Rom 14:17-18
17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
The Kingdom of our God is made visible through men and women living in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost: a present righteousness which is a gift; a present peace which is moment by moment actively won; a present joy manifested in the prophetic vision of those things always set before us. These three attributes are the outworking of an inner work of the Holy Ghost. These three attributes make us acceptable to our God: we are reconciled by them to our heavenly Father. They also bring us into favor with men: we can be trusted. This is the beginning of
the Kingdom of God in everyone who will believe the gospel. But there is more, much more.
2 Cor 5:14-20
14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
Our God, through Jesus Christ, is the “Savior of all men, specially of those that believe” (1 Tim 4:10). All were dead in sin, but all have been made alive in Christ. Those that believe experience a completed salvation and have their eyes opened to the Kingdom of God (Jn 3:3). Those that prefer to remain in sin are self-condemned (Jn 3:17-19). The believer enters the Kingdom of God as a new creature. For him old things – everything in the creation of which he was a part – is passed away: as he is a new creature, so is his view of everything around him. He sees only the Kingdom of God and everything around him is now a part of that Kingdom: God owns it all: God rules it all; God has made it all to the believer’s benefit. God through Christ has reconciled the world and all in it to Himself. He is at peace with all men. We through Christ have responded to His initiative toward us, being ourselves reconciled to God and now beseech others to do the same, for if man does not his part, his salvation is incomplete, the Kingdom is hidden to him, and he is yet a part of an old, condemned creation. He is yet dead and will remain so.
The children of the Kingdom belong to Christ and are counted now as Abraham’s seed (Gal 3:29). They are the very heirs of the Kingdom which had its beginning in the promise made to Abraham when he first met the King of the Kingdom in the person of Melchizedek (King of Righteousness and King of Salem, which is by interpretation Peace - Gen 14:18-20; Heb 7:1-17). As such, the children of the Kingdom are a blessing to the earth and also receive the protection of the promise made to Abraham and to his seed:
Gen 12:1-3
1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
The great nation of Abraham is ultimately the New Testament Kingdom of God, the Israel of God (Gal 6:15-16), the chosen generation, the Royal Priesthood (King-Priest ministry after the order of Melchizedek), the Holy Nation, the peculiar people of God (1 Pe 2:9-10). As such they are a blessing to all nations of the earth. God will bless those that bless the children of the Kingdom, if they be saved or no (Matt 5:44-48). However, if anyone or any nation chooses to curse those of Abraham’s seed, God promises to them a curse in return. The curse may come in many forms, but generally it is manifest in the simple removal of the blessing which the children of God are to a sin-cursed world. It may be felt in an increased manifestation of unsaved human depravity or it may be seen in earth’s upheaval when the controls of Christian dominion over the natural earth are removed, but it will certainly be felt and seen.
This Kingdom of God is an ever present now Kingdom and its Royal Priesthood (King-Priest ministry after the order of Melchizedek), both in its civil (Royal; Kingly) and in its spiritual (Priestly) manifestations, although it is yet imperfect in both. Because of the imperfections of men in the positions, the Kingdom is generally relegated to the future. However, the positions of authority, both civil and spiritual, of the Kingdom are just as real and valid in this moment as they will ever be. Upon the consummation of the Kingdom, when the King shall have put down all rule and authority, the positions of power will be filled with men made perfect. However, if we who see the Kingdom do not move in its present reality, we will never see the Kingdom consummate in its perfection. It is essential that we not only understand these statements, but that we live in their reality now.
Now we might readily accept the spiritual side of this Royal Priesthood, this King-Priest ministry, but the civil side does offer some difficulty if I am suggesting that the natural governments of nations are reckoned a part of the Kingdom of God. Politicians are just plain “dirty.” So are Priests, or, haven’t you noticed. In fact, Political corruption has its root in Priestly corruption. If the Priest is holy, he will charge the civil servant in holiness and challenge him with a godly demeanor. But if the Priest is unrighteous, who can be charged or challenged to godliness? But, wait a minute, maybe you are not at all scripturally informed, much less convinced, that civil government in the now is a part of the Kingdom of God.
