the terms or conditions of the contract.

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, in Our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground” (Genesis 1:26-28).

This is why God would make a statement like: For I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me , and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you… (Jeremiah 29:11-14).

That is why I call the Bible the constitution of the Kingdom of heaven. It is even divided into two sections called the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Bible, then, comprises God’s documented thoughts concerning His citizens—His expressed will, desire, and intent for the human race.
SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF THE KINGDOM CONSTITUTION 
1. The source of the constitution is the king, not the citizens. Whereas the Constitution of the United States begins with the words, “We the people…” the constitution of God’s Kingdom says, “I, the Lord…” We who live in democratic states can always amend our constitution because we, the people, created it. But we cannot change God’s constitution because we didn’t write it. That is why I believe the biggest conflict in the coming years will be between the Kingdom and religion. Religious people keep trying to adjust God’s constitution. They debate it and discuss it and become embarrassed or angry over parts they don’t like. Sometimes they even change it or water it down to make it more palatable for modern spiritual tastes. This is absolute foolishness. The King of Heaven established the constitution for His Kingdom and only He can change it. But He won’t. He is eternally unchanging, and so is His Word, because the King and His Word are the same. It says so right in the constitution:

2. The constitution contains the benefits and privileges of the citizens. It spells out the advantages that come with being a Kingdom citizen as well as everything the citizens can expect from the King. In the Bible, these often take the form of promises. Here are just a few: Do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:31-33).

3. The king obligates himself to the tenets of the constitution. A king and his word are the same, and when he speaks, his word becomes the constitution. So when a king’s word is spoken (or written down), the king is obligated to carry it out. That is why the Bible states that whatever God says, He will do and whatever He promises, He will bring to pass. Once the King of heaven speaks, it is as good as done. God cannot fail to keep His Word, for if He did, He would cease to be God.

4. The constitution contains the rights established by the king for the citizens. In addition to the benefits and privileges accruing to Kingdom citizens, the constitution also delineates and sets forth their rights. Rights in a constitution are important because they are the grounds for making law, which is the next stage. If I said to you, “I give you my car, my house, and my boat,” I have just expressed my will. If I then document it on paper, it becomes a testament and your constitution.

If God says, “I will bless you, I will prosper you, I will make your name great…” that’s constitution. If He then says, “…if you obey Me and keep My word, and walk uprightly,” He has given you laws that set the conditions for the benefits and privileges to apply. The government says you are free to do commerce, to lease, to buy property, etc., as long as you pay taxes, do not break the law, obey the social order, and respect people’s property. They give you all these constitutional rights, but they are contingent upon your honoring the laws. The Kingdom of Heaven is no different

5. The constitution cannot be changed by the citizens—only by the king. This principle should be perfectly clear by now and needs no further elaboration.

6. The constitution is the reference for life in the kingdom. How are Kingdom citizens supposed to live? What are the values, the ethics, the moral code, and standards of behavior for citizens of the Kingdom, and where can they be found? In the constitution. God’s standards for life in His Kingdom are found throughout the Bible. Such standards as these: You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol.You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God….Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy….Honor your father and your mother….You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. You shall not covet… (Exodus 20:3-17).

And: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3-10). 7. The constitution contains the statutes of the kingdom. Statutes are fixed, predictable standards. “Teach me Your statutes,” King David of Israel says. Normally, where the word “statutes” shows up, you will find “laws” in the same sentence. Statutes give the physical image of law. That’s why we call a carving in stone a statue. Or we call it animage. Image is the same as statue. A statue is permanent. A statue means simply a fixed, predictable image or standard. Think about a statue in your town. When it rains does the statue change? What if it snows? What if the temperature tops 100 degrees? If you spit on it, curse it, hate it, does the statue change? Of course not. It remains the same no matter what.

Chapter Eight 
KINGDOM CONCEPT #5 UNDERSTANDING THE KINGDOM CONCEPT OF LAW

I n any civil society, the “rule of law” is the bedrock of order and social justice. In addition to being a constitution, then, the Bible is also the law book of the Kingdom of Heaven.The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the  Kingdom Principles 142 comb. By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward (Psalm 19:7-11). What does the “law of the Lord” do for us? It revives our spirit, gives us wisdom, and fills us with joy. It enlightens our minds and emboldens us with confidence because of its permanence and uprightness. It enriches us with wealth much greater than earthly riches and leaves a sweet taste in our mouths. It warns us against danger and foolishness that could destroy our lives and places us on the path to “great reward.” If we allow it, the “law of the Lord” will nourish us thoroughly body, soul, and spirit. Jesus said: It is written: “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).

SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF LAW 

1. All creation was designed to function by inherent principles. Inherent means “built-in”; existent from the beginning. Scientists speak of the laws of nature, the laws of physics, the laws of gravitation, the laws of thermodynamics, and many other laws to explain how nature works. In this sense, laws are observable, measurable, and repeatable because they never change. 

2. These principles are called “natural law.” Natural law has to do with laws concerning the nature of a thing. Violation of natural law, on the other hand, leads to dysfunction. Take a fish out of water and it will malfunction. It will die because a fish is designed to live and breathe in the water, not out of it. So natural law is very important; it is the standard for determining effective function. 

3. Laws are the key to successful existence and a guarantee of fulfillment of purpose. Obedience to laws promotes prosperity and ensures success. All a bird has to do to fulfill its purpose is fly and reproduce; both of these functions are governed by natural laws. It is no different with us. As long as we acknowledge the laws of God and submit ourselves willingly to living by and obeying them, we too will succeed and fulfill our purpose in God’s design. We will realize our full potential. 

