Kingdom Dynamics for 2024 (3)
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Whenever a sovereign is to arrive, it is announced and preparations are made far in advance. Even the people have to be prepared.
This as the role of John the Baptist, the announcer of the King.
The scripture describes John this way:
1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,
2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.’ ”
23 He said: “I am ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the Lord,” ’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”
Johns message was not about religion, but the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
11 “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Why does John hold such a prominent position among the prophets?
Because all the prophets before John spoke only of the coming of the Messiah King and the coming of the Kingdom, while John had the privilege of announcing, presenting, meeting, and baptizing the King of the Kingdom.
UNDERSTANDING OUR ROLE AS KINGS
UNDERSTANDING OUR ROLE AS KINGS
The birth of Jesus was announced as the birth of a king, not a priest.
This is very important because it emphasizes the primary focus of the mission of Jesus and His purpose for coming to earth.
Hear His words concerning His purpose for coming. His priesthood was His redemptive function, but to be king was His eternal disposition.
37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
12 From then on Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying, “If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar’s friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.”
43 but He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.”
WHAT WAS THE MISSION AND PURPOSE OF JESUS?
WHAT WAS THE MISSION AND PURPOSE OF JESUS?
The greatest tragedy in life is not death: It is life without a purpose.
The most important discovery in life is the discovery of purpose.
Purpose is defined as
the original intent or motivation for something.
the reason or desired result for the initiation or an action of production of a thing.
Simply put, purpose is the “why” of a thing.
Without a clear understanding of purpose, life becomes an experiment.
Where purpose is not known, abuse is inevitable.
Without purpose, activity has no meaning and time and energy are misused.
Purpose determines what is right.
Purpose protects us from doing something good at the expense of the right.
Purpose is the predetermined, established, intended result of a thing.
Solomon, expressed the critical importance of the concept of purpose in his Book of Proverbs this way,
21 There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.
This statement implies the priority of purpose as compared to a plan of action.
This is why we must seriously and carefully consider, when discussing the most important subject of God’s purpose and plan for humanity, that we revisit the purpose, message, and assignment of Jesus Christ.
The Original Mission of Jesus
The Original Mission of Jesus
For us to discover the original purpose and mission of Jesus, it should be obvious that we must consider His own declarations concerning His purpose and assignment for coming into the world.
Let’s read a few of them from the records of His close friends in the gospel narrative.
His first public statement was made at the beginning of His earthly mission, when He was 30 years old, after being baptized by His cousin John the Baptist, and completing 40 days of fasting, during which He overcame satan’s temptations to compromise His assignment:
17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
The word near, in some translations rendered “at hand,” simply means “has arrived.”
In other words, His first declaration was the introduction and arrival of a kingdom, not a religion.
In essence, He brought a government to earth.
Let’s look at some other declarations by Jesus concerning His purpose and mission on earth.
7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.
23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
43 but He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.”
44 And He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.
1 Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him,
11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing.
31 But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.
32 “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
16 “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.
17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail.
17 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
29 And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me,
36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”
37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
These are only a few of the declarations made by Jesus concerning His mission, purpose, and message and it is obvious that His intent was to declare, establish, and invite all men to enter the Kingdom of God.
This is in direct contrast with the focus on religious activity and religion’s preoccupation with going to heaven. It seems as if the message and priority of Jesus was the occupation and reclamation of earth, rather than designing an escape hatch to heaven for mankind. There is a verse of scripture that has challenged my thinking for years and perhaps it may shed some light on this issue for you also.
5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.
It is interesting to note that the promise is for the inheritance of earth rather than heaven.
Also His dominion of earth and its environment was declared by Jesus as the return of the Kingdom of God to earth.
28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.
This verse seems to indicate the return of the dominion power that Adam lost in his disobedience.
Jesus came to earth, not to bring a religion, but a Kingdom—the governing influence of the Kingdom of heaven on earth.
The message proclaims the opportunity for all mankind to regain its lost dominion over earth and its environment through the reception of the Holy Spirit of God and, consequently, the reconnection of earth with heaven. This is why it is called “good news” or Gospel.
The message of the Kingdom of God is the most important news ever delivered to the human race.
Jesus came to earth to announce the arrival of this Kingdom and to establish it in people’s hearts through His death and resurrection.
As the Son of God, Jesus Christ was the exact likeness of His Father and represented Him perfectly on earth.
To all those who believed in and followed Him, Jesus restored their citizenship rights in the Kingdom of Heaven and imparted His Spirit, so that they could represent Him and the government of heaven on earth.
This representation is known as government diplomacy.
The following statement is a political statement that is very common to all kingdoms, including our contemporary governments.
29 And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me,
This statement is always used at the appointment of an official representative of a government to other nations.
This is the position of an ambassador.
This is not a religious designation, but a governmental one.
Heaven’s Ambassadors on Earth
Heaven’s Ambassadors on Earth
2 Corinthians 5:20 (NKJV)
20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.
CHARACTERISTICS OF AN AMBASSADOR
CHARACTERISTICS OF AN AMBASSADOR
An ambassador is a unique political creature in all kingdoms and his disposition must be understood fully, in order to appreciate the power and distinction of this revered position.
Here are some very paramount qualities of an ambassador:
Appointed by the king, not voted into position;
Appointed to represent the state or kingdom;
Committed only to the state’s interests;
Embodies the nation-state or kingdom;
Totally covered by the state;
Is the responsibility of the state;
Totally protected by his government;
Never becomes a citizen of the state or kingdom to which he is assigned;
Can only be recalled by the king or president;
Has access to all his nation’s wealth for assignment;
Never speaks his personal position on any issue, only his nation’s official position; and
His goal is to influence the territory for his kingdom government.
All of these qualities and characteristics are embedded in the message and ministry of the Kingdom of God and are perfectly exemplified by our Chief Ambassador (Secretary of State) Jesus Christ.
All of these also apply to each citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven who has been appointed by the government of heaven to represent heaven on earth.
This is why Jesus admonished us to not worry about anything concerning our lives, but to focus on the Kingdom; then everything we need for life and fulfilling our Kingdom assignment on earth will be provided by the government of heaven.
Here are some ambassadorial statements and references expressed by the King, Jesus Himself, regarding His diplomatic duties in representing His heavenly government.
These He transferred to you, who have submitted as citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven.
17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.”
19 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.
30 I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.
57 As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me.
26 I have many things to say and to judge concerning you, but He who sent Me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I heard from Him.”
28 Then Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things.
29 And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.”
37 If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me;
49 For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.
50 And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.”
9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.
11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.
12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.
21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”
22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
I declare that we are also ambassadors of our heavenly government, representing our government’s mind, will, purposes, and intent to the earth, so that His Kingdom can come and His will be done on earth just as it is in heaven.
We are charged only to speak what our government speaks, not our own personal opinion or views.
Therefore, whenever an ambassador is asked to comment on any issue, he is obligated to speak his government’s position.
He simply quotes the constitutional (the Bible) position on all matters.
Go and be an ambassador of the government of heaven, not of a religion.
Study your constitution to know and understand your government’s position on all issues pertaining to life.