Seattle, May 3, 2005.
56. WHERE IS THE KINGDOM OF THE LORD? If we are seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus and we are, Eph. 2:6 then the words of Jesus are true and active today. Jesus said, The kingdom of God is within you. Luke 17:21 To those who have applied for citizenship in the kingdom of the Lord, that kingdom has indeed come. There is a coming eternal kingdom that we have to look forward to and anticipate with joyful hearts. However, we live in the present and greatly need the benefits of the kingdom for this current life. The kingdom as it now exists in the church is a kingdom that is spiritually alive and active in the moving and operation of the Spirit. It is made manifest because Christ lives within. His life and power will be made manifest. Col. 1:27 The nature and atmosphere of His kingdom is one of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. Rom. 14:17 The presence of that kingdom and its King, the Lord Jesus, will be manifest in the power of deliverance, where devils are expelled in the name of Jesus. Mt. 12:28 The healing of the sick is another evidence of the residence of the King and His kingdom with all of its authority and dominion. Luke 10:9 The kingdom of the Lord is a very active and practical kingdom truly meeting the needs of the people. It is not a kingdom of empty political promises for its covenant is yea and amen in Christ Jesus.
THE EXTENT OF HIS KINGDOM ON EARTH. It is a kingdom that makes manifest powers that are possessed by no other kingdom on earth. It is not limited by boundaries or protocol. Its message will go to the uttermost parts of the earth where it is declared by witnesses and ambassadors who have been anointed and called for that particular purpose. They are granted the privilege of proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom in all of its glory and majesty. They do and will meet opposition but the message cannot be stopped by any means until its utmost limit, the end of the earth, and the end of time, has been reached. Mark 16:15
HIS WORD AND DOCTRINE. In the Word, whether spoken of written is made manifest the strength and government of the kingdom. Combine the Word and the Spirit and it becomes the ALL POWER of the Lord Jesus. when He spoke the word men were astonished. Luke 4:32 Jesus in facing the devil and his temptations responded with the statement that, it is written. Mt. 4:3-10 That tricky old devil, after the first temptation threw the words right back at Jesus by saying, it is written. v. 6 However, it did not work. Surely the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God. 2 Cor. 10:4 We have a kingdom that has been thoroughly tested in every possible manner and found to be sufficient to be victorious and fulfilling in every way. What a challenge lies before us to enter in to every right and advantage which is made instantly available to us as citizens of that eternal glorious kingdom.
Seattle, May 4, 2005.