Matt. 13:45-46 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
Mark 4:30-32 ‘What shall we say the kingdom of God is like..
It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.”
His Word teaches us that the message and truth to the Kingdom of God is ‘greater’ than other teachings . A few verses earlier, Jesus told His disciples the secret of the Kingdom of God had been given to you, but not to others Mark 4:11. In other words, we have to receive this message by the Holy Spirit with hearts like children Luke 10:21. Simply, we have to surrender our agenda, goals, self interest, social life, retirement, personal ministry etc. to receive this truth.
When I first received this ‘mustard seed’ from the Lord, as He indicated, I thought just another neat teaching. It soon began to grow, and I started to see the implications of what the church has to achieve to accomplish Gods purpose. As I drove down the streets in ‘Home Town’ America, I began to realize that Gods purpose for His body is radically different than what is happening in the isolated churches within the cities. For years, there was a ‘inward sense’ that God would one day use those that were the ‘least of these’ (Luke 10:21) to build an army for Christ. The scriptures were now confirming this by making these ‘secrets of the kingdom’ known by His holy Word.
Ironically , I was lucky in the point that I was failing. If I was rated by numbers, my success at the mission was dismal. When the Lord told me not to build ‘my ministry’-but devote my heart to the Kingdom of God, I honestly did not have a lot to surrender.
Note: Surrendering our earthly ministry and pursuing Gods heavenly ministry is a commandment. While there are different ‘parts’ to our service in His Kingdom, Gods church is not a political ‘two ministry’ system. (I Cor. 12:12, Gal. 2:7)
Matt 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;
When I presented this truth to the church, there was an initial ‘jolt’ that comes with this message (explained later), but in general- it was business and usual. When this kingdom message was presented to leadership, I began to see a huge gap, seemingly as wide as the Grand Canyon (see below). For them to receive the kingdom message, they would need to understand Gods intent for uniting the local body of Christ to fight Satan. In order to accomplish this, their purpose for their ministry would have to completely change. They would have to ‘surrender’ their loyalties to their denomination, friends, personal ministries etc. Also, when we surrender our objectives to the Lord, we have to be willing to go anywhere for His truth. When someones life and income are tied to ‘their’ ministry, this message usually does not get past the first step.
Tragically, the situation gets worse for those who hold on to traditions from men. Scripture gives serious warnings. To receive truth from God-ESPECIALLY about the Kingdom of God and Last Days Prophecy!!-we have to ready, not sleeping, watching, surrendered in heart, or as Jesus says-hearts like children before we can receive or understand this truth. (Matt. 25: 1-13, Matt. 24: 42, 43, Romans 13:11)
Luke 10:21 (Jesus rejoicing) because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them (the secrets to the kingdom of God) to little children (those whom Jesus sent out).
In other words, we cannot receive this truth even if we wanted to
-unless: our spirits are humbled and ‘listening’ before the truth is given.
1Thess 5:2-4 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly,
But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.
As with the parable about the 10 virgins (Matt 25:1-13),Gods Spirit (oil) has to be ‘ALREADY ABIDING’ in our lamps for us to have light in the darkness and confusion of the end times. We will not know which way to turn unless the ‘oil’ from His Spirit is within us.
Later the Lord showed me the scriptures to ‘Bridging the Grand Canyon’ . Radical verses that explain how the Lord is trying to “SHAKE’ His followers to receive this message
Luke 9:60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”
(When our heavenly Lord is saying ‘I am ending ALL your excuses-do what I have told you to do! Beloved, we must heed His warning)
Luke 9:62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
Please put in your heart for storage; there is a service (work) for the Kingdom of God.
True Surrender
When the kingdom of God message starts to grow in your heart, you will want to proclaim its truth. While you may notice non believers leave the area while talking to other bros about this message, the interesting reaction will be with believers. When the message is given, many times there will be an eerie silence because of its authority (above verses). The Lord had to caution me in this area. While the message has ‘authority’, it is not ‘authoritative’. Gods’ number one desire is to be united with His children.
Matt 6:9-10 “This, then, is how you should pray: ” `Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
HEB 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Also Heb. 10:13)
He is waiting for the church to carry out this message so His bride can accomplish it task- and be united with Him. This comes by preaching and pursuing the Kingdom of God. This message will grow to be powerful… from a mustard seed the largest plant and support all birds-teachings. (MK 4:31-32). I had to be shown this message is not a shaking from heaven, but will start as a small seed from the ground. It will gradually grow and wrap around all teachings to support them in love. What a beautiful message of His power.
