INTRODUCTION
Last week we examined the righteous reign pertaining to the standard of Justice under Jesus Christ including acts of goodness, compassion, forgiveness, sincerity and impartiality. This message concludes the ‘King of Kings: who is your King?’ series by looking at the righteous reign and the role of the Spirit to deliver mankind from evil and infirmities.
It illustrates the opposing kingdoms of Jesus Christ and Satan, and their physical and spiritual aspects. It also explains the power of Christ over the world of Satan, including the anointing for spiritual restoration and empowerment, and presents examples of the manifestation of his power over evil. Generally, the message builds upon the power and works of the Holy Spirit, in perfecting the righteous reign of Christ in the earth that we have addressed in previous parts of the series.
1. CHRIST VERSUS SATAN: OPPOSING KINGDOMS
Christ explains that the world has hated his disciples (and believers in the gospel), “because they are not of the world, even as [Christ is] not of the world”. He prays that while disciples and believers remain in the world, God should “keep them from evil”. He also asks us to pray for God who has the power and the Glory forever, to deliver us from evil (John 17:14-16). Matthew 6:13).
The evil kingdom represents the “world of darkness” and is ruled by Satan the “spirit of disobedience”, the “prince of the power of the air”. God’s “world of Light”, is manifested in all believers through belief in Jesus Christ and is ruled by the power of God – the Holy Spirit. Satan then is the enemy and the adversary of God’s children who are not of his ‘world of darkness’. (John 17:6; 14; 16 & 20; John 6:37 & 65; Ephesians 2:2-3; 1 Peter 5:8; Luke 22:31).
Thus while we remain in the world, our battle, trials or tribulations is not against “flesh and blood”, although we may behold things physically. But it is against principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12)
2. KINGDOMS IN THE PHYSICAL AND THE SPIRITUAL
These worlds of the kingdom of Christ and that of Satan manifest both in the physical and in the spiritual. For instance Christ was born of the “Spirit of God”, with spiritual personality but physical in form of flesh as a human being. Also, his death and resurrection though physical in form, yet spiritually, he is the “Lamb of God” that delivers the world from darkness of sin, death, and evil. (John 1:29; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Isaiah 53:7).
Satan’s world of evil and “disobedient spirit” may manifests in conduct, conditions, and situations and channelled through abnormal dispositions in people. For example, one may seek to destroy or kill another because of hate; or they may participate in worship of the devil via occult in order to obtain wealth. The hatred and the occult worship are spiritual than physical occurences.
2.1. Physical Things May Have Spiritual Purposes
Let us look at an example of Jesus in an encounter with Satan to illustrate the spiritual influence of Satan in a temptation to lure Jesus into disobedience for wealth. Satan took Jesus to a mountain “and [showed] him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them” and offered all these kingdoms to him if Jesus would fall down and worship him. But Jesus said “Get thee hence Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve”. And after this rebuke, the devil left Jesus and angels came and ministered unto him. (Matthew: 4:8-11).
Brethren Jesus did not lust over the glory of the worldly things or kingdoms therefore it was not possible for the devil to overcome him to submit his earthly Kingly Glory -i.e. being born of the Spirit of God – to the devil, as was the case of the fall of Adam and Eve. They obeyed Satan and ate of the fruit of the tree which was in the midst of the garden that God had commanded that they eat not from. Eve lusted after the idea that they would “be as gods knowing good and evil” according to the deceit of the devil. With this lust in her mind, to be as a god, “the woman, saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise”, and she yielded to the devil’s lies and deceit. (Genesis 3:6)
But note that God made man in His “image” and after His “likeness” and gave him “dominion” over the sea, the air and over all the earth, including the fish, the fowl, cattle and every creeping thing therein. They were therefore gods and sons of the most High God a fact which was blinded by their lust. (Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 82:6; John 10:34-35).
Likewise, when Satan tempted Jesus, the son of God, he was born to be the “King of kings” with dominion over all of God’s works; and God has put all things under his feet. (Psalm 8:5-8). Why would he need to worship the devil for something God has already reserved for him? Therefore Jesus was more concerned with keeping God’s commandment, than obtaining the things of the world and their glory, that was offered by the devil.
One needs to consider this question when faced with the temptation of material or physical things, so that one does not negotiate one’s spiritual inheritance in Christ with the devil. One has to be aware also that the physical things one desires or that may be in the path of your destiny may be used by Satan spiritually to deceive you into yielding your power in Christ to his dominion and control.
3. JESUS HAS POWER OVER THE WORLD AND EVIL
3.1. Christ Overcomes All Worldly Powers
“All power is given unto [Jesus] in heaven and in earth”, including “the keys of hell and of death”. Christ has “spoiled principalities and powers, [and] made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Revelation1.18; Matthew 26:18; Colossians 2:15).
Jesus, the King of kings has already overcome the devil’s world of darkness. Jesus says, “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince [Satan] of this world be cast out”. (John 12:31). The “prince of this world is judged” by the power of the Holy Spirit which turn people from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God (John 16:11& 33; Acts 26:18).
