Rediscovering The Kingdom
We are in an interesting time in World history. We are seeing a great deal of instability. The influence of the church has seemingly dropped, but are we looking at this from the wrong perspective? Let’s take a look at what is happening.
Newsweek had a story entitled “The Decline Of Christian America”
America Has Moved Into A "Post-Christian" Phase Published on Apr 6, 2009 - 7:15:18 AM
NEW YORK, April 5 2009 - According to the new Newsweek Poll, fewer people now think of the United States as a "Christian nation" than did so when George W. Bush was president. Two thirds of the public now say religion is "losing influence" in American society, and the proportion of Americans who think religion "can answer all or most of today's problems" is now at a historic low of 48 percent. Newsweek Editor Jon Meacham explores this issue in the April 13 cover, "The Decline and Fall of Christian America" (on newsstands Monday, April 6). According to the American Religious Identification Survey, the percentage of self-identified Christians has fallen 10 percent since 1990, from 86 to 76 percent. Meacham writes that these figures show that America has not only become less Christian, but moved into a "post-Christian" phase. "This is not to say that the Christian God is dead," he writes, "but that he is less of a force in American politics and culture than at any other time in recent memory."
Not only has the number of Americans who claim no religious affiliation nearly doubled since 1990, the Northeast, formerly the "home base" of American religion, has emerged in 2008 as the new stronghold of the religiously unidentified. In addition, many conservative Christians believe they have lost the battles over issues such as abortion, school prayer and even same-sex marriage, and that the country has now entered a post-Christian phase. "A remarkable culture-shift has taken place around us," R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of the Southern Baptist Theology Seminary tells Newsweek. "The most basic contours of American culture have been radically altered. The so-called Judeo-Christian consensus of the last millennium has given way to a post-modern, post-Christian, post-Western cultural crisis which threatens the very heart of our culture." What was once the cradle of American civilization may be the cradle of "America's secular future."
"Judging from the broad shape of American life in the first decade of the 21st century, we value individual freedom, free (or largely free) enterprise and tend to lean toward libertarianism on issues of personal morality," Meacham writes. "The foundational documents are the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, not the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament."
According to R. Albert Mohler Jr., the post-Christian narrative offers spirituality without binding authority. "It is based on an understanding of history that presumes a less tolerant past and a more tolerant future, with the present as an important transitional step." The present, in this sense, is less about the death of God and more about the birth of many gods. According to the new Newsweek Poll, 30 percent describe themselves as "spiritual" rather than "religious."
Evangelical Christians have long believed that the United States should be a nation whose political life is based upon and governed by their interpretation of biblical and theological principles. While we remain a nation decisively shaped by religious faith, our politics and our culture are, in the main, less influenced by movements and arguments of an explicitly Christian character than they were even five years ago," Meacham writes. "The decline and fall of the modern religious right's notion of a Christian America creates a calmer political environment and, for many believers, may help open the way for a more theologically serious religious life."
The kingdoms of this world is in a helpless situation. Especially in it’s current condition. Education is failing in several areas of the country, because there are so many agenda’s being promoted. Media is manipulated in so many area‘s. It is being used more for promoting agenda’s than to inform. Coming from a media background, I know the power of broadcast and print. With the addition of internet being used, we are able to see it’s power and influence.
Many are seeking new government. In search of this new government, we may or may not be getting what will be most beneficial for us as a people.
We are in social and economic crises. The issues are seeming to be getting worse. Every human heart is searching for a new and better world.
It may shocking to know that the number one problem of our modern world is RELIGION. It may surprise you or not, but many have come to this conclusion. What may surprise you is God shows the government is the answer to earth’s problems. Surprising isn’t it.
God’s Government Answer
Isaiah 9:6 NKJV
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:7 NKJV
Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
These verses are self explanatory, I don’t have to add anything.
God’s Purpose For Earth
Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Isaiah 45:18
For thus says the Lord, Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create it in vain, Who formed it to be inhabited: “I am the Lord, and there is no other.
Notice God formed it to be inhabited.
The vision of God is that the original purpose was to extend the invisible.
