LOVE TABERNACLE MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL
BOOK: Who We Are In Christ
Chapter 13: A King
13 A King
Rev 5:10
And hast made us unto our God kings and
priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Rev 17:14
These shall make war with the Lamb, and the
Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of
lords, and King of kings: and they that are
with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
Jesus has called us to rule and reign in life as kings! Jesus is
not King over the natural kings of the earth who do not know Him nor
follow Him. Jesus is a spiritual King over a spiritual kingdom1, and over spiritual kings who are ruling and reign in His power and authority over it.
Psalms 95:3
For the Lord is a great God, and a great King
above all gods.
There are no other Gods, as in different creators who have a different
kingdom or area where they exercise control above and separate from
Jehovah and Jesus. If there were, Jesus would not be their
King. But there are gods2,
children of the Most High, who are created in His image, character, and
power. God showed this was reborn man's destiny or inheritance
even in the old testament.
Psalms 82:6-7
I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are
children of the most High. But ye shall die like
men, and fall like one of the princes.
Jesus bore record in John 10:34-35
that God said we are gods, and that His Word could not be broken.
Jesus is King, Ruler, and Sovereign over the sons of God, who are kings
and priest unto God.
Romans 5:17
For if by one man's offense death reigned by
one; much more they which receive abundance of
grace and of the gift of righteousness shall
reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
Reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. The definition of a king is
one who rules and reigns. To rule and reign is defined as
possession of, controlling power over, or exercise of supreme power
over an area, to prevail. Jesus has called us to prevail!
To overcome the devil and all his devices. Sin, death, and the
curse of law have no more reign or control over you! Jesus has
set the captives free, and has given you supreme power and authority to
exercise control over every area of your life, thru the name of Jesus
and with the power of the Holy Spirit!
Jesus has not called us to whimper and whine in life like whipped puppy
dogs. Jesus does not expect us to run with our tails between our
legs every time the devil shows up to intimidate us or to try to put
sickness, disease, and poverty on us. He expects us to use His
name to exercise supreme power over the enemy, to rule and reign in
life as kings!
Genesis 1:26
And God said, Let us make man in our image,
after our likeness: and let them have dominion
over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of
the air, and over the cattle, and over all the
earth, and over every creeping thing that
creepeth upon the earth.
God created man to have complete dominion on the earth. That
means complete control and authority over everything on the
earth. Remember that the devil had already been cast down to
earth and was fighting a losing battle. God's intention from the
beginning of creation was for man to rule and reign with Christ Jesus,
over the devil and all his forces.
Psalms 8:4-6
What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and
the son of man, that thou visitest him?
For thou hast made him a little lower than the
angels3, and hast crowned him with glory and
honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over
the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things
under his feet:
13.1 A Warrior
God has put all things under Jesus' feet, making the devil His footstool4. God has ordained His sons, born-again christians, to go forth and enforce that victory, keeping the devil underfoot.
Eph 1:19-23
...exceeding greatness of his power...
Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him
from the dead, and set him at his own right
hand in the heavenly places, Far above all
principality, and power, and might, and dominion,
and every name that is named, not only in this
world, but also in that which is to come:
And hath put all things under his feet, and
gave him to be the head over all things to the
church, Which is his body, the fulness of him
that filleth all in all.
Jesus has always been a warrior-king5,
though He has been waiting on His Father's divine timing for His
kingdom. Jesus came as a spiritual warrior-king the first time,
destroying the works of the devil. The Jews were looking for a
physical warrior-king. That is why they missed Him. But He
is returning again, very soon, as both a spiritual and physical
warrior-king.
Rev 19:11
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white
horse; and he that sat upon him was called
Faithful and True, and in righteousness he
doth judge and make war.
I John 3:8
...For this purpose the Son of God was
manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
Acts 10:38
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the
Holy Ghost and with power: who went about
doing good, and healing all that were
oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Jesus expects us to fight the good fight of faith, to be strong in the
power of His might, and to be more than conquerors thru Him.6 God has called us to be soldiers of the Lord Jesus Christ.
II Tim 2:3-4
Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good
soldier of Jesus Christ.
No man that warreth entangleth himself with the
affairs of this life; that he may please him
who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
God has once again placed us in charge of His domain, just as He
entrusted His servant Adam. He has given us the keys of the
kingdom to use to protect and expand it.
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.
Remember the root words bind and loose literally mean not permit and
permit. You have free will to choose if you are going to allow
the devil to have rule in your life, as Adam allowed the devil to
exercise influence in the garden. Or you can resist the devil, in
the name of Jesus, and cast him out of our life, and away from your
family and affairs.
God's kingdom is not a weak kingdom, nor one just in words. It is
not devised of cunning lies and fables of men. But God's kingdom
is one of power, seen thru the mighty working of signs and miracles.
