1 Corn. 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
1 Cor. 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Next verse 1 Cor. 14:1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts
Friends, we should never reverse the seeking order, as we walk in God’s love we pursue His power. If we ‘switch’ the order, we have a prideful and confused ‘Charismania’ church as in I Cor. 12-14. If we remove power from the formula, you have a nice church doomed to Satan’s objectives and deadly consequences. Finally, If we take Gods love out of the equation, you have nothing more than a powerful Satanic ruler embodied with the likes of Hitler.
Recently a pastor wrote about the difference between ‘authority’ authority (Exousia-Greek) and power (Dunamis –Greek) as described in the Word. He mentioned authority is having the sovereignty over a dominion (Kingdom) with the right to delegate power.
His example was a police officer’s right to stop you while on the road-to illustrate one having authority over an individual. This pastor however never mentioned the officers side arm-what the officers ‘packed’ in order back up their authority. If you violated his authority, he has an array of powerful weapons to stop your offense.
After the curse of sin is abolished I Cor. 15:24-27, Rev. 21:1-4, rebellion will cease and Gods power will never need to be enforced in a negative way. His power will be combined with a loving righteousness and for eternity we will desire nothing more than His brilliant display of majestic glory Rev. 21:22-27. Until that time however, Satan will need to be dealt with through Gods power-His firearm.
As mentioned in the last article, the Word says Jesus officially defeated Satan’s reign over his kingdoms of the earth. The devils Authority and Power are not only subject to Jesus, but now believers (in Christ) have authority over Satan Ephesians 2:6, 1:3, 2:20-21. See It’s About the Power, Part One.
If Satan is really defeated however, why does scripture say
2 Cor. 4:4 The god of this age (Satan) has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (This written after Christ ascended to the Father)
Ephesians 2:1-2 you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is ‘NOW’ at work in those who are disobedient.
The Word says the ruler of the kingdom of the air…is‘NOW’ at work with those who are disobedient. How can this be when scripture also says
COL 2:15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities (Satan), He (Jesus) made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross Also Gal. 1:4.
The answer lies in these verses
HEB 10:12-13 But when this priest (Jesus) had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.
Since that time He waits for his enemies to be made his footstool
Satan’s ability to stay in power is primarily due to one reason. The churches inability to distinguish between reigning over a dominion (kingdom) and seizing control of a dominion (kingdom). The difference between ‘reigning’ and ‘seizing’ is using Gods firearm to bring down those who are illegally working against the Lords authority, Satan’s demonic army.
Laws against crimes will give the police the right to use their authority. The active use of power ‘seizes’ criminal activity and stops the injustice. Both parts have to be in progress to implement justice. See footnote 1,2.
God has both absolute authority and power over the universe and it’s kingdoms Psalms 33: 6-12, 50: 9-12, 145: 11-13. When Adam and Eve sinned, Satan (more powerful than man) was allowed to have authority (for an age) of the earthly kingdoms and hearts of unbelievers Luke 4:5-7,2 Cor. 4:4, Ephesians 2: 1-2. Jesus restored to man the authority over Satan when He died on the cross and rose to the Lords throne Ephesians 2:6, 1:3, 1:20-21. Why then does Jesus ‘wait’
Since that time He waits for his enemies to be made His footstool Heb. 10:13
When Jesus became man and a sacrifice for our sins, He received the greatest ‘punishment’ one could ever carry, the world’s sins 1 John 2:2. There is no greater sacrifice than His work on the cross for us. Now He is reigning with the Father, waiting for the church-His Body, to accomplish its work. Seizing control of the kingdoms given to her.
When God gave Israel the lands west of Canaan, Gods chosen people received their authority or reign over earthly kingdoms once the Lord spoke to Israel and established their domain. Israel still however had to seize control of their kingdoms by force, using ‘side arms’ made by man Joshua 1. Paul says the churches weapons are not made by man, but
2 Cor. 10:4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
Before we see what scripture says about Gods weapon, let’s summarize what the Lord has established.
1) God has reign and rule over the universe Psalms 33: 6-12, 50: 9-12, 145: 11-13 .
2) He gave the reign of the world (under the Lord) to man
Psalms 115:16 The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth he has given to man Gen. 1:26.
3) Satan regained authority over the kingdoms of the world when Adam and Eve sinned Luke 4:5-7, 2 Cor. 4:4, Ephesians 2: 1-2.
4) Through the death and resurrection of Jesus to Gods throne room, Jesus established His authority over all kingdoms and dominions. He delegated this to his believers Ephesians 2:6, 1:3, 1:20-21.
5) Jesus is waiting for His church, His body to seize control of the earthly kingdoms that He has given to them. The method to accomplish this is ‘And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Matt. 24:14. See below
As Israel had to seize control of their kingdoms God gave them reign (authority) over, the church has to seize control over the earthly kingdoms we have (in Christ) reign or authority over.
This is done through the most powerful weapon in the universe, Gods firearm!
Gods Weapon Given to Christians to Defeat Satan
GEN 1:3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
Day one through six, all creation was given existence and life by
‘God said’
All creation, the angelic host, stars, earth and mankind were established by-God Said.