God wanted to colonize the earth with the kingdom of Heaven. It is important for me to point out and be very clear. I differ from some who to teach that we pre existed in Heaven and were sent to Earth to colonize the Earth and because we were born into sin, as a result we forgot who we were and that we existed in Heaven prior to being born on Earth. I cannot find that in scripture. Many attempt to use the prophetic word over Jeremiah to justify the teaching of pre existence. It is found in Jeremiah 1:5.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
Before you were born I sanctified you;
I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”
The entire teaching is built from “Before I formed you in the womb “I knew you”.
The thought is that God knew you in Heaven before you were sent to Earth to accomplish your purpose. Of course, there is no scripture to back up this premise.
The story of God
King, Kingdom, His Family
Kingdom is defined as “governed by a king and his personal will.”
A kingdom is a government, not a religion. Jesus told us to seek first the kingdom. We are taught that it’s an insult to the king to ask for anything, because the king provides it. The only difference is if the king asks you, if you desire anything.
What is the kingdom of Heaven? It is a place. It is our home country.
Father referring to Abba speaks of Source and Sustainer. The king who is our Heavenly Father provides everything. His kingdom which is referred to as the Kingdom of God speaks of His influence. The kingdom of God is here now, how, you may ask. Take a look at Luke 17:21 “nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”
Here is an interesting thought, Jesus never preached on prosperity, because he provided it. A kings glory is his territory, it is how much territory he has, how much he has conquered.
After he has conquered new territory, he will send residents from his kingdom to the newly acquired land to establish a new colony representing the kingdom. A colony is a group which is going to be established in a new territory. When I was born again, I was born into the kingdom of God and I became an ambassador in the kingdom, as did you when you were born into the kingdom.
Habakkuk 2:14
14 For the earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, As the waters cover the sea.
The glory of God is God’s kabod which is His weight or the true nature. God’s glory is what abides in us, the kingdom of God.
Everything that we need is provided by the King. The King and His kingdom abides in us by His Spirit. Many have the wrong idea of how things are to be accomplished. It is important to have the correct perspective. Why do people get different results? It is how you view it. Keep this in mind, “Rich people talk about ideas, poor people talk about money.” When you talk about the Kingdom, what are you saying?
Newsweek had a story entitled “The Decline Of Christian America”
America Has Moved Into A "Post-Christian" Phase Published on Apr 6, 2009 - 7:15:18 AM
NEW YORK, April 5 2009 - According to the new Newsweek Poll, fewer people now think of the United States as a "Christian nation" than did so when George W. Bush was president. Two thirds of the public now say religion is "losing influence" in American society, and the proportion of Americans who think religion "can answer all or most of today's problems" is now at a historic low of 48 percent. Newsweek Editor Jon Meacham explores this issue in the April 13 cover, "The Decline and Fall of Christian America" (on newsstands Monday, April 6). According to the American Religious Identification Survey, the percentage of self-identified Christians has fallen 10 percent since 1990, from 86 to 76 percent. Meacham writes that these figures show that America has not only become less Christian, but moved into a "post-Christian" phase. "This is not to say that the Christian God is dead," he writes, "but that he is less of a force in American politics and culture than at any other time in recent memory."
Not only has the number of Americans who claim no religious affiliation nearly doubled since 1990, the Northeast, formerly the "home base" of American religion, has emerged in 2008 as the new stronghold of the religiously unidentified. In addition, many conservative Christians believe they have lost the battles over issues such as abortion, school prayer and even same-sex marriage, and that the country has now entered a post-Christian phase. "A remarkable culture-shift has taken place around us," R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of the Southern Baptist Theology Seminary tells Newsweek. "The most basic contours of American culture have been radically altered. The so-called Judeo-Christian consensus of the last millennium has given way to a post-modern, post-Christian, post-Western cultural crisis which threatens the very heart of our culture." What was once the cradle of American civilization may be the cradle of "America's secular future."
"Judging from the broad shape of American life in the first decade of the 21st century, we value individual freedom, free (or largely free) enterprise and tend to lean toward libertarianism on issues of personal morality," Meacham writes. "The foundational documents are the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, not the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament."