I Cor 2:4-5
And my speech and my preaching was not with
enticing words of man's wisdom, but in
demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
That your faith should not stand in the wisdom
of men, but in the power of God.
I Cor 4:20
For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in
power.
Since John the Baptist7,
the kingdom of God has been proclaimed as being at hand. Jesus
proclaimed it, saying that God has anointed Him to set the captives
free.
Matthew 4:17
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say,
Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Luke 4:18
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he
hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the
poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted,
to preach deliverance to the captives, and
recovering of sight to the blind, to set at
liberty them that are bruised,
Luke 8:1
And it came to pass afterward, that he went
throughout every city and village, preaching
and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of
God: and the twelve were with him,
Jesus went preaching and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom,
working signs and miracles as He went! God has given us a
commandment to go forth and proclaim the good news, that God is a good
God, a loving God. It is He who forgives sins, who heals, who
sets the captives free.
Matthew 10:7-8
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of
heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the
lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely
ye have received, freely give.
Matthew 28:18
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All
power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Mark 16:15-20
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world,
and preach the gospel to every creature. He that
believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he
that believeth not shall be damned. And these
signs shall follow them that believe; In my name
shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with
new tongues; 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. So then after the Lord had spoken
unto them, he was received up into heaven, and
sat on the right hand of God. And they went
forth, and preaching every where, the Lord
working with them, and confirming the word with
signs following. Amen.
You need to believe in the Word of God! You have to believe that
God will confirm His word with signs and wonders following, when you
speak it. If you don't believe, then they won't follow you!
It is impossible to please God without faith. It is your faith in
Him that moves Him and gives Him liberty to act. Don't you
remember Mark 6:5-6,
where Jesus could not do many might works because of their
unbelief? You have been given more power and authority than any
demon on earth! Get violent with the devil!
Matthew 11:12
And from the days of John the Baptist until now
the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and
the violent take it by force.
Do you think the devil is going to run off just because you gently,
quietly, timidly, trembling whisper "go"? Would a wolf coming to
steal, kill, and destroy your child, holding it in his mouth, drop your
child simply because you whispered "go"? Get militant! Tell
the devil LOOSE MY CHILD and GO, IN THE NAME OF JESUS!
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: notwithstanding he that is least in
the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
John the Baptist was the greatest of the old testament prophets.
But God says the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
Why? John was not in the kingdom of God, a new covenant
child. John did not have the name of Jesus and the anointing of
the Spirit to destroy every evil work of the devil. BUT YOU
DO! You are in the kingdom of God! Think of all the mighty
deeds the old testament prophets did. Moses parting the water,
Elijah calling fire down from heaven, Elisha raising the dead. Do
you know that you, even if you are the very least in the kingdom of
heaven, have more power and authority than any of them? Get mad
at the devil! Tell him to loose your life, your family, your
affairs! Get vigilant! In Jesus' mighty name!
13.2 Fully Armored
God has not left us unprepared for the battle, but has shown us how to
be strong in the power of His might, to be fully equipped for the
battle with the devil and his forces.
Eph 6:10-18
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord,
and in the power of his might. Put on the whole
armour of God, that ye may be able to stand
against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle
not against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the
rulers of the darkness of this world, against
spiritual wickedness in high places.
The devil's forces are divided into four groups. Principalities
are spirits who rule over an area, large or small. For example,
if homosexuality is prevalent8
in an area of your city, then a principality of homosexuality is ruling
there. Powers are evil spirits who are subject to principalities
and do their will. Rulers of darkness are there to blind the
minds of the people, to keep them in darkness, and away from the
glorious light of God's saving grace. Rulers of darkness include
cults and religions9
Spiritual wickedness in high places, literally in heavenly places,
fight for principalities to keep God's good angels from bringing your
blessings to you. There are three heavens10
mentioned in the Bible: the first being the atmosphere around earth,
the second being the abode of the stars, and the third being the abode
of God, where the holy city and the throne of God are. Spiritual
wickedness have been cast down out of the second and third heaven, but
still fight in the first, the atmosphere around earth, to prevent your
blessings and to hinder the gospel of Jesus Christ.11
But God! He has given us His full armor and instructed us to put
it on and wear it all the time. And in it to stand our ground in
victory against the devil.
