INTRODUCTION
This series presents the attributes of the reign of the “kings of the earth”, juxtaposed with the reign of Jesus (Yeshua) the “King of kings”. Using examples from Israel’s relationship with God, it examines how the children of Israel reject the rule of God in favour of the rule of the earthly or worldly kings. It will illustrate the nature of the reign of the worldly kings and the instance of bondage inherent in the reign.
Thereafter, it explains the authority and dominion of the Heavenly King – Christ “the King of kings” who institutes the righteous reign and offer salvation and peace to the world by the power of the Holy Spirit. It hopes to impress God’s own authority in Jesus who is sent to deliver humankind from the bondage of worldly kings.
It shows that the essence of the imposition of bad kings is not to instill rebellion against the king that you have chosen but rather to bring you to repentance to draw nigh unto God and seek his grace under His righteous king Jesus, the Christ. The message should therefore encourage readers to consider the choice before them between worldly kings and the reign of heavenly spiritual authority on earth.
1. GOD AND THE ‘KINGS’ OF THE EARTH
God “made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion”.(Genesis 1:31; Jeremiah 10: 12). “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein” (Psalm 24:1). He is the “true” and “living” God and an “everlasting king” (Jeremiah 10:10 &12). As the eternal King, God has authority and control over the earth and the world. It is by God that “kings reign, and princes decree justice [and by Him] princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth” (Proverbs 8:15-16).
However, the stories of Adam, Noah, and the children of Israel, show humankind’s disposition to reject God and rebel against His word, and his Kingship; and have preferred and served other gods and kings of the earth. To reject God’s Kingship, exposes people to the “prince of the power of the air”, the evil one Satan, the spirit of “disobedience” and “wrath” to fulfil the desires of the flesh and of the mind, against the holiness and righteousness of the creator (Ephesians 2:2-3).
Yet in His love for mankind God reserved unto himself an earthly kingship through the incarnation of His Spirit in the bodily form of Jesus Christ (His only begotten son) (Colossians 2:9; John 19:13). God chose Israel (Jacob) as the human lineage of Jesus, by whom to restore his perfect kingship and kingdom in the earth as it is in Heaven (Luke 1:31-33; Matthew 6:….). Since God is a Spirit, His heavenly Kingdom on earth is to reveal by Jesus, His Spiritual love to give the gift of salvation and eternal life to the world to those who would believe.
By His sacrifice, God “was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their [sins] unto them” (John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19). Jesus Christ, is thus the “King that cometh in the name of the Lord…”; he is the “king [set] upon [God’s] Holy Hill of Zion”; and the “King of kings and Lord of lords ‘ (Luke19:38; Psalm 2:6; Revelation 1:5; 1 Timothy 6:15).
We now examine the children of Israel’s rejection of God the everlasting king, in favour of the rule of earthly or worldly kings.
2. ISRAEL ‘S REJECTION OF GOD’S SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY
God chose Israel and to delivers the Children of Israel from bondage in Egypt through Moses and Aaron, by a covenant relationship in which He will be a God unto Israel and they will be his people; and He will dwell among them and be their God (Exodus 6:7; 29:45; Jeremiah 30:22).
But after God saved them, the made a golden calf and offered sacrifice to the idol saying “This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt,” rejoicing in the works of their hands (Exodus 32:4; Acts 7:41).
Throughout the peoples history they were known to reject God spiritually and offered sacrifices to devils (Leviticus 17:7; Judges 3:7; 2 Kings 10:20; Acts 7:51).
Israel had witnessed the miracles that God did in Egypt but were offering sacrifices to Idol so soon after. This is because they were not converted in the spirit to believe in the “Power of the Highest” God – which is the “Holy Spirit”; (Luke 1:35); but perceived God in the Physical, and resisting the Holy Ghost (Acts 7:51).
Their physical lust and desire to glorify their own hands led them “to change the truth of God for a lie” and they “worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen” (Romans 1:25)
Like Israel most of God’s Children serve worldly kings pursued by the lust of the world or the doctrine of men, to reject or overlook his spiritual authority, including his promise in Jesus Christ the “light of the world” (Colossians 2:20- 22; John 3:19). Brethren you must think carefully about what you attribute the power of God to or you may be at risk of rejecting or resisting the power of the highest God or his authority over your life and find yourself subscribing to the worldly kings and the forces of darkness.
