Adjective

God’s people should be careful about adopting fashionable adjectives.

A number of years ago, “prophetic” was the trendy adjective, as in prophetic leadership conference, prophetic evangelism, etc.

Subsequently, “apostolic” became the trendy adjective, as in apostolic anything, eg apostolic reformation, apostolic church.

More recently, “kingdom” is the adjective that is being used everywhere, as in kingdom economics, kingdom government, kingdom etc.

We need to be careful that we do not devalue these words by just attaching them to any idea that we think is trendy.

"Kingdom" is not an adjective that can be applied to any church programme.

“Kingdom” is a noun. We need a vision of a different kingdom.

• The Kingdom of God is a different government.
• The Kingdom of God is a transformed society.
• The Kingdom of God is a different way of living.

Using “kingdom” as an adjective attached to what the church does turns the Kingdom of God into a contentless concept.

In my book Government of God, I explain how the Kingdom of God can become something real.

No Intermediary

A common belief is that God needs a human government to act as his intermediary on earth. Many Christians believe that the Kingdom of God will come when key political positions in their nation are held by Christians and the elected law-makers pass laws that align with the scriptures. They believe that by voting for a godly people to get elected to political power, they are helping bring in the Kingdom of God.

The more power that the person elected has, the more important it is to get a good person elected. This is why Christians get stirred up about elections for President or Prime Minister. Christians believe that if the wrong person is elected, then the Kingdom of God will be shut out. They also believe that if they can get the right people elected, the Kingdom of God will be advanced.

Most Christians just assume that when the Kingdom of God comes to fulfilment in their nation, the political system that has been established in the nation will be an important part of it. Whether they have a republican presidency of a prime minister ruling under a monarchy, they assume that they already have God’s form of government. They believe that they just have to tweak the existing political system by getting Christian politicians elected for the Kingdom of God to come.

Although this view is widespread, it is wrong. The Kingdom of God does not come by political power. The political system uses force, coercion and compulsory taxation to achieve its objectives. Jesus refused to use political power because his kingdom is totally different from the kingdoms of the world. His kingdom is advanced as the gospel of Jesus is proclaimed in the power of the Spirit and people choose to love him and bring their lives into alignment with his will. The only government needed in the Kingdom of God is voluntary judges applying God’s law.

In the Old Testament age, Israel chose to have a king like other nations, but this was not God’s plan for them. He allowed them to have a king as a concession to human weakness, but the king was not essential for his kingdom. Old Testament kingship was a second-best option, so it is not a justification for modern political power/People in the Old Testament struggled to hear God, so they needed prophets and priests to act as intermediaries on their behalf. Now, God has given has sent us his Holy Spirit to act as an intermediary between him and his people.

Jesus announced the priesthood and kingship of all believers (Rev 1:6). We can enter the presence of God through Jesus and hear him speak through the Holy Spirit, so we do not need a priest to act on our behalf. We can give our allegiance to Jesus and serve him by obeying the voice of the Holy Spirit. We do not need a king to tell us what to do.

God does not need a king or other human government standing as an intermediary between him and the people. The Holy Spirit can tell people what he wants them to do. His laws still provide the best possible basis for resolving disputes between people.

The idea that God needs a human government or a holy roman empire to act as a king and establish a kingdom using military and legal power is nonsense. Human governments rely on force and coercion, so they cannot be part of the Kingdom of God. Their love of power allows them to be controlled by government-spirits in the spiritual realms, so they are part of the kingdom of darkness. God cannot use them to bring in his kingdom, because it is totally different from the kingdoms of the world. His kingdom is expanded by love and serving in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Kingdoms of the World

When Jesus was being tempted, the tempter showed him “all the kingdoms of the world” (Luke 4:5). At that time Rome was the only real kingdom, so he would not have used the word “all” if he was just referring to it. The devil was not just referring to Rome, but all the kingdoms of the world: past, present and future. That included the United Kingdom, the Kingdom of Denmark, the United States of America, the Dominion of New Zealand, the Republic of South Africa, and every other earthly kingdom that has ever existed and will exist in the future. The devil claimed that they had been given to him, and that he could give them to whoever he chose.

Jesus could have accepted control over all these kingdoms and used them to establish his rule on earth, but he chose not to take this step, because the price he would have had to pay was to worship the powers of evil. Instead, he stuck with God’s plan to establish a completely different government, the Kingdom of God, in a totally different way.

If we follow Luke’s account right through, we reach a disturbing conclusion. Many Christians are trying to use a “kingdom of the world” to advance the Kingdom of God, but it cannot be done. If we continue to put faith in our particular kingdom of the world, we are effectively bowing to the devil, who controls and manipulates human government, because it relies on coercion, force and imposed authority.

Kingdom Come

In recent years, there has been massive talk in Christian circles about the kingdom of God. “Kingdom” become a popular adjective that gets tagged onto everything that the church does. Yet despite all the talk about the kingdom, most Christians still do not really believe the kingdom can actually come on earth. At best they hope for a slightly better church, or a better government at the next election, but neither is a vision of the kingdom that stirs hearts the way that Jesus did. The Passion translation refers to “God’s kingdom realm”, which makes it seem vague and invisible.

