Introducing the Kingdom

This is little of what I have seen. May your eyes be opened to the truly wonderful vistas that exist for us in His Kingdom!

My Background

I am going to attempt to explain what has happened to me in the last few years.

A small change in perspective made a great change in my attitude. I now see that the "Spirit of the Lord God" has been gradually re-arranging for me, one piece after another. All of these gradual changes prepared me for that moment one day when I came across a man preaching the "kingdom of God". It was not astounding nor inspirational, but it just pricked my heart. I said to myself; "Oh, my Goodness, What have I missed?"

In leading up to this, I was an avid student of the scriptures. I had worked along side my Father in the ministry. But, to be honest, I never really understood what made him tick, so to speak, in the Lord. But now, I think I do understand him somewhat better than I did before.

I evangelized while working a public job. And later left the secular job and went out several years preaching and traveling by faith. In time, I felt led to join an organized group of like-minded brethren in formal fellowship. But after several years with them, I came to realize that something was still missing for me. I continually felt, in the Spirit, that I was called to something else, but I did not know what it was. So I respectfully resigned from that fellowship and walked away.

Somewhere along the way the Spirit of the Lord spoke to me clearly one morning; He said; "You are always preaching about my stuff and almost never about me".

That hurt. It caused me to further re-evaluate what I had learned over the years. In time, the Spirit of God spoke to me again. Throw away all your ministry books, notes and sermons from your shelves, that you have collected since the early 70's. Start over!.

That was harsh! But, I did it. I took 12 garbage bags of books and sermons to the county land-fill on a flat-bed trailer. I was going to start-over.

I began to read the Bible again without my earlier doctrinal biases and prejudices. In time I began to see it all in a completely different light. We know that the scripture is forever settled in heaven; but, my religious notions, creeds, and religious ideas are not forever settled. The basics of the gospel of Christ Jesus did not change for me. But many of my doctrinal ideas did, especially when I began to examine things a little more closely. I began using Jesus Christ as the template of a Son involved in the "Father's Business".

I saw that a religious confused spirit from the tower of Babel had a firm grip on my perception of things. "Let us build a city or tower unto heaven (for God), let us make a name for ourselves, let's not be scattered upon the earth." (Gen 11) Yes, I seemed to have that.

Those three Babel Tower statements are the basic building blocks of all religions and all Christian religious groups. (1) Build something for God. (2) Make a Name for Ourselves. (3) Keep everyone from scattering.

Yes, that includes both your religious group and mine! There-in lies the origins of all man-made religious organizations and systems of every stripe and flavor. It matters not how much preaching we do; ..nor how sincerely it's agenda comes into being. It is still the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadduces; it's still the "spirit of religion"; and Jesus still says - beware!

"Kingdom" & "Church" are Different

Remember, I had thrown away my early notes and such about the "church" and the "kingdom". The Lord let me see that a great portion of my preaching had been church oriented, and religious system oriented; rather than kingdom focused. I saw the difference. And when I did; it also became clear today much teaching and preaching "have become the phrasing" From man's religious systems. That "phrasing" had also drifted into my spirit, my mind and my preaching.

I saw that previously whenever I said "church" it was as though it meant "kingdom" and whenever I had said "kingdom" it was as though it meant "church". I had treated them as synonyms. It didn't take much for me to see that I had spent most of my adult life-time preaching "church" and not preaching the "kingdom". It is no wonder that I was so "churchy" and so little "kingdom" focused. By the way; "kingdom" means "the sovereign reign, rule(dominion)" where as "church" means "the called / calling out".

Soon afterward the realization came that Christ Jesus never commissioned and never exhorted his disciples to go preaching the good news of "church". But, He repeatedly spoke for them to go preaching the good news of the "Kingdom". The preaching of the good news of the kingdom calls people out of the world which they are in and into his Kingdom. This spiritually brings believers into His church body of the "called out" ones.