3. ISRAEL ‘S REJECTION OF GOD’S PHYSICAL AUTHORITY
Israel is also known to reject God’s physical authority over them as king. A pertinent example is the rejection of Samuel’s sons who served as judges over Israel.
The elders of Israel asked Samuel saying ” thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations” (1 Samuel 8:3-6). God told Samuel to do as the people say, explaining to him that:
“… they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee” (1 Samuel 8:3-6)
But each time the people rejected or forgot God, “He sold them into the hand of [the kings of the earth] and they fought against them and oppressed them. For instance the Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin, king of Canaan and Siesera his captain and the oppressed Israel for twenty years and also to the hands of the Philistines for forty years and into the hands of the children of Ammon (Judges 4:2-3; 10:7-8; 13:1).
However, when Israel are oppressed, they will cry unto the Lord and admit their sins and the Lord is faithful to send his captains to deliver them from their distresses and enemies (1 Samuel 12:10-11; 1 Samuel 9:16; Psalm 107:10-13).
Brethren, consider that when you reject God’s Kingship over your life, (including the power in the Christ to deliver you), He allows you to opt out of His protection. One exposes oneself the forces of world, intentionally or ignorantly. This is the concept of ‘God selling you to the hand of your enemies’. One makes a choice not to have God interfere as it were into your life; and the enemy who is finding who to devour may see that you are out of your protective suit (1 Peter 1:5:8).
4. FEAR OF THE ENEMY AND REJECTION OF GOD
Yet also, like Israel, the fear of the enemies may lead you to the snare of your enemies. Fear made Israel to persist in their quest to have an earthly king to reign over them when the Lord was their King. God consented to grant their request and set a king over them, whom they had chosen in the person of Saul, Israel’s first earthly King (1 Samuel 12-13). If you trust God and keep His word, you would need not fear your enemies as to seek to be like them.
As the people desired, Samuel anointed Saul “to be captain over [God’s] inheritance” Israel, and God gave him another heart. The “Spirit of God” also came upon him, and he prophesied among the prophets (1 Samuel 10:1, 9-10). Presenting King Saul, Samuel warns Israel saying: ” ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations; and ye have said unto him, Nay, but set a king over us”. This reiteration was to mark the iniquity of Israel against their God in choosing and early King over God. “There is none like [Saul] among all the people” (1 Samuel 10:19, 24).
5. FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Brethren, “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein”. As the eternal King, God has authority and control over the earth and the world including their kings. One should not fight against him, or strive with him (Isaiah 45:9-19). He has offered the sacrifice for your redemption through Jesus Christ to afford you spiritual awakening and growth.
Examine your spiritual relationship with God. You must think carefully about what you attribute the power of God to or you may be at risk of rejecting or resisting the power of God or his authority in Jesus Christ over your life; and invariably find yourself subscribing to the worldly kings and the forces of darkness.
Also, Children of God, note that kings, princes, nobles and judges all reign or rule by God (Proverbs 8:15-16). So that when you rebel or reject Gods physical authority such as by going against his word and his precepts, He will allow the earthly kings to rule over you whom you may be disposed to serving either by coercion or fear.
Like Israel, when you reject God, He would always find a way to “protest solemnly” or warn you against your rebellion and the consequences. He told Samuel, to “protest solemnly unto them” and show them the nature of the king that shall reign over them (1 Samuel 8:9-11). Brethren be attentive to and heed His warnings.
Next week by grace, I will explain the nature of the reign of the worldly kings (including Saul) and the instance of bondage inherent in their reign. The remaining parts of the series will present the authority and dominion of the Heavenly Kingship – Christ “the King of kings” and his reign of righteousness and peace by the Holy Spirit.
PRAYER
Almighty Father, thank you for your word and your tender mercies over all thy children
You are greatly to be praised and we exalt thy mighty name.
Great Father, forgive thy children for hardening their hearts towards your son Jesus Christ and for resisting the Holy Ghost.
Dear Lord heal every broken spirit and desert land and revive thy people. Turn them again unto thy word and grant them to understand the power of thy kingdom and thy reign in Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost.
In all things, fill their hearts with love not rejection, and with peace not strife.
I make this prayer in JESUS NAME. Have a blessed Sabbath!
Lots of Love, P. Schwartz (SOG) 20 October 2017.