By His spoken Word, He has the Authority and the Power to create all and to abolish all. In Satan’s case, his will be sent to the eternal Lake of Fire. Rev. 20:10
This is why the devils fell at Jesus feet and cried out
Matt 8:29 “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”
They knew Jesus, through the Word-His eternal sword, has the authority ‘and power’ to send them to their end
HEB 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
REV 19:15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.
By the Lords Word all things were created, by the Lords Word, all things are subject to Him.
When we preach (pursue) the kingdom of God, we as Christians are taking-seizing- Gods earthly kingdoms by proclaiming to Satan that his kingdom is illegitimate and is defeated! Preaching Gods heavenly kingdom is in essence taking Gods Word, our spiritual sword from heaven and using it to cut down Satan’s kingdom. It is done by heavenly force, or fight.
Matt 11:12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.
A more literal translation would read, From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven is forcefully shaken by men who advance it (on earth) with force. They do this by forcefully seizing it (the kingdom of heaven).
In other words, Christians are to use His Word (our spiritual weapon), and bind or loosen Satan’s forces of evil that we encounter on earth.
Matt 16:19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
God will respond by binding or loosening Satan’s powers of darkness in the air Ephesians 6:12. As Matt 11:12 indicates, there is a forceful shaking of His heavenly powers as the Lords armies fight the evil empires. See Video Gods Kingdom over Demonic Rule.
Thus, preaching the Kingdom of God is forcefully ‘snatching-seizing’ the glories of God in the highest of heavens and forcing Gods victory over the evil powers under Him. God will bind and loosen Satan’s powers in the ‘air’ (called 2nd heaven 1 Cor. 12:2) when we attack the earthly strongholds. Satan is evicted by the authority and forces (power) that Christians seize from heaven.
Yes bros, at times it is about the power 1 Cor. 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power Ephesians 2:6, Ephesians 1:3, Ephesians 1:20-21, Matt 24:14, Ephesians 2:1, 6:12, Rev. 12:7-11.
We are seated with Christ, thus we are His ambassadors and have authority to ‘legally and rightfully’ forcefully advance His kingdom on earth. This is the body of Christ role in ‘Thy kingdom come Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.’ Math: 6:9-10.
Note: By seizing the glories from heaven we can also evict the curses of sin such as sickness etc. As the above scripture indicates, this is a progressive fight. God will completely conquer sin and darkness when the Father and His Son reign on earth 1 Cor. 15:24-26.
Jesus says that when Satan’s kingdom is divided and bound, his end shall come. The Lord actually spells this out for us in Mark. Bind him up and take back what is rightfully of the Lords!
Mark 3:26-27 And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can rob his house.
The body of Christ, the church is indeed His army and to date our ‘camped’ soldiers do not even know we need to unify and attack!
That is why we have to preach, proclaim and pursue the kingdom message. The church must do this until Satan is bound and brought down from His evil empire. For a season the devils wrath will be great, but Gods power will be released and there will be no barriers with our prayers for our loved ones. Our prayers will directly flow into their hearts without Satanic restriction 2 Cor. 4:4-6, Dan. 10:12-13, Rev. 12: 7-17. This will be worth any sacrifice we make.
Why The Church
I have often wondered why it is the churches responsibility to proclaim this truth in order for Satan to be dethroned. It needs to be noted Jesus will have the greatest victory over Satan when He comes again (defeating his advancing armies from Armageddon and throwing Him into the Abyss Rev. 20:3,), but bringing the devil to the earthly ‘ring’ is our war objective.
While scripture indicates the truths to the kingdom of God are always progressive, there seems to be some solid answers to this in His Word Mk. 4:10, Mk. 4:30-32.
A) When Christ became man, the bond of unity between God and man became as close as the heavenly relationship between the Father and Son Gal. 4:6, John 17:22. Jesus granted man a right to share in His divine throne and blessings. Jesus became our true representative and priest before God Heb. 10:12-13. Since we are truly the body of Christ and share in His reign, the body of Christ also needs to share in His work Ephesians 5:30, 4:12. This includes our part in seizing satanic kingdoms and defeating them through Christ and His Word.
B) PS 115:16 The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth he has given to man also Gen 1:26.
The Lord gave man the responsibility to govern and care for the earth.
Man discarded his position because of sin and ‘by default’ gave it to Satan. Here is an example. If we were to give a son a house and say ‘it is yours, take care of it and do not neglect it’. If our son however leaves it for strangers and they abuse the house and it is destroyed-is it the parents responsibility to restore it? No, not in the least. Mercifully though, God sent a Son who gave His life to restore not only our ‘house’ or world , but made sure we could live in His kingdom. God’s elect, the body of Christ, still has the responsibility (through Christ) however to ‘seize’ the evil empire we allowed through our sin and disobedience.
While we need to be aware of our weaknesses and shortcomings when we face Satan’s fury when he is dethroned (Rev. 12 and praying for strength to endure), it is truly an honor to take part in an army for God.
1 Peter 1:6-8 and 1 John 1:1-4 give us the hope of the Lords great joy coming from heaven and abiding though out the body of Christ.
Thank you for praying for the church to receive this truth. If you have any prayer request, feel free to email me on the contact us page.
Please see the rest of ‘The Kingdom of God’ articles.
Footnote 1 See Kenneth Hagan Sr. ‘In His Name’,’The Believers Authority’, site map,
Footnote 2 Richard E. Carey, ‘Pre-Trip Theology-Blessed Hope or Demonic Deception?