The Father's Business is Kingdom Business

I saw that I had not been "about the Father's Business". It became apparent that Jesus spoke of the many different aspects of the "kingdom" over 100+ times in the 4 gospels. And in contrast, He spoke of the "church"; only 3 times in two verses. He mentions "kingdom" 100 times versus mentioning "church" 3 times. You can do the math as I did. The enemy had mis-directed my focus. So I began changing my ideas to Jesus' ideas. To his way.

I saw quickly how slow of a Christ-Learner I had been. I was blown away. Much repenting came. Every day it seemed I was learning something different; than what I had previously been trying to serve-up in sermons to God's people. Much weeping came as I began to perceive a portion of what I had done to other brothers and sisters; to my family, children, friends, brothers and sisters in the faith. All was done out of good intentions; but it was all in the pursuit of church-i-ness. I had not truly been pursuing the Kingdom of God. That failure and trespass seemed to be the worst of all the others I had experienced.

So the journey began and is now still under-way. But I do now sense a better relationship in the Spirit, in my walk with the Lord. I sense that I am less religious. It doesn't mean that all of my actions were in error; but, it emphasizes that both religion, religiousness and fleshly activity really profit little. Practically speaking, religious preaching contributes very little or nothing in the long haul for God's divine purposes. It does not matter how genuine and sincere we are. It still is the flesh and has an earth touch to it. Remember Ezekeil's river of life. Man continues to touch the earth while in the first three stages .

Here is a new one for you. I discerned that it was never God's intention to start a new religion. It was His intention to start a new race, a new creation of new creatures, a new family, a new generation, a new holy nation, a new Israel of God and a new Kingdom! Not a new religion! This time it was to be all after the Spirit. God had firstly created had a natural religious Israel, after the flesh. He was not looking for another. God's new race would be His new Israel of God after the Spiritual. The second would be a people Born Again of Holy Ghost; born of the Spirit, a Spirit-Filled People. It would be the people whose spirit had died in Adam, but would be re-birthed, born again of the Spirit in the last Adam: the Lord Jesus Christ.

So as I prayed and read and began to frame everything in "Kingdom terms", like Jesus did. I forced myself into repentance, ..to change my way of thinking; and reversing of previous decisions. That is what repent and repentance means. Preaching church-i-ness was coming to an end. Preaching relationship began.

I saw the "Kingdom" was given to Jesus

This is the Revelation Christ has given me. One of the first items to go was the concept of evangelical's dispensationalism. First, went the idea that the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven are different quanities. Second went the idea that God's Kingdom was post-poned, or that Christ's throne had been post-poned. It was not post-poned. It just became Spirit and became Present With-In!

Divorcing myself from man's view let me see that The Kingdom of God and Kingdom of Heaven are the same thing. The kingdom is here now, within the hearts of believers. It is real though it is invisible. Hell doesn't want us to know that. Remember, un-belief always presses us to focus on either yesterday or tomorrow; ...almost never on ..today.

Here is a Side-Bar: Our Old Testament brothers, lived out the earthly years of their life span upon this natural earth within God's natural kingdom of Israel within the Canaan promise land inheritance. Their coming out and going in began in Moses!

Since Calvary and Pentecost, it is now spiritually true That all N.T. Christ believers live out the years of their natural life span, on this earth, within the Spiritual Kingdom of Heaven/of God. They walk and live within a Holy Ghost spiritual inheritance in a heavenly spiritual promise land.

Just as it was a natural battle for the O.T. believers to live it naturally; it is a spiritual battle for us to live it spiritually. Ours began in Christ Jesus, 2000 years ago! Daniel saw it.

As wonderful as this is, it is only the earnest of our inheritance. More comes while we walk with him during this Spirit Life and more comes after we are finished living this earthly existanc here.

We really start living after we die in and with Jesus Christ unto this present world system surrounding us and start living in Jesus' resurrected life here and now.