Part of the problem is that Jesus vision of the Kingdom simply does not fit with the modern model of church, and leaders are unwilling to give their vision for something radically different. Jesus said that the people need a radical change of thinking to be able to accept his Kingdom. That has not changed.

Church and Kingdom

To understand the difference between the church and the kingdom of God, we must grasp the importance of territory in God’s purposes.

When the followers of Jesus living together in one place engage in spiritual warfare, they can force all the spiritual powers of evil out of that territory. Once they achieve victory, this territory belongs to Jesus, not to the spiritual powers of evil.

Within this territory, there will be two types of people.

• Citizens of the Kingdom who given their allegiance to Jesus.
• Residents living within the territory, but who have not given allegiance to Jesus. Most of them just keep their heads down and try to remain invisible. A few will be outlaws, looking for a chance to rebel against the King, but they will be outnumbered.

Jesus is the king of everyone living and working within that territory.

An ekklesia is a gathering of the citizens living in a place (Act 19:39). In terms of the Kingdom of God, the ekklesia is all the citizens of the Kingdom (those who have given allegiance to Jesus) living in that piece of territory. Not everyone living within that territory is a citizen.

Citizens are a body of followers of Jesus, who are:

• rescued by Jesus
• in allegiance with him
• living close to each other, and
• walking in the Spirit

The citizens (ekklesia) in this piece of territory engage in the following activities.

• proclaiming the good news
• loving one another
• serving each other through giving and sharing
• celebrating the Lord’s Supper
• prayer
• eldership
• discipling new believers
• prayer
• spiritual defence of the territory against all spiritual attacks.

Citizens can operate in the spiritual realms. They can go into the king’s presence because the King is their brother and friend.

Residents live within the territory of the king, but they are not citizens, because they have not yet given allegiance to the king. They only know the king by hearsay. They cannot go into his presence, because they are confined to the physical realms of life.

Residents are not interested in the activities of the ekklesia listed above. However, because they belong to the Kingdom, they are entitled to the following benefits.

• justice
• security and protection
• economic support

The King cares about all residents of his kingdom. He wants them to prosper, so they do not rebel against him.

Kingdom Communities serve citizens and residents, although most of the work will be done by citizens because they are committed to the king and his kingdom. Residents will also be glad to receive:

• education
• employment
• sanitation
• healthcare.

Kingdom Communities make human government redundant. Political power takes plenty, but has nothing to offer, because what the Kingdom Community delivers everything better.

For more see Government of God.

Social Architecture (21) Kingdom

If the Tens and Fifties serves effectively, the local people will participate in some of their activities, especially those that advance justice, protection from crime, welfare and defence. When the non-Christians in the neighbourhood participate in the activities of the Ten or Fifty, they will have to compromise with their standards of behaviour.

The lifestyle of Tens and Fifties will be shaped by love for one another.

• People will be treated with respect.
• No one will be forced to do things that they do not want to do.
• The truth will be spoken in love.
• Hurts and misunderstanding will be resolved by forgiveness.

To participate in activities organised by Tens and Fifties, other people will have to fit with this lifestyle. They will compromise their behaviour gladly, because they will see the benefits that Tens and Fifties provide to their neighbourhood. However, they will not feel forced to change, because they remain free to opt out at any time.

Christian leaders will not control Christians in their care, but will serve them. They will also seek to serve the other people in their street. The people living in their neighbourhood will respect their leadership because they will have observed their kindness and love. When this has happens, something special has happened in in the neighbourhood.

• If they serve effectively, Tens and Fifties will be the most influential groups in their neighbourhood.
• The members of the Tens will have submitted voluntarily to the authority of their elders.
• The elders will have submitted to Jesus, and to each other. This makes the Kingdom of God a reality in their midst.
• People living in the neighbourhood but not following Jesus will submit to God's authority some of the time to benefit from the activities of the Tens and Fifties.

Taken together, this means that most people in the neighbourhood will be submitted to God most of the time, so the Kingdom of God has come to their neighbourhood.

Citizen or Outlaw

A citizen of Spain has no interest in defending the Kingdom of Bavaria. This seems obvious, but it also means that a citizen of the Kingdom of God has no interest in defending the kingdom of United States. We cannot give allegiance to two kings. If I am loyal to King Jesus, l cannot serve the Kingdom of the United States.

A man cannot serve to master. We cannot belong to two kingdoms. If we are a loyal citizen of one kingdom, we become an outlaw in the other.

I am a citizen of the Kingdom of God, but I am also a resident of New Zealand, Because I am a citizen of the Kingdom God, I am an outlaw in New Zealand, because I am committed to another king and another law. While I am a resident, the government of New Zealand claims authority to make me pay taxes and obey its laws. I usually do, because they hold all the power, but I do not acknowledge their authority to rule me. Only Jesus has authority to do that.

Whose Shoulder

Isaiah prophesied boldly about Jesus.

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.

Of the increase of his
government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign … over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this.

