Understanding God’s Kingdom

[WatchmanRay]

Proverbs 4:7 …with all thy getting, get understanding!

Matthew 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Jesus would never have told us to seek something first if it was the last thing we were going to receive!

Page 2 Introduction
Page 4 Let’s Begin understanding the Kingdom of God
Page 11 Kingdom of God – First Mention Principle
Page 25 Jesus is the True Word of God
Page 35 What is governed? What territory, realm or region is affected by
God’s Government?
Page 38 The inward government of our Spirit, Soul, and Body by the Kingdom
Of God
Page 40 The Outer Court – Our Body
Page 45 The Holy Place – Our Soul
Page 53 The Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies) – Our Spirit
Page 60 After the internal government of the Kingdom of God is set in the
Individual, Then What?
Page 74 What happens when a City, House, or Kingdom is divided?


The nations would quake if the entire Church stood up together with one voice. The kingdom of darkness would shrink back and cry for mercy wondering what we are going to do to it. Instead, the nations sneer, spiritual darkness and wickedness grow stronger and the lost and dying world thumbs its nose...


Dr. Frank Wm. Hudson
INTRODUCTION

Psalm 127:1 1: Except the LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

Proverbs 4:5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
Proverbs 4:6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

Is Isaiah 9:6-7 being fulfilled?
Isa: 9:6-7 ; For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 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 forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
There is no doubt that this subject of the Kingdom of God will and should cause a rumble and quaking to move throughout the True Church of today. I refuse to believe that it was a cleverly devised scheme by a few to allow the Church to move away from truth about the kingdom into this thing we call organized Church today. I believe that just as the Church went into the dark ages in the middle of the 5th century as corruption began to dominate and demand obedience at the hand of a paganistic church government so too went some of the true doctrines. Unfortunately most Christians today have little to no understanding of what the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ has endured throughout the centuries since its birth.
Now we see the Body of Christ universally divided into so many sections, denominations, and beliefs that the only ones impressed by the appearance of the Church is the Church. The nations would quake if the Church stood up together with one voice. The kingdom of darkness would shrink back and cry for mercy wondering what we are going to do to it. Instead, the nations sneer, spiritual darkness and wickedness grow stronger and the lost and dying world thumbs its nose at the hypocrisy and self-righteousness of a divided Church that cannot even agree on what true doctrine is. Instead of humbling ourselves before God for revealed truth to resolve all discrepancies in doctrine, we have resolved to separate and let each believe what ever they want too.
Why is there no power in the Church today? Why is there no agreement? Where did this kind of thinking come from? If we don’t know then we had better be finding out.


What is the Kingdom of God? Why the necessity for the Kingdom of God? When is the Kingdom of God to come? Where is the Kingdom of God coming too? Who is bringing the Kingdom of God? How is the Kingdom of God going to function? All of these are excellent questions that need to be answered with Scripture and revelation of the Spirit to bring us to a true understanding. I have found over the years that establishing collaborating truth along the way is always necessary to bring a full understanding. We will cover many items of controversy on our way to being made free, which is what the truth does. If you are strong in the Lord and the power of His might and desire truth as much as I believe you do, then you will be a good Berean!
Acts 17:10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Acts 17:12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
Acts 17:13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.

I’m sure you have found that God is always restoring truth and moving us from one level of faith to another and from one revelation to another. This is how we mature or grow up in Him. I assure you we have not heard all that God has to say about any one thing and understanding the Kingdom of God is no different. We must continue to search the Scriptures and the Spirit to see if what is being shared is true! One other note before we launch into this journey, truth will stir others against you and cause them to stir even others against you.
These truth’s we are about to share together have been around since the foundations of the world. Some of these truth’s will challenge what many believe to be foundational to traditional Church doctrine and eschatology. Follow the Scripture by studying to show yourself approved, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.
II Timothy 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

[WatchmanRay]

Let’s begin understanding the Kingdom of God

The term Kingdom when first heard sort of takes the mind back to medieval times when the kings had castles made of stone with moats around them and huge gates to govern access coming in and out of the walls. All of the areas surrounding the castle were governed by the ruling king and this actually became the king’s kingdom.
This definition is not far from the truth so with our minds eye we should begin getting a pretty clear picture of the Kingdom of God. The Greek word used for kingdom is basileia meaning the rule or administration of a king; the domain of the king. The easiest way to remember what kingdom means is to tie it into the two root words used to make the word; Kings – Domain = King dom. Kingdom represents the particular region or territory that a king exercises authority and power to rule and reign over. So the kingdom is dependent on the KING and his abilities, resources, and power to determine the boundaries or borders of the territory for which the kingdom rightfully consists.
When we look at the Kingdom of God then we are looking for the particular region or territory that the King (Jesus or God) exercises authority and power to rule and reign over. We have to decide if we believe that God only rules in heaven or if we believe He rules in heaven and earth. We cannot separate the abilities and capabilities of the King to rule and reign from the set boundaries of the territory He governs. If God rules and reigns in heaven and earth then His authority and power are sovereign in both realms and effective to enforce the rules to manifest His (the kings) will. Once the rule and reign of the king is established His power would have to be broken or overthrown for Him to relinquish any territory or regions He possess.
There has been some concern that the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven were not the same kingdoms. We will show here a few comparisons demonstrating that Jesus used these terms synonymously.
Matthew 4: 17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Compared with:
Mark 1: 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Both of these Scripture verses relate what Jesus said immediately after he heard that John the Baptist had been cast into prison.

Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Compared with:
Luke 6:20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
Both of these Scriptures are at the beginning of what has become known as the Be Attitudes showing once again that the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven were terms Jesus used synonymously and no distinction in the least should be placed between the two. I will list a few more references you can look up for further confirmation.
(Matthew 10:7 with Luke 9:2; Matthew 11:11 with Luke 7:28; Matthew 13:11 with Luke 8:10; Matthew 13:31 with Luke 13:18,19; Matthew 19:14 with Mark 4:30,31; Matthew 19:23,24 with Luke 18:24)

With this not so challenging area of understanding the Kingdom behind us let us look to an area that has been so misunderstood about the kingdom that I believe it has misdirected ninety nine percent of the Church for a couple of hundred years. I would suggest you put your spiritual seatbelt on for this one!

Jesus prayed in Matthew;
Matthew 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
By this we understand it is God’s will for the kingdom of God to compass all heaven and earth, but the question since Jesus was praying like this is if the Kingdom in Jesus’ time consisted of heaven and earth? We understand that in order for a kingdom to exist it must have the authority and/or power to rule and reign. If a king’s power is broken to where he cannot enforce the rule over the area which he governs then he would be considered overthrown. When something or someone breaks the power of the king then the broken kings’ kingdom would then be given to the conquering individual or king.
After Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection an announcement is made by Him that doesn’t get the recognition it should for what He actually did.
Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

This is vitally important because any king in heaven or on earth could not reign without the power to enforce rule. Seeing that Jesus declared ALL POWER was His that left no power for any of these other kings to rule, so what does this mean? You have already answered it! Since Jesus possessed ALL POWER in HEAVEN and EARTH, then by His work that He finished, he overthrew all kings and kingdoms in heaven and earth and became the ONE and ONLY CONQUERING KING! There may have been those that still claimed to be king, but Jesus became the KING OF KINGS. This tells us that the Kingdom of God now compasses ALL KINGDOMS in heaven and earth.
The work Jesus did was not just showing us how it would be one day in the sweet bye-and-bye, but He was actually challenging the power and authority of all the other kingdoms. He was healing the sick, forgiving sin, raising the dead, casting out demons, multiplying the food, changing water to wine, eating showbread, explaining the word, ministering to the poor, commanding the fish, opening blind eyes, letting the lame walk, distributing power and authority to others, commanding the wind and the sea. Why was He doing this? To OVERTHROW THEM! He said He didn’t come to bring peace, but a SWORD! He didn’t come to judge because the prince, kings and kingdoms of this world had already been judged. Jesus said, “I come to do thy will oh God.” He openly declared the Kingdom he represented by telling everyone around Him everywhere He went that this day the Kingdom of God (Heaven) has come nigh unto you!
Jesus made an announcement when the seventy returned after going and doing what Jesus had told them too;
Luke 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Luke 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

What are we to do with statements like this from Jesus! He keeps saying things that we have been taught either happened a long time ago or isn’t going to happen until the end. Jesus was saying he challenged the power of the king that ruled over the kingdom of darkness (Satan) in the heavens and Satan lost and was cast down from heaven to the earth. We find a parallel event in a prophetic book of the New Testament, but I don’t know if many want to here it.

Revelation 12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
Revelation 12:8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Revelation 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Revelation 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
Revelation 12:13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.

I know most teachers, believers, and especially prophecy interpreters put this Scripture verse way out into the future, but I ask you to consider what time you would place the announcement of this event? I believe someone has definitely missed in their attempt to understand Bible Prophecy! There is much, much, much more that I have to say about these end time events but now is not the place or time! We will however speak more about some of these as this investigation into understanding the Kingdom of God continues.


Revelation 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
This is exactly what Jesus was saying when He said all power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. He was saying the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of God, and His Christ and He shall reign forever and ever. These are three announcements of this one event. Jesus says it, John says it twice in the Revelation of Jesus Christ and I am going to take the moment to mention Daniel’s prophecy that says this is exactly what would happen and exactly when this would happen! No one can honorably dismiss this prophetic event of Daniel as being some other event at another place and time.

Daniel 2:44 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.

Daniel’s prophetic interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s entire dream gives us the time frame, the Kingdom of God, consumes or overthrows all of the other kingdoms, and it stands forever.
These have to be the exact same events unless somehow God’s Kingdom was overthrown or pushed back by another power in the midst of this ordeal, which if someone makes that claim they are out of their mind! The kingdoms of this world only have to fall to the Kingdom of God, ONE TIME and they HAVE! This is past tense! God only has to set up His Kingdom one time. By all of the Scripture passages you will ever locate in the Bible they all state that the Kingdom of God, once set up, would stand forever. Forever is a long time and definitely more than a measly one thousand years!
This is such a big step in understanding the Kingdom of God that I would suggest at this point you go back and reread these events and be fully persuaded in your own mind. You need to believe fully that this is what and when these events happened because most everyone around you has been taught a fairy tale about these events.
I mentioned at the outset that we would be establishing many other truths along the way to understanding the Kingdom. I too, mentioned that many areas we would cover were foundational to Christian Doctrine and their understanding was held to be absolute truth with no room for discussion.
Our intent is not to confuse the issues, but rather bring them to the light so the truth can prevail and we can all grow in our understanding of the truth about this Kingdom of God with which we have much to do and say! If the kingdoms have already become the kingdoms of our God and His Christ, and they have, then what is going on? If we are not supposed to be waiting for these events to unfold then what are we supposed to be doing? These instructions have to come from the King! Information can be disseminated by many means from the King to those inhabiting His Kingdom, but lets look first to the King!

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

This is considered by most to be what is called the great commission and I do not believe anyone could justly refute the validity of that claim. What does need to be challenged though is the interpretation of what the great commission actually told the believers to do! What we don’t hear in this great commission is the command to build big buildings and call it the Church. Jesus doesn’t say I know you are going to disagree on what I have said and done, but it is okay just break off into separate groups and call yourselves by a different name. We don’t hear Jesus saying to divide you into separate groups and use different interpretations of My Word to house the ones that believe like you do. He doesn’t say the power of His kingdom was diminishing and that the gifts of the Spirit would only be able to function for the apostles.
I know I get a little sarcastic, but it helps to speak the truth in love if your goal is to redeem the times.
The great commission was much more than just telling a lost and dying world that Jesus Christ died for their sin and they need to repent and believe in Him for salvation. We were to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, bring the homeless into our house, teach the gospel of the kingdom to all of the world, teach nations to observe all things He commanded, make all of His enemies a footstool for His feet, baptizing the nations in the name of the godhead and He would be with us all the way! Here are a few more Scriptures identifying what we should be doing since we are not waiting for the Kingdom of God to come any longer.

Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Hebrews 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
Hebrews 10:13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be d**ned.
Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
Mark 16:18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Mark 16:19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
Mark 16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
II Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
II Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
II Corinthians 10:5 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;
II Corinthians 10:6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
I Peter 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
I Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
I Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
I Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
I Peter 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
I Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
Peter I 5:11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

These are only a few of the things we should be doing now, but as you can plainly see we have much to do. These Scriptures are the Words of our Reigning King telling us what He expects of us and has made us accountable to do, but also how to exercise His authority and power of His Kingdom in this realm to get the desired results.

John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
John 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
Matthew 18:18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Matthew 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

How incredible it is when we begin to understand that our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ has accomplished much more than we ever imagined. I believe this is why John wrote;
John 21:25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

I believe John here is referring to those things that were accomplished by Jesus that eye has not seen nor ear heard neither has it entered into the heart of man. If John were speaking of the literal things Jesus did while he walked the earth this would not be a legitimate statement because the world could contain a day by day account of what Jesus physically did quite easily. But when we consider the prophecies fulfilled, the heavens affected, the kingdoms and each of their realms affected, the futures of all things, etc… we begin to see that the world itself could not possibly contain the books that could be written. As we prepare to move on in our understanding I would like to leave you with another verse of Scripture for consideration. These text speak of many things that can be identified with the Kingdom of God, our reigning King, His exaltation, and the work being accomplished in the earth now. There are still some rogue rebellions taking place in some of the kingdoms Christ subdued and someone has to have the responsibility to function to stamp out these rebellions on the behalf of our King! I wonder who that would be?

Acts 2:32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
Acts 2:33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
Acts 2:34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
Acts 2:35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
Acts 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

Your understanding of the Kingdom has grown since we began this investigation whether you have noticed it or not. I only want to suggest that you move with wisdom and take the time to be established in the truth that is present with you.
II Peter 1:12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.

We will establish more foundation for our understanding of the Kingdom as we go, but it is vitally important that you incorporate the truth you have been established in over the years with the new that is coming in. We can sometimes find that as the Spirit brings us into more understanding and truth that we at times in the past have made errors in associating certain scriptures with others. As we begin to rightly divide the Word of Truth our confidence builds and we are more apt to teach because the danger of being made ashamed is diminished greatly and we know we have the approval of God.