The experiences and circumstances of the lives of the O.T. people were all a type, a figure, and an allegory for us; who live in Christ's N.T. kingdom, right now, by the regenerating new birth of water and the Spirit. This is the in-dwelling of Jesus Christ by His Holy Spirit Baptism within all believers who yield to him in faith. That is what Pentecost was all about.

Several things are necessary to see that God's Kingdom of Heaven was instituted "spiritually" upon the day of Pentecost. Jesus, at that time, set down upon the throne in heaven. Pentecost was similar to an Presidential Inauguration Day. The whole universe knew upon that Day, that Jesus was back and He was in charge, as Lord, as the supreme ruler over all powers. His invisible Holy Ghost Kingdom of Heaven/ of God dwells within us, his spirit-filled believers.

Satan lost Dominion

Jesus received Kingdom and Dominion

It really helped me when I saw that Jesus was given 2000 years ago, a Holy Ghost Kingdom and Dominion. There-fore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, (a Holy Ghost Kingdom) he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. (Acts 2:33)

In the process of time, without warning, it became clear that the judgment Daniel saw in 7:10 was not-the-end-of-time judgment; but God's judgment that was set-up at the end of the Old Testament. In Dan 7:12 some beasts were slain and destroyed, but other beasts were not destroyed; ..but had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged 7:13..

That understanding did not set well with my mind; but it was there.

So that meant that at the same time as - dominion was taken from the beasts (hell-darkness-the devil) - "Dominion and a Kingdom" was being given to the Son (7:14) and the glory of all peoples and nations would serve him.

That is what was taking place during Calvary and the next 50 days up to Pentecost!

That is easy to attach to Calvary when one knows that Jesus received all of this at Calvary and did set down in the throne. Peter spoke of it in Acts 2. Of course, it all happened in a spiritual invisible realm at that time; ..at the end of the Old Covenant.

Daniel shows us one dominion is taken from the beasts-the devil, while at the same time an everlasting dominion and kingdom, which shall not pass away, .. is given to the Son of Man, The Lord Jesus Christ. His Kingdom shall never be destroyed; as Hell's was destroyed at Calvary!

Jesus said after his resurrection; ..All power in heaven and earth is given to me (Mat 28:18) and that He ..is alive forevermore with the keys of hell and death (Rev 1:18) Jesus foretold of this when he said, .."Now is the judgment of this world;(not the end-of-all-time judgment, but the judgment at end of the OT), when the Prince of this World was cast out"..Jo 12:31

By the way, there was a resurrection of O.T. saints that day at Calvary. (Mat 27:52) All the blood from Abel down to Jesus' day was being accounted for upon that Calvary generation. O.T. Israel's house was left desolate. (Mat 23:32-38) A new Holy Spiritual nation came into being which would bring forth fruit that God had been seeking. (Mat 21:43) God instituted at that time a new creation race of the born again.

From "Church" Terms

To "Kingdom" Terms

When I suddenly saw this, I began to search for everything Jesus said about the kingdom. Now it all makes so much more sense than before. So from that point, ..I saw that Jesus framed everything in "Kingdom" terms, rather than in "church" terms.

"Kingdom" terms brought out relationship-family terms; such as, Father, son, daughter, children, birth, born again, brother, sister, husband, wife, marriage, wedding, virgins, ..etc

Personally, I noticed for my-self that "church terms" or church-focus had a leaning more towards a "religion emphasis". I saw that much of our Christian experience had simply been co-opted or high-jacked by a natural mind-set in replacing one O.T. law with another N.T. law. This simply created and sustained the outward O.T. forms of religion and re-inserted them right back into New Testament Christianity.

The Old Testament was or had have been Moses' House of Law; but, the New Testament was suppose to be another House; Jesus' House of Grace and Truth. Not another Law House! But a Grace House! Not another Law, but a Person! Then I saw that the Way, the Truth and the Life; was not another Law; but rather, was the person of Jesus Christ. I then realized that my early years in walking with the Lord had turned the New Testament into simply another Law House Testament mentality with a new set of LAWs. I had missed that.

