THE GLORY OF THE KINGDOM
“They shall
speak of the glory of Your kingdom and talk of Your power.”
Psalm 145: 11
The kingdom is the habitat where
Jesus lives and moves and has His sovereign authority and rulership. Entrance
into the kingdom of God is always by being born from above – being born
again (John 3: 3 – 17). We have to be born by the Spirit of God in order
to be part of the kingdom of God. When this happens the kingdom of God
is within us. Then the divine flow from your spirit can be released from
within you. Those who have been truly immersed in the Holy Spirit are conscious
of His authority within, there is Someone else living His life through
them. When you experience a miracle, healing, or a demon is cast out, the
kingdom comes upon you.
Glory means all that God
is and all that God has. To be conscious of God residing inside us is glorious…
His indwelling makes Jesus our inside adviser giving us inside information.
It may be discerning of spirits, the word of knowledge or gifts of healings.
It may be the power to go through middle and old age without bitterness
or disappointment or jealousy. For some the inner knowing comes with tongues
or prophecy. We speak spiritual things that natural men may scoff at or
misunderstand. We compare spiritual things with spiritual – interpreting
and adapting them in the light of anointed Scriptures (1 Corinthians 2:
13). Spiritual ones discern the root source of all things because God has
trained their minds in the word of God.
We obtain the glory of our
Lord Jesus Christ, “… through sanctification of the Spirit and belief in
the truth.” (2 Thessalonians 2: 13, 14). We obtain glory in our spirits
– in the sphere where Christ dwells in our hearts, in the kingdom within.
We are really talking about the interaction of the Holy Spirit and our
spirits which produces the glory of God.
OUR HUMAN SPIRIT + THE
HOLY SPIRIT IS THE TRUE HOME OF
THE GLORY OF GOD.
Our spirits are the faculty
where the King bids us to rise above natural and carnal men. Any understanding
of the kingdom within must embrace the tri-partite being of man. The kingdom
within is located in that place of safe retreat: our human spirit. It is
here where the Holy Spirit will reveal truth and interpret it to us through
a renewed mind. The divine order for Christian action is:
Our mind must co-work with
our spirits, and bring reason to work out the revelation. As soon as the
mental
picture is formed, an emotion links the thought to the will. We act
on the revelation fact and the faith carries through to the appropriate
action of our bodies. This kingdom within our spirits is then demonstrated
to the church and the world.
Emotions we experience can
be influenced by past experience and circumstances; therefore, they alone
should never determine whether or not we carry out the revelation. Once
we have the picture in our minds, we need to process the thought: does
it line up with scripture, with the character and nature of God, revealed
in Jesus Christ; do we have the sentinel of peace. We may feel emotionally
good about an idea which actually hasn’t come from our spirits, discernment
is essential. Emotions need to come under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
A good example of the outworking
of this glory is seen in the gifts of the Holy Spirit: how they are received
and given.
(a) Revelation from God:
1 Corinthians 2: 10
(b) Manifestation in our
spirit: 1 Corinthians 12: 7
If a manifestation by-passes
our spirit we have to examine the source. It is interesting to note the
discernment of spirits in 1 Corinthians 12: 10 are divinely arranged between
prophecy and tongues.
(c) Demonstration to church
and to the world: 1Corinthians 2: 4
“… Demonstration of
the Spirit and power.”
The gifts or manifestations
of the Spirit need prayerful preparation. In other words: FRAGILE: HANDLE
WITH PRAYER! The list in 1 Corinthians 12 is strategically placed between
the Lord’s Table (chapter 11) and Love (chapter 13). The right use, misuse
and downright abuse of the gifts continue to confuse adherents of charismata
and their opponents. Let’s now look at some of the manifestations with
this in mind.
THE DISCERNMENT OF SPIRITS
The greatest need in a church
world is this precious and misunderstood gift, in a climate of increasing
deception. There are three spheres of operation:
(a) The Human
Jesus discerned the motives
of the Jews (Mark 2: 8) and the character of Nathaniel (John 1: 47, 48).