Timothy II 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

[WatchmanRay]

Kingdom of God – First Mention Principle

In our beginning we need to find where the Kingdom of God is first spoken about to begin getting our understanding. As I mentioned at the outset of this journey bringing together more than one truth is essential to getting an understanding. This Kingdom of God we are unveiling is no different seeing that we will take from the old and the new to reveal the treasure of the Word. Although Jesus and the Kingdom were prophesied of in Genesis 3:15 saying the seed of the woman would bruise the serpents head, I know some may find that seed hard to swallow. In Genesis 22 we see God preaching the gospel to Abraham saying in thy seed shall all of the nations of the earth be blessed. This is a clear pointer to the Kingdom for you Bible students yet we will by pass this reference for now so we can be precise and not speak to only those with matured reasoning. Therefore we’ll utilize the first mention principle which is to be employed anytime you desire to establish sound doctrine. The first mention principle is simply that, the first mention of what you are searching to understand in the Word. The Kingdom of God finds its specific first mention in Exodus 19:6.

Exodus 19:3 And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel;
Exodus 19:4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself.
Exodus 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
Exodus 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.
These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

God specifically outlines that the children of Israel were to be a kingdom unto Him, thus the first mention of the Kingdom of God. God speaks specifically about what type of a Kingdom and nation His would be. The children of Israel would be an entire Priesthood in the Kingdom of God. Not just the Levites (Levitical Priesthood) or Aaron and his sons (Aaronic Priesthood), but the WHOLE PEOPLE would be Priests and the entire nation would be Holy! They would be a treasured treasure above all of the other people IF they would obey His voice and keep His covenant. The question is, did they obey His voice and keep His covenant? This question is answered by any that have studied the Scripture to be an emphatic NO! We will not lean to our own understanding so we turn again to the book of remembrance, the Scriptures, the Bible! Jesus was teaching in parables concerning the kingdom and He answered our question for us.

Matthew 21:33 Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:
Matthew 21:34 And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.
Matthew 21:35 And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.
Matthew 21:36 Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise.
Matthew 21:37 But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.
Matthew 21:38 But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.
Matthew 21:39 And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.
Matthew 21:40 When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?
Matthew 21:41 They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.
Matthew 21:42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
Matthew 21:43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
Matthew 21:44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
Matthew 21:45 And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.

God said the children of Israel would become a kingdom of priests and a holy nation to him (the Kingdom of God manifest) if they would obey His voice and keep His commands. Jesus explains perfectly throughout this parable that the children of Israel did not obey God’s voice nor did they keep His commands. The parable points to the patriarchs, the prophets, the angels, and finally God’s Son Jesus all being sent could not get the children of Israel to yield the fruit that God required. Jesus taught in the parable that the children of Israel actually recognized Him as the Son, but decided if they killed the Son they could keep the vineyard or kingdom and seize the inheritance of the Son for their own. This picture hasn’t been painted this way by many in the past so it is important we here what Jesus was actually saying. What Jesus said was the children of Israel that had the Kingdom for centuries never honored their end of the covenant by obeying God’s voice and keeping His commands. This final act by the children of Israel of crucifying Christ would seal their fate to having the Kingdom of God taken from them and given to a nation that would bring forth the fruit of it.
Jesus taught this so clear in the parable that the Pharisees understood what Jesus was talking about. In Exodus 19 we see God blessing the children of Israel under Moses direction with the promise of them being God’s special people favored above all others, a Kingdom of priests and a holy nation when the IF conditions are met. Centuries later we see Jesus (God) declaring to the children of Israel that they had not met the IF conditions and the Kingdom of God, which included all of the promises, would be taken away from them and given to a nation that would bring forth the fruit of it.
In understanding the Kingdom simply from the first mention principle we gain understanding that: (1) The Kingdom would be made up of all priests (2) They would be a nation that would be holy (3) The Kingdom belonged to God meaning this holy nation of priests would belong to God (4) There were conditions for the Kingdom to be blessed and functional; obeying God’s voice and keeping His commands or word (5) The Promise of the Kingdom of God is forfeitable by the one receiving (6) God will give it to whom He chooses!
With this understanding thus far gleaned we can see clearly then that the Kingdom of God was forfeited by the children of Israel. If they forfeited it over 1900 years ago, who received it? That is a very good question. We look back to the Scripture to help us identify the answer to this question. We need to find the Scripture text identifying the transfer or acknowledgement of receipt of the Kingdom after the final act of killing the Son was committed by the children of Israel to cause the forfeiture of the Kingdom prophesied by Jesus. This can take us no other place than to First Peter chapter two.

I Peter 2:3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
I Peter 2:4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
I Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
I Peter 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
I Peter 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
I Peter 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
I Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
I Peter 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Peter gives us by the Holy Spirit an incredible description of the promise of the Kingdom of God in almost identical words seen in Exodus 19 to the children of Israel. There are many more colorful prophetic references quoted here in this same Scripture text that needs to be researched by you faithful students of truth. We will revisit some of these prophecies and fulfillments later in our quest for truth. For now it suffices us to recognize that Jesus’ prophecy about the children of Israel having the Kingdom of God taken from them and given to a nation that would bring forth the fruit of it has been fulfilled. Peter includes in this passage of Scripture the reference to the children of Israel stumbling over the Word (Jesus) because they would not obey God’s voice or keep His commands (disobedience). They were appointed to this end (verse 8) because Jesus prophesied that is what was going to take place and it did.
If you are still with me, CONGRATULATIONS, you are blessed. Most prophecy teachers, seminary students, and nearly 99 percent of Christianity still believe that natural Israel is God’s chosen people and they have a corner market on the Kingdom of God. I praise God that you are being set free into the glorious realms of truth that actually make you free.
Some may still be wavering so it is most important at this time that we look back and see exactly who it was Peter was writing this Epistle to. If Peter is writing to the Jews in Jerusalem then God has reinstated the children of Israel and we are still on the outside looking in. We turn again to the Scripture to get the answer to this question.

I Peter 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the STRANGERS scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
I Peter 2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

Hallelujah! We have identified the possessors of the Kingdom of God. We know for a fact the children of Israel have never been addressed in Scripture as being STRANGERS. This reference has to be to the gentile converts that had accepted Jesus and had been scattered throughout the surrounding areas. This solidifies the truth that the transfer was made from the children of Israel to the New Testament believers saved by grace through faith in the finished work of Jesus. The New Testament believers were the only ones sanctified by the Spirit to follow in obedience and accept the sprinkled blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is incredibly GREAT NEWS! Why? Because this changing hands of the Kingdom doesn’t completely cast away the children of Israel leaving them with no hope of redemption. But rather there disobedience has worked a more sufficient and all satisfying Covenant seeing they can individually accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and become possessors of the Kingdom of God along with the rest of the believers.

While we drink that in we can begin to research other Scripture text that can help us gain an even deeper understanding of the Kingdom of God. In Luke 8:10 Jesus says it is given to those following after Him to know the mysteries (Greek - musterion) of the Kingdom of God.
Luke 8:10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

To some, what we have covered so far must be a mystery that they have heard in a parabolic form because I find it quite easy to understand as I hope you have too! This may clue us in on some of the problems that have occurred over the years in disseminating information and understanding of the Kingdom. Jesus told Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, that he must be born again to be able to see the Kingdom of God. That doesn’t have to be a literal inability to see the manifestation of the Kingdom of God; it could also be a blindness to be able to comprehend the truth’s revealing the Kingdom of God. Since faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word, this would go right along with the prophecies of them stumbling at the Word that would have brought them the faith to believe. Since the hearing of the word gives faith to see what the word is saying, rejecting the word one is hearing would also reject the revelation of what the word was unveiling.
Thus, a continuing fulfillment of what Isaiah prophesied;

Matthew 13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
Matthew 13:14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
Matthew 13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
Matthew 13:16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
Matthew 13:17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

In agreement with Jesus we can say you are truly blessed for eye has not nor ear heard nor has entered into the heart of man the things that God has prepared for them that love Him. But God has proven His desire for us to understand the mysteries of the Kingdom and has chosen now to reveal them to us. There is a wisdom that God has reserved for those that are mature and I thank God that you are learning to speak that language. This wisdom is not often spoken about because it has been hid from the sight of those that were wise in their own minds. But God has chosen us, which are the foolish things of the world, to confound these wise men. The Scripture uses the Greek word musterion which means mystery. This word means that the only way to gain the understanding of what is contained in the mystery is to be initiated into it. You’ll never gain the understanding by reading, hearing, or seeing others that understand the mystery. You have to give yourself to the Spirit, accept that what the Spirit says is true, and then let the Spirit birth it into you. And when you experience what was birthed into you then the word musterion (mystery) is known to you. Why? You were initiated into it. Like salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. You can tell someone about it until you and they are blue in the face, but they will never understand the mystery of salvation until they are saved. This is true with all of the mysteries in the Kingdom of God. That is why there are keys to the Kingdom. Rejoice because it is given to you know all of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God.

Luke 8:10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

Paul knew this and was explaining it in great detail to those he was writing to so they would understand why he spoke differently to them by letter than he did face to face, and too why some of the ones in the local body of believers had a difficult time understanding the things he was teaching. Even Peter said, Paul spoke things that were hard to understand. Lets read for convenience the discourse of Paul to the Corinthian believers on this most mysterious subject.

I Corinthians 2:6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
I Corinthians 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
I Corinthians 2:8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
I Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
I Corinthians 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
I Corinthians 2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
I Corinthians 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
I Corinthians 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
I Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
I Corinthians 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
I Corinthians 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Understanding the Kingdom is to also understand the language that the King uses to speak to His subjects. There is so much information contained in these verses listed above that an individual could examine them for the rest of his days on the face of this earth and never reach the end of understanding. We can find out who we are, what we’ve been given, how we can communicate, how to teach, how to learn, and what is happened to others ability to see these things and understand them and yet all of that is simply the crust of this bread.
As we move to examine further clues, revelations and mysteries of the Kingdom of God it is necessary to turn to the Spirit and let Him lead us through the rest of our investigation. It may seem like we are blowing here and there, but stay along for the ride and I assure you the Spirit of God will never disappoint you.
As we moved through some Scriptures of the New Testament epistle of Peter we touched on some areas that need to be examined further in light of the understanding we have received. A clear link to the prophecies of Daniel is seen in the Kingdom of God being set up and the stone grinding to powder all whom the kingdom falls on. I pray you let the Word of God speak to you and communicate the truth of this revelation to your spirit with all understanding. This is the interpretation given to Nebuchadnezzar of a recurring dream he had that troubled him. The references and symbolism speaks clearly of Christ and His kingdom.
Daniel 2:34 "You watched while a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces.
Daniel 2:35 "Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed together, and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; the wind carried them away so that no trace of them was found. And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.
Daniel 2:36 "This is the dream. Now we will tell the interpretation of it before the king.
Daniel 2:37 "You, O king, are a king of kings. For the God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength, and glory;
Daniel 2:38 "and wherever the children of men dwell, or the beasts of the field and the birds of the heaven, He has given them into your hand, and has made you ruler over them all-you are this head of gold.
Daniel 2:39 "But after you shall arise another kingdom inferior to yours; then another, a third kingdom of bronze, which shall rule over all the earth.
Daniel 2:40 "And the fourth kingdom shall be as strong as iron, inasmuch as iron breaks in pieces and shatters everything; and like iron that crushes, that kingdom will break in pieces and crush all the others.
Daniel 2:41 "Whereas you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter's clay and partly of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; yet the strength of the iron shall be in it, just as you saw the iron mixed with ceramic clay.
Daniel 2:42 "And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile.
Daniel 2:43 "As you saw iron mixed with ceramic clay, they will mingle with the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay.
Daniel 2:44 "And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.
Daniel 2:45 "Inasmuch as you saw that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold-the great God has made known to the king what will come to pass after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure."

The kingdom of God is here and it isn’t going anywhere until FOREVER is finished. Jesus is the STONE the builders rejected. Made without hands! When Jesus finished His work He said ALL AUTHORITY is given unto Me in HEAVEN and in EARTH. He had broken all rule authority and power, simply put He had stripped all of the other kingdoms of their authority and power and they were ready to be grinded to pieces! Who is to do the grinding?

[WatchmanRay]

We have been taught to believe the Church would run with the Kingdom until the fullness of the gentiles be come in and then it would be handed off to the Jews. It is funny that almost exactly the opposite is taught in Scripture seeing that the Kingdom was present and in the hands of the Israelites, but was taken from them and handed to us, the gentiles. Who is this New Nation and where did it come from? Peter answers those questions and ties it into some very interesting Scriptures about Jesus with links to Daniel’s prophecies.

I Peter 2:6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame."
I Peter 2:7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, "The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,"
I Peter 2:8 and "A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense." They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.
I Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
I Peter 2:10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

Peter tells us in Verse 9 that we (gentiles) are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own special people who will bring forth the fruit of His kingdom. Some have been taught to believe that this was Peter talking to the Jews at Jerusalem. A simple statement in verse 10 makes it perfectly clear who Peter was talking about. He writes “who once were not a people”. Since everyone knows the Israelites were quite well documented and known as the people of God up to this point, they are immediately excluded from consideration, actually only leaving one class of people. This can only refer to the gentiles for they were the ones outside the covenants of promise and were not included in the household of God. Peter makes an incredible statement and says, “who once were not a people but are NOW THE PEOPLE OF GOD…”. Thank God that He gave us such clear direction in pointing out this incredible changing of the guards. The Israelites yielded or forfeited the position they alone had with God and now God has given it to all (Gentile and Jew) believers regardless of race, ethnic background, or social status.
It is incredulous that the Pharisees, nearly 2000 years ago understood that Jesus was talking about them, but Bible teachers today still haven’t caught the revelation. When Jesus spoke to Nicodemus in the gospel of John and told him you must be born again, Nicodemus didn’t understand him. Jesus rebuked him because he was a teacher of the Jews and he couldn’t understand this basic teaching. Jesus remarked that how would Nicodemus understand if Jesus spoke to him on spiritual matters seeing he couldn’t understand this simple teaching.
John 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
John 3:2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him."
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
John 3:4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"
John 3:5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
John 3:6 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
John 3:7 "Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'
John 3:8 "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."
John 3:9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, "How can these things be?"
John 3:10 Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?
John 3:11 "Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness.
John 3:12 "If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?

