Prophecy in Prayer

Matthew 6:9–14 KJV

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

Our focus on this sermon will be the phrase,

“Thy kingdom come”

Introduction:

Prophecy in the anticipation of a future time that God has determined by His Word.

Prophecy of the future has an important role in our prayer life.

Prayer is not just about what you are going through today, but preparation for what happens tomorrow.

I want to preface that statement by stating that there are many things that are perceived about tomorrow that should not be on our minds, but fear brought on by satan’s darts can cause imaginations to run wild.

2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

One of these truths that we have yet to experience is the Kingdom of Heaven.

This phrase in the prayer is the anticipation of a time that Jesus will come and set up His heavenly kingdom on earth.

I. Praying with understanding of the Kingdom

This kingdom will operate on this earth for approx. 1000 years.

What a person believes about the kingdom will have an impact on what you pray about concerning the kingdom.

A. Correct belief of Christ’s kingdom

Pre-millennialism—return before the earthly kingdom

(“Pre-mill”) holds that Jesus will return to the earth to establish a literal kingdom, over which He will rule supreme for a period of a literal thousand years. The “pre” designates the belief that Jesus will return before the thousand-year kingdom begins.

It is this that we are referring to when we pray, “Thy Kingdom come”

B. False belief of Christ’s kingdom

These views revolve around the return of Christ to earth

1. Amillennialism—No return of Christ to earth

(“A-mill”) is that view which holds that Jesus is presently ruling in Heaven where proponents claim He is seated on the throne of David.

According to the amillennial view, Jesus will at no time rule on the earth. The thousand years recorded by John in Revelation 20 is suggested to be symbolic of Jesus’ present heavenly reign, that extends from the Resurrection of Christ into the Eternal Age.

Thus the term amillennial (without a millennium, or no millennium) holds that the thousand years of Revelation 20 is understood to be symbolic of a long period of time rather than a literal duration of a thousand years.

2. Post-millennialism—Return after the earthly kingdom

(“Post-mill”) is that view, which holds that Jesus is presently ruling in the Church (especially in the hearts of believers), who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, will Christianize the world and usher in a golden age of peace, prosperity, and health.

The thousand-years of Revelation 20 is understood symbolically to represent this utopian age, which will last a long period of time, after which, Jesus will return to initiate the Eternal Age. “Post” then means that Jesus will return after the golden age is established by the Church.

C. The Kingdom of God now and then

Kingdom Now—This is the false teaching that we are gaining control of the kingdom as the church, and when Jesus returns we will turn over the kingdom to him.

They believe that Christendom will have revival and subdue the world system.

We know that the truth is that the christendom will be mostly apostate when Jesus returns.

This is the push of the charismatic movement and was seeded by the latter rain doctrine of John Wimber.

True Bible believers are becoming less common.

1. Christ’s spiritual reign over His people

Ephesians 1:3 KJV

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

We have been personally blessed as children of God with heavenly blessings.

Hebrews 10:22–25 KJV

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

This kingdom is expressed through our local churches, the body of Christ, built up in doctrine, not national or political.

a. The kingdom of God is Christ’s reign in your heart

Luke 17:21 KJV

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

Ephesians 3:14–17 KJV

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

We are Christ’s bride, and are given a new covenant

Before Christ can work in our situations, He must have rule of our hearts.

b. This kingdom can only be entered through the new birth

John 3:3 KJV

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 3:5 KJV

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

so the kingdom of God is spiritual in nature, not referring to the earthly kingdom.

Nicodemus was a good man, very religious, and very pious and faithful in his religion, but that will not open the door to salvation.

We must be regenerated

Titus 3:5 KJV

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

c. The kingdom of God requires humility to enter

Mark 10:14–15 KJV

But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

d. The kingdom of God is accessed by believing the Gospel

Mark 1:14–15 KJV

Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

e. The kingdom of God is represented by the principles in God’s Word

Matthew 6:33 KJV

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

h. The kingdom of God is characterized by righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost

Romans 14:17 KJV

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

We may not see righteousness in this world, but you can experience imputed righteousness and partake of Christ’s righteousness through humility and submission.

i. The kingdom of God consists of all people groups

Luke 13:29 KJV

And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.

There are no national lines with the kingdom of God today. All men can be born again and experience Christ’s rule in their hearts.

j. The kingdom of God culminates with the return of Christ

Luke 22:18 KJV

For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.

We are not experiencing teh kingdom of God in its fulness today, there is yet another phase of Christ’s kingdom where He will personally rule over all nations and implement

2. Christ’s earthly reign on earth over all men

This is referred to as the Kingdom of Heaven in Matthew.

This is Christ’s physical return to earth to establish a literal kingdom with authority over all things.

Those that accessed the kingdom of God by the new birth will rule and reign with Christ.

a. Christ will come to govern all nations on earth

Revelation 12:5 KJV

And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

Isaiah 9:7 KJV

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

Joel 3:18–21 KJV

And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim. Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness, for the violence against the children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land. But Judah shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation. For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the LORD dwelleth in Zion.