Eph 6:13-18
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God,
that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day,
and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore,
having your loins girt about with truth, and
having on the breastplate of righteousness; And
your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel
of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith,
wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the
fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet
of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which
is the word of God: Praying always with all
prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and
watching thereunto with all perseverance and
supplication for all saints;
God says first of all put on the girdle of truth. Jesus is the
truth, the life, the way. You cannot stand against the devil if
you first don't put on Jesus, that is, to be born-again. No man
can come unto the Father except by Jesus. The girdle was to hold
the rest of the armor in place and give it support. If you don't
build on salvation and deliverance in Jesus, and on His word as your
sure foundation, then all else will come tumbling down as a house built
on sand. Jesus said if you continue in His word, then you would
know the truth and the truth would set you free.
God says to put on the breastplate of righteousness. The
breastplate protects the heart. If you don't know that by the
blood of Jesus you have been washed clean from all sins, and are
now the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, the devil will come with
condemnation every time and defeat you. Your chest will be wide
open to his attacks. But if you stay continually cleansed in the
blood of Jesus, and know you are the righteousness of God, then the
devil will not be able to wound you.
God says to protect and cover your feet with the preparation of the
gospel of peace. If you don't believe that God is a good God,
that it is He who heals and prospers you, that it is not He who steals,
kills, and destroys, then your walk thru this life is going to be
painful as your feet are always wounded and bruised from the troubles
of life brought by the devil. But if you know your God, and the
power of His might, and the goodness and lovingkindness of His tender
mercies, then you will know that He is a deliverer, a healer, and takes
pleasure in the prosperity of His servants. You will not only be
able to walk thru this life victorious, with His yoke being light and
His burden being easy, but you will be able to lead many to salvation
and deliverance. How beautiful are the feet of those who bring
the gospel, the glad tidings of God's kingdom of deliverance being at
hand. Glory!
Above all, taking up the shield of faith! The devil's fiery darts
are thoughts and temptations which he sends against your mind, where
the battle is. But by knowing your God and His word, which you
have already put on in armor, you can apply faith in God and His love
towards you. You can then quench, or put out completely, all the
thoughts of the devil, casting down every vain imagination, worry, and
fear, and bringing every thought into captivity unto the obedience of
Christ.
God says take the helmet of salvation! We have the mind of
Christ. We have been given a spirit of power, of love, and of a
sound mind! The devil cannot steal our minds. Renew your
mind in the Word of God. We have been delivered from the power of
darkness, and have already been translated into the kingdom of God's
dear son, Jesus Christ. Let the peace of God rule in your hearts,
as you think on what is good, accept, honest, and of good report.
Then after you have done all of your preparation, take up the sword of
the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Quote the Word to the
devil! Get militant! By whose stripes you were
healed! My God meets all my needs according to His riches in
glory by Christ Jesus! I have life and have it more
abundantly. I am no longer under the dominion of sin, but under
the spirit of liberty and grace. In Jesus' mighty name!
Amen!
Finally last but not least, you must pray and be vigilant always.
What good does it do to give a soldier the very best in armor, if when
the enemy comes the soldier is asleep? You must be sober,
vigilant, and watch in prayer. Watchful for your family, for your
friends, for the lost and the unreached, and for all saints, that we
might be able to stand together, every joint and member supplying what
is needed. In Jesus' mighty name! Hallelujah!
13.3 Three Stages of Possession
In dealing with who we are in Christ Jesus, a common question arises:
"If I am who you say I am, and can do the things you say I can do, then
why am I not experiencing it in my life?" Lets examine the
question in the light of three different types of possession:
13.3.1 Positional Possession:
At the time of rebirth into the kingdom of God, you become a joint heir
with Christ Jesus. You have equal rights and privileges with
Him. All your inheritance is yours; as an adopted son, you have
legal right to it. This means you have a right to health, wealth,
and happiness in Christ Jesus, and complete and open fellowship with
the Father.
I John 3:2
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth
not yet appear what we shall be: but we know
that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him;
for we shall see him as he is.
Eph 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual
blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
II Peter 1:3
According as his divine power hath given unto us
all things that pertain unto life and godliness,
through the knowledge of him that hath called us
to glory and virtue:
God told Moses and Joshua that He had given them the promised
land. It was theirs in the spiritual realm. But Joshua had
to enter into the land and possess it in the physical realm.
Understand that without God's help, as at Jericho, Joshua would never
had physically been able to possess the land.
God having spiritually given the land to Israel, that is the land being
theirs in God's eyes, was their positional or spiritual possession,
even though they did not have it in the physical possession yet.
God has given you all spiritual blessings, and all things that pertain
to life and godliness. That is our positional possession.
It is positional because you are seated with Christ Jesus and are a son
of God thru rebirth. Nothing can change that. It is called
spiritual possession, because at first you cannot see nor feel it,
though it exist in the spiritual realm.
13.3.2 Experiential Possession:
At this current moment of your life in Christ Jesus, you have
manifested physically only as much as you have subdued in faith.