(b) Evil Agencies
Daniel saw Gabriel (Daniel
9: 21). Paul sensed an evil spirit in the girl (Acts 16: 16 – 18). Micaiah
in 1 Kings 22: 21, 22.
(c) The Divine
Elisha in 2 Kings 6: 17.
John on Patmos in Revelation 1: 9 – 12. Moses in Numbers 12: 8. Isaiah
6: 1 – 8, where Isaiah sees the Lord.
How I Came Into Discerning
Of Spirits
At the Bible College in
the library, my inner eyes were opened to see two evil spirits under a
table. That sounds a bit like cluedo, the popular game! It was sudden,
unexpected, but at the leading of the Lord Jesus. Who better to target
than those who are keen for God! The enemy wants to bring division, contention,
strife, confusion, poor concentration when saints gather, especially when
it’s to study the Word! It was confirmed by a tutor a week or so later.
Demons like dry places, dry churches, dry preachers, and dry apathetic
congregations. They bring a satanic peace that says “do not disturb”. They
target and assail the true church from the heavenlies, from the ground,
through carnal believers, from the world-spirit that refuses to recognize
Jesus as Lord. The gift of discernment is given to those who love the truth
passionately and display a renewed mind. God doesn’t give grace gifts on
a plate. The two-fold preparation of prayer and scripture undergird the
true manifestation.
The mind of Christ (1 Corinthians
2: 16) is related to Philippians 2: 5 – 8, the person with the mind of
Christ will exhibit:
-
SERVANTHOOD
-
DEATH TO SELF
-
HUMBLING OF OURSELVES
The DOVE comes upon the LAMB!
God has to be sure the impartation
will not puff us up or freak us out! The seeing of demon powers, whether
cancer demons, occult demons, spirits of divination, tree spirits, UFO’s
(rare), etc. should humble us and keep us at His feet and under His headship.
The demons are UNDER HIS FEET and therefore are UNDER OURS as we live in
constant communion with the ascended and glorified Lord.
Within a few months God showed
me many demons, especially in Christian homes! The shock made me realise
many believers do not know how to apply the blood of Jesus Christ, our
worthy Lamb.
Glory only comes on the ground
of the blood of Jesus, and the fire of the Holy Spirit. If you desire to
be great in the kingdom of God, the three co-ordinates must be at work
in your life (I deal with this aspect in the chapter “The Three Co-ordinates”),
and you must be willing to die out to self, to serve others. The blood
of Christ, the word of God and the Spirit produce the GLORY OF GOD. In
deliverance ministry, that has permanent results, the sword of the Spirit
(a rhema word); the anointing of the Spirit and the sealing of the blood
of Jesus can bring a manifestation of glory. How wonderful when the sufferer
is prepared and the ministers truly discerning! How wonderful to see a
suffering soul set free – to the glory of God! The KINGDOM OF GOD comes
upon… (Luke 11: 20).
One learns quickly in deliverance
ministry:
-
discretion must accompany discernment.
-
believers will attack your stand.
-
doors of opportunity will close.
-
the anointing of exposure will
make some fearful of you.
-
men in the ministry will seek
to isolate and reject you.
So the price tag becomes very
real. On the plus side, you are loved by Father for taking up your daily
cross. That alone is worth far more than money can buy. Discernment will
increase with maturity, making you a better counsellor. Spiritual warfare
becomes more than a topic but a reality, giving a depth to your teaching
ministry. Your prayer life becomes more pertinent – there have been many
casualties because of a lack of preparation and holiness of life. A soldier
in the army only goes to the frontline after extensive training. A powerful
kingdom lifestyle births a warrior spirit in you.
Discernment in Three Spheres
(1) Sees the value of
a human soul
Jesus knew Nathaniel had
no sham, no hypocrisy. He “saw” him in the spirit under the fig tree puzzling
out who Jesus was. The fig tree is a symbol of national Israel. We know
Jesus cursed the fig tree because figs should have been in evidence (it
was not the time for ripe figs but some signs of fruit growing should have
been there). Leaves only and no fruit are symbolic of religious tradition.