So I decided for a while to frame the New Testament in "Kingdom Terms"; rather than Religious terms, Law terms, or Church terms. It made all the difference for me. So my study topics became : Kingdom Word, Kingdom Anchors, Kingdom School, Kingdom Heirs, Kingdom Inheritance, Kingdom Reigns, Kingdom Parallels, Kingdom Seeking, Kingdom Power, Kingdom Gospel (Good News), Kingdom Darkness, Kingdom Light, Kingdom Day, Kingdom Night.

This definitely changed my focus, but, I noticed that None of the objects or pieces really moved. It was like a camera out of focus. My focus had been due to the the way I framed it all. "Religion" really fails to work as well as "Relationship" does in the Kingdom of God.

"Relationship" Trumped "Religion"

"Father" came into View

I began to see that the character of the O.T. Jehovah God was the same N.T. character which Jesus displayed perfectly. I saw that One of Christ Jesus' purposes was to reveal our heavenly Father to us by bringing him further out of the shadows into a more perfect light, into the light of the "Son".

Truly it happened that, ..the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us in "fullness of expression" in the Son,which walks beyond that of any of the shadow type OT prefigures. Jesus expressed to us the "fulness of the God-head bodily", in human form God manifested himself in the flesh, in His Son. Jesus expressed the exact clear image of God the Father, not only as Prince of Peace, but also as Emanuel "God with Us", ..our Everlasting Father.

Jesus was revealing the Father: ..neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. Mt 11:27 (Luk 10:22)

"SON" relationship came into view

During this "kingdom" learning time, I spent so much time in the gospels, especially John's gospel, that I noticed for the first time, how much Jesus spoke of the Father; which bothered me a bit.

My earlier back-ground did not dwell on the Father-Son Relationship much, other than as an idea. I had never considered that a genuine real Father-Son Relationship existed. But once I had committed to go down this "kingdom" road and to take Jesus' word above everyone elses word; (including my own), I stayed with it as it led me further into this Father aspect.

Moses ask God in Ex 33:18 to "Show me your GLORY". So God revealed himself in v19: "I will make all my goodness pass before you"

Our Jehovah God's nature, the nature of our Everlasting Father is described in Ex 34: 6-7 And the LORD passed by before him, and (called out as in meeting a person) proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty;

Moses was shown the back-side of God. Moses saw his name and glory when he was shown that God is - Merciful - Compassionate and Gracious. That God is ..Grace and Mercy renewed every morning, ...Slow to Anger. God is not Touchy; ..Abounding in Goodness and Truth. God is Lavish, ...His arms are open to us, ...Extending mercy to 1000's of generations. Forgiving Iniquities, Wickedness, Trangressions, Rebellion and Sin; yet providing Punishment.. for those who hate him.

One morning in prayer during those days, "the Spirit of the Lord told me that He is my Everlasting Father and will never leave me as my earthly father had left me."

In that moment I understood God as Father as never before; because my Dad had left me through death at 76 years of age. (I had placed much spiritual dependence upon him.) But my heavenly Father says He will never leave me, nor any of us. He's our Everlasting Father. He's not gonna die. He's not leaving Ever! I had never put that together before.

I came to see that Jesus is the expressed image of Almighty God whose 1st attribute mentioned to Moses was that of "Mercy : Compassion and Grace".

He had previously showed me that the "theme song" of the House of God during Solomon's Temple dedication was "the Lord is good and his mercy endures forever." Also, He reminded me that the lid of the ark of the covenant was not called by any of my favorite Religious "church" names or titles; ..it was called the "Mercy Seat" where he communes and fellowships with us. Another eye-opener.

Jesus was not revealing the back-side of God to men, but Jesus was revealing as the Son the front-side, the Face of God to as many as would receive Him. I began to adjust, as much as I could, "my view" of our heavenly Father to "Jesus' view". I saw much of my religious-ness fade.