4. Laws protect purpose. When we obey laws, we protect the purpose for which we were born. As long as a fish stays in water, it will be able to survive and prosper. As long as a seed stays in the soil, it will sprout, grow, and prosper. As long as a bird stays in the air and there is space to fly, it will fulfill its purpose and prosper. As long as we obey the laws of God, we too will live and grow and prosper. Please understand that when I talk about obeying God’s laws in order to live and prosper, I am not suggesting that we can “earn” right standing with God by doing good works or by strictly observing some code of rules or statutes. The only way to be rightly aligned with God is by changing our mind and turning away from our rebellion against Him (which the Bible calls “repentance”), placing our trust in Jesus’ death to remove the guilt of our rebellion (giving up our self-reliance), and acknowledging Him as Lord (Owner) of our lives. By obeying God’s laws, I mean living in willing submission to Him as King and Lord and honoring His Word as the unchanging standard of reference for our lives. So then, what laws of God are we to obey? All of them, of course, and there are many. But here are the two most important: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength (Deuteronomy 6:5). Love your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 19:18b). Jesus Himself identified these as the two most important commandments in the law of God. Kingdom ambassador Paul, in context with a discussion about the responsibility of Kingdom citizens toward civic earthly authority, commented on this second verse, saying: Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law (Romans 13:10). Obey the law and it protects you. Disobey the law and you risk sacrificing your purpose. 

5. Laws are the conditions of covenant. They are the terms under which, if followed, the covenant will operate. Virtually everything we buy these days comes with a covenant of laws and conditions called a “warranty.” The manufacturer guarantees that if the product is used in accordance with the specified terms and conditions of operation or function, it will perform as designed. If those terms and conditions are violated, the warranty “covenant” is nullified, and if the product then malfunctions, the manufacturer is free of responsibility. It is no different in the Kingdom of Heaven. The King’s covenant with us specifies blessings and benefits for compliance as well as consequences and penalties for noncompliance. As long as we observe the conditions of the covenant, all the blessings and benefits of the covenant are operative in our lives. If we violate the covenant, the “blessings clause” shuts down and the “consequences clause” kicks in. 


THE MEANING OF LAW 

What exactly is “law”? The most basic Hebrew word for “law” is torah, which also means, in addition to “law,” direction and instruction. In time, the word torah was used to refer to the entire body of law that Moses received from God on Mt. Sinai and passed along to the Israelites. In this usage, torah means “the law,” “the direction,” and even “the Law of the Lord.”1 In the New Testament we find two basic Greek words used for “law.” The first of these is nomos, which means “to divide out, distribute” and also “that which is assigned.” It gradually came to mean “usage” and “custom” and, eventually, “lawas prescribed by custom, or by statute.”2 This is the word from which we get our English word norm. Whatever becomes accepted as a norm in our society eventually becomes a law of our society

Depending on the nature of the idea or behavior, this process could be very dangerous because we as a society could end up endorsing and normalizing evil or immorality. This is precisely what has happened and is happening in western culture with regard to such issues as homosexual rights, homosexual marriage, abortion rights, assisted suicide, embryonic stem cell research, and the like.

Chapter Nine 

KINGDOM CONCEPT # 6 
UNDERSTANDING THE KINGDOM CONCEPT OF KEYS


Every nation and social civil society functions on laws and customs that make that society work. These functions depend on the constitution and a body law that create a context and reference for social behavior and relating to the government and other members of the society. The result is a culture of laws and principles that serve as regulations, values, morals, and standards that govern the citizen’s relationship with the authority structure and its disposition as it relates to expectations within the constitutional framework. In essence, all nations and kingdoms contain inherent principles and laws that must be adhered to by each citizen in order for the citizen to benefit from his citizenship privileges and rights. These laws and principles are called by Jesus, “Keys of the Kingdom."

We have a big bunch of “keys” called “Scriptures” that most of us don’t know how to use. We have the keys, but we don’t know which key unlocks which lock. It’s like having all of this information but not knowing how to use it, having all of this power available to us but not knowing how to apply it. This is because most believers lack a proper Kingdom mind-set. Life in the Kingdom is really about returning to the governing authority of God in the earth and learning how to live and function in that authority. Part of understanding the Kingdom is learning how to use the keys of the Kingdom. The Kingdom of Heaven is God’s desire and purpose for us. Jesus said: Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom (Luke 12:32).

Our Father, the King of heaven, has given us the Kingdom. It is ours. In fact, Jesus Himself brought the Kingdom to us. It was His main purpose in coming to earth in human flesh. We receive the Kingdom through His death. The moment we turn from our rebellion against God and place our trust in Christ to salvage us from the consequences of that rebellion, we become naturalized citizens of the Kingdom of heaven, with all the rights, benefits, and privileges that come with it. But how do we appropriate our rights? How do we enter into the full enjoyment of our benefits and privileges? What are the keys to effective living in the Kingdom?

KEYS OF THE KINGDOM 

One day Jesus asked His disciples, His inner circle of 12 most intimate followers, the most important question He would ever ask them. When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” He asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by My Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:13-19).

Then Jesus says that upon the “rock” of Peter’s confession of faith, He will build His “church.” The Greek word for “church” is ecclesia, a word that is widely misunderstood. Because it is translated here as “church,” most people believe that ecclesia is a religious word. It is not. Ecclesia is a governmental term. It literally means “called-out ones” and was used by the Greeks to refer to the senate or other political groups that were chosen by the “democrat,” or government.

In the Roman Empire, the senate—the ecclesia—was like the cabinet in a modern democracy. The senate was the powerhouse. These individuals were handpicked by the emperor to receive his thoughts, his desires, his passion, and his intent. Their job was to take the mind of the king and turn it into legislation that could be implemented in the kingdom. In other words, they were to know his mind and see that everything he wished was carried out. This meant that they had to stay in close contact with him. They had to talk to him, and he had to give them information about what he wanted in the kingdom. The fact that Jesus used ecclesia to describe the body of followers that He was establishing tells us two things. First, the word church itself is a political rather than a religious term. And second, this entire discussion about keys and about binding and loosing is not a religious but a political discussion.

In effect, Jesus was saying, “In the same way that Caesar is lord of his government, and has created his senate, his ecclesia, his cabinet, I also will build My cabinet on the fact that I am the Christ, the “anointed king,” the Lord of lords and Son of the living God.” He said to Peter, “Upon the ‘rock’ of your confession of who I am, I will build My government. I will build My senate, My cabinet, My administrators who will carry out My wishes and My will.” So Jesus established not a religion but a political force.