I believe we see the same example today when Bible teachers can’t understand this simple teaching of the Kingdom of God no longer being exclusively with the nation of Israel, but now include Jew and Gentile alike. Do not follow the example set by Nicodemus and reject the witness of the Word. If teachers today cannot understand these simple teachings how are they ever going to be correct in understanding the heavenly truths.
In conclusion of this section it is necessary in summation to rediscover the truth that the Kingdom of God is here now; We are God’s people; and the Kingdom of God is inside of us; and the Kingdom of God is to be effective IN THE EARTH as well as IN HEAVEN now!
Matthew 6:10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

Jesus runs into a situation where someone understands government and authority and this is what happens;

Matthew 8:5 Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him,
Matthew 8:6 saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented."
Matthew 8:7 And Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him."
Matthew 8:8 The centurion answered and said, "Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.
Matthew 8:9 "For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."
Matthew 8:10 When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, "Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!
Matthew 8:11 "And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 8:12 "But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
Matthew 8:13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you." And his servant was healed that same hour.

The centurion understood how government operates and recognized that Jesus was functioning in the government of the kingdom of God. The centurion understood, accepted, and received what Christianity has had such a hard time accepting, that the authority of God’s government is capable of ruling on earth now!
The result Christianity has been getting is the same the centurion received in verse 13. “Go thy way; as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee.” We have received exactly what we have believed with the results manifesting exactly what we have believed, nothing. We believe that the kingdom of God is going to show up some day, but not today. We believe that God will set up His kingdom in the sweet bye-and-bye and then everything will be great. We have a belief that it will come some day in the future, and we will fight anybody that says it isn’t coming. What we won’t do is believe it’s here on earth today, it is powerful, and we can and do operate in it and fight against anything that says it isn’t. Yes, we are receiving what we believe exactly like the centurion. The exception is that the centurion was praised for his belief and we would be indicted for ours, “As thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee!”
Putting any sarcasm behind us, we must first seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

Matthew 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Christ would never tell us to seek something first if it was going to be the last thing we were going to receive! We cannot hope to see manifestations of God’s kingdom in the earth today; when we do not believe it is even here yet. How can we operate in something that we believe is not going to show up until after a rapture of the Church, a seven year tribulation on the earth, and then a return of Christ to establish or setup His kingdom? Someone has very unwisely tied together the Kingdom of God being established on the earth with the return of Christ. Let us look in on a conversation between Jesus and the Pharisees in the gospel of Luke:

Luke 17:20 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation;
Luke 17:21 "nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you."

Jesus doesn’t say the Kingdom of God will one day be on the earth when asked by the Pharisees, He says the kingdom of God IS WITHIN YOU! IS means NOW. It is a STATE OF BEING! As much as Jesus disliked what the Pharisees stood for and how they acted, He would never lower Himself to lie to them! We have been taught that the kingdom of God is living in heaven with mansions, streets of gold and all of our loved ones showing up that have gone before us. It is not to say that these things won’t be one day but we’re dealing with the true for here and now! Someone has been misleading us about the true nature and existence of the Kingdom of God for today! Jesus has a message for those as well:

Matthew 23:13 "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.

The truth and nothing but the truth is that the Kingdom of God IS HERE NOW! To understand this is to understand the true nature and purpose of why Jesus Christ became manifest.
I John 3:8 … For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

Romans 14:16 Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil;
Romans 14:17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Jesus destroys another attempt by man to deceive the true believers by making it very clear that the kingdom of God DOES NOT come with observation. This has to be a completely different event than the return of Christ where the lightning shines from the east to the west and the angels gathering together the elect from the four winds. You get the idea? The coming of the Kingdom was not to come with observation; not to be noticed; no information, facts or data gathered for the occurrence; not to be seen or viewed. The coming of the Kingdom was inside of the believer bringing righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. The power and the rule from the presence of that same kingdom inside a believer is another story altogether.
If we understand that the Kingdom of God is here now, what does that do to the rest of our eschatology? We should take most all of the events on the earth and conditions of mankind attributed to the millennial reign and expect a fulfillment now. The conquering of Satan’s dominions, the abolishment of sickness and disease, Christ walking in our midst, the river of life flowing freely, etc. are conditions that are to exist now. We need to pay attention to;
Romans 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.
Romans 8:20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope;
Romans 8:21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.

Until now! When is now? There is an expectation by Jesus and all of creation for the sons of God to manifest and restore all things because the power and authority of the kingdom of God possess the governmental capabilities to renew all of creation, in heaven and earth. Jesus after making an offering for sin, the crucifixion, has sit down and is expecting all of His enemies to be made a footstool for His feet (Hebrews 10:13-15). There is only one prophesied about that God said He would make all of His enemies a footstool for His feet. The following Scripture verses bring this into context.

Mark 12:36 "For David himself said by the Holy Spirit: 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool." '
Luke 20:42 "Now David himself said in the Book of Psalms: 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand,
Luke 20:43 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool." '
Acts 2:32 "This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.
Acts 2:33 "Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.
Acts 2:34 "For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand,
Acts 2:35 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool." '
Acts 2:36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:39 "For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."
Hebrews 1:13 But to which of the angels has He ever said: "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool"?
Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?
Hebrews 2:1 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.
Hebrews 2:2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward,
Hebrews 2:3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,
Hebrews 2:4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?
Hebrews 2:5 For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels.
Hebrews 2:6 But one testified in a certain place, saying: "What is man that You are mindful of him, Or the son of man that You take care of him?
Hebrews 2:7 You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And set him over the works of Your hands.
Hebrews 2:8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet." For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him.
Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.
Hebrews 10:10 By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Hebrews 10:11 And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.
Hebrews 10:12 But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God,
Hebrews 10:13 from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool.
Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

The actual accomplishment of this prophecy is to be fulfilled by the Church, the fullness of Him that fills all in all, functioning through the government of God on the earth and in the heavens.
Ephesians 1:22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,
Ephesians 1:23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Whatever we bind on earth is bound in heaven.
Matthew 16:19 "And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
Matthew 18:18 "Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
Matthew 18:19 "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.

We don’t have the time here to get into the prophecies of Daniel although it would be very helpful to this instruction in governments. I do want to point out the fact that this particular prophecy of Daniel is very clear in this portion and agreed upon by most theologians throughout the ages. What is not agreed upon is the fact that God says in this prophecy that He would set up the Kingdom of God in Jesus’ days and it would never be destroyed, or left to another people, but it would break in pieces and consume all of the other kingdoms. That truth simply doesn’t fit into escapism theology, so many fight against a clearly revealed truth that came right out of the mouth of God. For the record here is the Scripture verse:
Daniel 2:44 "And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.

[WatchmanRay]

JESUS IS THE TRUE WORD OF GOD!

It is very important to understand how one relates to a specified region or territory where one actually has the power and ability to exercise authority and enforce the laws of that kingdom.
For example;
Matthew:9:6: But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.

Jesus understood perfectly and explains that the authority of the government of the kingdom He represents can be enforced on earth. What a great revelation. Jesus went on to demonstrate that not only He, but the twelve and the seventy had the same ability to enforce the authority of the kingdom of God on the earthly realm. It would do us well to look briefly at this in the Scripture.

Luke 10:1 After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go.
Luke 10:2 Then He said to them, "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.
Luke 10:3 "Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.
Luke 10:4 "Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road.
Luke 10:5 "But whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this house.'
Luke 10:6 "And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you.
Luke 10:7 "And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house.
Luke 10:8 "Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you.
Luke 10:9 "And heal the sick there, and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.'
Luke 10:10 "But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say,
Luke 10:11 'The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.'
Luke 10:16 "He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me."
Luke 10:17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name."
Luke 10:18 And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
Luke 10:19 "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Luke 10:20 "Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven."
Luke 10:21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.

“Even the devils are subject unto us through thy name”, demonstrated that Jesus not only had the power to wield the authority of God’s Kingdom on earth, but too He could give it to whomever He chose. I have yet to figure out how the teachings in the seminary and many Bible students across the lands can say that these demonstrations were just for the days of establishing the Gospel. They seem to think that after the Bible had been penned there was no more need for these manifestations of the Spirit to continue for the Bible was that perfect thing that was to come. They use verse 10 of First Corinthians below to say the manifestations of God are not needed anymore today and that the perfect thing to come was the bible.

I Corinthians 13:8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.
I Corinthians 13:9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part.
I Corinthians 13:10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
I Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
I Corinthians 13:12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

How did they ever get away with this one? They should have put more focus on verse 11 then maybe they wouldn’t have jumped to such a childish conclusion. The written word given as a book of remembrance was never supposed to be mistaken for being the actual manifest WORD OF GOD! Jesus was the Word of God! John chapter one gives us some clues on who and what the Word of God is.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:2 He was in the beginning with God.
John 1:3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
John 1:4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
John 1:5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
John 1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
John 1:7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe.
John 1:8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
John 1:9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.
John 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.
John 1:11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.
John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
John 1:13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

I think there has been a little misunderstanding brought in to the Churches on what and who the TRUE WORD OF GOD is! The Word of God is not written with ink on paper although recordings of what the Word of God has said are written with ink on paper, stone, and other materials and we call it the bible. But, to be taught that the recordings of the actions and written words of God is indeed God is quite ridiculous. Do not hear what I am not saying! I cherish and hold dear to my life the Bible and everything it stands for, but JESUS is the true WORD OF GOD not the bible! John told us that the Word of God was God! A personal pronoun of “HE” is used to refer to the Word of God. He, the Word of God, is a person and is referred to using masculine pronouns. But, nowhere in the Scriptures will you find any inanimate object, such as a book, referred to as HE or by a personal pronoun. We also know that God is Spirit. Spirit is not flesh and blood and neither is it ink and paper! God is to be worshipped and since the Word of God is God then the Word of God is to be worshipped. If the bible is the Word of God then worship it, but if Jesus is the Word of God then worship Him.

John 4:22 "You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.
John 4:23 "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.
John 4:24 "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to catch this one so I hope you can see the difference. I know religious spirits would love to pop up and cause people to get into the flesh over a statement like that, but hear what the Word is saying. I wholeheartedly agree with the Word of God (Jesus) being perfect but, strongly disagree with the assertion that this would supplant the Power of God’s Kingdom. These two, the Word and the Power, were to work hand in hand with the Power of God manifesting the confirmations to the Word of God for all believers throughout the ages. NOWHERE in Scripture are we told that the Power of God to establish His Kingdom would be replaced by the Word of God that actually sanctifies and sets us apart for the establishing of the Kingdom. Jesus said the works He did we would do also, what makes people think we would need any less power than Jesus had to do the same things He did.
John 14:12 "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.

The “Escapism” mentality has blinded Christianity from realizing the true purpose of our existence. We were not born again to simply tarry until He comes, or to occupy until He comes, or to hold on for the rapture. The escapism mentality keeps us from realizing the necessity to walk in the power and authority of God while we are here on the earth. Scripture shows quite a different picture of the truth. Scripture teaches us that The Kingdom of God is not in word but in power.

I Corinthians 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.
I Thessalonians 1:5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.

In truth the Body of Christ today is almost in shambles because there is no clear manifestation of the power of the Kingdom of God today. Those that do have some manifestation try to exclude all other believers that do not have the manifestation as being less spiritual or even to the point of inferring that those outside of them are not true believers. The truth is what makes us free. We can not continue abandoning the clear understandable teachings of the Word of God. If what we believe is not consistent with the Word of God then we are going to have to rethink what we believe and then begin asking ourselves and each other, WHY? Why did we turn from the clear teachings of the Word that tells us that we have power on earth to change everything about us? Why did we decide to say that the gifts of the Spirit of God have passed away and are not for today? Why are we pouring into the hospitals instead of walking out of our houses healed by the power of the Kingdom of God if what we are doing is so correct?
Those are simply a few questions that we need to have answered. I understand that leadership has over the last 1500 years started making excuses why the manifestations of the power of the Kingdom of God were not at work in their ministries. Most had no idea why the power wasn't working and those that did know why the power wasn't working covered it up so they would not be found wanting. We could list excuses from here to the end of this book offered by teachers, scholars, denominational heads, pastors, etc... Stating why the power of God's Kingdom isn't manifesting. All of these excuses can be summed up in one short statement, that the traditions of men make the Word of God ineffective. When we stopped believing that the power was available and on hand, we stopped placing a demand on the manifestation of the Spirit for it. When we started making excuses why the power isn't manifesting we begin lying against the Holy Spirit and judgment fall’s excluding us from the ability to observe the manifestations and our traditions eventually exempt us from the effectiveness of God’s Word.
To borrow a line from the poetic world for description I submit, "Oh what tangled webs we weave when first we practice to deceive." We have to stop deceiving ourselves about why the power isn't manifesting in our lives individually and in the Body of Christ corporately. We can no longer accept the false doctrines handed down to us by idle minds and those that did the work of the Lord negligently. We will give account on how we have handled ourselves in this generation before the Lord one day and if you are like me, you do not want to make that appearance and stand before Christ based upon someone’s excuse for why the Word doesn't work. Virtually that is what the agreement with excuses is saying, that the Word of God doesn't work anymore. I don't know any believer that would stand up and say God's Word doesn't work today, but I know plenty that would stand up and say certain portions of the New Covenant are not in effect today.
Guess what? You know plenty of people also! Anyone you know that doesn't believe in the manifestations of the Kingdom of God and the Holy Spirit in the Church today and/or through believers agrees with the deception that some of the New Covenant didn't endure through the ages. There are entire main line denominations that believe and teach God’s Word hasn’t endured through the age. One example is they teach speaking in tongues are not for today and they go a step further to say it is of the devil! Not realizing that speaking in tongues is actually the Spirit speaking. It is very dangerous to call the manifestations of the Holy Spirit demonic as we see clearly in Jesus’ ministry when he was casting out demons and what His reply was when accused.

Matthew 12:31 "Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.
Matthew 12:32 "Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.