This does not mean that whatever blessing you desire is not yours; it
only means you have not subdued it yet by faith. This is, what
you possess is thru experienced use of your faith.
As with Joshua, we must decide if we will enter in to possess the land by faith, or by unbelief fail to obtain the promise.
Hebrews 3:17-4:2
But with whom was he grieved forty years? was
it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases
fell in the wilderness? And to whom sware he
that they should not enter into his rest, but to
them that believed not? So we see that they
could not enter in because of unbelief.
Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left
us of entering into his rest, any of you should
seem to come short of it. For unto us was the
gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the
word preached did not profit them, not being
mixed with faith in them that heard it.
Mark 6:5-6
And he could there do no mighty work, save that
he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and
healed them. And he marvelled because of their
unbelief. And he went round about the villages,
teaching.
Are there great and mighty works that you desire Jesus to do in your
life? Are you applying active faith or are you sitting around in
doubt, worry, despair, and unbelief? If you are applying active
faith, then don't grow weary and quit. He is faithful that
promised!
Even in the natural, we know you can be a doctor, a lawyer, a dentist,
a pilot, and anything else you want to be. All you need is the
time to subdue it all.
So is God's kingdom. The word "kingdom" literally means the
king's dominion or the physical area under a king's authority and
power. Jesus has been given all power and authority, both in
heaven and earth, and has delegated it to us to rule and reign until
His imminent return.
How much you are conformed into His Image, or how much health and
prosperity you walk in depends upon you. You could call it
"manifested faith and spiritual warfare". How much effort have
you put forth in meditating on the scriptures in that area, so your
faith can grow? How strongly and steadfastly have you resisted
and enforced your authority over the thief, the devil, who comes to
steal, kill, and destroy?
Faith is like a physical muscle. The more you use it, the
stronger it becomes. The less you use it, the weaker it
becomes. Remember faith comes by hearing, not having heard.
So don't be discouraged if you are still building up to lifting that
mountain out of your way. Just so long as you don't stop
believing and exercising your faith. God is faithful!
Your "manifested sonship" depends on you, not God. He has done
His part and given it to you. He stands willing and able to help
you as you move forth. But you must go forth!
II Peter 3:17-18
Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these
things before, beware lest ye also, being led
away with the error of the wicked, fall from your
own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the
knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
But be encouraged. Remember it is a growing process. You
learn, and you move out. You subdue in one area. Then you
move on to another. But praise be to God, who always causes us to
triumph in Christ Jesus.
II Cor 2:14
Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us
to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the
savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
13.3.3 Ultimate Possession:
At the time of Jesus' return for the church and for His glorious
continual reign on the earth, we will be just like Him. We will
know Him as we are known. We will also come into our full
physical possession of our inheritance. The devil will be bound
and locked up for 1000 years. There will be no more
temptation. Your flesh will be change in a second to a glorious
body, like the resurrected body of Jesus Christ. There will be no
more sickness, disease, poverty, or emotional hurt. We will come
into full possession of our inheritance and sonship, spirit, soul, and
body.
I Cor 13:10
But when that which is perfect is come, then that
which is in part shall be done away.
Hebrews 12:23
To the general assembly and church of the
firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to
God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just
men made perfect....
Rev 20:4,6
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and
judgment was given unto them... and they
lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years....
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the
first resurrection: on such the second death
hath no power, but they shall be priests of
God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a
thousand years.
Rev 21:4
And God shall wipe away all tears from their
eyes; and there shall be no more death,
neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall
there be any more pain: for the former things
are passed away.
So be encouraged. Don't look at your surroundings and murmur
about what you do or don't have, or what you can or cannot do.
But look unto Jesus! Look at where He walked in that area, and
has called you to walk in it. Look unto Him and go forth, in the
mighty name of Jesus! Amen!
Footnotes:
1. John 18:36
2. Deut 10:17, Joshua 22:22, Psalms 82:1-7, Psalms 95:3, Dan 2:47, Dan 11:36, John 10:34-35
3. We
have already shown that the word "Elohim", translated here "angels", is
actually referring to the Trinity, and that God made man a little lower
than Himself and made all the angels as ministering spirits (servants)
to the heirs of salvation.
4. Acts 2:35, Heb 10:13
5. Joshua 5:13-14
6. 1 Tim 6:12, Eph 6:10, Romans 8:37
7. Matt 3:2
8.
prevalent meaning that the devil is exercising power and control, rule
and reign, over an area, which strongholds should be pulled down by
saints of God
9.
Christianity is not a religion. It is a personal relationship
with Jesus Christ. Religion is man reaching up to God, or trying
to become God. Christianity is God reaching down to man, and
making him equal with God.
10. 2 Cor 12:2
11. Dan 10:13-21