To believers, Christ says: “I am in [you] and thou [God] in me, that [you] may be made perfect in one…”(John 17:23). It is this spiritual perfection (the Spirit of God in Jesus, and the Spirit of Jesus in believers) that reconciles believers with God, affords them the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome evil.
3.2. The Anointing For Spiritual Restoration and Empowerment
Jesus also fulfills the special anointing that was prophesised by Isaiah the prophet, pertaining to the power in the gospel for the redeeming, uplifting and the restoration of God’s people from spiritual blindness. The “Spirit of the Lord” is upon Jesus as the one whom was anointed by God:
“to preach the gospel to the poor”; [and was sent] to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised…” (Luke 4:18 & 21; Isaiah 42:7; Hosea 6:1-2)
The anointing for spiritual restoration would also provide comfort to all those that mourn, and will replace their “spirit of heaviness” with joy and praise (Isaiah 61:1-3; Psalm 147:3; Matthew 5:4).
In other words, the “Spirit of the Lord” will give the hope of glory in the gospel of grace to the poor; it will deliver God’s people from bondage of oppression, captivity, and evil. Also, it will encourage, console, heal, and restore the broken-hearted and the afflicted with joy and praise.
In other words, the “Spirit of the Lord” will give the hope of glory in the gospel of grace to the poor; it will deliver God’s people from bondage of oppression, captivity, and evil. Also, it will encourage, console, heal, and restore the broken-hearted and the afflicted with joy and the praise.
3.2.1. Operation of the Anointing for Spiritual Needs
The empowering and restorative works of the Holy Spirit is available to address the spiritual (as opposed to material) needs of God’s children. For instance situations may afflict the body, soul and spirit causing hopelessness, heaviness, pain and loss that may be more spiritual than physical, in terms of the healing, deliverance and restoration that may be required.
Such situations would for example, include spiritual blindness to the hope of the gospel or lack of faith in the God of Israel; or where one is down trodden because of poverty; or is heart-broken by illness or the loss of a loved one. It will also include situations of persecution and violence, or being held in hostage; or where one suffers from some addiction or is possessed by an evil spirit.
Individuals in such situations would require spiritual empowerment, healing, and restoration which money or material wealth can hardly replace. This is why believers are gifted with the Holy “comforter”, who can comfort and give peace amidst brokenness and distress.(John 16:6-7).
4. MANIFESTATIONS OF POWER OVER EVIL
The spiritual authority of Jesus over the world is clearly demonstrated by the power of the Holy Spirit working against evil forces, demons and all manner of infirmities. Jesus demonstrates power to deliver from evil by specifying certain signs that shall follow those that believe in the gospel that is preached:
He says, “in my name shall they cast out devils… They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover”. (Mark 16:17-18) And those that went forth to preach had “the Lord working with them and confirming the word with signs following” (Mark 16:20).
Moreover, when Christ commissioned the seventy to minister, they “returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name”. Jesus answered them saying that he “beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven”; and “give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you”. (Luke 10:17-20)
Frequently demons recognised the authority of Jesus as the son of God and pleaded with him not to destroy them and they obeyed Jesus command to leave the man they possessed (Matthew 8:28-32; Mark 1:24 & 5:7; Luke 4:34). Evil spirits also recognised the spiritual authority that is IN THE NAME OF JESUS.
For instance, some sons of the Jewish high priests who practiced exorcism, attempted to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those evil spirits saying: “We [bind] you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth”. The evil spirits then answered them saying “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”; and the man possessed with the evil spirit jumped violently on them and overpowered them all, rendering them naked and wounding them as they ran out of the house (Acts 19:15-16; Acts 16:17,18)
Also, under his righteous reign of power over evil, “the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them”. (Matthew 11:5) “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty”.(2 Corinthians 3:8&17).
5. FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Brethren, while we remain in the world, our battle, trials or tribulations is not against “flesh and blood” but evil and powers of the darkness of this world. These powers may manifests in conduct, conditions, and channelled through abnormal dispositions in people
Remember that physical things may have spiritual purposes. Be aware that the physical things one desires or that may be in the path of your destiny may be used by Satan spiritually to deceive you into yielding your power in Christ to his dominion and control.
Let your confidence remain in the fact that Jesus, the King of kings has already overcome the devil’s world and all spiritual powers of darkness. He has also received on your behalf the anointing for spiritual restoration to address especially your spiritual needs.
The Holy Spirit is at hand to comfort, encourage, console, heal, and restore your hearts and minds and to sustain you through every adversity. Let the testimonies of the operation of his power over evil be your assurance.
PRAYER
Almighty God, thank you for your word and for thy GRACE upon all thy children.
Dear Lord, I claim the Spirit of restoration and employment over thy people to heal and restore every torment and brokenness in their lives. Sustain them by your grace and fill every hopeless heart with your love, joy, and peace
Lead them not into temptation but deliver them Lord from evil. “For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. I make this prayer in JESUS NAME.
May I take this opportunity to extend my compliments of the season to you and your families and wishes for a happy and blessed holiday with the Love of the King of Kings, the Christ deeply rooted in your hearts. I Pray in Jesus precious name.
Lots of Love, P. Schwartz (SOG), 24 December, 2017.