How convinced are you that speaking in tongues are of the devil? Are you willing to take the chance of lifting up your hand and voice against the Holy Spirit of God? Take it from me, a former Baptist Minister and Pastor, you had better stop listening to man and start letting the Word of God speak to you directly. I personally received the gift of speaking in tongues 18 years ago and I thank God I have not ceased to utilize this most awesome gift. I was told by the former President of the Southern Baptist Association that speaking in tongues was of the devil. He continued by saying that he had prayed for God to let him speak in tongues if it was from God and since God didn’t then that was confirmation that it was not of God. After I received, I spoke again to this former President that quickly said it was not of God, that if God was going to give it to anyone He would have given it to him. As sincere as this minister, my former pastor, was, he was sincerely wrong.
Until I received I was never told that I could pray with my spirit and with my understanding. After my experience I found where the Apostle Paul taught we could both speak and sing in an unknown tongue and speak and sing with our understanding. Too, this was instructions intended for every believer throughout the ages, as many as the Lord our God shall call. (See my book titled “Tongues, to speak or not to speak”)

[WatchmanRay]

I Corinthians 14:13 Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.
I Corinthians 14:14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
I Corinthians 14:15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.
I Corinthians 14:16 Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say?
I Corinthians 14:17 For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.
I Corinthians 14:18 I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all;

Since, they have been taught spiritual tongues are of the Devil then they have excluded themselves from hearing directly from the Spirit because they have rejected His voice. However, we can't be too hard on them, simply because we are in the same boat together with them. We are all one in Christ!
What do we do? Every journey you and I will ever take does proverbially start with a single step. That first step is to start believing the truth for our own lives. Regardless of how hard it may seem, or how much others around you disagree with you, let every man be a liar and let God be true.
Matthew 6:10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

Jesus makes a statement in the Gospel of Luke of an event mentioned in the book of Revelation if you can receive it, that I saw Satan fall from Heaven like lightning.



Luke 10:17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name."
Luke 10:18 And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
Luke 10:19 "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

How many times is Satan going to have to be cast out of Heaven anywise? Just food for thought!
In light of Jesus, the twelve, and the seventy’s demonstration, is the authority and the government of the Kingdom of God to impact the earthly realm now or wait until the sweet bye-and-bye? Your answer to that question determines how you are pursuing the things of God right now! The territory, region and/or realm influenced by the government of God are all inclusive.

Matthew 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

Psalm7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You have covered my head in the day of battle.
8 Do not grant, O Lord, the desires of the wicked; Do not further his wicked scheme, Lest they be exalted. Selah. If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
9 "As for the head of those who surround me, Let the evil of their lips cover them; If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 Let burning coals fall upon them; Let them be cast into the fire, Into deep pits, that they rise not up again. Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me.

There is no doubt that the government of God is to be in effect in HEAVEN and in EARTH both now and forever.
Matthew 9:6 "But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins"-then He said to the paralytic, "Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house."

It didn’t stop with forgiveness of sin since we see the demons obey Him, the wind and the sea obey Him, sickness and disease obey Him, the human body obeys Him, and even death obeys the authority of the kingdom with which He represented. We cannot ignore the obvious truth that the power of the Kingdom of God and the Government of God are to manifest the will of God on earth even as it is done in heaven.

Jesus fulfilled everything that was prophesied about Messiah, Christ the anointed one. Jesus demonstrated the authority and power of the Kingdom of God in the earthly realm and told those affected by it that “this day has the Kingdom of God come nigh unto you”.
He told them to “repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand.” He also set up the Kingdom of God inside of every believer and said He and the Father would come and make their abode with us. That those who loved Him would see Him and He would be with them forever even to the end of the world. I don’t know about your world, but the one I see is still here and functioning, thus telling me Jesus is still here and functioning.
People, someone has been tampering with our minds and we had better find out who it is and who it has been that has lead us away from the truth. The Word of God clearly teaches that once the Kingdom of God was set up it would never be destroyed, or left to another people, but it would break in pieces and consume all other kingdoms. And by the way, it would stand forever! Prophecy teachers like Hal Lindsey would have us to believe that Jesus didn’t set the kingdom up, it will be left to another people (Natural Israel), we will be in such jeopardy that God will have to rapture us out of the fracas (thus suspending the kingdom), and then Jesus will return to set up His kingdom that will last a literal 1000 years instead of forever.
I like adventure stories, science fiction and fantastic voyages as much as the next guy, but the business of the Kingdom of God has to be consistent with Bible Prophecy and Scripture. Mr. Lindsey, Mr. Van Impe, and other so called experts on Bible Prophecy need to recant and repent for deceiving the people of God and robbing us of our inheritance in the earthly realm. We should be training the people of God how to function in authority and power as kings and priests of the Most High God in order to subdue all enemies and put them under Christ’s feet. Instead anyone that rises up against these monoliths find themselves fighting against accusations of anti-Semitism. They can accuse all they want to but that doesn’t change the fact that they are wrong and God has combined both Jew and Gentile together in ONE BODY even JESUS. If I didn’t know better, and I don’t, I would suggest that Mr. Lindsey and Mr. Van Impe are both conducting themselves like Jesuits of the 15th and 16th century that fought against the protestant movement and found ways to reinterpret Daniel’s prophecies, Ezekiel’s, and the Revelation God gave John. I personally have nothing against these two individuals with the exception that they are robbing many of the knowledge that Jesus has set up the Kingdom of God already and the power and authority we need to subdue all of our enemies is present within us now. They will give account one day before God on how they have conducted themselves in this body, but we too will give an account of how we have conducted our lives while here in these bodies. I suggest that you not let the delusions disseminated by misguided Bible Prophecy interpreters rob you from your rightful place as a king and priest of the Most High God now.

Revelation 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Revelation 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Just a few more texts and then we will move to another part of our investigation. I have mentioned several times that Scripture teaches we are kings and priests of God. We have been led to believe that the kingdom and all of it’s workings would be in the hands of the nation of Israel. Lets quickly present a few Scriptures that prove otherwise. We will begin with a very familiar passage about the parable of the vineyard. In conclusion Jesus makes a very incredible remark to these leaders of the Jews that had been entrusted with the vineyard by the Father!

Matthew 21:40 "Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?"
Matthew 21:41 They said to Him, "He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons."
Matthew 21:42 Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: 'The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord's doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes'?
Matthew 21:43 "Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.
Matthew 21:44 "And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder."
Matthew 21:45 Now when the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was speaking of them.

What is so wonderful about this is Jesus combines the Prophecies of Daniel, Isaiah, along with the texts of Peter in His incredible remarks in the gospels. He told the nation of Israel, represented by the Pharisees, that they had been entrusted with the kingdom of God, but they would never yield the fruit of it to God and wanted the entire vineyard for themselves. He sent the prophets, judges, and finally His only Son, to plead with the nation of Israel, but they would not listen. In finality, Jesus says, therefore (because of this), the Kingdom of God will be TAKEN FROM YOU (natural Israel) and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. It doesn’t get any clearer than that. Hal Lindsey and Jack Van Impe would probably have called Jesus anti-Semitic because of that statement, but it is not an aggressive attempt to destroy the Israelites, it is truth! Israel is included in the New Nation along with the gentiles, all they have to do is look on Him whom they pierced and say blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Israel has been made one with the world again for rejecting God and His pleas with them and in so doing God can now show mercy to them and forgive their sin in the one man Jesus Christ. If they reject Him this time they are without hope and left to stand before the judgment seat of God along with all of the other unbelievers.

[WatchmanRay]

What is governed? What Territory, realm or region is affected by God’s Government?

What territory, realm, or region is the government of God to effect and when? Whatever you believe the correct answer to that question is will determine where you go in the kingdom, what you do in the kingdom, and what you pass on to others about and from the kingdom of God’s government.
We can see by some of the scriptures we have already covered that the Kingdom of God is to effectively govern in the regions of world governments, kingdoms, the Church, and the inward parts of an individual. Since we know that the government of God reaches all realms and dimensions then we understand the territory that the government of God reaches into. Jesus demonstrated that the government of God ruled in the material, physical, emotional and spiritual realms.

Romans 14:17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

What is affected by the manifestation of the Kingdom of God and what is the actual territory governed by the kingdom of God is very different indeed. When it comes to manifestations of the Kingdom of God affecting things through Scripture we see that even Hell itself is affected by the manifestations of the Kingdom. The ministry of Jesus, the disciples and the seventy show us a grand picture of both of these effects. When Jesus was born, grew up, and began His ministry the world was actually governed by the enemy. Jesus said the Prince of this world comes and he has no part in me. Too, Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world.” We see the world system under the government of the enemy yet at the same time Jesus was walking in the spiritual realm where the kingdom of God not only reigned, but could alter the rules of the world which the enemy was governing. God gave the world to man (Adam) that in turn bowed the knee to Satan in the garden thus sinning against God and surrendering the government of the world over to the enemy. Jesus shows up as the Word of God made flesh and takes on the form of man to take back the governing authority man had surrendered to Satan approx. four thousand years earlier. Everything Jesus did was from the government of God’s Kingdom, which Jesus chose to submit too, thus His ability to affect the territory governed by the enemy with the manifestations of the kingdom of God. This is why Jesus utilized the phrase “the Kingdom of God has come nigh unto you.”

Matthew 12:28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you
Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Luke 10:9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
Luke 10:11 Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
Luke 11:20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.
Luke 21:31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
Matthew 3:2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matthew 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matthew 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

We see the power through Jesus’ ministry successfully manifesting the authority of the Kingdom of God over the world and all of its rules. This proves that ULTIMATELY God is in Authority. On the cross Jesus successfully devastated the enemy, stripped him of his authority and power, made a show of the enemy openly and said ALL AUTHORITY/POWER IS GIVEN UNTO ME IN HEAVEN AND EARTH!

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

What governing power man surrendered to Satan, Jesus took away from Satan and thus began the rule of the kingdom of God. I understand that so many Christians today believe the kingdom is yet to come, but I have to beg the differ. In some of the Scriptures I shared above one can clearly see Jesus was setting the kingdom up. Luke 21:21, Matthew 3:2, Matthew 4:17, and Matthew 10:7 all state that God’s Kingdom was AT HAND! I want to share some AT HAND scriptures before someone can say AT HAND means along time off!

Matthew 26:18 And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is AT HAND; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. (this AT HAND was a day or two)
Matthew 26:45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is AT HAND, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Matthew 26:46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is AT HAND that doth betray me.
Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is AT HAND: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Mark 14:42 Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is AT HAND.
John 2:13 And the Jews' Passover was AT HAND, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,
John 7:2 Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was AT HAND.
John 11:55 And the Jews' Passover was nigh AT HAND: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify themselves.
John 19:42 There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh AT HAND.
Timothy II 4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is AT HAND.

I think you have got the point. AT HAND was a very common phrase used to express that something was very close, either time wise or in location. Jesus said that the Kingdom of God was immediately close both in location and in time frame to manifesting. Jesus made this incredible statement before He was delivered up:

Luke 17:20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
Luke 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

We need to simply go ahead and accept the clear truth Jesus has taught that the Kingdom of God is here now! And it is inside of us, now! Repeat after me, please! Lord, I thank you that you have made heaven and earth and have given them into the hands of your Son Jesus and He has now established your Kingdom on this earth and your kingdom is inside of me. I will seek first this kingdom of God you have placed inside of me and your true righteousness. I receive it into my life actively and invite a full manifestation of your Spirit and Kingdom through me. In Jesus name AMEN!
We can begin to see why Jesus explained that the Kingdom of God would not come with observation. It was the spiritual kingdom of God coming in power and glory and establishing God’s government inside the hearts of all believers. I believe most of Christianity has been caught unaware just as the Israelites were because they were expecting God to set up a literal kingdom in Jerusalem. Since Jesus didn’t come that way they rejected him. They had become so religiously indoctrinated there was no room for God to step in and open there eyes. I know many Christians have gone down that path of no return because they have become doctrinal zealots. They can’t see that the kingdom of God is here now because they refuse to let go of the doctrines that have declared that the kingdom isn’t coming until after the rapture, seven year tribulation, and then Christ’s return.
My prayer for them and all is that the eyes of their understanding may be opened to receive this glorious gift of God because we need every one of them and their gifting.


The Inward Government of our SPIRIT, SOUL and BODY by the Kingdom of God

The main area governed by the Kingdom of God that should concern the average believer is the area within them. The initial manifestation of the kingdom of God is going to be challenging the internal workings, motives, attitudes, thoughts, behaviors, expectations, confessions, fears, obsessions and emotions inside a true believer. Once we learn how to utilize this most incredible gift in our lives then we will see more out workings of the kingdom of God to affect other regions and areas around us.
If this personal utility had been used more effectively by leadership to tune their lives with the Spirit and the Word of God then we would have a completely different atmosphere to demonstrate the kingdom in today. The government of the kingdom of God in an individual brings conviction, repentance, freedom, liberty, victory, and life. The kingdom functions through our Spirit to effectively reach out to all of the other parts of our multi-dimensional body. The scripture shows three distinct regions of our person and each of them can be brought under the government and supervision of the kingdom of God.

I Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I believe Charles Capps and Kenneth Hagin give the best description of this relationship that I have heard thus far. They simply state it that we are a spirit, we possess a soul, and live in a body! That is about as simple as anyone could make it and it still remain true. The Scripture teaches that we are the temple of God and since we are there is a ministering priesthood in this temple.

I Corinthians 3:16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
I Corinthians 3:17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.
Revelation 1:4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
Revelation 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Revelation 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

There is no doubt that Jesus Christ is the head of all things to the Church and God is the head of Christ. Therefore everything that is happening in and out of the Church is to be governed by Jesus.

Ephesians 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Ephesians 1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Hebrews 3:6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we,
I Corinthians 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
I Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
I Corinthians 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
I Corinthians 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
I Corinthians 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
I Corinthians 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
I Corinthians 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
I Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
I Corinthians 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Inside the temple of God is the outer court, the Holy Place, and the Most Holy Place. Revelation teaches us that God designed the tabernacle of Moses and the temple of Solomon to give us an understanding of the workings of God in our lives. Each area of the natural temple corresponds with an area in the believer’s life.