Religion must be cursed from the roots up! (Mark 11: 20).
To distinguish here: religion
is man trying to get to God in his own strength; it is opposite to the
life in the Spirit which comes from God to man via the Cross. Our roots
are not in Catholicism or Orthodox, but in the unlimited streams that flow
from Calvary and Pentecost spiritually, the relationship between Father
and Son eternally, and Abraham humanly.
Nathaniel came out of religion!
We infer this from his presence among the disciples on resurrection morning
(John 21: 2). He was schooled in the law but followed Jesus, anchoring
his faith in the resurrection.
Do we discern the potential
of a human soul? Do we sense what issue they are grappling with? Do we
see why millions are still slaves of religion? Are we anointed to set them
free from the hypnotic drug of religion so they can serve Jesus?
(2) Sees the victory of
God’s salvation
The Syrian army came looking
for Elisha to kidnap him or much worse. His servant was stunned to see
the immediate peril. But the prophet prayed and the servant’s eyes saw
the chariots of fire (the angelic hosts). 2 Kings 6: 8 – 23 is a wonderful
story with great humour. The rescue of God’s prophet began with discernment
of spirits… and led to the humiliation of the Syrians. Angels are seen
when victory is on the way. At Eckington in 1991 angels were seen in the
grounds of a manor house as a church was being birthed.
Matthew 11: 12 tells us,
“… the kingdom of heaven is taken by storm, and the strong and forceful
ones claim it for themselves eagerly!” (Wuest translation). Discernment
sees the victory before we claim it and live in its rewards.
What victory do you need
in your personal life? Do you go the round of counsellors or have you revelation
of victory?
(3) Sees the vice of the
enemy’s seduction
Peter saw the wrong intent
of Ananias and Sapphira who desired a leadership position and thought they
could follow Barnabas’s example Acts 4: 36, 37). So, in Acts 5: 3 we see
a remarkable supernatural discernment – a lie toward God. Many aspire to
be leaders but have hearts toward their own gain. Ananias and Sapphira
were caught red-handed in defrauding God. Today that attitude is commonplace,
but the judgement of God waits.
In 1 Kings 22: 17 – 28 we
see several instances of discernment in a remarkable context. Evil spirits
in conversation with the Lord of glory! The veil over the unseen realm
is held back. The king’s life is on the line! We see the sovereignty of
the Lord over the hierarchy of evil. We can confidently declare that although
the enemy may assail the church, he will NEVER prevail over the church
that God builds.
What is the enemy tactic
in destroying the individual, the church and the nation?
THE GIFT OF SPEAKING IN
TONGUES
Great glory was realized
in Acts 2 as tongues of fire sat on the heads of the 120 in the upper room.
The inauguration of the kingdom, the impregnation of the CHRIST WITHIN,
and the initiation of church life all happened simultaneously.
Why does God continue to
give the gift of tongues? Can it set on fire, in our hearts, the teaching
of Jesus Christ? How does it stimulate my witness or is it mere baby language?
More controversy over this inspirational gift has upset the body of Christ
than any other subject.
A few reasons why God uses
tongues through His sons and daughters may help us seek, covet and earnestly
desire them.
(1) Experience of rest:
Isaiah 28: 11 – 13
In verse 11 there is an
indication of the gift of tongues that would come. Peace comes to those
who stay their mind on the Lord. Unless our mind takes its education from
the Spirit we fail to live in harmony and rest. The prophet of transcendence
tells us “This is the rest with which You may cause the weary to rest,”
and, “This is the refreshing” (verse 12). A clinical psychologist was undergoing
tests for brain waves and upper torso tension. He had one test done and
when the technician went from the room, decided to pray in tongues. After
only
ten minutes of speaking in tongues and then another test, the brain
waves were dramatically reduced from beta to theta waves and from 120 to
5 micro volts. When you need peace, take a tongues break alone in a park
or on a beach or sanctify a toilet! Supernatural rest and poise will evidence
as you draw from the wells of salvation.
