There have been a lot of things that have seemed really jumbled for me in the past year and I couldn’t understand how they all fit together… until today! Surrender and Slavery I was listening to Dutch Sheets speak about Intercessory prayer, and something he said suddenly just clicked! God created man (Adam) to be an image (a shadow, an illusion, a re-presentation) of Him and His glory here on earth. Adam looked like YHWH and was given His authority to re-present the will of YHWH on earth. Unfortunately, Adam surrendered that authority and gave it to Hasatan, our Adversary, and in doing so, turned over YHWH’s kingdom to the enemy. Now Adam was stripped on that authority and a slave or captive. But YHWH promised the enemy who had gained authority that a time was coming when his rule would be crushed. Reclaiming the Kingdom Four thousand-ish years later, Yeshua came. A man surrendered authority and a man had to take it back. To do this, Yeshua had to overthrow the rule of the enemy, death. When Yeshua rose again, defeating death, He took back the kingdom authority for YHWH on earth. Once again, the true King rules and reign. Redemption So what does that have to do with people? What does it mean to “trust in Yeshua”? When I trust in Yeshua, when I surrender my will to His, when I choose to believe and accept that He is the One, true King, I choose to become part of His kingdom. Kind of like a naturalized citizen in a country. I swear my allegiance and submission to the rule and reign of YHWH. I turn my back on my former citizenship and slavery, and I choose to submit to His rules and His ways. Reigning As a citizen of YHWH’s retaken kingdom, I choose to submit to His laws, the Torah. As His embassador to this earth, it is my role to live a life that demonstrates what it means to be a part of His kingdom. And since His kingdom is totally different from the enemy’s, my life should reflect that difference. Just like Roman ambassadors were charged with making conquered citizens more Roman, I am charged with showing the newly freed and those who still live in bondage what it means to be a part of YHWH’s rule and reign. Reconciling the Torah One confusing bit was how the Torah fit in. I believe in its relevance, but how does it work with what Yeshua did? Here’s my thoughts: I can live by the Torah and never enter into and submit to YHWH’s kingdom authority by believing that Yeshua, His Son has reclaimed the keys to the kingdom (so the Torah can’t bring me true life, but my inability to follow it does show me that I need Yeshua, someone to save me from slavery.). But, if I do believe that Yeshua crushed the rule of the enemy and now rules this earth, and if I submit myself to His rule, then I also choose to obey His rules (Torah). Do people break rules? Yeah. Sometimes on purpose, and sometimes in ignorance. Are there consequences for breaking rules? Yeah. Some are more obvious than others, though. If I choose to eat pork, the consequence may be a build up of fat and being unhealthy. It may not kill me, but I won’t be all that I could be. On the other hand, there are some laws that, if broken, carry more obvious consequences. Like murder. I can live in YHWH’s kingdom and not follow Torah. But life will be richer, and I will be a better light and re-presentation of YHWH’s kingdom if I do.
I am a fellow citizen with the saints and the household of God. Ephesians 2:19-20 So then you are no longer foreigners and noncitizens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household, 2:20 because you have been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. A citizen is a person that is a legally recognized as a member of a state, with associated rights and obligations. So, as a citizen of God’s kingdom, I am legally recognized by Him and I have associated rights and obligations that accompany that citizenship. Being legally recognized means that no one else can claim me nor do they have rights over me. My rights are those promises and blessings given in the Bible. My obligations are the guidelines of Torah. Just like I accept and obey the laws of my country, I should do the same for God’s kingdom, of which I am a citizen. I can’t expect to benefit from my citizenship without also fulfilling the obligations.
I am delivered from the power of darkness and translated in God’s kingdom. Colossians 1:13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, I am just beginning to realize the enormity of being delivered from the power of darkness. In our society today darkness is a game, a movie, an unreality. It’s not scary, it’s not even real to most people. At least not in a way that isn’t confined to the pages of a fairy tale. To be rescued from darkness takes on new meaning when the creatures of the fairy tale worlds turn out to be real. Being in God’s kingdom is a welcome relief and a wonderful freedom! It comes with responsibilities, like obedience and following His rules (Torah anyone?), but it’s so worth it! I am no longer bound and subject to the darkness. I am a child of the King of kings living in His kingdom! Hallelujah!
Skip made an interesting point in his blog post today about pursuing happiness, as we are wont to do. In Matthew 6:33 (and in Luke) it says: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. The word for kingdom actually means “rule or dominion”. So this kingdom isn’t a place, it’s the rule of God in our lives. We should be pursuing God and letting Him have reign in our lives instead of pursuing how to be happy or comfortable. Interestingly, in the Greek text, things isn’t there. The preceding verses are about how God knows our needs, and these are the things that He will take care of. It’s not about accumulating stuff or getting more or better. It’s about seeking His lordship and His right to reign in my life. If that’s first, then my priorities and my “needs” will adjust to be more in line with His will. And His will for me will be accomplished. Happiness? Maybe. Maybe not. Joy? Yes.
Due to wakeful children I’m directing you to a post by Dr. Skip Moen. It’s about Jesus’ statement that His kingdom is not [out] of this world. Our translation vs. the Greek. It’s pretty huge. And it totally changes the meaning of what Jesus said. Check it out.