The government will be on his shoulder.

Who?

The Child
Jesus.

The simple reading of this text is that Jesus will be the government
from that time forward and forever.

So why does Barack Obama think that he should be the government?
or David Cameron, or Angela Merkel, or Nicolas Sarkozy, or Tony Abbott, or John Key?

Why do we put our faith in democracy?
Why do we think that we can vote in a new government,
At the next election?

Herod understood Isaiah's prophecy.
He knew that his government was a goner,
so he tried to kill Jesus,
but he was still a goner.

Mary understood it too. That is why she said,
Kings would be thrown down from their thrones
and the humble raised up.

Satan understood the threat.
That is why he came up with clever deception that
this prophecy is "Not for now, but for later",
"Jesus government comes at the end of the age."
You could trust Satan to thrust his shoulder in.

The government is on Jesus shoulder.
He will govern with justice and righteousness.
and his government will never shop increasing.
The Zeal of the Lord will do it.

When?

Not in the future.
No!
From that time on and forever.

We had better work out what this means.
Soon!

Kingdom and Church

Is the Kingdom in the church? This seems to be the wrong question. People are looking at the same thing from a different perspective, and think that they are looking at different things.

The church is people, their relationships with each and with Jesus. By the grace of the Spirit, the Church represents Jesus in the world.

The church is people, and people are dispersed throughout the world, so the church has no boundary. Therefore it is meaningless to say something is outside the church. We can talk about place where the church is not present, because no Christians go there. The church needs two more people to be present in any place to be the church there. That limits its presence in the world.

The Kingdom of God is authority, and Jesus exercise of authority through the Spirit. The boundary of the Kingdom is fluid, depending on where and when that authority is acknowledged and God’s will is done.

The Kingdom just needs one person with authority, to hear the voice of the Spirit and obey to be present in the world. That means the Kingdom can be found anywhere there is authority and people following Jesus.

Empire to Kingdom of God (13)

The apostles keep on working. More churches will be established.

Empire to Kingdom of God (12)

The Kingdom continues to expand.

Deacons in the two new churches become highly skilled in caring for poor people who live among them. They take responsibility for caring for all poor people living in the area where the four churches have been established, regardless of whether they are a Christian. They have effectively established an alternative social welfare system (S). This will be really important when state welfare systems collapse.

Empire to Kingdom of God (11)

The churches continue to grow.

Two new churches come into being in new neighbourhoods.

Empire to Kingdom (10) Defence

When the economy collapses, the police will stop protecting the people, because they cannot afford to maintain patrols. A few of the people in the church start to watch out for their community. They will challenge evil people entering their neighbourhood and pray against them. Their non-violent methods will be more effective than those of the official police. An alternative system of defence is emerging (D).

One of the people in the new church is known for the effective way they home school their children. Other people who are concerned about the failing state schools ask this person if they would teach their children, too. Soon a new school is flourishing in their home (E). A couple of people from outside the church send their children to the new school, because they recognise the quality of the education being provided.

Empire to Kingdom of God (8)

The new church is modelled on the one that sent it, but reflects the people who belong to it.

Empire to Kingdom of God (7) Apostolic

A better strategy is to plant churches in neighbourhoods where people are living. This is a neighbourhood church.

If the Holy Spirit is present in power, the church will grow quickly. When it reaches and optimal size it wills send out apostles to establish a new church in a different part of the city, possibly quite close by. More on the working of apostles can be found at the Apostolic Way.

Empire to Kingdom of God (6)

If the modern church wants to influence the government, it must send Christians to work within it. This is never very successful, because it is very difficult to work in the state without being corrupted by its power. The principalities and powers are still at work in the state, so those who submit to it are opening themselves up to their influence. The government works by power and control, which tends to undermine the gospel.

Empire to Kingdom of God (5) Secularism

Focusing in on one nation, the state dominates the church.

In the last century, secularism set in and the church was squeezed out of its place of privilege.

The state still uses power and control to achieve its purposes and create a good society. The demonic principalities and power still work through the state to accomplish their purposes.

The church and the state both work from the edge of society. The government passes laws and issues decrees. It sends its agents and taxgathers to enforce its power and control.

The church operates in a similar way. People gather in the church to receive guidance and support. They then return to their neighbourhoods to live.

Empire to Kingdom of God (4)

The power of the church gradually weakened. The Reformation divided the church, and nation states began to emerge. The new churches relied on the state for their protection.

The leaders of the church continued to believe that they could control and shape the state. They relied on the power of the state to advance their cause, but the principalities and powers were still active. Power and control were still in ascendance.

Empire to Kingdom of God (3) Christendom

The Roman empire eventually withered away, and the church was left in control of the western world. This was Christendom.

This was not ideal, because the church continued to rely on control and power, not on freedom and service.

Empire to Kingdom of God (2)

As the Roman empire weakened, it aligned itself with the growing church to preserve control.

The leaders of the church believed that they could shape the empire to achieve God’s purposes. This was not possible, because the empire was still controlled by evil principalities and powers. The empire was still based on control and coercion and not on love.