(2) Exaltation of worshipping
Jesus
Singing in the Spirit has
other-worldly cadences that rise and fall from a purer region of existence.
At times I’m sure angelic beings in festal array join in! My wife went
to a church on Mount Zion in Jerusalem with some friends. They walked into
the meeting where everyone was singing in tongues, worshipping the Lord;
she said it was like a taste of heaven – there was such purity present
and it was absolutely beautiful. 1 Corinthians 14: 14 and 15 reveal the
blessing of mingled voices in adoration. Our work begins in the sanctuary.
Worship in spirit and truth comes more easily to those who practise ministering
unto the Lord Jesus in tongues. It is the prelude to the glory of God and
the atmosphere of heaven, which makes everything live in the Spirit!
(3) Edification: 1 Corinthians
14: 5, 6
The gift of tongues edifies
or builds the house which is the human spirit, the home of the Holy Spirit.
It sensitizes our spirit to what is going on around us. When we pray in
tongues with another person we quickly assess if there is agreement. Where
two or three are agreed they can walk together in fruitfulness.
In the assembly edification
is of paramount importance. The priority is that the gift must be followed
by either INTERPRETATION, REVELATION, KNOWLEDGE, PROPHESYING OR BY TEACHING.
Tongues can be a rudder to steer the meeting to bring the content God desires
to share – creating an atmosphere of sensitivity to the Holy Spirit in
people. Too often the preacher will share what is currently occupying his
mind – useful maybe, but not a fresh, relevant word from God. The edifying
tongue alerts us to the NOW GOD who is eternal and wants meetings to be
for His glory alone. May we be charged up to identify with His purposes
and pursuits.
(4) Enemy conflict: Ephesians
6: 18
There are different kinds
of tongues including rebuke against an unseen enemy. We engage the enemy
by a Spirit-led rebuke that exposes the working of an evil spirit. Discernment
has a priority at this point. Rebuke tongues may lead to an intercessory
groaning in the Spirit, a divine protest ministry against the existing
order of sin, self and evil spirit working. Once confronting a spirit of
necromancy in a witch, who had recently been converted to Christ, I found
a word of knowledge giving an occult name was the key to release. She writhed
around the floor with a terrible extended unnatural face, but the ‘occult
name’ was the defining moment in deliverance. Praying in tongues with fasting
sharpens us to receive the inside information we need when dealing with
the enemy.
(5) Encouraging faith:
Jude 20
One way to raise your level
of faith is by speaking out the word of God. We shall have what we say.
Words are spiritual entities, with a death cycle of negative confession
or the flow of divine optimism issuing from us. Faith lives in our hearts
and in our mouths (see Romans 10: 9, 10). Speaking in tongues in the power
of the Holy Spirit will release faith in the supernatural workings of God,
keep us in the love of God, and cause us to look for the mercy of His second
coming.
Confession means to say the
same thing as, to think and feel the same way as God thinks and feels.
Positive confession encourages faith when we acknowledge every good thing
in Christ Jesus (see Philemon verse 6). Praying in the Spirit can include
the gift of tongues and as we persist the breakthrough will come and we
sense a growing level of faith. We are activating the new creation by praying
in tongues. It’s like turning the ignition key in your car to start the
engine.
THE GIFT OF PROPHECY
Prophecy as a demonstration
of the Spirit and power is getting a bad name. We need to discern what
are the indicators of the true gift by testing the spirits. Here is a guideline
of seven indicators.
(a) Intuitive delivery.
When previous heart preparation
by prayer occurs, the prophecy should bubble up from your spirit. The gift
of exhortation in Romans 12 may be largely mental. Prophecy comes from
your spirit, and will release the glory of God.
(b) Inner witness.