[WatchmanRay]

The Outer Court – Our Body

The outer court is to be likened to the flesh and body portion of a believer where the actual carrying out of the inward decisions and requirements are manifested. Our body is involved in bowing down in worship, or lifting up hands in praise, or doing the work of sacrifice, being immediately in contact with the world system around us. This is the same as the outer court where the sacrifices on the brazen altar were offered, everyone that had business in the temple trampled through this external area of the temple. Yet everything that went on inside the outer court was governed by the internal workings of the kingdom of God. It was already prescribed what would occur in the outer court, who would do it, and how it would be done.
Our physical body is much like the outer court in that it is seen more by others than any other part of us. It seems that the uglier or more unattractive the outer court ministry or body is the worse off people tend to think you are. It should not be surprising if we find just the opposite to be true. John the Baptist looked like a mad man wearing his camel skin outfit wrong side out (the hair side turned against the skin), never shaving or cutting his hair. Screaming at everyone to repent for the kingdom of heaven was at hand and then grabbing them and baptizing them in the water. He rebuked kings, upset the local religious crowd, and then questioned the harlots and others as to the reason why they were repenting. John would be an outcast in every church I know, and that is quite a few. The funny thing is Jesus said:

Matthew 11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist:
Luke 7:28 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist:

Of coarse if you read Jesus’ resume from the religious people He isn’t going to measure up either. He healed on the Sabbath, ate the showbread from the tabernacle, He was a glutton (one who eats voraciously; or to excess), a winebibber (one who drinks wine to excess; a tippler), rebuked the scribes and Pharisees, predicted the fall of Jerusalem, cast out demons, transfigured, reproved the Jewish leaders, said Israel would have the kingdom of God taken from them by God, called God his daddy, and said He would one day be king. You try acting, believing, and talking like that today and watch the religious people line up to throw the stones. (We’ll save that understanding for another time.)
It is quite clear that anytime you venture to judge an individual by the outer court (body) appearance you are walking on thin ice.

II Corinthians 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
II Corinthians 10:7 Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.

I Corinthians 12:22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
I Corinthians 12:23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
I Corinthians 12:24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked:
I Corinthians 12:25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

As we can see God does not look as man looks. We can also learn that lesson from Saul and David! Whatever the situation might be it is safe to say that if we will reserve our opinion or simply be prepared to give more honor to those we esteem to be less honorable we may learn something. I learned a lesson one time from a very able man of God and that lesson was if you are ever going to err, never err on the side of judgment. Always err, if it is an error, on the side of mercy and grace, because mercy and grace is something we are always in need of but are not always in a position to give to someone else.
One thing about the outer court is it always had a distinct odor, was bloody, busy, noisy, and not many people favored it. Since it was accessible by most anything the value and importance of its ministry was diminished simply by its appearance. When people become focused on the outward man they are setting themselves up for deception. One can be led to believe someone is righteous or unrighteous, blessed or not blessed, and clean or unclean if concentration is placed mainly on the outer court or body.

Matthew 23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
Matthew 23:25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
Matthew 23:26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
Matthew 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.
Matthew 23:28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

Jesus contrasts the outer court appearance of man with the true state of man in his soul. One can appear in the body (outer court) to be beautiful, appealing, and desirous to the eyes of man while the entire time the inward man (soul) is trying to find away to get over on you through deception, flattery, fraud, extortion, excess, and any other tool at their disposal. Man may fool mankind by trying to spruce up the outer court (body) by putting on the fancy garments in clothing and facades but man will never fool God. Be wary of those in the fellowship when you gather together that try to be something they clearly are not. The Holy Spirit takes it a step further and speaks to us in covenant terms that most Christians have a difficult time believing. The true spiritual Jew (of Spiritual Israel) is not the one with the circumcision in the foreskin of his flesh showing he is in covenant with God. But he is the one with the circumcision in the heart (soul) for the cutting away of the flesh and its desires which war against the Spirit

Romans 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
Romans 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

. Another way of stating that not every one that professes to be the Lord’s is really the Lord’s. I have, at times, over the years found myself in perils because of false believers that actually felt they were doing God’s will but truthfully were not following His Word or His Spirit. The Lord tells us that by their fruit (Galatians 5:19-23) we will know them.

Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits.
Matthew 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Luke 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

Many would say the fruit is exposed externally by the tree so it is an outward appearance, but the Scriptures reveal something totally different. These are fruit that proceed from the soul (Holy Place) or inward part of man and only are seen manifesting in the body (outer court) where observation is made.

Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Galatians 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Galatians 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Galatians 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Galatians 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

This area was the most vulnerable and could easily become polluted and most often was. Any form of spilled blood, unclean animal, person, or action could easily and did prevent any type of purity from being maintained in this outer court. Much like our flesh area which is subjected to all sorts of profanity, uncleanness, and pollutants that can easily be introduced from the outside world can very easily prevent any type of purity from being maintained in our body. That is why Jesus said flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. Jesus was not going to subject the awesome authority and power of the Kingdom of God to be governed or operate from a headquarters that were so vulnerable to attack and pollutions. It isn’t because Jesus doesn’t like our physical bodies or the outer court of the temple it is because He simply knew that the Kingdom would be vulnerable to constant attack. Therefore He designed the outer court to endure pollutants and reserved the holy areas to be protected inside of the veils of the temple that is to say our flesh.

Romans 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
Romans 7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
Romans 7:16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
Romans 7:17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
Romans 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Romans 7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Romans 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
Romans 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
Romans 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Romans 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Romans 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

I understand that some denominations teach as doctrine restrictions on clothing, hair, makeup, etc. that they believe can pollute you and cause you to become unholy or condemned. Give me a break, how dumb do you think God is anyhow. I think if they held their doctrine to be consistent throughout and required the body to be perfect, without spot or blemish it would be very interesting. I often see ministers, their wives, and parishioners that hold to a legalistic doctrine, but in appearance they are so overweight that they could hardly function. According to Medical Doctors when you are at twenty pounds overweight you are considered obese. What kind of hypocrisy is it when someone believes that obesity isn’t disqualifying (which is mentioned in the law as disqualifying), but short or long hair, make-up, pants and shorts (not mentioned in the law as disqualifying) are. A body could be rejected if it had a scar, any type of defect, to thin, to heavy, and many other things could disqualify it.
If the law is to be implemented to accuse or excuse a persons outer court or flesh to be acceptable, I can tell you now we are all disqualified, every single one for there is none righteous no not one! You will never and could never keep the outer court clean enough for God to permit holiness to dwell in it. It wasn’t designed to be holy and cannot become holy. The sheep, bulls, rams and the goats all took dumps in the outer court. The blood, flesh, and entrails of the slaughtered animals would be strewn on the ground in the outer court. The flesh and or outer court is to serve in the realm of religious responsibility for which it was created and to deal with the profane and worldly system and after that we put it off because it cannot inherit the kingdom of God. That is precisely why Jesus condemned sin in the flesh. We could go through the entire Romans discourse by Paul and continue to prove this doctrine, but it is to time consuming and I must leave off here. I believe the discourse in the epistle of Peter concerning this area would do us well to conclude with. I understand this was to the women, but there is neither male nor female in Christ. Instructions to one is fitting to the others when it comes to attitudes of the inward being of the heart.

Peter I 3:2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
Peter I 3:3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
Peter I 3:4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

[WatchmanRay]

THE HOLY PLACE – Our SOUL

The Holy Place of the temple was another area that was governed by the Kingdom of God. The Holy Place was located inside the outer court yet set apart by a veil which prevented anyone from simply entering there unaware. The internal workings of the Holy Place were hidden from the sight of mankind and only those that were initiated into the work of the ministry would ever see it working. This corresponds to the soul part of mankind. All of the business of the outer court ministry can often cause many on lookers to completely miss the deeper work going on behind the veil or flesh.

Hebrews 10:19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,
Hebrews 10:20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh,
Hebrews 10:21 and having a High Priest over the house of God,
Hebrews 10:22 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.

The book of Hebrews very cleverly unveils the internal workings of the temples Holy Place and announces that all of the workings of the temple were only symbols of the true temple. Jesus further reveals the secret of the body as the temple when He told the Jews

John 2:19 Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."
John 2:20 Then the Jews said, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?"
John 2:21 But He was speaking of the temple of His body.

This is another very clear teaching by Jesus that goes right along with Hebrews that has been misunderstood by teachers today. Many seem to think that the Old Testament form of worship has to be set up in Israel in the last days with the sacrifices and offerings all being restored. Anyone that tries to tell you that the old form of temple services has to be restored and God is going to honor it is out of their mind! God never desired that form of service, worship, nor sacrifice.

Hebrews 10:8 Previously saying, "Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them" (which are offered according to the law),
Hebrews 10:9 then He said, "Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God." He takes away the first that He may establish the second.

God did not just put the Old Covenant form of worship and service on hold, he abolished it. He never liked it and never intended to use it in the first place, but it was added because of transgressions.

Galatians 3:16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "And to your Seed," who is Christ.
Galatians 3:17 And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect.
Galatians 3:18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
Galatians 3:19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator.
Galatians 3:20 Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one.
Galatians 3:21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law.
Galatians 3:22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
Galatians 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed.
Galatians 3:24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Galatians 3:25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
Galatians 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

The temple ceremonial service of sacrifices and offerings were all offered under the law, so when Christ came the law was fulfilled and Jesus changed the requirements for righteousness to faith in the work that He had performed. This is going to sound a little strong but you need to know that being sinless no longer qualified or qualifies anyone for righteousness! The only qualifier is faith in the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ and His death, burial and resurrection. Jesus said “NO MAN COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME!”
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.


The Law and the service of the temple never were acceptable to God. It could never do what God intended to do through Jesus and it was only temporary until Jesus would come. To go back to the Old Testament form of service after the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus would be blasphemy and abomination to the utmost. Anyone assisting in trying to expedite that type of a temple service had better pray and ask for mercy and grace from any type of judgment. I want to present some interesting reading in this area out of the Book of Hebrews. I will high-light some areas for emphasis.

Hebrews 9:1 Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary.
Hebrews 9:2 For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary;
Hebrews 9:3 and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All,
Hebrews 9:4 which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant;
Hebrews 9:5 and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.
Hebrews 9:6 Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services.
Hebrews 9:7 But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people's sins committed in ignorance;
Hebrews 9:8 the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing.
Hebrews 9:9 It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience-
Hebrews 9:10 concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.
Hebrews 9:11 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation.
Hebrews 9:12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
Hebrews 9:22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.
Hebrews 9:23 Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
Hebrews 9:24 For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;
Hebrews 9:25 not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another—
Hebrews 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,
Hebrews 9:28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.
Hebrews 10:1 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect.
Hebrews 10:2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins.
Hebrews 10:3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year.
Hebrews 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.
Hebrews 10:5 Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: "Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me.
Hebrews 10:6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure.
Hebrews 10:7 Then I said, 'Behold, I have come-In the volume of the book it is written of Me-To do Your will, O God.' "
Hebrews 10:8 Previously saying, "Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them" (which are offered according to the law),
Hebrews 10:9 then He said, "Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God." He takes away the first that He may establish the second.

The lamp stand, the table, and the showbread were the furnishings in the Holy Place or Sanctuary. The lamp stand was used to lighten the sanctuary so that the ministers could see to do what they had to do at the table that held the showbread and the altar of incense. In a believers life we see this illumination coming from the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Revelation and understanding so we know what is true and false, what we should and should not do come from this awesome presence of the Spirit in our life. Without the illumination of the Spirit we have no chance of ever walking in truth or gaining an understanding, knowledge and wisdom that we need to be pleasing to the Lord.
The soul in its most basic description can be said to be our mind, will and emotions where our conscience has its home and the training from the Word of God is stored for use. This is where the Kingdom of God has its most incredible work as we begin filtering and sifting through information that is being processed from the outside and inside simultaneously. All thoughts, motives, attitudes, mind sets, opinions, beliefs, memories, questions, answers, hopes, dreams and visions regardless of their origin find their home here. The actions of the body are controlled from this soulish realm so that what is seen, performed, or heard from you by others manifests to them what is going on in the soul. Oppression, fear, intimidation, rejections, likes and dislikes all are looking for an opportunity to manifest there goods through the soul. Most all of the attacks of the enemy that amount to anything in your life come through the soul.
God gave us directions on how to operate in the kingdom of God to protect this vital area of our life.

II Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
II Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
II Corinthians 10:5 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;

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Romans 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Romans 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
Romans 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

The goal is to be led by the Spirit. We see there is an awesome battle that takes place in the borders of this realm. This is the Holy Place, where if someone entered that wasn’t purified they would die. This is where our defenses need to be strong to guard and protect our mind, desire, and will against the attacks of the enemy. This is where if we receive pollution it begins to affect our relationship with God. Not on His part, but on our part where we become ashamed, condemned, and feel unworthy to approach Him. The pollution perverts our ability to rightly divide the truth and to discern what is right and what is wrong. Simply put, it releases strange incense inside of us that clouds the lamp on the lamp stand from illuminating us properly. Sort of like a fog effect to where we cannot properly see the showbread (Word) and we stumble around trying to guess at what we are partaking of.
This is where we find the definite usefulness of repenting, confessing, and partaking of the heavenly nature because it clears away the fog! The fruit of the Spirit in Galatians is very successful when allowed to flow in the realm of the soul by the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Galatians 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Love is a twofold weapon it covers a multitude of sin in your life but also in the lives of others. It allows you to reject people’s short comings and embrace them in spite of their faults. Joy releases a strength in the soul empowering it to believe to see the good of the Lord in the land of the living regardless of circumstance. Peace is the atmosphere controller in your life governing through the kingdom and bruising Satan under your feet. Satan becomes afraid when he cannot make you afraid because he believes the word that God is going to bruise him under your feet whether you do or not. I could go on with the rest of the fruit of the spirit but I believe you have got the idea. Let the Spirit in you reveal and settle your soul.
The soul is very much dependent on the Spirit for success in everything it is involved in. Sometimes you may find it necessary to command your soul like David did.

Psalm 42:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
Psalm 42:11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Taking responsibility for the state of your soul will go along way with changing your entire life. Once we accept responsibility then we can begin taking steps to make the changes we need to get the results we want. Sometimes it is what we say that has to be changed. Sometimes it is what we do that needs to be changed. Sometimes it is what we believe that needs to be changed. Sometimes it is what we feel that has to be changed. Most Christians have no idea that they can actually govern the state they are in through the authority of the kingdom of God.
We are priests of this temple with a very important responsibility mostly taking place in the sanctuary of our lives or the Holy Place. In this setting it is vitally important to imagine yourself in the Holy Place of the temple with the responsibility to carry out all of the priestly duties. No one can do your priestly duties for you. It doesn’t matter if you go to the altar every day, counsel with the elders, pastor, teacher, mother, father or shrink, if you neglect your duties the temple will get cluttered, polluted, and foggy.
Speak to your soul and call those things that be not as though they were. Tell it what it is to feel, don’t sit back and simply interpret what is going on. Take the upper hand and govern according to the gift of God’s kingdom within you and you will start feeling the changes. Others will start seeing the changes. Others will want to draw from the well that God has placed inside of you. Nobody wants to chase devils every day, fight, pull down, cast down, bring into captivity thoughts constantly. There is a place where your senses become trained to discern thoughts, intents, and motives. Right and wrong becomes a given in your every day life. You find yourself being joyful, free, and looking to help others become established in their minds and souls as well.