Since this message does have authority, many seem to ‘jump on the bandwagon’ for the ride. They might mention their pastor gave a verse or two on the kingdom, and all is good. I usually have to turn my head while smiling, thinking to myself-this is a wonderful first step. Let’s look at what really happens when a mustard seed truly takes root.
A pastor will get in front of his congregation and say something in this manner
For several months the Lord has been dealing with me on a very serious issue. It involves my purpose for this church, and you the congregation. He has been putting in my heart scripture and directives to reach out to our community to join together to fight our enemy that has been murdering our children. The focus for our new wing and sanctuary has been made so minuscule to the desire to reach out for and fight the demonic powers that walk freely through our streets. I have an urgency to fight Satan and to unite with the whole believing body of Christ to push back the kingdoms of darkness around us. The techniques to accomplish this have not been shown me to date, just His purpose. For the next three months I will be going to our Father in heaven to see if He wants me to continue in this organization to accomplish this, or step aside without the backing of an organization I have grown to dearly love. All I know is Christ took the horror of my sin on the cross; I have to be willing to leave everything for His purpose. I am truly sorry for this shakeup in your hearts, but you and your families are too valuable to me to have Satan continue his quest to harm you.
Someone who is truly surrendered is on their way to receiving more secrets to the kingdom of God
Mark 4:11 He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables
A Jolt To A Lighting Bolt
When pastors-believers start to pursue and preach the kingdom of God, I believe there is a’ jolt’ that goes up to Satan.
Note: Any prophecy or revelation we receive should always be in guidelines of His word. We stand on scripture and can lean on spiritual insight from others. If the prophecy or revelation is true, and we are ‘prayed up’ our spirit will agree with their testimony. Caution is good. Let the Spirit lead within your heart.
The Lord started to show me individuals who would use the authority of the kingdom message, and there would be a ‘jolt’ that Satan would feel. Because the darkness was great however and the individual were few and far between (spread out), Satan was able to recover over a short period of time. There was though a great fear in Satan’s being. The believers did not know they were giving him this ‘jolt’. If they realized that they were truly shaking him-and if they ever got together in faith and in their heavenly powers to overpower him, the hit will go from a ‘jolt’ to a paralyzing ‘bolt’ of God’s power. In his soul Satan was ‘deathly afraid’ Christians would discover they had Gods power to literally take him down. I truly believe Jesus did not carelessly choose His words when talking about Satan’s falling when the gospel of Gods kingdom is preached.
Matt 24:14 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.
Luke 10:9-18 Heal the sick who are there and tell them, `The kingdom of God is near you…. He (Jesus) replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
REV 12:9 The great dragon was hurled down–that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
Satan’s fears will one day become reality. The church will finally realize their authority and power in the Lord and actually use it!
Matt 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
In Mark 4, Jesus used the same illustration in the middle of His teachings on the Kingdom of God.
Final Note:
Some may ask, why should we pursue the Kingdom of God if no one else seems to be listening? As the above scriptures teach us, pursuing the kingdom message will cause joy in our hearts because Gods heavenly glory is penetrating our hearts. We will desire so much of the Lord we will want to continue to taste the glories of the heavens
Heb. 6:5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age,
While we spread the gospel of His kingdom, the Lord absolutely guarantees it will grow and multiply.
Luke 13:20-21 Again he asked, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
We have to pursue this message because this is the most effective way to bind up Satan’s darkness. It appears this gospel will grow from a mustard seed to the largest plant when tribulation occurs.
We should not hide the fact that the seals bring devastation upon this world (Rev. 6. see prophecy-site map). Symbolically and literally, villages will be burning as the enemies tanks advance across the bridges. The Pentecostal church will leave the prideful errors of emotionalism (false spirit) and humbly seek His power for strength. Those who have denied the Baptism of the Holy Spirit will be ‘shaken’ to want all He has for the church. We will come out of our segregated churches and meet together with a ‘GODLY’ seriousness, look each other in the eye and say ‘how can we work together to save our families’.
We will finally realize we need more of God, less of ourselves. This can only come when we truly devote ourselves not only to Him, but to His body-those whom He died for. We will become the unified and radiant church that God intended.
John 17:22-23 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one, I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. (Ephesians 4:13)
Ephesians 5:27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
We shall also wake up to our calling to fight the one who is behind all the death and disaster, who desires for our loved ones to never receive the truth of the cross.
We will fight Satan as the Lord commanded us to do.
Matt 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
Matt 24:14 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.
HEB 10:13 Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool,
Let’s not be like the churches without oil when the loud cry (shaking) rang out. Matt. 25:6
God bless you as you pursue this truth.