The ecclesia, therefore, is a secret group entrusted with secret information critical for the operation of the Kingdom. This group will be so powerful that even the “gates of hades will not overcome it.” Another way to translate that phrase is, “the gates of hades will not prove stronger than it.” Even hell itself will not be as strong as the ecclesia that Jesus is establishing
What is this “secret information” that Jesus gives His cabinet? He says, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” He gives them—gives us—the keys of the Kingdom, not the keys to the Kingdom. As Kingdom citizens, we are already in the Kingdom; we don’t need the keys to it. What we need—and what Jesus has given us—are the keys of the Kingdom—the keys that will unlock the power of the Kingdom and make it work in our lives. Kingdom citizens and only Kingdom citizens have these keys. Citizenship in the Kingdom is a prerequisite for getting them. What this means is that we who are Kingdom citizens are supposed to be operating on a level that blows other people’s minds. We should have access to a power that mystifies those who are not yet in the Kingdom. We are supposed to be living life at a certain level where we are tapping into resources that others cannot explain.

KNOWLEDGE OF THE SECRETS 

The key to keys is not having keys. The key to keys is knowledge, knowing what the keys are for and how to use them. On another occasion Jesus told His “cabinet”: The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you (Luke 8:10a). The Kingdom of heaven is not a secret society, but its keys have to be learned. A secret is anything you don’t know, especially if somebody else does. Miracles fall into this category. A miracle is something that humans cannot explain, an event or occurrence that seems to defy the laws of nature. These men had seen Jesus walk on water, heal the sick, raise the dead, shrivel a tree by speaking to it, calm a storm, multiply bread, and many other “miraculous” things that were beyond the ken of human experience. But to Jesus, none of these were miracles. He said, “These are no miracles; I’m just using keys. I know how to put them in the locks, and they are unlocking prosperity, unlocking healing, unlocking peace, unlocking authority. Watch Me and you will see the Kingdom at work, and also how it should work for you. My Father has given you the knowledge of the secrets of the Kingdom. I will teach you how to use the keys.” Jesus left no doubt that the Kingdom was supposed to work for His ecclesia just as it worked for Him, for on the night before His death He told them: I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in Me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask Me for anything in My name, and I will do it (John 14:12-14). Jesus’ ecclesia (which includes us) was going to do the same things He was doing—and more—because the Holy Spirit who would come after. He was gone would teach them the keys of the Kingdom and how to use them. One significant key is embedded in this passage: the key to opening the “warehouse” of Heaven. The key that opens that lock is prayer—asking in Jesus’ name—and whatever and anything we ask will be done. That is a wide-open promise, but it is not a way to gratify our own selfish wants and desires. We must use the right key. We must ask in Jesus’ name—according to His will and in line with His purpose. That is what will open Heaven’s floodgates. The twelve disciples of Jesus had already seen this key activated in unforgettable fashion the day Jesus fed five thousand people with fives loaves of bread and two fish. The crowd had been with Jesus all day listening to His teaching. Now it was late in the day, and they were hungry. Jesus’ disciples suggested He send them away into the villages to get food, but Jesus has another idea. He was preparing to teach them how to use a key: Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” “We have here only five loaves of bread  and two fish,” they answered. “Bring them here to Me,” He said. And He directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children (Matthew 14:16-21 emphasis added). Jesus used this situation to test His disciples to see if they picked up on the secrets. He said, “You feed them.” That was the test. They should have asked, “Which key do we use?” Instead, they said, “All we have is….” They were limited by what they could see. But in the Kingdom of Heaven we walk not by sight but by faith. The lesson Jesus wanted them (and us) to learn is that when you know the keys to the Kingdom secrets, you will never again say, “All I have is….” Look at the progression: Jesus looked up toward heaven and gave thanks. He put in the key of prayer and unlocked the warehouse. Then He broke the bread, gave it to His disciples, and they distributed it among the people. It should work for us the same way. Through prayer in Jesus’ name (the key), we unlock Heaven’s warehouse. The King Himself draws forth from its abundance and gives it to us, and we then give it to others. But we have to know the key that opens the warehouse. That knowledge is Christ’s promise to us: “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you.” 

SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF KEYS 

Knowledge leads to understanding. Once we know the principles behind keys, we can understand how they work in the Kingdom. There are several principles that define the properties of keys.


1. Keys represent authority. 
    If you possess a key to a place, it means you have authority in that place. Suppose your boss entrusts     you with a key to the store or the office. By doing so, he shows not only that he trusts you but also t       that he has delegated a certain amount of authority to you. The key to your house means you have         authority there. The key to your car gives you authority to drive whenever you want to. Christ says,     “I am giving you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. I am giving you authority in heaven, the same     authority I have.” What an awesome gift! Few of us have done more than just scratch the surface in         learning what this means. 

2. Keys represent access. 
     A key gives you instant access to everything that key opens. The secret is in knowing what the key         opens. The keys of the Kingdom of Heaven give us immediate access to all the resources of heaven.     But we have to know how to use them. So often we limit ourselves by trusting or believing only in         what we can see with our eyes or reason out with our minds. A Kingdom mind-set completely                 changes our perspective. When a pagan king sent his army to capture the Hebrew prophet Elisha, the     prophet’s servant was terrified one morning to find the army surrounding the city. “Oh, my lord, what     shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are     more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.”             Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots     of fire all around Elisha. As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Strike         these people with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked (2 Kings 6:15b-       18).Elisha’s servant was frightened by what he saw around him, but he didn’t have a key. Elisha had     a key, unlocked heaven, and brought down an angelic host to protect them. The prophet tapped into a     principle that took him to a system that made that pagan army look like toy soldiers by comparison.         When you have the keys of the Kingdom, you have no lack and no crisis because the King is greater     than them all. Jesus said He would teach us to walk in that kind of authority, access, and confidence. 

3. Keys represent ownership
Possession of a key gives you de facto ownership of whatever that key opens. Therefore, when you possess the keys of the Kingdom of heaven, you have ownership of heaven on earth. Jesus said, “Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” In other words, you own on earth whatever is going on in Heaven. This means that you should never judge how your life is going simply by your circumstances. Suppose you get laid off from your job. It would be easy to get scared and stressed out because you have a family and bills to pay and no money. That’s your circumstances. As a Kingdom citizen with the keys of the Kingdom, however, you have ownership of heaven on earth. You can be confident and even rejoice in the prospect of a bright future because you have a source of supply and provision that those outside the Kingdom cannot even conceive. So go have a prosperity party! The King is preparing to bless and prosper you from a completely unexpected direction. When you “own” the resources of the King, you are never destitute. 