We have already spoken scripturally of the Lordship of Jesus over the whole earth. He bought the old creation, paid for it, judged it, destroyed it and recreated it all at the cross:
John 12:31-33
31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.
The world system has already been judged, found guilty and condemned to die. The prince of this world has already been cast out of the throne of his dominion. The word “men” of verse 32 does not appear in the scripture, “men” being a word added by the translators. But surely all men are included in the “all,” which “all” is certainly the entire old creation world’s system. The very Creator-Word which was used in the creation of Genesis was now drawing all the old world system with all its sin, depravity and curse unto Himself, into His very flesh, blood and bone. He judged it all, condemned it all, and, in His own death destroyed it all. In His resurrection He recreated it all. A new World Order was set. It was, and yet is, the Kingdom of God. You say, I just cannot see that! Then you are not born again (Jn 3:3). However, for those that are born again, all things are become new (2 Cor 5:17): it is a new world with a new world order.
It follows that if we believers live in a new world order, then we must understand the order and we must practice the principles governing it, not continuing to live by the precepts of the old order of which we were once a part. Unbelievers, although Jesus is also their Savior, prefer darkness, and in that darkness they can see no difference: they cannot see the Kingdom of God. And, in their preference of darkness, they condemn themselves to continuing in an old world order, and order already judged worthy of destruction and themselves with it. Grace for a season and for the sake of believers (2 Peter 3:9-10) delays their sentence of eternal death.
For the present purposes of the Kingdom of God all men are under the authority of the Savior King, Jesus Christ. God can use them all, even for the purposes of the Kingdom of which they know nothing. And, He will use all men for the benefit of His Kingdom children, even men in positions of authority in government. Yes, God reckons civil government a part of His Kingdom for His children’s benefit:
Rom 13:1-7
1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.
2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.
4 For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.
5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake.
6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing.
7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.
Jesus judged the old world order and created a new one. He destroyed the devil’s authority over the kingdoms of the earth and took upon Himself all authority as the King of Kings now. But, you must be born again to see these truths!
The New Testament Genesis is the Gospel of John: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). John 1:1-14 defines the born again experience, but it also defines Jesus’ creation of a New World Order: The Kingdom of God.
Paul, in Colossians chapter one, details that creation:
Col 1:12-18
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
The natural heavens and earth were not destroyed and created again, but the order of each of them was. New things were created in heaven and in earth, namely “thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers. They were created by Him, for Him and by Him they consist”: they are sustained. And, He has done all this for the benefit of His own corporate flesh and bone body in the earth, the Church.
This Church, this visible representation of the present tense Kingdom of God to those whose eyes are opened, is at once the embassy of Heaven to the men of earth yet in darkness. The Church is the “beautiful situation” described in the book of Ephesians as “heavenly places.”
Eph 1:3
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Eph 1:20
20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
Eph 2:6
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Eph 3:10
10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
Eph 6:12
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places [high: same Greek word as heavenly].
One coming into the embassy of Heaven (the Church gathering) should have the same experience as he would if he were to go to the earthly embassy of another nation in his own homeland: he has just stepped out of his nation of residence and into that very foreign land. In fact, the embassy is in a very real way a manifestation of its home nation within the borders of its host nation.
If we know who we are and what we are, we may ask what we will (because His will is our will) and it will be done. The Priesthood needs prayer unto accountability. The civil authorities need prayer unto accountability. We of faith can call each into that accountability, for each is under the direct authority of our King.
On September 10, 2001 our Church came together for prayer. The purpose of the meeting was to call all leadership into accountability under the authority of the Kingdom of God. The next morning events unfolded that began a global answer to that prayer; and it is still being answered. Many leaders, spiritual and civil, have fallen in shame and have been replaced. Many more will meet the same fate before the Kingdom of God consummates. Keep praying, saints of the Most High God. Remember who you are. Remember your purpose. Ask in informed faith: Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven
1 Pet 3:22
22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
Eph 1:18-23
18 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,
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21 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:
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Phil 2:9-11
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Col 2:10
10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
Matt 28:18
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
1 Pet 2:12-17
12 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.
13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
Matt 22:21
21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.
1 Tim 2:1-4
1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
Titus 3:1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
2 Cor 5:14-21
14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
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