Romans 8: 16, Luke 1: 39
– 45. The babe leaped in Elizabeth’s womb at Mary’s greeting and Elizabeth
was stirred by the inner witness of the child she was carrying, and brought
a prophecy with a loud voice. When receiving a prophecy there should be
an inner witness, verifying its authenticity. If there is not disregard
it. Many prophecies today puff up our thoughts and emotions and are therefore
soulish in source, never having good fruit. If torment is the result of
a prophecy it is clearly not from God, because there has been no inner
registration in your spirit man.
(c) Interaction of condition.
There is a price-tag to
the glory. Check Mark 11: 37, 38 – a cup and a baptism (the Cross and the
Spirit). Conditions abound in scripture. A premise for the promise to become
REAL. Philippians 4: 19 is a well known verse, but do we obey 4: 15? Prophecies
without condition have ruined many lives with unreality. Dreams come through
hard work says Solomon, who oversaw the growth of the kingdom.
(d) Implicit obedience.
Are we hearers only or hearers
and doers? Building on the sand (hearing only) will bring disaster. The
disciples in following Jesus were building on the sand mostly because they
all fled Jesus when the Cross was imminent. They built on the rock after
Pentecost. Remember the young prophet in 1 Kings 13. He built on rock in
verses 1 – 10, and then built on sand in verses 11 – 24. Disobedience to
the rhema of God cost him his life. Watch a prophet’s lifestyle: are they
obeying the Lord or is self the motivation?
(e) Impetus of love.
See the mercy of true love
in 1 Kings 13: 6. The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy
Spirit. After Pentecost Peter flowed in agape love, but before the resurrection
it was Peter himself in support of the Lord. True prophecy has a dimension
of agape – benefiting others at the expense of self.
(f) Implication of faith.
We must prophecy according
to our faith (Romans12: 6). Hope belongs to our mind but faith dwells in
the heart and mouth. Faith is the substance of things hoped for. Substance
literally means to stand under. Our head is above our heart. Faith stands
under hope. Prophecies that merely get us excited and make us dream merely
disappoint in the long-term. We prophecy and receive prophecy in proportion
to our faith.
(g) Idiom of character.
The testimony of Jesus is
the spirit behind the prophecy. He is the lamb of comfort and the lion
of challenge. The supernatural alone is never the mark of the divine. What
is the spirit behind the prophecy? Can you detect the virtues of Jesus:
the fruit of the Spirit? Check 1Kings 13 verses 18 and 21 and see the essential
difference of “thus saith the Lord”. The mixture in the old prophet is
because he compromised with calf worship at Bethel.
These seven indicators are
tests for prophecy and also for the glory of the kingdom. How we need the
freshness of Ephesians 1: 17 – 20, praying that glory may come again to
the church. We need:
-
new insight into our spirits
-
new outlook to the world
-
new uplook for the return of
the Lord Jesus
Scales of tradition, apathy,
religion OFF our eyes! May the glory that seared into the eyes of Saul
on the Damascus road, making him blind to all the world had to offer, GIVE
US VISION of the LORD JESUS. May His eyes of FIRE BURN INTO US the SEVEN
SPIRITS of ISAIAH 11: 2, 3 (compare Revelation 5: 6). Laser eye surgery
and 20/20 vision comes from Jesus to make us see something. If we seek
Him, one of the seven spirits will rest upon our life. It may be a spirit
of counsel for pastoring, it may be the Spirit of the Lord for evangelism,
it may be the fear of the Lord causing the desire for holiness.
We need fresh sight every
year. Some years before I knew the Lord, a prostitute in Soho suddenly
turned around and said to me, “… you shouldn’t be here; you should be in
the ministry.” What an insight! At the time I was an art student, thinking
that culture was an escalator to a brighter future. This friend of a friend
prophetically hit the nail on the head. May the Lord give us as believers
a knowledge of His inheritance that He has in the Saints. Let us see how
He wants to build His kingdom, encouraging others to go for gold. In the
glory we see things that are pertinent, positive and powerful. Seek earnestly
the gifts of the Holy Spirit to build God’s kingdom for His glory.
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