Kingdom Come

The whole plan of salvation is that humans take dominion. The New Covenant only has meaning in the context of winning The War Of The Worlds, begun at the beginning of time between the Creator and the Destroyer.

1. LORD of hosts / armies – “Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.“ (Genesis 2:1)
2. Father / Absolute Authority and Source of Power – “God said, Let us make man / ha Adam in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion.” (Genesis 1:26)
3. Singularity – And the LORD God…took one of his ribs…and made he a woman…they shall be one flesh.” (Genesis 2:21-23)
   1. “we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones…I speak concerning Christ and the church.” (Ephesian 5:30-33)
4. Redeemer / kinsman -“The LORD God said unto the serpent…her seed…shall bruise / crush thy head.” (Genesis 3:14-15,
   1. Then all Israel gathered themselves to David unto Hebron, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh. And moreover in time past, even when Saul was king, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel [from battle]: and the LORD thy God said unto thee, Thou shalt be ruler [Commander in Chief] over my people Israel.” ( I Chronicles 11:1-2)
   2. Foreasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also likewise took part of the same, that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them.” (Hebrews 2:14-16)
5. Holy / consecrated, set apart one of Isra / He who struggles with – not against – El / God / The Power – “And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord…Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him…And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.” (Genesis 4) The perennially popular movie The Karate Kid details the struggle as persistence in submitting to the sensei’s / master’s instructions and methods, through crippling difficulties, which results in character transformation and reflexive modeling of the master’s behavior, which is what turns oppression to victory. Hitler’s Mein Kampf / My Struggle, details the adversary’s objective -destroy the Jews
   1. Jacob…took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power WITH God.” (Hosea 12:2-5). We can legitimately understand Hosea’s phrase as “He who struggles WITH God”, i.e. according the attribute of Isra-El / Prince of Power to Jacob before God officially bestowed it on him as an adult. Infants are known to be able to be responsive to God’s Spirit,   and Jacob is apparently one of them.
   2. “Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed.” Again, do you catch the figure of two matched wrestlers? Like David’s choice of Joab and his mighty men, God chooses dogged fighter who are willing to give their lives for the cause. So much for a passive Calvinism.
   3. “He [Jacob] found him in Bethel…Even the LORD God hosts / armies: where Jacob turned every time he needed supernatural power:
      1. when fleeing from Esau
      2. when oppressed by Laban
      3. when returning to claim his inheritance in the face of Esau’s unforgiveness
      4. when fleeing from the Canaanites revenging the massacre at Shechem.

“Therefore turn THOU to thy God, keep mercy and judgment and wait on thy God continually. (Hosea 12)

Isra-El / Warrior Prince of God is not a name. It is an award, a Medal of Honor, granted in recognition of a developed character trait, perfected through years of faithfulness despite adversity, proven through exemplary behavior, designating anyone who God chooses to set apart as a ruling member of his administration.

“Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame…For thy Maker is thine husband / Singularity / ever-present source of power; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.” (Isaiah 54:4-6)

“The God of the whole earth shall he be called” is a battle plan, not an afterthought, and it was not put into place on the Day of Pentecost with Christianity. It was the gauntlet thrown down by Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Moses and a great cloud of witnesses before and after the single Hebrew nation challenged Nimrod’s 70 nations at Babel.

1. 1. 1. “Are ye not as children of the Ethiopians unto me, O children of Israel? saith the LORD.
      2. the land of Egypt?
      3. and the Philistines from Caphtor,
      4. and the [As]Syrians from Kir?
      5. I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, to serve their purpose of witnessing of God!
         1. “Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. Wherefore…the Gentiles are turned to God: For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.” (Acts 15:18-21)
      6. In that day will I raise up the tabernacle / destructible building of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old: That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this.” (Amos 9:7-12)

“I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

• Behold / Pay attention!…I have given him – David –a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people
• Behold / Pay attention!…thou – the people – shall
  • call – shout to – a nation thou knowest not – defeat in battle
  • and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee – join to thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel;
  • for he hath glorified thee / given victory in the battle.” (Isaiah 55:1-7)

Bestowing responsibility for the most significant role in the universe is not casually distributed like necklaces at a Mardi Gras parade. Becoming a ruler in God’s kingdom is given at the discretion of the giver to those of his choosing, only given to those who prove they are entitled to it by their actions.

 “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:16-23)

Jesus is not talking about being saved from eternal death. He is talking about have treasure in the kingdom of heaven, depicted in virtually every fairy tale. The commoners are all saved when the hero defeats the wicked one, but the Prince only elevates a few to positions of power and wealth to serve with him in his new government.

“For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard...when even was come…they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, Saying, thou hast made them equal unto us…So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.” (Matthew 20)

All the people who signed on with the goodman for the means to extend their life received that life (i.e. the penny to buy their daily bread). But the ones who argued with the goodman that their longevity qualified them for special treatment didn’t win their argument.

They represent the current rulers in Isra-El’s sacral kingdom, arguing with YHVH’s Savior’s authority.

“the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him? But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet. And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.” 

Realize, Jesus just blatantly defied their authority to pass judgment on him. This is not a church convention, this is the highest court in the land, equal to the American Supreme Court, authorized by the Roman Empire to pass the death sentence in this country where religious law was also civil law. Jesus was facing down what Paul ultimately experienced – certain execution.

And then he immediately demonstrates his authority over – not just them, but Rome! – by not only questioning them, but passing judgment.