Hebrews 5:13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
Hebrews 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

All of the gifts of the spirit function through the soulish realm. Some people misunderstand that the spiritual gift is supernatural, but the manifestation flows through the soulish realm of the individual being used. All of this means that to the degree one has submitted themselves to the work of the spirit and the government of the kingdom of God in their life will determine the purity through which the gift can operate. This is why we see a whole lot of hit and miss in ministries that operate in the gifts. It is not an indictment against them only a hindrance for them to receive the results in their ministry that they desire to see.

I Corinthians 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
I Corinthians 12:8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
I Corinthians 12:9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
I Corinthians 12:10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
I Corinthians 12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

The world and the majority of Christianity have the wrong idea about the gifts of the Spirit and the manifestation through an individual. Jesus was submitted to the Father and the authority set in the kingdom of God gave Jesus the power of the Spirit and since Jesus was functioning properly in the government of God we are told that the fullness of the godhead bodily was upon Him. WOW! When we submit to the set authority of Jesus Christ in the Kingdom and government of God and yield to the Holy Spirit and His power and have let the kingdom do its work in our Holy Place (mind, will, and emotions) we become some kind of DANGEROUS to the enemy!
Many have the wrong idea about the kingdom of darkness. They think Satan is all knowing and just waiting to pounce on them at any given moment. The truth is the enemy doesn’t want anything to do with you, when you are submitted to the authority of God in the kingdom of God because at that moment you and Jesus become ONE! If you don’t think the person of Jesus Christ makes the enemy nervous as a cat on a hot tin roof, you have another think coming. Just as Jesus appeared to Saul of Tarsus (we know him as Paul the Apostle) on the road to Damascus after Saul had been persecuting the Church and Jesus said;

Acts 9:1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
Acts 9:2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
Acts 9:3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
Acts 9:4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
Acts 9:5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
Acts 9:6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

You cannot separate the believers from Christ Jesus! When someone persecutes you they are persecuting Him! Saul was trashing the Church and Jesus said, “Why persecutest thou me?” This is a revelation that needs to break out in the Body of Christ and this revelation also will come through the soulish realm.

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

The mind having a current residence effectively rooted in our soul (Holy Place) needs to be renewed (made new again) so the metamorphosis (transformation) can take place. What transformation? The one where the soul becomes completely submitted to the government of God’s kingdom and permits the manifestation of the Spirit to produce a fully matured son that can PROVE what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God! AMEN!

[WatchmanRay]

MOST HOLY PLACE (Holy of Holies) – Our SPIRIT

This is where we arrive at the core of our being and begin to understand our true nature. The Most Holy Place (aka the Holy of Holies) is where the Ark of the Covenant resided in the temple and upon the Ark abided the manifest presence of God. The Most Holy Place was as its name indicates, the most holy place known to man. Jesus received the abiding presence in His Most Holy Place when He was baptized by John and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in the form of a dove!

Matthew 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
Matthew 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

This abiding presence of God has to be there to make the temple legitimate. Without the Spirit of God in the temple there is no confirmation from God that the vessel is approved and open for service. Jesus came as man and therefore had to have the same anointing that is administered to all of mankind that is truly born again. May God bless all of us with the revelation that when His Spirit takes up residence inside of us we become one with Him in the family of God! Jesus was definitely the house of God seen of old by Jacob when he fell asleep and had the vision of angels ascending and descending on a ladder.
Genesis 28:10 And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran.
Genesis 28:11 And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.
Genesis 28:12 And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.
Genesis 28:13 And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;
Genesis 28:14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
Genesis 28:15 And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.
Genesis 28:16 And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.
Genesis 28:17 And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.

What a revelation Jacob had about the true nature of the House of God. This is the place and the words confirmed in the new testament when the gospel was preached to them of old saying surely in THY SEED shall all of the nations of the earth be blessed. I hope we know that the term THY SEED is not speaking of natural Israel. THY SEED is Jesus and all believers that come into Christ. You’re not sure about all of that? Here is a nutshell!
Galatians 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
Galatians 3:17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
Galatians 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Galatians 3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
Galatians 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

I hate to shorten it like that, but it is very clearly taught here by Paul that the term THY SEED referred to ONE SEED namely CHRIST. Definitely not to be interpreted to be the natural seed of Israel. If you receive Christ or rather have been received into Christ then YOU TOO ARE ABRAHAM’S SEED or to put it plainer YOU ARE the THY SEED of the prophecy and promise the SAME AS JESUS IS! This is not heresy but rather this is the truth of God and the blessed victory and power we have received in the kingdom of God through this incredible work of Christ! Somebody say Hallelujah! Glory! Praise God!

We see the inference of the fulfillment of Jacobs vision in Jesus when He spoke to Nathaniel in the book of John’s gospel. Jesus made no bones about claiming to be the temple of God and the house of God which is what Jacob knew He had seen in his vision. Jacob said he saw angels ascending and descending on a ladder and Jesus said they would see angels ascending and descending on Him. The Father is at the top of the spiritual ladder and the Son is at the bottom as the House of God and the Old Covenant Promise, not the law, was the ladder. Now we have the Father and Son at the top of the ladder, which is the New Covenant, and the ladder reaches from the House of God which house we are, into the Heavens. All of this gives us a vital picture of the workings of the kingdom of God and the association between the heavens and the earth. This is what makes it possible for whatever is bound on earth to be bound in heaven and visa-a-verse.

John 1:49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
John 1:50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.
John 1:51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

Jacob saw what Christianity needs to see today and that is we are not only the House of God today but we are also the Gate of Heaven. The very ministry Jesus has is now become ours. Of coarse not the bringing in of the New Testament and the once for all sacrifice, etc… already accomplished by Jesus. Our ministry takes up where we are the House of God and the Gate of Heaven where we are able to open up the Kingdom of God and usher people in and also bring things out! We are ambassadors for Christ or literally an exact representation of Him in the Kingdom. How holy is this place where we dwell? It is the Most Holy Place, the Spirit!
The high priest only went into the Most Holy Place once a year and that was with blood to offer for the sins of the people and the nation of Israel so judgment would be turned back for another year. If the priest messed up here it would cost him his life, the people their security, and the nation its livelihood.

Hebrews 9:3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;
Hebrews 9:4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;
Hebrews 9:5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercy seat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.
Hebrews 9:6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.
Hebrews 9:7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:
Hebrews 9:8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:

The innermost part of our being is our spirit (Most Holy Place) and this is the true identity of all individuals.
John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

We all have had our natural birth or we would not even be here today. Our natural birth makes us a human spirit that is the life essence of our being and when placed into a physical body we (the human spirit) become a living soul. This human spirit unfortunately has a nature which has been generated to coincide with the fall of man through Adams mistake. This means that the human spirit is governed by the carnal nature and is made subject at birth to the prince of this world that has blinded us from the truth. This holds us captive until the glorious truth of the gospel shines through into our darkened world and lights the way to believe in Jesus Christ and our deliverance so we can be born again. This new birth is in our Spirit, and that Spirit is not just any old spirit, it is actually a new birth into the exact same Spirit God is. We all, in fact, receive the SAME SPIRIT Jesus walked the earth in and this is the link that makes us all one together with Christ. If you do not have this Spirit that Christ has then you are not his.

Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Romans 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

[This is a note of interest for the diligent and inquisitive Bible Students out there. Scripture here defines DEATH as carnal mindedness NOT physical expiration. Reread scriptures pertaining to the mentioning of death, especially in the New Testament. We also see the word was given to Adam and Eve in the garden that if they partook of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil they would surely die. We know eventually they did physically expire but I believe the case is easily made that they were over taken immediately with carnal mindedness as well. We know this because immediately their eyes were open (carnal mindedness) and they knew they were naked and hid themselves. This shows the expressions of the new awareness that had opened up the flesh nature in them and caused them to be afraid, be ashamed, and blame others for their current state. They were separated from the presence of God by this new awakening to the carnal nature, and Paul ascribes a term to this state of carnal mindedness to be DEATH.]

Paul says all who have their existence in the first birth, flesh birth, or basically their original state of carnal mindedness CANNOT please God. Why? The inner nature of the carnal mind has enmity, which is ill will or hatred, towards God. It is rebellious to the will of God and can never be made to subject itself to the will of God. What has to happen? You must be born again.

John 3:3 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 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
John 3:5 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.
John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Paul continues in Romans 8:9 that YE ARE NOT IN THE FLESH, referring to you , I, as many as the Lord our God shall call, BUT IN THE SPIRIT, IF THE SPIRIT OF GOD DWELLS IN YOU! God help us to believe what the Spirit just communicated to us through Paul and not add or take away from this awesome word. The truth is simple! If the Spirit of God lives in you, he did not say if you are perfect, never make a mistake, dress just right, live a certain way, go without certain things and so on. He said if you have ATTAINED A CERTAIN STATE OF BEING (existence), if you have experienced the indwelling of the Spirit of God then YOU ARE SPIRIT! Why is this so important? In all ways is this most important seeing that the spiritual state of being whether carnal or heavenly cannot be altered as to change its state of existence. Our new spiritual birth is Christ not another shot at living the good life.

Galatians 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Romans 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

What is necessary to recognize about the Most Holy Place in us is that God’s Spirit, which is who we are, resides there in. None could ever approach the Ark of the Covenant in the Most Holy Place because the holiness of God abiding on it would require their life and they would physically expire. We now have this same protection in the secret place of the most high as none can truly approach us (as we are Spirit) and our life is hid now in Christ with God.
The internal workings of the Kingdom of God in our life find their source of operation and authority to govern located inside of our Spirit which is God. When we can recognize that God is on the throne and ruling and reigning in our life right now through the indwelling of the Spirit of God in us then we can begin to see the truth of the ages. Christ in you the hope of Glory!
Colossians 1:25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God;
Colossians 1:26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Colossians 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

Romans 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.
Colossians 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
Colossians 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
Colossians 3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: BUT CHRIST IS ALL, AND IN ALL.
Ephesians 4:21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
Ephesians 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
Ephesians 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
Ephesians 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

These Scriptures make it clear that the Spirit that we have became is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ, the new man or Last Adam, which is created righteous and holy. Our nature now is created righteous and we don’t have to try and be righteous we just ARE! Our nature is created holy so we don’t have to try to become holy because we ARE! When the word of God tells us in 1 Peter 1:16 to be ye holy for He is holy, He isn’t telling us to try and act Holy, He is saying do what it takes, in this case being born again, to BE holy. We have to BE HOLY because we are created HOLY! Any man or woman that is truly holy is holy because they have a new birth that is Christ; therefore they have been created Holy because He (Jesus) is holy! The same goes for being righteous! There is none righteous no not one. The only one that ever was or ever will be righteous is Jesus. Either you accept the new birth and allow Christ to be formed in you or you will never be righteous. But if Christ dwells in you, you are Spirit and have to be righteous because He created you righteous. Anyone that can say they are not Christ and yet contend that they are righteous is a liar and the truth is not in them.
I hope you understand that this is not my design for the kingdom of God rather it is God’s design. How can we that are birthed into such a glorious kingdom of God be ignorant to the truth of the government that rules in our midst?
John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
John 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
John 14:20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
John 14:22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

Jesus demonstrated the inner relationship with the kingdom of God and spoke about the kingdom more than He did the Father. Why? He knew that if He could convince people to seek the Kingdom of God they would find the Father. Jesus confirmed the inner governing of the Kingdom when He said I only do what I see the Father do, I only say what I hear the Father say, and the words that I speak are not mine but the words of He that sent Me. In His prayer Jesus explains to us that He had finished the work the Father had given Him to finish, showing His servitude to the government of the kingdom, and His request was Father glorify me now with the glory I had with you from the beginning.
Jesus prayed THY KINGDOM COME THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS HEAVEN! Why would we ever have expected anything else to happen, other than God’s Kingdom enforcing the will of God to be carried out on earth exactly as it is being carried out in heaven?

[WatchmanRay]

After the Internal Government of the Kingdom of God is Set in the Individual, Then What?

After an internal governing into the life of the believer we then have to look for the governing to extend into the corporate body of the Church. True government in the Church is almost unheard of today as we will see. Obviously government of the Kingdom of God in its most basic definition is supposed to govern the New Testament Church as an inward function. So all who choose to come into the kingdom of God is to submit themselves willingly to the government God has established in His kingdom. We can’t choose what type of government that is to govern us, we can only yield to the governing authorities God has placed in. The scripture gives us a picture of this in Romans chapter 13 showing us the governmental powers and authorities God has set in are to be honored.

Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves d**nation.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

The idea or concept of having government in the Church isn’t one that hits the popular chart in the church bulletin every month. Unfortunately the layperson has placed themselves in the hands of traditional thinking which leadership has been bound over too for centuries. Not going outside tradition is the form of thinking that has been adopted by most of the Christian world today. Most could give a rip about Church Government simply because they don’t see the necessity to pursue it and then there are others like Theophilus that loves to have the preeminence among the believers and major on church government. Whatever the occasion or concern for church government someone might have is irrelevant seeing that Church Government is very important to God.
Government is and always has been very controversial in the realms of mankind, for depending on what one wants to achieve in ones realm will determine the type of government that would be the most appealing to him or her.
Webster defines government as the act of governing; administration of public affairs; established state of legal authority; executive power; territory governed; the persons authorized to administer the laws; self control. The root word of all of the above is govern which means to control by authority; regulate; direct; manage; steer; restrain; to exercise authority; administer the law. So Webster tells us that the actions taken to control by authority; to regulate direct and exercise authority and administer the law are what it means to govern. So those actually functioning in that capacity and the authority given to them to do it constitute the government.
The involvement of government concerns four major areas; where one governs; whom one governs; who gets to govern, and how one governs.

