CONCEPTS OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD

Part 1

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 THE CONCEPT OF KINGDOM
The kingdom concept as a whole has been lost to present culture, especially in the Western world. This is partly due to past world kingdoms being filled with abuse, oppression, social extremes or harsh dictatorships.
The kingdom concept was the form of government first introduced by God.  In Genesis chapter 1:28, at the introduction of man upon the earth, God gave him a Kingdom mandate: “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth”.
This was the first form of government on earth, whose origin was God the King of the universe. It was not an invention of man but God’s design.  He was extending His heavenly Kingdom to earth through sons made in His image and likeness. THIS IS REALLY THE GLORIOUS MESSAGE OF THE BIBLE!
Man (the first Adam) lost a kingdom in the garden in Eden because they rebelled against the King’s authority. Control of the earthly realm then passed temporarily to a fallen angel usurper until the fullness of time arrived and King Jesus (the last Adam) came from heaven to earth to restore the Kingdom of God back to the planet. Via the finished work of the Cross He restored man as ruler to re-establish the colony of Heaven on earth. Mankind was designed to serve as corporate kings representing their Father, the King of Heaven.
As we were created for kingship, we need to learn what it means to be a king and how a king relates to his kingdom. This is vital as we resume living out our birthright as rulers on earth. As we learn how to think, speak and behave as royalty we are also taught by the Holy Spirit how to relate properly to our Most High King.
 
THE CONCEPT OF KING
Without a king there is no kingdom. The kingdom is the king! Land and people might be there, but unless they are ruled by a king,
they are not in a kingdom.
The king is the center of government. In a democracy the constitution is the center of government, not the president or prime minister.
In a kingdom, the king is the constitution and his word is the law and government. In a kingdom the king speaks and there is no debate, vote or question; the matter is settled!
As a sovereign king he is free to do exactly as he pleases with no accountability to anyone else. He has absolute authority and is completely self-determining. No one has the authority to tell him what to do.
All these concepts of a king apply perfectly to the Ultimate King, the LORD Jesus Christ.
 
THE CONCEPT OF LORD
All kings are automatically lords. King relates to dominion, while lord relates to domain.
The word dominion refers to a king’s authority and power.
The word domain refers to the territory and property over which the lord rules.
So, if kingship has to do with authority, then lordship has to do with ownership.
These facts in the context of earthly kingdoms apply with even far greater validity to the Lord and King of Heaven.
The Lord Jesus Christ is King of all and also the Lord of all; He owns everything because He created everything! He is King of kings and Lord of lords. Psalm 22:26-28; 24:7-10; 47:7-9; 115:15-16; Hebrews 1:2-3a
 
CHARACTERISTICS OF A KING
A king is never voted into power; he is a king by birthright. A king rules because he is born a king.
Jesus Christ was born a King. We do not make Him King; all we can do is acknowledge and worship Him as King.
A king rules for life because the kingdom is his by birth.
The King of Heaven will never be voted out of power nor can He ever be dethroned-- ask satan! He was King before this world began and will still be King after this world’s kingdoms have passed away.  Revelation 11:15b
A king’s authority and word are law and unchangeable. When a king speaks, he speaks with absolute authority—authority that is inherent to his kingship. Once a king issues a decree, it cannot be changed. A king’s word is law. That is why no-one can change King Jesus’ commands or amend his statutes. Great reward follows obedience, but severe penalties follow disobedience.
Psalm 19:7-9,11; Matthew 24:35; Isaiah 40:8
A king personally owns everything in his domain.
A kingdom is the only form of government where the ruler owns everyone and everything. Psalm 24:1; 50:10-12.
A king chooses who will be a citizen.
A king determines the standard of citizenship in his kingdom. Citizens do not vote for a king, he votes for them!
King Jesus does the same today for everyone who believes in Him, accepts His message of the Kingdom and chooses to live it out. John 15:16-19
A king’s authority and presence are inseparable.
A king and his government are inseparable. This means that wherever the king is, his entire government and authority is present also.
This is how we can know that the Kingdom of Heaven is on earth; the Kingdom is here because the King is present in the hearts and lives of His citizens.
Matthew 18:19-20; 28:18-20.
A king’s authority resides in him personally and not in a place or document.
This means that King Jesus’ citizens are always able to exercise kingly authority on earth because the King Himself is always present in them by His Spirit.
A king’s wealth benefits his citizens.
Kings own everything in their kingdom by right of birth and kingship. Wealth is vitally important in a kingdom so that the king can take care of his citizens. A true king uses his wealth for the welfare of his citizens.
No kingdom is greater, richer or wealthier than the Kingdom of Heaven because it includes everything that exists. The King owns everything everywhere in both the natural and supernatural realms. The result is that no citizens of any other government can ever be more prosperous or have a greater welfare system than that of the Kingdom of Heaven . This is because all the infinite wealth of that Kingdom is available to them. This is the original concept of commonwealth—all having wealth in common! Wealthy citizens make a king rejoice because a king’s prosperity is measured by the status of his citizens.
Anyone who becomes a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven should prosper because their King is the wealthiest of all, committed to the greatest welfare of His citizens; all of which are royalty as well as citizens!
A king’s name represents his authority.
A king can delegate authority to anyone he pleases to act in his name or on his behalf. The king’s name carries the same authority as the king himself.
Citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven have King Jesus delegating His authority to them. Mark 16:15-18. That is why Kingdom citizens are to pray in the name of Jesus and why He promised to do anything that they asked in His Name. John 15:16
A king’s citizens reflect their king.
The greater the citizens’ prosperity and quality of life, the greater the honour and glory that rests upon their king.
Citizens of the Kingdom are to reflect the character and nature of their King, Who is good, loving, compassionate, righteous, generous, just and kind. That is why there is full provision via the Holy Spirit for spirit, soul and body in the Kingdom of Heaven. Psalm 37;17b, 25.
The King of Heaven takes care of His citizens. He owns everything and they own nothing. King Jesus can give whatever He wants to anyone He wants, whenever He wants. He is King and Lord after all!
“Now to Him Who is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.”  Ephesians 3:20

Part 2 will be posted shortly
 
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