“But what think ye? A certain man had two sons;

• and he came to the first,  [The entire nation] and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.
  • He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.
• And he came to the second [Levitical priests and rulers of Israel], and said likewise.
  • And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.

Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first.

“Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots [the commoners, from the Greek hoi-poloi literally meaning “the many all mixed up] go into the kingdom of God before you.

But note, not instead of you! There was Saul of Tarsus for one, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathaea and others who converted after Jesus’ proof of divine authority upon resurrection.

For John came unto you in the way of righteousness [the faith of Abraham], and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: 

Ahh, that’s what makes the difference!

And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.” (Matthew 21)

And in response to the death glare in their eyes, and their acknowledgment that destruction is justice served:

“Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding:

Hello! This is the classic preparation for the son’s inheritance of the kingdom – making an alliance with another nation: “And Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh’s daughter, and brought her into the city of David.” (I Kings 3:1, 4:21)

Attendance at the wedding of the newly announced heir to the throne signifies acceptance of the designated heir as their King:

But the current rulers in Jesus’ day despised the invitation.

and they would not come…But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.

But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage…both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:

This is gross disrespect.

Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 19-21)

The motif that runs through these parables is failure to accede authority to God.

The high priest in Jesus’ day was not authorized by descent from Aaron as required in the Mosaic Law. He had gained his post through collaboration with the Gentile overlords.

Mattathias Asamonios,  a priest, and his five sons, John Gaddi, Simon Thassi, Judas Maccabeus “the Hammer” who gave his name to the fierce fighters led what started out as a righteous revolt against Antiochus Epiphanes’ desecration of YHVH’s worship and cruel oppression of the Jewish people. Many joined them there, especially the Hasideans, a pious and strict group deeply concerned for the Law of Moses.

This changed when the new Seleucid king Alexander Balas (also known as Alexander Epiphanes) made peace with a Hasidean Jonathan, calling him his “friend” and rewarding him by making him high priest in Jerusalem by virtue of Alexander’s authority as King of Israel. Thus was born the high priestly Hasmonean line. However, the Mosaic Law held that no man should be high priest who was not of priestly descent from Aaron, so righteous priests such as Zacharias and his son John the Baptist were dispossessed.

With this in mind, we realize that John the Baptist’s ministry consisted in large part of calling the usurper priests to relinquish their privileges and allegiance to the Mosaic heirs.

Likewise, the royal dynasty in Jesus’ day was not the Authorized Mosaic Version, but a legal appointment made by the Romans to their collaborators.

Herod was an Edomite, an Arab, who converted to Judaism for political reasons. He provided local support for Julius Caesar during the Roman civil war for supreme power. In payment, Caesar granted him Roman citizenship, which according to law descended to Herod and his children, and thus the Herodian dynasty over Judea was created.

Meanwhile, the Pharisees who had come into being during the Exile and in the absence of the Temple had replaced the impossible-to-perform temple rituals with impossible-to-achieve legalistic minutia regulated by a religious court system called the Sanhedrin. Replacing the Law of Moses, this body took upon itself the final authority on Jewish law and any scholar who went against its decisions was put to death as a zaken mamre (rebellious elder).

In other words, in Jesus’ day the rulers of the Jews had replaced

• the authority of the Mosaic code with themselves,
• the finality of God’s word with their changing mores to blend in the changing society,
• the simplicity of the law with a perverse justice system,
• and most of all, YHVH’s designated Sacral King / Melchizedek.

Israel’s God-King YHVH had absolutely designated his earthly representative sacral king, known by pagan nations as the Priest-King and clarified by YHVH to be King of Righteousness and Peace / Priestly reconciliation with God, i.e. Melchizedek.

“Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts…I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an household / family for my name…

I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. I will be his father [in a sacral kingdom, this means his spiritual authority, his God], and he shall be my son [spiritually, in his image and likeness].” (II Samuel 7:8-17)

The New Testament explicitly states that the Order of Melchizedek from the Old Testament currently and now permanently headed by Jesus Christ continues to register regular humans chosen to function in that same ministerial capacity now.

“ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises...even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec…We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens…Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.” (Hebrews 6:12-20)

The Apostle Peter himself demonstrates this truth.

“…whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, Yahweh’s Chosen One / Messiah / Christ of God…And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it…

Then took they him/ Jesus, and led him, and brought him into the high priest’s house. And Peter followed afar off. And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him. 

And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest…

And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter…And Peter went out, and wept bitterly. (Luke 9:2026, 22:31-34, 54-62)

But this didn’t condemn Peter to eternal separation from God. He didn’t lose his salvation.

What it did do was set him up for chastening to maintain his position as a chosen ruler.

“I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: But my mercy shall not depart away from him as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. And thine house and thy kingdom [through the Son of David Jesus Christ] shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.” (II Samuel 7:14-16)

Can we not recognize that when Yeshua told Peter he would eventually die the horrible death he had avoided by denying Yeshua, that he was giving Peter another chance to love / become fully one with him by sharing his glory / victory in a to-the-death battle?!

“He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me?…Jesus saith unto him…when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.” (John 21:17-19)

If we Redeemed are going to understand our role as Royal Priests empowered to take control back from the Evil One on the earth in the here and now, we need to recognize and learn from the actions of the Melchizedeks throughout scripture.

“For we know that the whole creation [continuously] groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now...waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption...And...the Spirit…maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” (Romans 8:19-29)

This is just one example of the parental disciplining process YHVH grants to all his children to allow them multiple chances for growth and development and maturity.

“Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge [unity] of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of a Chosen Savior” (Ephesians 4:13)