God chose His type of government for the nation of Israel and it was a THEOCRACY. Theocracy simply means God Rules or God is to rule. We know God had an ever abiding presence in Israel but He didn’t physically sit on the throne in Jerusalem. Not that He didn’t want to, in the Temple, but the people wanted a king like all of the other nations around them. We have to decide if it was God’s intention to rule through Chosen Individuals or if he actually wanted to rule from the Temple. I believe God wanted to rule His people and His Nation from the True Temple. In the Old Covenant the Mercy Seat was where God would come to meet with His leaders and give them instructions. Was this God’s original design or did He modify it because the children of Israel would not come up on the mount to be with Him. Once again I believe it was modified to allow for the unbelief and fear of those that refused to come before Him.
On Mt. Sinai God’s plan was for all of the people to sanctify themselves and come up before Him. When God showed up in a great smoke, lightning’s, and thundering the people were to afraid to go up (Ex 19 – 20) so they told Moses to go up and represent them and come back and tell them what God said. This was the evidence God was looking for since all of the show was to prove the people to see what was in their hearts. He told Moses to tell the people and the priests to not come up to the mount or even touch the borders of it unless they are ready to die! This was pretty stout but this was a people that had just been carried on Eagles Wings out of Egypt because God was bringing them to Himself. Problem is when they got there they didn’t wanted to have anything to do with God, they only wanted what He was able to give them. God wasn’t going to have nothing to do with that so he appointed Moses, Aaron and Aaron’s sons to minister before Him. Not by original design but God modified it because of the people’s actions. The Old Covenant originally had no Law for over 430 years, but God had to add it because of the rebellion and sinfulness of the people. There had to be some way to atone at least temporarily for the sins of this people or judgment was going to kill all of them off before the SEED, Christ could manifest. God permitted the animal sacrifices and offerings to temporarily atone for sin until Jesus came.
The question is if God’s intention from the beginning was to have a holy nation of kings and priests that He could dwell in their midst and govern them personally, what makes us think His design would be any different after the SEED, Christ, to whom the promise was made in the first place shows up? I believe the truth of what God is wanting to actually have in the form of government just might scare the spiritual nation of Israel (the Church) almost as bad as it scared the natural nation of Israel.
We have to see the parallel in the desired government of God for the Old Covenant because scripturally this was still the CHURCH IN THE WILDERNESS. If God was going to set up a whole new government then He obviously would have to tell somebody he was going too. Everything that changed coming out of the old into the new God told us about it. Our approach to God changed, the Temple changed, the requirements for righteousness changed, the plan of salvation changed, the kingdom of God had new care takers, priesthood, temple services and I could go on about what changed and God told us about it. If He doesn’t tell us something has changed then we have to assume that it is still the same.
I understand that in the nation of Israel in the Old Testament we see kings ruling Israel and Judah, we see Judges exercising control and power in Israel, and we see the major role of Elders in governing throughout the history of Israel. The issue isn’t whether or not God had planned for Israel or the spiritual nation (the Church) to have a king, I believe He did but He (God) was to be that king. Israel rejected God from being king because they would not go up unto Him and they would not have relationship with Him because they were afraid of Him. The Spiritual nation (the Church) has unknowingly followed closely to the same pattern. How? In every way! God raised up a deliverer to go into Egypt and demand the governing authorities to let God’s people go. When the Pharoah refused to let God’s people go, God had Moses work some supernatural manifestations to open the eyes of Pharoah to know who he was dealing with. We see this same pattern in Jesus (the prophet like unto Moses) that was raised up to go into the world (Egypt) to demand the release of God’s people who all of their lifetime had been subject to slavery because of fear. The Prince of this world of coarse refused to let them go so God had Jesus work some supernatural manifestations to show the enemy who he was dealing with. God delivered the natural nation of Israel out and carried them to himself and they rejected Him. God delivered the Church out and carried us on the cross at Calvary to bring us to Himself and we’ve rejected Him.
How have we rejected Him you might ask? He wants to lead us by His Spirit, sanctify us by His Word, and embrace us with His love but we want Pastors, teachers, leaders, prophets, and the like to do all of this for us. We expect our ministers to have a fresh word from the Lord every time we decide to show up for service, but we won’t or can’t go to God and get one for our self and others. We expect them to be able to guide us and tell us what God is doing in our life because we haven’t been in fellowship with God to know for our self. If we have problems we want them to come and camp at our door step and keep basting us with love until all is better because we just don’t feel well enough to break through to God in our life and let the love He has already shed abroad in our hearts sustain us. I could continue, but this is enough to recognize the pattern of the Church rejecting the relationship and kingship of God in Christ.
We have Pastors, deacon boards, associations, and committees to make our decisions for us and that actually means they are governing the Church, not God. I know the safe answer is that God governs us through them. But is this really true? Every time a leader was chosen in Scripture to govern God’s people in Israel, God is the one that chose the leader. The people wanted a king, God chose Saul for them because they were walking by outward appearance. God’s true choice was David which He anointed three times and confirmed His appointment and kingship by the prophets. No matter if it is kings, judges, or prophets leading God’s people, God chose them all.
How many of us can say we are sitting under a ministry today that we know God chose them, appointed them, and confirmed it through the mouth of His servants the prophets?
I am trying to shake the spiritual trees so we can wake up and shake the dust from us before our generation passes away and another replaces us. We need a Nehemiah wakeup call that he got when he asked about the current state of Jerusalem and the temple. The answer came back that the walls are broken down, the gates are all burned, and its mostly in ruins. You ask the average minister or Christian today how the church is doing, oh its doing great we took a trip last week, we had a fund raiser, bought a new bus, had 118 for Sunday school last week and 216 for morning worship service.
The signs Jesus gave to John the Baptist’s disciples to indicate He was the one they were looking for has a little different texture.

Matthew 11:2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
Matthew 11:3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
Matthew 11:4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and show John again those things which ye do hear and see:
Matthew 11:5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
Matthew 11:6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

I wonder why the difference? I am going to suggest that Jesus accepted the kingship, relationship, and government of God exactly how the Father wanted it and intended it from the beginning! There is nobody that can stand between you or I and God. Is it necessary to have someone rule over you other than God in Christ? We have been trained to do the things we do and when someone challenges our tradition they are either New Age, heretics, demonic, or simply deceived.
I kind of like the results Jesus got. It sounds a little like smoke, lightning, and thunder compared to what you here from most church works today! There is no doubt in my mind that there are some Churches out there today getting some of the same results Jesus did and the rest of the Church is afraid to join themselves to them. Some may be embarrassed or simply do not believe God still does those works today, but I believe the most separate themselves from these fellowships because they have fear. Either fear of man, fear of God, fear of failure, fear of being found out or some other kind of fear. But if this was Jesus’ resume and works that identified Him to John as being the one, then what should we be displaying as the Church for others to know we are the one?
I will answer that question for you! Jesus said He that believes in Me, the works I do shall He do also, and greater works than these shall He do because I go to the Father. He also said by this shall all men know that you are my disciples, that you have love one to another.

John 14:11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.
John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
John 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

We say the Church has love one to another, but the world in all of its blindness can look in and see the many divisions and factions in the Body of Christ display anything but love. At least not love like Jesus meant it, where there is no greater love than a man lay down his life for someone else. (American Standard Version)
I Corinthians 13:1 IF I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
3 And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant,
5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,
6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;
7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

This kind of love is not in the majority of Christianity today! This love is not even seen in the majority of Christians today! This kind of love only comes to those that stay in the presence of the Father and fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ and obey the Spirit. If these are the indicators that are supposed to be our resume to a lost and dying world and to new believers that we are the one they are looking for, then no wonder they’re not finding us! There can be no true works because there is no true love one to another! If our leaders are so wise why are they so divided, so uncooperative and so unwilling to submit their doctrines and themselves to one another? I know one thing for sure and that is Jesus understood submission to government and authority and He wasn’t ashamed to make it known.

John:5:30: I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
John:7:16: Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
John:8:50: And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.
John:14:24: He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
Matthew:20:23: And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and

[WatchmanRay]

on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.
Mark:10:40: But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.

Jesus understood that the kingdom and its government were God’s and the choice He had to make was if He was willing to serve God in His kingdom, or try to establish His own. We know of course that He chose to serve the Father and in so doing the Father established the Kingdom and put Christ in charge of everything. Our choice is to serve God in His kingdom and in so doing we have authority in Christ to establish the territory He has given us to possess.
All in the kingdom of God (spiritual or earthly) are to be governed by the laws of the kingdom of God and not make themselves subject to the laws of another kingdom. For that which a person subjects themselves to serve, (flesh or spirit) he is made a servant of that
Romans 6: 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The effects of being under the government of God’s kingdom can be very positive or very negative depending on whether or not we are submissive or subversive. Inwardly the kingdom of God governs all of the subjects of the kingdom with the established laws and boundaries set for each individual, city or nation. Bringing them security, peace, direction, control, provision, etc... to fulfill their every need. That is why those who are in the kingdom need to repent and sew righteous seed to one another, because the laws that govern the kingdom inwardly bring a just recompense of reward for whatever kind of deed that is performed. It is the law of the kingdom and sets the standard for the government to operate by. In the same instance if we understand the severity and the incredible power of the kingdom of God, we will pray for those who use us and abuse us and say all manner of evil against us falsely. Think about this for a moment. Inwardly the government of God controls and steers those submitted to the kingdom and correct those who get out of line and walk unrighteous. Since correction comes to those who are citizens of the kingdom of God, and in fact God’s children, what do you think will happen to those outside the kingdom who offend, attack, and attempt to destroy one of the children of the kingdom? An attack against a child of God submitted to the government of God and His kingdom is an attack on God himself. Oh, that we could catch a glimpse of the truth and reality of the kingdom in which we now dwell. That we could understand what Paul and the Spirit intended us to understand in the epistle to the Ephesians.

Ephesians 3: 14: For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15: Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16: That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
17: That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18: May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19: And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
20: Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21: Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

We understand then that the territory of the rule of the government of God is all inclusive in heaven and earth, and those submitted to it’s rule in the Church are the children of the Kingdom, and those outside are the children of darkness. Knowing where the kingdom rules, when it rules, and over whom it rules is important and I believe we have a basic understanding of these. But, who and how God chooses the ones that He is going to rule through is another questioning all of its own.
We see in the old and new covenants alike that God called each of those He chose to serve in leadership capacity. God called and chose Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, and Jesus and the list could go on and on in the old covenant. Jesus establishing the new and calling the twelve disciples, then another seventy, and out of these establishing a new testament form of government that was outlined by those He chose. Not only were these called and chosen, but they were equipped by God to serve.
Many well meaning people with a desire to serve in the Church government has enlisted themselves in the realms of leadership only to come up short when it comes to manifesting God’s glory.
On the whole it has to be conceded that Denominationalism did make a valiant attempt to provide some means to provide stability to those under its umbrella. In doing this they modified church government to suit the need in order to help maintain a consistency in the oneness of doctrine throughout the churches and establish a standard for lifestyle that bore acceptability to all. The ability to enforce these directives of course called for a very strong and controlling church government No matter the validity of the attempt by denominationalism it still failed in most every respect. Every possible fleshly or demonic scheme known to man has still been permitted to manifest in denominationalism in spite of the overriding of the autonomy of the local body of believers or church.
One of the major faults with denominationalism, other than it being completely unscriptural, is the fact that when the denomination runs foul of the truth and gets sidetracked on nonessentials then the rest of the churches affected by the relationship quickly follows suit or has to deal with the fall out of the others. Here the independents and non-denominationalists seem to have a slight advantage in that they maintain their autocracy. These seem to provide more safety for the corporate body from wolves, heresies, and other denominational uncontrollable areas, but on the whole the same manifestations of heresies, liberalism, legalism and modernism are found in the independent and denominational alike.
“Your Pastor, Your Shepherd”(page 120), by James Lee Beall, points out that anthropologists have identified five possible forms of human government. Namely;
1. Oligarchy - the government by an elite few
2. Monarchy - the government by one man or woman
3. Gerontocracy - the government by the old men
4. Democracy - the government by a large portion of the people, usually through some form of representation
5. Theocracy - the government by God through appointed authorities
“The Church in the New Testament” by Kevin Conner (page 81-82) lists a pattern pointed out by Robert S. Paul, in “The Church in Search of Itself” (page 31) found in church government. He lists three basic systems of civil government known to the ancient world as - Episcopal (monarchial), Presbyterian (oligarthic or aristocratic) and Congregational (democratic).
Monarchial is government by one person, autos = self and kratos = power or self power, self rule. In the civil rule we see this in dictatorships. It is the rule of one man or the form of government in which one person has supreme and absolute power above everyone else. It doesn’t matter if the “one” is doing a great job or terrible job, it is still seen as a dictatorship or civil monarchial rule. Nebuchadnezzar was a monarchial ruler in seen in Daniel 5 where he exercised the dictatorial authority to do what he pleased. We could all list monarchial rulers in the civil realm such as Sadaam Hussein, Fidel Castro, the pharaohs, the roman emperors, etc...
What about the monarchial type government seen in church rule or government? Probably the best known practitioner of this would be the Catholic Church along with the Pope. The Pope is called to be “In place of the Son of God”, so they say. He is to be the Bishop of Bishops, the episcopos (epi = over, and skopos = to see or look), the Holy See, or the ONE who looks after and guards the flock of God. Authority has been invested in the Pope as the HEAD of the Church by his followers to the point of changing Scripture, doctrine, and appointing clergy. It makes no difference if it is a Bishop, Cardinal, Priest, Nun, or catholic believer there is a hand me down authority from one man (the Pope) that they have to obey or be in rebellion. Years ago they could have been excommunicated and/or lose their lives if they disagreed with the Pope, and tens of millions did lose their lives for not bowing the knee to the Pope and his authority.
The Popes, Catholicism, and the one-man rule have been responsible for murder, rapes, idolatries, sodomy, robbery, molestation’s and much more that is still being revealed today. That is just the offences against the civil realm that I mentioned, not counting Heresies, Polluted doctrines, the selling of indulgences (making money off of forgiving sins), and much more. I won’t even go into the regions of the Papacy and Catholicism’s signs of anti-Christ that has been pointed out through the ages by most all of the early church fathers all the way through to the founders of today’s largest denominations. And some doctrines and most all of the eschatology that is taught today in denominational churches were banned and tagged as heresy by the fathers of the protestant reformation in the 1500’s.
The influence of the monarchial rule in the Church can and has had a great effect on those under its jurisdiction. Those under it would not think it is so dominating and controlling because they have learned to be sympathetic to it and have been disciplined to believe it is the one true way. The Jim Jones scenario in Jonestown, Guyana, show what can happen to a monarchial type rule in the church that has gone bad. Here the Stockholm Syndrome could be referenced displaying how those that have been held captive for an extended period of time begin to be sympathetic with their captors, captors doctrine, and their agenda (i.e. Patty Hurst).
The churches that are governed by one man whether he be called Bishop, Pastor, Senior Minister, Chief Elder, or Lead Elder all clearly portray the monarchial rule form of government in the church today. The greatest danger is no checks and balances or a calling to accountability if in the wrong. Independent churches and autonomous churches fall into this category often and wind up with a Diotrephes, a type of autocrat, that wouldn’t even let John or Paul the apostles in to address the body (III John 9-10). I’m sure we have all seen the Diotrephes type that loved to have the preeminence among the believers in the local church and everything had to go or come through him including God.
Enough of that, let’s move on to the Hierachy type rule.