4. Keys represent control. If you possess the key to something, you control it. You control when it opens, when it closes, and who gets access to it. A key helps you control time. In other words, you decide whether to open it up at 8:00 or 10:00 or 6:00 or whenever. This gives you control over when something comes. If you need something now, you operate a key. One day the Hebrew prophet Elijah met a poor widow gathering sticks at the town gate. This was during a severe drought. He asked her for a drink of water and a piece of bread. “As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.” Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord gives rain on the land.’” She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah (1 Kings 17:12-16). The truth of the widow’s circumstances was that she and her son were about to starve. Elijah approaches and makes a bold, some might even say selfish, request: “I know you don’t have much, but feed me first and then yourself and your son. Trust in the Lord; He will take care of you.” This was not selfishness. Elijah was offering the woman a key. Once she took it, she had control. By faith and obedience she unlocked heaven’s larder and brought down for herself and her family supernatural provision that sustained them until the drought ended. Her entire life and mind-set shifted from the circumstances of want and privation to a Kingdom perspective of unlimited abundance. 

5. Keys represent authorization. This is similar to number 1. Authorization means to be given the authority to act in the name or in the stead of whoever gave you the authority. “The boss authorized me to do this….” Possession of keys means that you are authorized to act in the name and authority of the one who owns the keys. By giving us the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, Jesus gives us the authority to influence Heaven. He has authorized us to act in His name and on His authority to request whatever we wish that is in accordance with His will and purpose. 

6. Keys represent power. Whoever gives you keys gives you power at the same time. This is similar to control. You have control—power—over whatever you possess the keys for. If you know how to use the keys, whatever they unlock is at your disposal. The keys to your house give you the power to come and go and to allow or disallow others to enter. When Jesus gave us the keys to the kingdom, He gave us power in Heaven. Whatever we bind on earth affects Heaven; whatever we loose on earth affects Heaven; whatever we close on earth, Heaven closes. Do we really have that much power as Kingdom citizens? Yes. The King does not want us to live as victims of the earth’s system, so He has given us the ability to tap into a realm that is invisible but absolutely real and can literally affect the physical earth. This is why Christ was able to live an abundant life in times of crisis. He had power from Heaven. And He has given that power to us. 

7. Keys represent freedom. When you have keys, you are free to go in and out. You are free to lock and unlock, to open and close. The keys of the Kingdom give us freedom from fear and all the other limiting emotions of an earthly system. I used to wonder why Jesus was so carefree, so calm, and so in control no matter what was happening around Him. It was because He had the key of freedom. One day Jesus was asleep in the back of a boat while His cabinet (some of whom were fishermen) sailed it across the Sea of Galilee. As happens frequently on that body of water, a severe storm blew up suddenly. The storm was so fierce that even the experienced sailors aboard feared that the boat was going to sink. How could Jesus sleep through such a crisis? Their lives were in danger, and He was snoozing in the stern! The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey Him!” (Matthew 8:25-27). Jesus said, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” In essence He was saying, “What’s the matter? Where are your keys?” Then He took out a key, locked up the storm, and it stopped. In amazement, the disciples asked, “What kind of man is this?” Just a man with keys. The keys of the Kingdom are the keys to ultimate truth, the knowledge of which brings true liberty. Jesus said: If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:31b-32). By “teaching,” Jesus is not referring so much to Scripture verses as much as the principles, laws, and precepts contained in those verses. Freedom comes in knowing the truth. Truth alone is not what sets you free. What sets you free is the truth you know. The keys of the Kingdom can bring you into the knowledge of the truth. 

SEVEN CHARACTERISTICS OF KEYS 

1. Keys are laws. 
They are fixed, reliable standards that never change. When used correctly, they always work.

2. Keys are principles. 
When Jesus spoke of “the keys of the Kingdom,” He wasn’t talking about literal physical keys to open physical locks. The keys of the Kingdom are principles, systems that operate under fixed laws. When He gives us the keys, He gives us the principles by which the Kingdom of Heaven operates. We gain access to the systems that make the Kingdom of Heaven work. And once we learn the laws, the system, and the principles, all of heaven will be available to us. 

3. Keys are systems. 
Every government runs on systems: the social system, the economic system, the political system, the educational system, the telecommunications system, etc. Knowledge of the systems and how they work is a key to power and influence. Control the systems and you control the government. Disrupt the systems and you disrupt the government. Destroy the systems and you destroy the nation. That’s how powerful systems are. Even more, that’s how powerful knowledge can be. The systems of the Kingdom of Heaven are beyond the reach of those outside the kingdom and are in no danger of being disrupted or destroyed. Kingdom citizens, on the other hand, have access to those systems and can bring the influence of Kingdom systems to bear in earthly situations. That is why Kingdom citizens can rest confident in victory and success no matter what circumstances may suggest. So the most important thing any of us could do is to make sure that we are citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. 

4. Keys activate function.
A car operates on gasoline. The “key” of gasoline activates the function of the car. Without gasoline, the car will not run no matter how many other keys you have. Likewise, a radio with no receiver cannot fulfill its function of converting radio waves into audible sound waves for you to hear. The “key” of a receiver is missing, and without it, the radio is only an empty, silent box. The box may be pretty, the glass clean and shiny, but it cannot fulfill its purpose because the key to activate its function is not there. To me, religion is like that attractive radio or that stylish but gas-less car that does not work. Like them, religion may look beautiful and impressive on the outside with all its regalia and traditions, but it has no keys and therefore lacks the ability and the power to activate Kingdom function. The keys of the Kingdom activate Heaven so that we can fully enjoy our rights and privileges as Kingdom citizens. This is far more sure and secure than depending on the systems of the world for our enjoyment. On this point, Kingdom ambassador Paul counsels: Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment (1 Timothy 6:17). The keys of the Kingdom allow us to enjoy all the rich and good things of God without measure. 

5. Keys initiate action
Just as the key to a car initiates action by starting the engine, the keys of the Kingdom, when we know how to use them, initiate action in Heaven. 

