Kingdom Come

Remember why God created humans in the first place?

“And God said, Let us make man.. and let them [not angels] have dominion.” (Genesis 1:26)

• thou crownedst him with glory and honour [achieved in battle!]
• and set him over the works of thy hands:
• Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet…
• But now we see not yet all things put under him.” (Hebrews 2:6-8)

Make the connection! The end of time / death is when the humans made in God’s likeness win back the dominion he granted to us! This is a massive responsibility.

Surely you’ve gone through the process of being vetted for a job. The more responsibility the job entails, the more qualifications are demanded.

As a prescribing nurse practitioner, for me it takes at least three months between accepted for a job and being qualified for the position through review of

1. the primary sources of my university transcripts,
2. current national accreditation,
3. active state licensure,
4. active national prescriptive authority,
5. clearance of any past or current malpractice lawsuits,
6. clearance of any ongoing substance use oversight or past convictions
7. and last but not least, recommendations from recent colleagues of competence and collegiality.

Surely we recognize that taking dominion over creation is far more serious than treating medical disorders. You’d think taking control over spiritual welfare would also, so how is it than anyone with the right personality can open a church or a faith-based organization? That personality is Antisocial, lying, deceiving, ungodly because the word of God says a novice cannot be entrusted with the souls of mankind.

“if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach…ot greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous. Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.” (I Timothy 3:1-6)

Not everyone qualifies to serve in God’s Kingdom.

“there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit [as a family / nation legacy] eternal life? And Jesus said unto him…Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.

This man was probably a Pharisee. “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do.” (Matthew 23:2-3)

Then Jesus beholding him loved him [felt drawn to him, identified with him, wanted to be a close companion with him], and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples…Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!

Then Peter, at his baseline intensely emotional, desperate for approval, and without question jealous of the signs of approval and desire for connection that Jesus gave to this man, began to say unto him,

Lo, WE have left [given up the pursuit of riches] all, and have followed thee!

And Jesus answered in response to Peter’s annoying habit of always trying to make himself the singular Jonathan to the son of David, “Verily / Mark my words I say unto you – Peter, Peter, you especially – so pay attention – you can’t do the job alone. We need an army, so quit pushing others aside,

There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands,

Ooh, sounds good! And the disciples are looking at each other with raised eyebrows and vigorous nods of approval and shoving each others’ shoulders in expressions of close comradeship more restrained in the public venue than the bearhugs with wild footwork dances of joy they really feel, so Jesus has to pause then raise his voice to get their attention back on him;

WITH PERSECUTIONS;

This effectively throws ice water over the celebration, but as always Peter is in the front row waving his hand wildly to get the teacher’s attention (I have a photo of me doing exactly this, so now you know how I understand Peter so well…)

Then answered [stubbornly ever learning but not yet able to come to the knowledge of the truth II Timothy 3:7] Peter and said unto him, Behold, WE have forsaken [relationships with our families who think we’re insane] all, and followed thee; what shall WE have therefore?

Peter was stubborn, true, but he had a point.

“Now when Jesus had heard that John the Baptizer was cast into prison, he [took over John’s ministry and] began to preach, and to say,” Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3:1-2) 

And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets [means of support] and followed him. And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. And they immediately left the ship and their father [who was undoubtedly yelling curses after them for abandoning him], and followed him.” (Matthew 4)

Why on earth would Peter, Andrew, James and John do such a thing? Because they hungered and thirsted after righteousness more than food or family relationships, and following Jesus was obviously the next step  to achieving that had been taught by John the Baptizer who quoted from Isaiah, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord.”

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them. And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.” (Matthew 4)

Those great multitudes got their immediate needs met then went home, while Jesus’ disciples faced no rewards on this earth, just one hardship after another.

“Then he called his twelve disciples together, and…he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves [ to lean on for support or as weapons] nor scrip / bag for future provisions like lunch, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece. 

And whatsoever [even the poorest hovel where they are also housing their animals, a not-uncommon practice] house ye enter into [by invitation only of course], there abide [stay, don’t bail out at the first better offer] and thence depart [at the very end of your ministry in that town].” (Luke 9)

I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves…they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;” (Matthew 10:16-17)

And Jesus acknowledges what they have sacrificed for his ministry.

And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you

1. “ye which have followed me [now during this time of battle to reclaim my kingdom]
   1. in the [future] regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel…

Peter mouths “Yes!” while performing a fist pump, then his expression fades as Jesus continues

1. And [also] every one that hath forsaken / disconnected from houses [family connections meeting basic human needs], or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake,
   1. shall receive an hundredfold [now in connections with the household of faith]
   2. and shall [also like you twelve] inherit [in the future as a son of God] everlasting life.” (Matthew 19)
   3. [as well as] in the world to come eternal life / permanent connection with the Singularity source of life (Mark 10:17-30)

The content presumes an understanding of of the connection between

• sitting upon a throne and
• inheriting everlasting life.

Eternal life / restoration of connection with the Singularity Creator Source of Life is just the basic package of salvation

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8)

Keep reading.

Additional benefits are offered to those willing to pay the price to qualify for a position of responsibility in the kingdom, i.e. the government.

YHVH’s Savior Empowers Humans To Reclaim Their Own Dominion Through Battle

As he has done throughout history, YHVH’s Savior shares the kingdom, the power, and the glory with his brothers, the sons of God who stand in battle with him against the Adversary.

