Kingship
Part Three
The rule and reign of God is undeniable, therefore, Satan hates it. As the church and individual believers gain spiritual strength to overcome his methods the kingdom of darkness is weakened and that, my friends, is kingdom living. He hates that as well.
Let’s look at kingship from our enemy’s perspective:
How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world. For you said to yourself, ‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. Isaiah 14:12-13
This fallen angel was given temporary authority on earth to show the hopelessness of his plan of kingship. Jesus called him the ruler of this world and Paul used the phrase prince of the power of the air (Eph. 2:2) but after the resurrection that power was annulled; believers are free of his control.
Juxtaposition is a descriptive word that means Satan’s hopes of a kingdom run side by side with God’s kingdom. It’s a perfect word picture which explains why we always have opposition. That’s why Jesus declared to us:
From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. Matthew 11:12
What does it look like for believers to forcefully take back the kingdom in our lives? It’s learning how to use Holy Spirit power to stand against the the wiles of the devil (Eph. 6:11) and effectively use our one weapon: the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. It’s actually alive, active and sharp (Heb. 4:12) always producing fruit and accomplishing the promises of God (Is. 55:11). Our lower story of life on earth can be transformed into an upper story of kingdom living through the Spirit. The true kingdom of God is not eating and drinking but by righteousness, peace, and joy in Him (Rom. 14:17). Jesus reminds us,
Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word (rhema) that comes from the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4
Kingship demands that we make a stand against the enemy’s opposition by understanding his strategies, declaring God’s Word, surrounding ourselves with other believers, and developing our relationship with Him through prayer. With those Spirit-strategies we keep the devil under our feet where he belongs until that final day when His Kingship, the rule and reign of God, is fully recognized: it’s here, but also, not yet.
Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For ‘God has put all things in subjection under his feet.’ 1 Corinthians 15:24-27a
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