6. Keys are the principles by which the Kingdom of God operates. 
Not only are keys principles, but specifically, keys to the operation of the Kingdom. They give us access to the blueprints, the schematic, the flowcharts so that we can understand and appropriate the inner workings of the Kingdom of Heaven. 

7. Keys cannot be substituted by feelings, emotions, wishful thinking, or manipulation. If you are locked out of your house without a key, no amount of begging or pleading or wishing will make that door open. If your car is out of gas, you can sit behind the wheel and dream and will all you want for it to move, but it will stay right where it is. Religion is built on feelings, emotions, wishful thinking, and manipulation. It is different with the Kingdom. The Kingdom of Heaven operates on keys. You can wish and feel and beg and plead all you want, but without the right keys, you will still be locked out of all the things God promised you because feelings don’t open doors. Keys do. In the world’s system, you get ahead by killing, robbing, hurting, manipulating, climbing up on people, using people, stealing, gambling—any way you can. But in the Kingdom of Heaven, everything is reversed. To get ahead, you must do the opposite of what you do in the world. Instead of getting, you give; instead of hoarding, you release; instead of grabbing, you give up; instead of hating, you love; instead of every-man-for-himself, you show first regard to others. Yes, this is counterintuitive, but that is the way God’s Kingdom works. 

THE COUNTERINTUITIVE NATURE OF KEYS 

It is this very counterintuitive quality of the Kingdom of heaven that makes it so hard for the world to
understand. The Kingdom of Heaven and the kingdoms of this world operate by completely opposite principles. People raised in the world’s system cannot comprehend on their own the truly otherworldly nature of God’s Kingdom. This is why Simon Peter could not recognize Jesus as the Messiah except by divine revelation. This clash of systems is vividly illustrated by an encounter Jesus had one day with a rich young man who was interested in getting into the Kingdom. As Jesus started on His way, a man ran up to Him and fell on his knees before Him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call Me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.’” “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” He said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” (Mark 10:17-23). 

Once we get into the Kingdom and start functioning properly, we inevitably become prosperous. Prosperity is a natural product of Kingdom living. But we must live by the standards of the Kingdom in order to prosper in the Kingdom. This rich young man had problems with Jesus’ conditions because they ran counter to everything he had ever heard and believed about success and prosperity. He simply was not prepared for the counterintuitive command of Jesus to part with everything that he thought made him “somebody.” This is why Jesus said that it is hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God. The keys, the principles, the systems of the Kingdom are opposite to those of the world, from where they acquired their wealth. In other words, the opposite nature of Kingdom keys makes it difficult for many people to understand the Kingdom. This young man had grown up in a world where you get by taking. He could not understand the principle of a Kingdom where you get by giving. Additionally, it is the power of ignorance of Kingdom keys that can destroy us. Scripture says: “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6a). Because of ignorance of Kingdom keys, this rich young man did not know how to become richer, so he chose to hold onto wealth that literally was killing him rather than enter into wealth that could give him life. Coming into the Kingdom of God neither makes you poor nor requires you to become poor. But you have to know the keys. This rich man thought he was rich, but was really poor because he did not understand the nature of true wealth. So he went away sad. 

A key principle of the Kingdom of Heaven, on the other hand, is this: The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, and He adds no trouble to it (Proverbs 10:22). Once you get the keys of the Kingdom and learn how they work, the blessing of God will bring you wealth without sorrow. And He can do it in an instant if He is so inclined. 

Another factor in the difficulty people have in understanding the Kingdom is the danger of the fallen nature of human reasoning. Man’s rebellion against God resulted in a corrupted mind and conscience. The way most of us in this world pursue success and wealth and try to get ahead is completely contrary to the principles and laws that God designed into creation. But we are too blinded by our corrupt minds to see it. Like the rich young man, we assume that you must do certain things to succeed—climb the corporate ladder by walking on people’s heads and stepping on their hands, hurt them, use them selfishly, scheme against them, betray them, lie, cheat, steal—whatever it takes to be a millionaire before the age of 40. Then Jesus comes along and says, “If you want real wealth and real success, get rid of all of that. Give it back to the people you got it from and follow Me.” The attitude of willingness to part with it all is as important, and perhaps more so, than the actual act. Remember, in the Kingdom of Heaven we are stewards, not owners. Because of our fallen nature of human reasoning, the principles and keys of the Kingdom of God are completely foreign to the way we have been trained to think. That is why the first word Jesus said when He came to announce the Kingdom was, “Repent.” Change the way you think. Principles work but are not always understood. The rich young man simply could not see how following Jesus’ instructions would get him what he wanted. He could not grasp the principle. The keys of the Kingdom work, but sometimes even after we learn how to use them, we don’t understand how they work. They just do. Principles are established by the manufacturer. Our Creator knows His creation. God knows what is best for us. But because of our fallen nature, we are dysfunctional creatures who believe either that there is nothing wrong with us or that whatever is wrong we can fix ourselves. Counterintuitive wisdom leads us to understand that the keys of the Kingdom, the principles under which the Kingdom operates, are also the keys to bringing the life, law, and culture of Heaven to earth, even when human logic or reasoning says otherwise.

Saturday, 30 March 2024

The Kingdom ( Excerpt from Kingdom Principles by Dr Myles Munroe)





The original intent of God’s mandate to Moses was not to establish a religion but a nation of people who would love, serve, and honor God—a “royal priesthood [and] a holy nation” (see 1 Pet. 2:9).

Christians have misunderstood Him as the founder of a religion and have transformed His teachings and His methods into customs  and His activities into rituals. Many even have reduced His message to nothing more than an escapist plan for getting to heaven and His promises as a mere fire insurance policy for escaping the pains of a tormenting hell. 

And yet a simple study and review of His message and priority reveals that Jesus had only one message, one mandate, and one mission—the return of the Kingdom of Heaven to earth. 

In this book you will learn what a kingdom is, what it consists of, how it functions, and all the components that make a kingdom unique. You will also discover the difference between a kingdom and a religion, and how it compares with all other forms of government. You will be instructed in principles of Kingdom concepts, how they relate to your daily life and how you can appropriate Kingdom citizenship here and now. This book will help you appreciate that you cannot appropriate what you don’t understand nor experience what you postpone. This is your practical guide to understanding the most important message mankind has ever received; a message the whole world desperately needs to hear. This book will equip you not only to receive that message but also to share it effectively with others.