“Abel…Enoch…Noah…Abraham…Isaac…Jacob…Joseph…Moses…the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith

• subdued kingdoms,
• wrought righteousness, 
• obtained promises,
• stopped the mouths of lions. 
• Quenched the violence of fire,
• escaped the edge of the sword, 
• out of weakness were made strong,
• waxed valiant in fight,
• turned to flight the armies of the aliens…
• and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 
• And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings,
• yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 
• They were stoned,
• they were sawn asunder,
• were tempted,
• were slain with the sword:
• they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented…
• wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 

And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise…that they without US should not be made perfect…“(Hebrews 11)

And “us” are the people previously known as Gentiles.

“remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles…aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Mashiach Yeshua ye are… fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household / chosen servants of God;” (Ephesian 2:9-19)

We lose our identity as Gentiles / Not the People of God when we identify with Yeshua haMeshiach King of Israel.

“Now he which stablisheth us [Israelites] with you [former Gentiles] in The Anointed One/ Messiah / Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;” (II Corinthians 1:21)

I put it to you that Christianity’s hyper focus on Jesus is a cheap escape from personal responsibility. Severing Christianity from Judaism allows – not just Dispensationalists, not just Catholics, but also Protestants with Martin Luther’s doctrine of grace – to toss out the clear scriptural demands to identify with haMashiach by becoming hamashiach – a holy, righteous servant of God.

“Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law. Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth,” (Isaiah 42:1-10)

“That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.” (Matthew 12:14-21)

This is not just a prophecy about Jesus Christ. As the Ethiopian eunuch astutely pointed out, it also applies to those who are chosen to take on his name / attributes / power through baptism / immersion into his identity.

“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you...Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake / namesake, because they know not him that sent me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin…But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me; And ye also shall bear witness…he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:” (John 15:16-27, 16:8)

For we are…created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)

Yeah. That goes back to the beginning as well.

“And God…said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” (Genesis 1:28)

Wherefore remember, that ye being in time…without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now… fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God…fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel..I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called…For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry…followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 2:11-5)

As always, our understanding must be grounded in preceding scripture. Father Abraham is a prime example of the precept that “being a son” is a different ball game from “inheriting.” We can validate the Lord’s promise of future benefits to us by his past performance to Abraham.

Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, [Abram forsakes houses and lands] unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing...and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed [inheritance]…And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth [followed the LORD’s instructions] to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came…And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land” (Genesis 12:1-7)

At this point in time, Lot is Abram’s seed / heir. The proof of this is that Abram splits his land inheritance with him.

“And Abram was very rich in cattle…And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents. And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together…And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle...And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left…Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other. Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.” (Genesis 13)

But the LORD disinherits Lot when Lot separates from Abraham. Lot’s choices led to inevitable results. He was saved, but he is the certainly the poster child for “but so as by fire.” He lost any godly inheritance.

“But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly. And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For ALL the land which thou seest, to THEE will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. AND I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.” (Genesis 13)

“God…turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)” (II Peter 2:4-8)

“And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt…And Lot went up…and dwelt in the mountain…in a cave, he and his two daughters…And they made their father drink wine…and lie with him…Thus were both the daughters of Lot with child by their father. And the first born bare a son, and called his name Moab: the same is the father of the Moabites unto this day. And the younger, she also bare a son, and called his name Benammi: the same is the father of the children of Ammon unto this day.” (Genesis 19)

Likewise, although Abraham loved Ishmael his firstborn son and wanted him to be his heir / prince who assumes the throne on the death of the king, the LORD overruled his choice and named Isaac.

As the Leader! That decision no more ousted Ishmael from God’s kingdom than Judah’s inheritance ousted Abraham’s eleven other great-grandsons, or David’s delegation to royalty expelled all the other Jews from the kingdom.

Ishmael not only remained in God’s kingdom, he was granted a unique blessing as a son of Abraham.

“Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live [forever, eternally] before thee [in thy presence, serving you in the eternal kingdom of God to come]!

This is exactly what the mother of James and John asked for her sons:

“Then came to him the mother of Zebedees children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him…Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.” (Matthew 20:20-21)

Catch what Jesus says to her in reply:

“to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.” (Matthew 20:20-23)

With this in mind, pay strict attention to God’s reply to Abraham.

And God said…I have heard thee:

That means he is going to do it!

Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation [within the Hebrew kingdom of God]. 

But my covenant [of rulership over the kingdom] will I establish with Isaac.” (Genesis 17:18-21)

This does not at all back God into a corner, hands tied, no options when Isaac’s heirs refuse to serve him in their leadership roles.

“As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths…The LORD will enter into judgment with the ancients of his people, and the princes thereof: for ye have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor is in your houses. What mean ye that ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor? saith the LORD God of hosts.” (Isaiah 3:12-15)

Isaac’s heir was Jacob, and Jacob’s heir was Judah. But when Judah failed to perform as required, part of his job was split out to his brother Joseph / Ephraim.

The previous posts have tracked how rule in the kingdom was transferred from the Jews to the Apostles to Ephraim / Gentiles.

When the Gentiles failed to rule in righteousness, the LORD entered into judgment with the ancients of his people once again, and who else could God transfer leadership to but to the Hebrew Ishmael, brother of Isaac, son of Abraham.