I now know that in receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, I have received the "Spirit of the Son" into my heart, that I might call Him Abba - Father. (Gal 4:6) My perspective toward my heavenly Father was changing. I now see Jesus as the perfect Holy Ghost filled man! The beginning of a new creation race of Holy Ghost filled men and women.

We were born in sin, but Jesus was not. He was that second man, the last Adam, who obeyed the Father's Spirit 100% as the expressed image of the Father, as the perfect Holy Ghost filled man.

OT-NT "Parallels" in a New Light

While attending a church service one day, the minister was preaching using numerous common Old Testament stories. I was aware that these O.T. stories ministered spiritual life unto New Testament Believers. However, toward the latter part of his message; the Spirit stated so clearly; .."these are not stories; they are revelations of God's Spirit and how His Spirit works". I immediately began to weep.

I knew that "all of these Old Testament things happened unto them for examples, and are written for us"..1Co 10:11. I knew the "law of the O.T. was a shadow of good things to come"..Heb 10:1. I knew that the natural came first and afterward the spiritual ..1Co 15:46. I also knew that the O.T. "prophets had it revealed to them that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister these things.." 1Pe 1:12

Yet, I just never thought of the OT. as revealings and revelations of God for us N.T. believers. At that moment, the over-whelming parallels, became more clear, between the Israel-after-the-flesh (1Co 10:18) and the Israel-after-the-Spirit (Gal 6:16) who have Christ as their King.

The parallels between the two Kingdoms, (the natural and the spiritual), show us how God designed Redemption around: two creations, two Adams, two covenants, two births, two exodus's, two houses, two prophets, two temples, two warfares, two promise lands, two cities, two enemies, two weapons, two kings, ..etc. You get it ?

The 1st Redemption appears in the Bible as a physical redemption with a literal exodus from a natural, physical bondage, by a relationship with a natural lamb and it's natural blood. Natural Israel, after the flesh, were the natural, physical People of God, called the "children of Israel" to whom was given a natural kingdom with a "LAW" relationship to God. The O.T. Israel after the flesh were a type and shadow of the coming N.T. kingdom.

The 2nd Redemption appears as a spiritual redemption with a spiritual exodus from the spiritual bondage of sin. Spiritual Israel, after the Spirit, is a new covenant people who are "called out" to become the "children of God" or the "sons of God". The members of Israel, after-the-Spirit, are Fathered by a Spiritual birth under a New Testament GRACE relationship with our heavenly Father. It happens for them thru faith in the spiritual lamb and blood of Christ Jesus; ... who took away the sins of the world.

My Focus Changed from.. "Church" to "Kingdom"

In reading, I found numerous scriptures, over 20, which proved to me, with-out a doubt that God's "Kingdom of Heaven/ Kingdom of God" came and was set up, invisibly, 2000 years ago, within the hearts of believers.

I saw that the phrases "Kingdom of God" and "Kingdom of Heaven" describe identically the same kingdom. "Dispensationalism's" teachings and interpretations were now laid aside. I began to read and pray from a "Kingdom" viewpoint; rather than as a member of a Christian Religious Sect, Denomination or Christian religious system.

I saw the mountain top parallels between the O.T. and the N.T. How both the Old and the New started out in Slavery, (sin and unbelief), ..both were sent a Deliverer, (a Moses- a-Jesus), ..both escaped by an act of God's deliverance, and ..both natural and the spiritual people are sealed-out by means of a watery grave baptism (Red Sea baptism for Israel). The NT believers are sealed out by their death, burial and raising into a new life walk in the baptism waters in the name of Jesus Christ.

Both the OT and NT people, go into Wilderness Experiences which work to erase their Un-belief, to teach them what is acceptable and un-acceptable life-styles, and to increase their reliance solely upon the Spirit of God as their guide and their source. Both the OT and NT people of God were promised an Inheritance. (The first was natural, the latter is spiritual).