Hebrews 13: 7: Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
17: Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
24: Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints.
Isa 9:6-7 says this;
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 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.

The word government is used twice in this Scripture and the Strong’s reference is 4951 Strong’s is misrah pronounced misraw means empire -government and is taken from 8280 in the Strong’s which is sarah pronounced sawraw meaning to prevail; have power over as a prince. Isaiah 9:6-7 tells us something very important about the ones set up to control, exercise authority, steer, have power in God’s government. The first thing we see is that it all is upon His (Christ’s) shoulders, meaning the head who is Jesus Christ. The one carrying that authority is called Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. From our definitions then we understand that the one who has the power to control and intends to steer the governed body in the direction it is to go is God. He is not, has not and will not give it over into the hands of man to do with what he chooses, Why? Because He already did that once in the first man ADAM and He finished it in the last man ADAM, Christ. Jesus made a very clear statement about government in Matthew 28:18-20:
18: And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

All power represents the government in Heaven and Earth being placed on His shoulders. Jesus was saying it is given to Me, I’m not relinquishing it to anyone, it’s safe on My shoulders, and I am with you always, even to the end of the world. Jesus knows what He wants to accomplish in His Rule of Authority and for all of them in His land. He is the KING! He has the authority to make law and the power to back it up. He also confirms His Word He has given to those in authority with signs and wonders following it. We will get into this more as we begin to look at the governing law in the Kingdom of God.
So we need to look to those God has chosen to govern for they should have only one purpose in mind, to govern according to the will of God. It is safe to say that since Jesus instituted the form of government that is to be in the Church, then we should expect Him to move through and bless that form of government and all under it’s rule. Unfortunately we have not really learned the basics of His government so we have chosen to use the form that was supplied to us by our forerunners. The big problem is that Jesus, the Governor and King, has not approved and has chosen not to let the false government be entrusted with His authority to exercise His power in His name. Therefore we have all suffered and instead of addressing the issue of improper rule we have began to believe that Jesus doesn’t have the authority and power now, but it will manifest one day in the sweet bye-and-bye. Lord, have mercy on our soul for exchanging the glory of God’s Word and promises for things that are corruptible. Never let your experience interpret the Word of God. Always interpret your experience by the Word and Spirit.
I could get into the different forms of Church Government today, everything from a one-man dictator, to a Deacon Board, to being governed by an association from outside the local church body, to being governed by the majority vote of the membership. I will simply say that none of these are Scriptural Church Governments and need to be torn down and let God build the government. I am more interested in unveiling what the Word of God teaches on how to do this thing right than squabbling all day about how wrong it has been done in the past and present.
A quick reminder of the end of Isaiah 9:7 that states; 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.
The government and peace shall continue to increase and their will be NO END, that could hurt someone’s eschatology (teachings on the end-times). Just for a quick mind opener look at Daniel 2:37-44 (note: pay special attention to verse 44);
37: Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.
38: And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.
39: And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.
40: And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.
41: And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.
42: And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.
43: And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.
44: 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.

Back to Isaiah! The government and peace shall continue to increase and their will be NO END both upon the throne of David,(where Christ rules from in mankind’s realm) and upon His kingdom (where Christ rules in Heaven and Earth a.k.a. the Kingdom of God, spiritual realm). There will be no end of Christ’s ability to increase His government, to order(control) it, to establish (set up anywhere anytime) it, with judgment (because the prince of this world IS JUDGED) and with justice (because Christ shows no partiality for we are all one before Him) in this realm and the realm to come now and forever.
We see another reference to government in 2 Pet 2:10. To keep it in context we will look at the entire portion of verse 9 through 19. It would do one well to read this entire chapter in the light of revelation.

2 Peter 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
10: But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
11: Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.
12: But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;
13: And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;
14: Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
15: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
16: But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.
17: These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
18: For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
19: While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

[WatchmanRay]

It is not my intent to go into the depths of this text I have presented here for your considerations. My intent is to show that the Scripture is very aware that not only do some follow the wrong way in error, but their are those that DESPISE GOVERNMENT. They don’t despise just any government, but they despise the government of God that only permits the will of God to be purposed and empowered. Some are self-willed and as the Scripture here presents will allure others with promises, yet others are simply deceived. Simply put, if you allow the deception to govern over you then you are brought into bondage of the deception. That means that the intended benefits of God are hindered from manifesting because the traditions of man are making the Word of God ineffective.
To give you the biblical definition of the word used in 2 Peter 2:10 we turn to Strong’s again under reference 2963 Strong’s kuriotes pronounced koo-ree-ot-ace that is taken from kurios meaning supreme in authority; controller; mastery; dominion, government.
The Spirit through Peter let us know that there are those among us, eating, teaching, leading, etc... that despise the supreme authority (Christ), the controller (Christ) the master, the dominator, the true government. Their desire is to have the supreme authority to govern over and in the lives of mankind, to control, to be their master, their dominator. In short they desire to be the government instead of trusting Christ to govern.
In 1 Corinthians 12:25-28 we have another reference made to governments in 2941 of the Strong’s it is kubernesis pronounced koo-ber-nay-sis from the Latin meaning to steer; pilotage; directorship; government in the church. Lets take a look;
1 Corinthians 12: 25: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
26: And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it.
27: Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
28: And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

This Scripture confirms the fact that Christ has set some in the Church with the gift of GOVERNMENTS. Don’t be foolish enough to think that the mention of first, secondly, thirdly is showing an order of importance to the Body of Christ. It is simply a way of mentioning what Christ has put in the Church in the manner of GIFTS that can be utilized so the Church could function properly. We understand Christ has gifted some for the particular function of directing, steering, exercising authority, and power to govern in the Church. Paul, Timothy, and Titus in other Scripture qualify this gifting of government officers. Mention is made to clarify that the gifting comes from God and one should not be disqualified simply because they are not highly esteemed, unseemly or physically restricted. Sometimes God’s gifting goes to those who may appear less fortunate than others as a way of maintaining a balance in the body and the equality of all in the Body of Christ. Those that cannot receive from all in the Body of Christ may find themselves in need because they refuse to believe that the manifestation of God can come through the less fortunate. I would venture to say that many are sickly and asleep because of this very reason.
Government is a fact of life both in the natural and the spiritual. We are to submit to whatever government we find ourselves under in the natural for the sake of living in peace, but we are not to allow ourselves to be governed by anything less than Christ himself in the spiritual realm. I challenge you to a scriptural review of your present church government. Is the rule coming from Christ through anointed leadership that is after the purpose of Christ? You may not be fully prepared to make that evaluation or review at this point so let us continue.


What Happens when a City, House or Kingdom is divided?

To bring things into focus a little better we need to understand that if Christ’s desire for the Church is one particular type of rule and we are actually practicing another then the house is divided or in rebellion! For Christ’s word on this let us turn to
Matthew 12:22-30;
22: Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.
23: And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?
24: But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
25: And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
26: And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
27: And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.
28: But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
29: Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.
30: He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.
Jesus left no room for anyone to mess up the interpretation of what he was saying. He spoke very clear, precise and to the point. EVERY KINGDOM means there are no kingdoms left out of this statement it is to include all kingdoms, good, bad or ugly. The statement is that EVERY KINGDOM DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF IS BROUGHT TO DESOLATION. We can clearly see that the Kingdom, City, and House represented here is referring to any of the above in the natural or spiritual realm. If it is an earthly Kingdom or spiritual Kingdom the rule, authority, or government had better be harmonious because if it is divided (working against each other) it is brought to desolation! If it is a nation, a city, an individual house, or even a single human being there is a set order or pattern to govern each area of its function. Divided nation’s have rebellions and/or civil wars that if not resolved will bring the nation to desolation. An individual city has to function harmoniously with the governing authority of the state or nation over it or it will be confronted by the higher authority and brought to desolation unless it repent. An individual house can be brought to divorce, dishonor or disgrace if it remains divided against itself, or the city, or the nation. A single human being can be brought to desolation if they are double-minded or allow a different government to rule them other than what God intended. Such as; Adam in the Garden of Eden. He rebelled against the authority of God and allowed his soul to govern him instead of his spirit and he brought all mankind into desolation.
Verse 29 and 30 go on to bring a very important question to light as well as a benefit of functioning in divine government. Under God’s divine government for the Church the gates of Hell will not prevail against the Church. But if we are submitted to the proper authority or government of God then we can bind the strongman (Enemy) and then go in and spoil his goods. If we are not properly submitted to the government and authority of God then we can’t bind the strongman (Enemy) and we find ourselves unable to spoil his goods. Physical, material, spiritual, or emotional are all realms the strongman of the enemy can be holding ground. If we are going into these areas to free a brother or sister or taking land for ourselves we need to be not only submitted individually, but we need to be submitted in the corporate or city and it submitted to Christ. If not, you may find yourself ready, willing, and able to minister to others in the Body and ready to reach out into the community, but the manifestations of God are being hindered by the lack of harmony in the existing church government and God’s desired government.
Jesus didn’t say that a kingdom, city or house could possibly have a rough time making it if it’s divided. He said it would come to desolation. Keep your spiritual ears on. Jesus didn’t say it would disappear from sight, He said it would basically be left to them desolate. Similar to what he said to the nation of Israel and city of Jerusalem in
Matthew 23: 37: O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
38: Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.

And Luke 13: 34: O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!
35: Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

In these specific examples we see both the nation of Israel continued and the city of Jerusalem continued, but what happened was Jesus left them to their own devices. He desired to lead them, gather them, train them, shepherd them, but they wouldn’t let him. They wanted to do things their own way so Jesus left them under their own authority and government to try and succeed. What is desolation? In the biblical sense it is the absence of the rule, authority, power, or controlling government of God. Just as they have a nation, a city, a kingdom, and a people without the government of God, so too can we have churches, denominations, non-denominations, or individuals that are left desolate yet continue to exist. Why? Because they refuse to submit to the government of God and His kingdom through the church and their house that is left becomes desolate instead of His house that is blessed.
I believe we can all agree that the Church is identified in Scripture as being like the Kingdom of God, the City of God, and the House of God. One flip through the newspaper can show you how divided we are when we see 100 churches in one 30 mile radius. The enemy has fought us because he knows that as long as he can keep the church divided he can co-exist with it. But, when the Church wakes up and shakes off the dust (flesh or carnality), and gathers herself together and becomes single-minded, with one heart, one faith, one Lord, one government, and one body then Satan and his kingdom is finished. The whole creation groans and travails together waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God. It’s not waiting for a new church building to pop up or for the gospel message to be sent from one end of the world to the other, it is waiting for the church to wake up and start manifesting Christ.
Jesus has this crazy idea that the Church, the Body of Christ, is going to make his enemies a footstool for His feet. He has even set down at the right hand of the Father expecting this thing to happen. I think Jesus understands Daniel chapter 2 and gave us clues on how this whole thing is going to work out, while the Church has been reading a little to much Hal Lindsay. Jesus has organized the government of the Church to equip, train, and assist us in subduing the enemies of the kingdom of God. Yet, today’s church leadership has wooed us into believing everything is fine and that the midnight train to Heaven will arrive on time to get us out of here. What is wrong with this picture?
Satan messed things up in the Garden, he led a rebellion of the angelic realm, and he has pursued God’s people throughout the generations to kill, steal and destroy. We are told in the New Testament that our adversary the devil stalks around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Satan is actively trying to divide the body of Christ and keep us from following after Christ trying to prolong his end. These divisions in the Body should have opened our eyes up to the fact that Satan was at work trying to divide us, but it didn’t. Compromise took over and the Body has divided many times over thus dividing the government and the house causing the penalty of desolation to be invoked by the Word. We still exist, but the true question is whether or not our house is left to us for our own governing, our own power, and authority thus literally making it desolate.
Regardless of where we see the body of Christ today and our lives functioning in or out of it there are some things we can be absolutely sure of.
The true Church worships God in Spirit and Truth.
Judgment will begin at the house of God (us).
Jesus will have a glorious Church.
Jesus’ sheep hear His voice and will not follow another.
Those that love him see Him for He has revealed Himself to them.
The earth will be filled with His glory.
The manifestations of the Sons of God will happen.
The whole creation will be delivered into the Glory of the Sons.
The bride will make herself ready.
The transformation of our beings will be completed.
We will realize that we are just like Jesus.
All of His enemies will be made a footstool for His feet.
The Kingdom of God will be delivered up to God, the Father.
Then God will continue to do exceeding abundantly above all we could ever ask or think according to the power that works within us!
Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

[Nobody]

Wow!

That Rocks Mr. Ray!

Thanks for sharing!

N

[Basilikos]

I really like this part:

"I would venture to say that many are sickly and asleep because of this very reason.
Government is a fact of life both in the natural and the spiritual. We are to submit to whatever government we find ourselves under in the natural for the sake of living in peace, but we are not to allow ourselves to be governed by anything less than Christ himself in the spiritual realm. I challenge you to a scriptural review of your present church government. Is the rule coming from Christ through anointed leadership that is after the purpose of Christ?"

This should really begin to open eyes and ears to see and hear what is actually going on around them, by the grace of God!

Basilikos