II. Praying with Anticipation of Christ’s Earthly Kingdom

When we are praying concernign the coming future kingdom we are praying with anticipation.

Thy kingdom come is a statement of approval and a statement of anticipation.

This is something we want a desire.

Why is it important to pray with Christ’s kingdom in mind?

The earthly kingdom is time where all things that are impacted by sin will be retsored or destroyed.

1 Corinthians 15:22–28 KJV

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

subdue—to subordinate; reflexively, to obey:

Romans 16:20 KJV

And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

A. Anticipate the putting down of the world’s kingdom

This world’s kingdoms are corrupt and without righteousness.

The coming kingdom dooms the world system.

1. The first kingdom that was man’s kingdom mentioned in Babylon.

Genesis 10:8–10 KJV

And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth. He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD. And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.

2. It is a spirit of Babylon that has infiltrated all kingdoms on earth.

Revelation 18:1–3 KJV

And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

I am glad when a nation will have a good king and do righteously, but all earthly kingdoms will ultimately fail.

The bible tells us that ultimately that all nations will drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication

This means that all nations will partake with this Babylon kingdom and will bring judgment on themselves.

a. Philosophical system—Babylon is the habitation of devils

We are living in a system of deception to promote an evil agenda

We are living in a system of man seeking to make their own way to God like the Babylonian tower.

b. Moral system—Babylon is the hold of every foul spirit

It is a system that is not clean, but is filled with sin and immorality

It is a system that promotes the murder of babies, and assisted suicide.

d. Financial System—Merchants wax rich on her

It is a system that is governed by the love of money over the welfare of its citizens.

1 Timothy 6:10 KJV

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

It has neglected its mandate to protect the innocent.

e. Religious system—The religion of the world will be revealed and destroyed.

In the same way that all the people unified in building a tower to Heaven, religion toward is seeking to unify at the expense of biblical doctrine.

2 Timothy 3:5 KJV

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

When we say, “Thy Kingdom come, we are anticipating a time when this dirty world system will be destroyed

B. Anticipate the Perpetuation of Christ’s Kingdom

Daniel 2:44 KJV

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

there will be no end to Christ’s kingdom.

There will be no going back to the world’s filth.

C. Anticipate the Power of the Kingdom

Ephesians 1:21–22 KJV

Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

He will subdue satan and his demons

Ephesians 6:12 KJV

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.

2 Corinthians 4:4 KJV

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

Revelation 20:1–3 KJV

And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

He will subdue sickness

Isaiah 33:24 KJV

And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.

Jeremiah 30:17 KJV

For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.

Ezekiel 34:16 KJV

I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.

Malachi 4:2 KJV

But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

He will subdue evil natures of animals

Genesis 9:2 KJV

And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered.

Isaiah 65:25 KJV

The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.

He will subdue wars and fighting

Micah 4:3–4 KJV

And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.

He will subdue ignorance of God’s Word

Isaiah 1:25–27 KJV

And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin: And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city. Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.

Isaiah 2:2–3 KJV

And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Habakkuk 2:14 KJV

For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

He will subdue the lifespan on mankind

Isaiah 65:20 KJV

There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.

He will subdue the cursed earth and will make it bring forth fruit

Ezekiel 34:26–27 KJV

And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing. And the tree of the field shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase, and they shall be safe in their land, and shall know that I am the LORD, when I have broken the bands of their yoke, and delivered them out of the hand of those that served themselves of them.

Joel 2:24–26 KJV

And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil. And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.

He will subdue all opposition to His rule

Revelation 20:7–9 KJV

And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

He will subdue death

1 Corinthians 15:25–26 KJV

For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

C. D. Anticipate the perfection in Christ’s kingdom

Zechariah 14:20–21 KJV

In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD’S house shall be like the bowls before the altar. Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the LORD of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts.

Isaiah 9:7 KJV

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

Psalm 99:1–6 KJV

The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved. The LORD is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people. Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy. The king’s strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob. Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy. Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.

D. Anticipate our Position in Christ’s kingdom

2 Timothy 2:12 KJV

If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

We have potential to receive five crowns of reward in the judgement seat of Christ

The Crown of Life

The Soulwinner’s Crown

The Crown of Glory

The Crown of Rejoicing

The Incorruptible Crown

Our rewards will reflect our sacrifice and will translate to position in the kingdom of Jesus Christ.

Luke 19:15–26 KJV

And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.

I would like to ask you.

Can you pray, “Thy Kingdom Come?”

The access to Christ’s Kingdom by the New Birth

The anticipation of Christ’s Kingdom

The putting down of the world’s kingdoms

The perpetuation of Christ’s kingdom

The power of ChrIst’s Kingdom

The perfection of Christ’s kingdom

Our position in Christ’s kingdom