Both were sealed-in by an empowering Joshua anointing of Spirit Power. (Remember. Mose's Red Sea baptism sealed them "out" of Egypt. Hoshua's Jordan River baptism sealed them into the Canaan Promise Land Inheritance )

Both OT and NT people experience a second baptism. Israel's second baptism was at the Jordan River where the Spirit sealed the people's new Leader Joshua into God's promise land, givng Joshua an offensive power anointing to deal with every resisting adversary.

Jordan River:

Pentecost's Spirit Power Baptism

The former Red Sea baptism sealed-them-OUT of Egypt's bondage to sin. The latter Jordan River Baptism sealed them into the Power of the Holy Ghost to walk into what God had promised; a warfare footing. Both OT and NT believers were empowered to take possession of their Inheritance. The OT people did it physically. The NT people did it spiritually. Both saw and experienced all that God had freely given to all who believed God's promise and His purposes for each of us.

Those of the OT experienced the Jordan River baptism unto Joshua, which placed them on Canaan ground. We of the NT experienced our Joshua : Jesus' Holy Ghost Pentecost batptism. The receiving the Spirit of our Joshua, the Lord Jesus Christ; put us on spiritual Canaan ground.

Both OT and NT covenant people faced resistance by surrounding forces every step of the way. Both fight to enter into their inheritance. Both have to fight to possess it from the enemy who keeps periodically returning, as different national entities, to take it away from them. Satan continues to try to take what is ours from us, from me, from you.

The parallels are made clear when we hear a NT minister preaching from an OT scripture and applying it's natural truth in a spiritual way to us NT believers . OT passages not only applied to natural Israel, but they also apply in a spiritual fashion to all NT believers. Even though the scripture is spoken once; yet it applies twice (most of the time) to both Israel, after the flesh and Israel, after the Spirit:"the body of Christ, his called out, his church.

Stealing, Killing and Destroying : Continues

Stealing what? ..."My Identity" - "My Inheritance" - "My Ministry" - "My Faith" - "My Peace" - "My Kings Government" - "My Joy" - "My Love"

The devil is a liar and a thief from the beginning. He resisted God's plan by manipulating Adam and Eve to accept the serpent's words over God's Words. The great resister and accuser is that thief who always comes to steal, kill, and to destroy. He came literally in the Old Testament and he comes spiritually in this New Testament age.

"Stealing My Identity"

I saw that we believers have an identity, not as servants, but as children of God : as sons and daughters of God. We have been adopted and received his Spirit and his name. Darkness and evil tries to keep this from us by keeping us "religious" rather than in "relationship" standing with our Heavenly Father. Think of "religious" as being focused upon outward forms, rituals, etc. Think of "relationship" as being focused upon an inner heart experience.

Ga 4:5-7 says: To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

2Co 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

New Testament believers are called the "children of God". The O.T. people were called the "children of Israel". There is a difference between the OT and the NT. The difference is "relationship" with our heavenly Father on a Spirit level by Spirit birth; rather than an natural level OT relationship.

Stealing : Heritage - Position - Inheritance

God gives to His N.T. children not less, but in fact greater, than he gave to his O.T. children of Israel. When a person sees by birth, then a Holy Ghost inheritance comes into view. They of the O.T. had a bountiful "natural" Inheritance; and likewise, believers of the N.T. have a bountiful super-natural "spiritual" inheritance.

The first was a natural, earthly inheritance, while those in Christ (the second), are given a spiritual, heavenly inheritance.

The latter inheritance of the NT is just as real spiritually as the former was real physically. Both suffer assaults from evil. Theirs were physical, ours are spiritual. The OT assaults were from the surrounding natural political kingdoms of darkness which are always seeking to take away from us that which God has feely given us. It is a Struggle. It is a Wrestle. It is a Conflict. It is a Warfare to enter into God's blessings and allow them to reign in our life. It is all done by faith.

