House Church Connections in the kingdom of God

I received an email asking about “Kingdom Now theology” in response to my last newsletter .  The writer noted that Kingdom Now theology is usually spoken of negatively and she asked what I thought.  

Kingdom Now theology is sometimes called “Dominion Theology” or “Reconstructionism”  It has a number of variations but basically says  that since the  Kingdom of God is here now,  (Mark 9:1) and Jesus is Lord and reigning now,  therefore we should reign in the earth or have dominion now, bringing about the Kingdom of God on earth. ( using 2 Timothy 2:12)  

With Dominion theology, governments should enact God’s laws – a theocracy. With reconstructionism, Christians put their faith into action in all areas of life. Each area has its own sphere of authority.  Of course there are lots of variation. Google this for more. 

What Jesus Taught

 First of all, Kingdom Now and Dominion Theology begins with genuine truths about the Kingdom  of God taught by Jesus.

1. The Kingdom Is Here 

It is clear that Jesus taught that the Kingdom of God was present and would be within us who are born again. (Luke 17:21)  Also the Apostles preached the “good news of the Kingdom of God”

 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 3:2 

And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. Luke 10:9 

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: Colossians 1:13) 

The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. Luke 16:16 

2. The Kingdom Will Be Inherited On Earth With Our Resurrection in the  New Heaven and Earth

Jesus also taught that the Kingdom was yet to come, in the sense that it will fully cover and rule in the earth one day. That day was clearly at the resurrection when life swallows up death! 

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. I Corinthians 15:50 

…Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? James 2:5 

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: Matthew 25:34

 3. Jesus Is Lord Now

The entire new testament testifies that Jesus is Lord with power and authority over all things now! 

For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.  I Corinthians 4:5 

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phillipians 2:9-11 

Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Acts 2:36 

4. The Lordship Of Christ Will Be Fully Seen When He Returns

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; II Timothy 4:1 

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. I Corinthians 4:5 

Problems With Dominion Theology

So, out of this scriptural setting, how does the church reign in the earth today?  We have experienced the times of earthly “Christian”  Kings believing they were ‘regents of God” and setting up His Kingdom on earth.  I remember standing in the chapels of various ancient castles noticing how the ceilings tried to depict the  heavens, and the relationship of these rulers to Christ. These earthly attempts at the Kingdom of God usually resulted in tyranny and bloodshed. 

How we reign with Christ today is the main problem with the some Kingdom and Dominion theologies. Though we certainly have authority in Jesus name to set people free in acts of Kingdom power and love,  reigning in a governmental way seem to be in the future when Jesus returns in the resurrection.

Reigning With Christ – a Real Foretaste?

Additionally, though Jesus is Lord and reigning now, not all things are under even His feet yet. The Father chooses to postpone that time in order to be merciful to sinners.   

For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 27 For he hath put all things under his feet. 1 Corinthians 15:25

 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 

The Corinthians Had A Mistaken View Of Reigning With Christ

Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you. I Corinthians 4:8

Governmental Reigning With Christ On Earth Is Future

And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. Revelation of John 5:10

 Citizens Of The Returning King

Perhaps the best way to understand the Kingdom and Lordship of  Christ is through His parable of the talents in Luke 19.  It is obviously a parable about Jesus Himself, and His eventual return to rule.  

Notice how the Kingdom already exists, and the nobleman is already has authority in His country,  and he already has those who serve Him.  Yet He does not use His full power or reveal the fullness of His Kingdom until He returns. 

vs 12 the nobleman went to receive a Kingdom, and commissioned His servants to occupy for Him.

vs 14 the nobleman was already supreme  over the land but the citizens  didn’t respect him or want him to rule.

vs 15 The nobleman returned as King and demanded an accounting, and gave authority over cities to His faithful servants. What they did counted in the future Kingdom.

vs 27 The nobleman slays those citizens who did not want Him to be their King.

IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD GRACE AND LOVE REIGN ON EARTH TODAY

Jesus Reigns In Love and Grace

I believe it is Gods grace and love that reigns in this life in the Kingdom of God.  That is why I speak so much about the love of God. I believe that is the real emphasis of the Kingdom of God on earth. There is much authority as well, to heal the sick,cast out demons, even raise the dead!  But it is a love Kingdom! 

That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.  Romans 5: 

When Jesus was questioned about His Kingdom by Pilate He made it clear it was a real and present Kingdom with power, but not like an earthly one!  He would not Lord over men. 

Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. John 18:36

Jesus Commands To Us Are Love Commands

So while we  walk in the Kingdom today, and have great victories, our mortal bodies  are still subject to decay and death, and rebellion is still in the earth.  Never the less, we have a wonderful  promise  of the coming Kingdom by the Spirit, we really do experience heaven on earth at times and take a real part in God’s Kingdom. But it shall be fully seen in the resurrection. 

Meanwhile our work is not in vain!  We have His treasures entructed to us! We fully have His love and grace at work in us and through us. When we walk by love we see power to set people free from sin, the devil, the flesh, sickness and disease!  We are sent out to announce that this Kingdom has already started in Jesus resurection, and one day will be fully accomplished! 

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. I Corinthians 15:58

Reprinted with permission

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