According to R. Albert Mohler Jr., the post-Christian narrative offers spirituality without binding authority. "It is based on an understanding of history that presumes a less tolerant past and a more tolerant future, with the present as an important transitional step." The present, in this sense, is less about the death of God and more about the birth of many gods. According to the new Newsweek Poll, 30 percent describe themselves as "spiritual" rather than "religious."
Evangelical Christians have long believed that the United States should be a nation whose political life is based upon and governed by their interpretation of biblical and theological principles. While we remain a nation decisively shaped by religious faith, our politics and our culture are, in the main, less influenced by movements and arguments of an explicitly Christian character than they were even five years ago," Meacham writes. "The decline and fall of the modern religious right's notion of a Christian America creates a calmer political environment and, for many believers, may help open the way for a more theologically serious religious life."
The kingdoms of this world is in a helpless situation. Especially in it’s current condition. Education is failing in several areas of the country, because there are so many agenda’s being promoted. Media is manipulated in so many area‘s. It is being used more for promoting agenda’s than to inform. Coming from a media background, I know the power of broadcast and print. With the addition of internet being used, we are able to see it’s power and influence.
Many are seeking new government. In search of this new government, we may or may not be getting what will be most beneficial for us as a people.
We are in social and economic crises. The issues are seeming to be getting worse. Every human heart is searching for a new and better world.
It may shocking to know that the number one problem of our modern world is RELIGION. It may surprise you or not, but many have come to this conclusion. What may surprise you is God shows the government is the answer to earth’s problems. Surprising isn’t it.
God’s Government Answer
Isaiah 9:6 NKJV
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:7 NKJV
Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
These verses are self explanatory, I don’t have to add anything.
God’s Purpose For Earth
Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Isaiah 45:18
For thus says the Lord, Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create it in vain, Who formed it to be inhabited: “I am the Lord, and there is no other.
Notice God formed it to be inhabited.
The vision of God is that the original purpose was to extend the invisible.
God wanted to colonize the earth with the kingdom of Heaven. It is important for me to point out and be very clear. I differ from some who to teach that we pre existed in Heaven and were sent to Earth to colonize the Earth and because we were born into sin, as a result we forgot who we were and that we existed in Heaven prior to being born on Earth. I cannot find that in scripture. Many attempt to use the prophetic word over Jeremiah to justify the teaching of pre existence. It is found in Jeremiah 1:5.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
Before you were born I sanctified you;
I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”
The entire teaching is built from “Before I formed you in the womb “I knew you”.
The thought is that God knew you in Heaven before you were sent to Earth to accomplish your purpose. Of course, there is no scripture to back up this premise.
The story of God
King, Kingdom, His Family
Kingdom is defined as “governed by a king and his personal will.”
A kingdom is a government, not a religion. Jesus told us to seek first the kingdom. We are taught that it’s an insult to the king to ask for anything, because the king provides it. The only difference is if the king asks you, if you desire anything.
What is the kingdom of Heaven? It is a place. It is our home country.
Father referring to Abba speaks of Source and Sustainer. The king who is our Heavenly Father provides everything. His kingdom which is referred to as the Kingdom of God speaks of His influence. The kingdom of God is here now, how, you may ask. Take a look at Luke 17:21 “nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”
Here is an interesting thought, Jesus never preached on prosperity, because he provided it. A kings glory is his territory, it is how much territory he has, how much he has conquered.
After he has conquered new territory, he will send residents from his kingdom to the newly acquired land to establish a new colony representing the kingdom. A colony is a group which is going to be established in a new territory. When I was born again, I was born into the kingdom of God and I became an ambassador in the kingdom, as did you when you were born into the kingdom.
Habakkuk 2:14
14 For the earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, As the waters cover the sea.
The glory of God is God’s kabod which is His weight or the true nature. God’s glory is what abides in us, the kingdom of God.
Everything that we need is provided by the King. The King and His kingdom abides in us by His Spirit. Many have the wrong idea of how things are to be accomplished. It is important to have the correct perspective. Why do people get different results? It is how you view it. Keep this in mind, “Rich people talk about ideas, poor people talk about money.” When you talk about the Kingdom, what are you saying?
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