Stealing My Ministry Standing

In the O.T. we saw a segregated priest-hood who were the only ones who could minister in the things of God. All other members of Israel were kept out.

But in Christ, all believers are counted as equal citizens, all as members of a holy nation, all part of a chosen generation, all a purchased people, all in the royal priesthood of all believers with only one high priest and his name is Jesus.

All believers in the N.T. have equal citizenship. We all have different callings or positions; but the Holy Ghost life flows through all of us. Because "Spirit Life" resides in all believers, all males and females, young and old can minister "priestly" to others of salvation, healing and deliverance. Just as our King and Savior; the Lord Jesus Christ said to the 1st 12 : "Freely you have received; therefore, freely give it away".

Man, Woman, boy, girl. All are qualified in the Spirit to represent Christ Jesus, their King. All ministries exist to more perfectly and completely equip each of us to be better workers in this ministry; in this vineyard, in this field. All the time edifying one another. We all work for him. We all are taking directions from Christ Jesus, who is the head, which always brings into harmony with one another. (Except when the flesh disrupter raises it's head)

Many ministries are mentioned in 1Co 12:28; apostles, prophets, teachers, miracles, gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Also in (Ro 12:6-8) .. prophecy, ministering, teaching; exhorteth, giveth, ruleth, sheweth mercy, and in (Eph 4:11)..apostles; prophets; evangelists; pastors, teachers;

Eph 4:12 (All ministries) are for the perfecting (completing) (fully equipping) of the saints, for (serving in ministry work) the work of the ministry, for the edifying (to build up) of the body of Christ: All members are for that one purpose.

All ministries are simply to help the saints more completely and more perfectly to be prepared to do the ministry work in building up the body of Christ Jesus in this earth.

Stealing My Government ..Thy God Reigns!

A new government was coming and would be upon His Shoulder whose kingdom He would order, establish and increase without end. Isa 9:6 The reigning of His kingdom would keep increasing with people from all nations coming into this mountain of the Lord's House. It would not appear physically, but it would reside within man. The assembly of the 1st born. Victory is given where-ever we choose to stand in his name.

In the last days, which began at Pentecost, Jesus was already exalted to the throne over God's N.T. people, in Mt. Zion. Head-Quarters had been moved from physical Jerusalem to the Spiritual, heavenly Jerusalem. A heavenly, spiritual Jerusalem, would now represent Christ's people, His Bride. Jesus was already exalted in Acts 2 and already sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. Heb 1:3, 12:2 ..with all authorities and powers being made subject to him. 1Pet 3:22 ..He is far above all principalities and powers, might and dominion, and every name, not only in this world, but in the world to come. Eph 1:20-23

In Closing

For me personally, as I opened up to this "Kingdom" Perspective, a great deliverance was wrought within my spiritual Life. Very little has really changed. Nothing has really moved. But now, my focus is more on Him, ..rather than on church-i-ness. When God's intentions are couched in a "religious context" we are in a weaker position to live for Him.

When it is framed in "Relationship terms", which we all understand, from our own natural birth and life perspective. Like-wise we should learn how to live within Chirst's spiritual family. Once we do, our faith can soar to higher heights, and we can represent Christ with less effort and interference.

In this "Present" Kingdom of God there is a reigning and ruling of the Holy Ghost which makes each of us OVERCOMERS over all the powers and assaults as the enemy does his best to hinder. But, praise God, we are given the Victory over all the power of the enemy. This reigning is a Spiritual reign which only exists as each believer walks in the Spirit; in the anointing of Jesus Christ.

Jesus said..Father, Thy Kingdom Come, thy will be done in earth as in heaven. For thine is the kingdom, thine is the power, thine is the glory forever. Amen!

This is a little of what I have seen. May your eyes be opened to the truly wonderful vistas that exist for us in His Kingdom!