Chapter 1: 

The Priority of the Kingdom

The greatest secret to living effectively on earth is understanding the principle and power of priorities. Life on earth holds no greater challenge than the complicating daily demand of choosing among competing alternatives for our limited time

The greatest mistake in life is to be busy but not effective. Life’s greatest failure is to be successful in the wrong assignment. Success in life is measured by the effective use of one’s time. Failure to establish correct priority causes you to waste your two most important commodities: your time and your energy.

Jesus states God’s number-one priority: Seek first His Kingdom. This is the most important statement made by the Lord Jesus, and it establishes what should be the first priority in our lives. Jesus identifies the Kingdom as being more important than food, water, clothing, shelter, and every other basic human need. According to His assessment, then, what should be mankind’s priority and primary preoccupation in life? The Kingdom of God. God’s number one priority for mankind is that we discover, understand, and enter the Kingdom of Heaven. It is this priority that motivated me to write this book. The priority of all human beings is concealed in the words, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and everything you need for life will be added to you.”

It is no coincidence that I am meditating on the verse Mat 6;33 and Luke 12:29-32

“What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, 

not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God’s giving

People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, 

but you know both God and how he works. 

Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions.

Re-imagine what is Kingdom reality? 

Renaissance of His creation that showcases once again His splendor and his Glory

Restoration of relationship with self, others and God

Revival of souls, body and mind to Christ

Recall what is His initiative

PTR

Kingdom artist

QSS revival

QT Ecclesia

QT Kaki

You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. 

Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re my dearest friends! 

The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.

KINGDOM

In this book, we will use the following working definition: A kingdom is… The governing influence of a king over his territory, impacting it with his personal will, purpose, and intent, producing a culture, values, morals, and lifestyle that reflect the king’s desires and nature for his citizens.

Righteousness

Righteousness describes the maintenance of the rightly aligned relationship with a governing authority so as to qualify for the right to receive governmental privileges. 

“ All things added unto you.” This promise includes all your physical needs, all your social needs, all your emotional needs, all your psychological needs, all your financial needs, and all your security needs, as well as your need for self significance and a sense of self-worth and purpose.

Kingdom refers to the governing influence of Heaven on earth and righteousness refers to right alignment and positioning with that government authority. Our highest priorities and greatest desires should be to enter the Kingdom of God and thirst for a right relationship with God’s heavenly government.

According to Jesus, the most important priority and preoccupation of all mankind should be the seeking and studying of the heavenly Kingdom government and administration of the Creator God and His purposed plan and program to impact earth. But in a practical sense, how does one go about seeking this Kingdom? How does one explore the concept, nature, function, program, components, principles, and power of the Kingdom? Answering these questions is the purpose and intent of this book. To accomplish this purpose we must: 

 Understand kingdom concept. 

 Understand kingdom philosophy. 

 Understand kingdom government. 

 Understand kingdom law. 

 Understand kingdom culture. 

 Understand kingdom society. 

 Understand kingdom economy. 

 Understand kingdom citizenship. 

 Understand kingdom provision. 

 Understand kingdom worship.

  Understand kingdom protocol. 

 Understand kingdom representation.

  The secret to a full and fulfilled life is discovery, understanding, and application of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. Religion postpones the Kingdom to a future experience. But you must remember that you cannot appropriate what you postpone. God’s desire for you is that you enter the Kingdom life now and experience, explore, apply, practice, and enjoy living with the benefits, promises, and privileges of Heaven on earth. Let the adventure begin....





Chapter 2: 
THE KINGDOM OF GOD VERSUS 
THE GOVERNMENTS OF MAN

Therefore, in a kingdom, the concept of “commonwealth” is also very important, and the word correctly describes the nature of the relationship the king has with his citizens and subjects. The wealth in a kingdom is common. Therefore, in a true ideal kingdom there is no discrimination or distinction between the rich and the poor, for in such a kingdom all citizens have equal access to kingdom wealth  and resources provided by the benevolent king. In essence, the King’s interest is the welfare of the Kingdom and everything in it. If none of the human systems of government are adequate, how then do we adopt God’s original kingdom concept into our world? It begins by understanding the kingdom concept of colonization.

Chapter 3:
THE ORIGINAL KINGDOM CONCEPT: 
COLONIZATION OF EARTH

The biggest problem in our world today, including the religious world, is that we are so preoccupied with the phases that we cannot see the big picture. We are so caught up with our own little part— and with fighting and arguing with everybody else over their little part—that we have lost sight of our purpose. The most important thing in life is the big picture. But all we have are snapshots. Somewhere along the way humanity lost the big picture of our purpose, and all we were left with were tiny snapshots that provide only a narrow and very misleading impression of the whole. Long ago we lost the end of our existence. Now all we have to work with are disconnected means—futile pursuits with no significance. 


His desire, then, was to establish on earth a colony of Heaven.



Chapter 4: 
KINGDOM CONCEPT #1 
UNDERSTANDING THE KINGDOM CONCEPT OF KINGS

Jesus' message emphasis of the Kingdom

Jesus’ message of the Kingdom was foreshadowed in the Old Testament centuries before He was born in Bethlehem. Here are two examples. The first one indicates God’s motivation for delivering the slave clans of Israel from Egyptian oppression: “Now if you obey Me fully and keep My covenant, then out of all nations you will be My treasured possession. Although the whole earth is Mine, you will be for Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites (Exodus 19:5-6). In the second example, we see the Old Testament Messianic promise declared by the prophet Isaiah, strongly indicating the governmental aspects of the Kingdom mandate: 

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, 

and the government will be on His shoulders. 

And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, 

Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. 

He will reign on David’s throne and over His kingdom, 

establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness 

from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty 

will accomplish this (Isaiah 9:6-7). 


Jesus’ message was clearly kingdom focused and not religiously motivated: 

    From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matthew             4:17). 

    Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the                 kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people (Matthew 4:23). 

    Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for         they will be comforted (Matthew 5:3-4). 

    For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the         law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:20). 

    Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it     is in heaven (Matthew 6:9b-10). 

    But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well         (Matthew 6:33). 

    Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news     of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness (Matthew 9:35). 

    As you go, preach this message: “The kingdom of heaven is near” (Matthew 10:7).

    But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you                     (Matthew 12:28). 

    He replied, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to     them” (Matthew 13:11). 

    When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes         and snatches away what was sown in his heart (Matthew 13:19a). 

    Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his         field” (Matthew 13:24). 

    He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and     planted in his field” (Matthew 13:31). 

    He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and             mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough” (Matthew 13:33). 

    The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and         then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field (Matthew 13:44). 

    Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great     value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it (Matthew 13:45-46). 

    Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds         of fish (Matthew 13:47). 

     I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in             heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven (Matthew 16:19). 

     I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man         coming in His kingdom (Matthew 16:28). 

      And He said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never       enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in          the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3-4). 

     Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants             (Matthew 18:23). 

      For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to         work in his vineyard (Matthew 20:1). 

       Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the                   kingdom of God ahead of you” (Matthew 21:31b). 

        The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his                 servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to                 come (Matthew 22:2-3). 

        Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in         men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to (Matthew             23:13). 

        And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations,             and then the end will come (Matthew 24:14). 

        Then the King will say to those on His right, “Come, you who are blessed by My Father; take your         inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world” (Matthew 25:34). 

        After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news             of the kingdom of God (Luke 8:1). 

        And He sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick (Luke 9:2). Then He took         them with Him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, but the crowds                     learned about it and followed Him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of             God, and healed those who needed healing (Luke 9:10b-11).

        I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of         God (Luke 9:27). 

        Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom (Luke                12:32). 

        And I confer on you a kingdom, just as My Father conferred one on Me (Luke 22:29). 

        Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, My servants would fight to prevent My            arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is from another place” (John 18:36). 

        “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact,             for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on             the side of truth listens to Me” (John 18:37).


   THE KING IS CENTRAL TO HIS KINGDOM

       

1. A king is never voted into power. 

   His power is inherent from birth. Democratic leaders are elected to power; totalitarian dictators              seize power; but a king is born into power. 

2. A king is king by birthright. 

    His kingship is not conferred by men. Elected leaders rule by the will of  the people. Dictators rule        through fear, repression, and coercion. A king rules because he is born to it.  Jesus Christ was born a     King. We do not make Him King; all we can do is acknowledge that He is King. 

3.  A king cannot be voted out of power. 

    Because the kingdom is his by birth, a king rules for life. A president is voted out of office or departs     due to term limits. A dictator may be brought down by a coup d’etat or popular uprising. Kingship,        however, is a lifelong office. A human king may be dethroned by force or revolution, but he can            never be voted out. The King of Heaven reigns by sovereign right of creation. He will never be voted     out of power. Nor will He ever be dethroned. Lucifer tried and failed. Human empires have tried and     failed and then fallen themselves, as is the destiny of all regimes that challenge His sovereignty. He        was King before this world began, and He will still be King after it has passed away. In fact,                     Scripture makes this bold declaration: The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our             Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign for ever and ever (Revelation 11:15b). No act either of             man on earth or of the spiritual powers of darkness will ever remove the King of Heaven from His         throne. 

4. A king’s authority is absolute. 

    That is why he is not a president or a prime minister. Presidents must consult Congress, and prime         ministers, Parliament. If the prime minister of the Bahamas makes a decision, the senate can discuss     it, the parliament may attack it, the media may mutilate it, and he may change his mind. Dictators, on     the other hand, while perhaps exercising absolute power (for a time), possess no legitimate authority.     This is why they must use force and repression to stay in power. But when a king speaks, he speaks         with absolute authority— authority that is inherent to his kingship. 

5. A king’s word is law. 

    Because a king’s authority is absolute, his word is law. No one can countermand his orders, negate        his pronouncements, set aside his decrees, or amend his statutes. David, an Israelite king who loved        the King of Heaven with all his heart, had this to say about his King’s law: The law of the Lord is        perfect, reviving the soul. 

    The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right,       giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of            the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether                              righteous….By them is Your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

      (Psalm 19:7- 9,11). 

       The King’s word is law. Great reward follows obedience. Disobedience brings severe penalties. 

 6. A king personally owns everything in his domain. 

    Presidents and other elected leaders do not own their countries; they are citizens like everyone else.         Dictators often act as though they own everything, but whatever they possess they acquire by fraud,     theft, and corruption. A king, on the other hand, personally owns everything in his domain. In fact, a     kingdom is the only form of government where the ruler owns everything and everyone. In the words     of King David, once again: The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in     it (Psalm 24:1). The King of Heaven Himself declares: Every animal of the forest is Mine, and the         cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10). A king owns the people, the animals, the plants, the land,         and the air around the land. He owns the value under the earth—the gold, the silver, the platinum,         the diamonds, etc. He owns the soil and the seeds in the soil. A king owns everything in his territory.      That is why he is called a lord. Lord means owner. We’ll discuss more on this concept in the next         chapter. 

7. A king’s decree is unchanging. 

    In a democratic system, laws can be amended, revised, or revoked. Dictators change and even reverse     their own decrees whenever it suits them. They renege on their word all the time. But a king’s word         is law. Once a king issues a decree, it cannot be changed. Daniel, a faithful, God-fearing Jew in e            exile, was a high official in the court of Darius, a Medo-Persian king. When Daniel’s enemies                 plotted to destroy him, they persuaded Darius to issue a decree that for 30 days no prayers or                 petitions were to be raised to any god or anyone else except to the king himself. Violators would be     thrown into a den of lions. This decree was a “law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be            revoked” (Dan. 6:8b NASB). Catching Daniel in the act of praying to God in violation of the king’s         decree (as they knew they would), Daniel’s enemies took him to the king. Darius was trapped. Even      he could not revoke his own decree! The king spent a tormented, sleepless night while his trusted         servant Daniel cooled his heels in the lion’s den. The Lord delivered Daniel safely, and his enemies         ended up with the lions instead. The point here is that a king’s decree,  once issued, cannot be                 undone. The decrees of the King of Heaven are just as permanent: The grass withers and the flowers     fall, but the word of our God stands forever (Isaiah 40:8). Jesus the King said: Heaven and earth will     pass away, but My words will never pass away (Matthew 24:35). 

