Manifesting The Kingdom
Change for the better has begun. And at the heart of this great move of the Spirit is the total transformation of the people of God as they discover their true identity and purpose. Great purpose elicits great sacrifice. Up until this time, many of our agendas have failed. Our attempts to make the gospel palatable have had a serious effect on the world around us. The world has longed for a message they could experience. Yet many believers have simply tried to make the good news more intellectually appealing. This must stop! The natural mind cannot receive the things of the Spirit of God
But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14
The wisdom of God is foolishness to men. It's time to be willing to appear foolish again, that we might provide the world with a message of power that delivers, transforms, and heals. This is true wisdom. It alone satisfies the cry of the human heart.
But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom has come upon you. Matthew 12:28 Look at this phrase, "by the Spirit of God ... the kingdom." The Holy Spirit encompasses the Kingdom. While they are not the same, they are inseparable. The Holy Spirit enforces the lordship of Jesus, marking His territory with liberty
Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17
The King's domain becomes evident through His work. The second part of this verse reveals the nature of ministry. Anointed ministry causes the collision of two worlds, the world of darkness with the world of light. This passage shows the nature of deliverance. When the Kingdom of God comes upon someone, powers of darkness are forced to leave. When a light is turned on, darkness doesn't resist. There is no debate. It doesn't stay dark for a few minutes until light finally wins. On the contrary, light is so superior to darkness that its triumph is immediate. The Holy Spirit has no battle wounds. He bears no teeth marks from the demonic realm fighting for preeminence. Jesus is Lord, period. Those who learn how to work with the Holy Spirit actually cause the reality of His world (His dominion) to collide with the powers of darkness that have influence over a person or situation. The greater the manifestation of His Presence, the quicker the victory. We cannot let darkness shape our awareness of the heavenly atmosphere that dwells upon us. The size of the open heaven over us is affected in some measure by our maturity and yielded ness to the Holy Spirit. Think of the open Heaven as a big oak tree. The bigger and more stable the tree is, the more people can stand under its shade. Mature believers carry Heaven's atmosphere in such a way that others are able to stand under their shade and receive protection. To use another analogy, others can draft on our breakthroughs and become changed. To live unaware of the open Heaven over us is to contribute to the war over our hearts and minds as it pertains to the truth of Scripture. Then we will always see what hasn't happened instead of living from what has happened. We owe it to God to live aware of what He has done and draw from the reality He has made available. Not doing so costs us dearly. The heavens were torn open, and there is no demonic power that is able to sew them back together. Besides, the Father longs for the Spirit who lives in us. What power of darkness exists that could block their fellowship? But when we live with a primary awareness of the enemy and his plans, we instinctively live in reaction to darkness. Again, if we do, then the enemy has had a role in influencing our agenda. And he isn't worthy. Our life must be lived in response to what the Father is doing. That is the life Jesus modeled for us. Heaven is filled with perfect confidence and peace, while this world is filled with chaos and mistrust in God. We always reflect the nature of the world we are most aware of. Living aware of open heavens has incalculable results. The prophets were the most feared because the Spirit of the Lord came upon them. That's it. The Spirit of God, One who, Himself, saturates Heaven with His Presence, rests upon people. And when He does, things happen. These early prophets carried the Presence of God in a way that was rare, especially for their day. Their role is still often misunderstood in ours. They played a vital role in the increasing revelation of the interaction of God's abiding Presence and the purpose of man on earth. If we can see their history clearly and recognize the momentum created by these great men and women of God, we will be positioned to more readily embrace the assignment for our day. Ours is to be a greater day just as God has promised:
"The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former" Haggai 2:9.
Plus, we are to have the benefit of greater clarity of heart and mind through advances that previous generations have obtained for us. So many of these stories give us prophetic glimpses into a coming day, into a day when what was bizarre and odd would become normal. Even now there are things we live within the church that were once thought rare or impossible. Believe it or not, things are moving forward, progressing. There is an obvious progression in the revelation of God for His people and an increase in His manifest Presence and glory. He meant it when He said,
"Of the increase of His government and of peace there shall be no end" Isaiah 9:7
There has only been increase since those words were spoken. We have to adjust how we think and see to not only realize it but cooperate with what God is doing. Again, it says of us,
"But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day" Prov. 4:18.
We need to manifest the Kingdom of God We should and must expect progress. Who, then, ascends into the presence of the Lord?
And who has the privilege of entering into God's Holy Place? Those who are clean, whose works and ways are pure, whose hearts are true and sealed by the truth, those who never deceive, whose words are sure.
Psalm 24:3-4
We can all draw close to him with the veil removed from our faces. And with no veil we all become like mirrors who brightly reflect the glory of the Lord Jesus. We are being transfigured into his very image as we move from one brighter level of glory to another. And this glorious transfiguration comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18