8. A king chooses who will be a citizen. 

    In a democracy, the citizens choose their leader while a totalitarian system treats its “citizens” as little     more than tools of the state. A kingdom operates in the opposite manner—the king chooses the                citizens. Because his authority is absolute, he determines the standards of citizenship in his kingdom.     The people do not vote for the king, but in essence, he votes for them. Jesus demonstrated this                kingly prerogative as well when He said to His closest followers: You did not choose Me, but I chose     you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you                whatever you ask in My name. This is My command: Love each another. If the world hates you,            keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it        is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world            hates you (John 15:16-19). Jesus chose them out of citizenship in the world and made them citizens        of His Kingdom with full benefits of citizenship. They no longer belonged to the kingdom of the            world. Now, like Jesus, their Kingdom was from another place. Jesus does the same thing today for       everyone who believes Him—everyone who accepts His message of the Kingdom. 

9. A king embodies the government of his kingdom. 

    This means that wherever a king is, his entire government is present. Whenever a king speaks, his         whole government is speaking. Whenever a king moves, the government moves with him because he     embodies the government; the king is the government. When President Bush travels abroad, the             authority of the United States government travels with him because he represents the government         and the people. The government itself, however, does not travel with him. It remains in place and         functioning in Washington. The government of a king, on the other hand, is wherever the king is. A         king and his government are inseparable. This is how we can know that the Kingdom of Heaven is         on  earth; the Kingdom is here because the King is here. Jesus said: …if two of you on earth agree         about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven. For where two or three         come together in My name, there am I with them (Matthew 18:19-20). and: …All authority in                 heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…teaching      them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end         of the age (Matthew 28:18-20). The Kingdom of Heaven is here because the King of heaven is here      in the hearts and lives of His citizens who populate His colony here. 

10. A king’s presence is the presence of his authority. 

    When a king shows up, his full authority is present. His authority does not reside in a place or in a         document; it resides in him personally. This is why citizens of God’s Kingdom colony on earth can         act with kingly authority. Because the King is present, His authority is present also. It was this                 present authority that Jesus had in mind when He said: I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on             earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven (Matthew         18:18). and: I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.         You may ask Me for anything in My name, and I will do it (John 14:13-14). Kingdom citizens may         always exercise kingly authority because the King is always present with them. 

11. A king’s wealth is measured by his property.

      The larger and richer in resources a kingdom is, the wealthier the king, because the king owns              everything in his kingdom. Dictators become wealthy by stealing from the people. Democratically         elected leaders may or may not be personally wealthy, but they definitely do not own their country.         This is one of the major distinctions between a king and other government leaders. Kings own                 everything in their domain by right of birth and kingship. As a matter of fact, property is so tied up         with a king’s identity that without it a king is not a king. We will discuss this more thoroughly in             Chapter Six. Why is wealth so important in a kingdom? So the king can take care of his citizens. A         righteous and benevolent king does not amass wealth for himself but for the welfare of his citizens.         This is why it is only in a kingdom where we truly find commonwealth; that is, the wealth is                 common to all the people. No kingdom is greater or richer than the Kingdom of Heaven because it         encompasses all that exists. And no king is wealthier than the King of Heaven because He owns             everything everywhere in both the natural and supernatural realms. Consequently, no citizens of any      government are more prosperous or have greater welfare than do citizens of the Kingdom of                 Heaven because all the infinite wealth of that Kingdom is their common wealth.  

12. A king’s prosperity is measured by the status of his citizens. 

    If the citizens are poor, the king is seen as a poor king. If the citizens are prosperous, however, the        king is seen as a wealthy king. Wealthy citizens make a king proud. That is why it is important for a        king to make sure his people prosper. Jesus never preached prosperity. Why not? Because prosperity     is a matter of Kingdom business. Anyone who becomes a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven                    automatically prospers because the King of heaven is a wealthy King—the wealthiest of all. And He     is also a righteous and benevolent King who is committed to the fullest and greatest welfare of His         people. 

13. A king’s name is the essence of his authority. 

       A king can delegate authority to anyone he pleases to act in his name or on his behalf. This is often       done by issuing a “king’s letter,” a royal edict signed by the king and bearing his official seal that          authorizes the bearer to act on his authority. Anyone to whom the king’s letter is presented must             treat the bearer as if he were the king himself. Nehemiah, another exiled Jew who was a                         contemporary of Daniel, was cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes. Hearing that Jerusalem had         been destroyed, Nehemiah longed to go there and rebuild the city. When the king learned of                    Nehemiah’s desire, he granted him permission to go. He also issued letters instructing the keeper         of the king’s forest to give Nehemiah all the material he required and for the governors of the                 various provinces to grant him safe passage. Nehemiah carried the king’s name and, therefore, his         authority (see Neh. chapters 1–2). Citizens of the kingdom of Heaven have the same privilege.             Jesus the King has issued king’s letters to all His people, delegating His authority to them. That is         why the New Testament says that Kingdom citizens are to pray in the name of Jesus. It is why He         promised to do anything that they asked in His name. There is  nothing religious or mysterious about     this. It is simply a kingdom principle at work. The King’s name carries the same authority as the             King Himself, and all who carry His name can operate in His authority. 

14. A king’s citizenry represents his glory. 

        Any conscientious king wants his citizens to be happy, prosperous, and content because their status         and quality of life reflect on him. The greater their prosperity and well-being, the greater the glory         and honor that rest on the king who provides for them so well. Citizens of God’s Kingdom are                 supposed to show what their King is like by the way they live, act, dress, walk, and talk. Kingdom         citizens are to reflect the nature and character of their King, who is righteous, just, benevolent,                 compassionate, and full of glory. This is why there is no poverty in the Kingdom of Heaven, no             economic crisis, and no shortages. As King David observed: The Lord upholds the righteous…I             was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children                     begging bread (Psalm 37:17b, 25). The King of Heaven takes care of His citizens. Appropriating             the riches of the Kingdom of Heaven means first of all understanding that the King owns                         everything and we own nothing; and second, that He can give whatever He wants to anyone He             wants whenever He wants. This is the kingdom concept of lordship and is the subject of the next             chapter.