The video link is at the bottom of the page.
1. Introduction
To understand God’s plan for us to have kingdom rule, we need to look at the Old Testament and see the precursors to this kingdom. Awakening Impact Ministries places considerable importance on Kingdom Theology, as seen in our Statement of Faith. As per God’s nature, we will learn that the glory of the latter kingdom is greater than the former kingdom. In ‘God’s Kingdom Here Now’, we learn the essential truth to moving in the power of God, and then we will understand who we are as kings and queens in God and how we receive the kingdom.
2. First Clash of the Kingdoms
Genesis 14 is the first time we see God’s plan for kingdom rule.
A. Lot Taken Captive
Because of Lot’s lack of wisdom in staying in the vicinity of Sodom and Gomorrah, the four attacking kings hold him captive.
And the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) went out and joined together in battle in the Valley of Siddim against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of nations, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five. Now the Valley of Siddim was full of asphalt pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled; some fell there, and the remainder fled to the mountains. Then they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way. They also took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.
Genesis 14:8-12
B. Abraham Delivers Lot
Although not called a king, Abraham acts like one, gathering his men to attack the four kings and rescue his foolish nephew.
Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants who were born in his own house, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.
Genesis 14:14,16
So he (Abram) brought back all the goods, and also brought back his brother Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the people.
Abram, the father of faith, teaches us although we may not seem like kings in the eyes of the world, we are more than able to set the captives free.
As soon as Abraham defeats the four kings, the king of Salem reveals Himself to Abram. He is the man with whom Yahweh is about to make a covenant of faith.
3. God’s Plan for Kingdom Rule through the Royal Order of Melchizedek
God’s plan for kingdom rule is through the order of Melchizedek. In “Abrahamic Covenant Brings Wealth,” we examined Melchizedek in terms of wealth.
A. Melchizedek is a King and a Priest of God
Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said:
Genesis 14:18-19
“Blessed be Abram of God Most High,…
B. David Prophesied a High Priest of the Order of Melchizedek
The LORD has sworn
Psalms 110:4
And will not relent,
“You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek.”
C. Jesus is of the Order of Melchizedek
where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 6:20
D. The Order of Melchizedek is Royal
Returning to the Messianic psalm written by David, the context is the coronation of Jesus because He is receiving His kingdom in this psalm.
The LORD (Father God) said to my Lord (Jesus),
Psalms 110:1
“Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”
4. God’s Plan for a Nation of Kings and Priests
The cornerstone of the current reformation is that it was always God’s plan to have a family of sons and daughters.
Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will
Ephesians 1:4-5
It is also true that God has always planned to rule through these sons and daughters who would be a nation of kings and priests.
And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.
Exodus 19:6
This promise came through to the New Covenant:
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
1 Peter 2:9
5. God’s Plan for Kingdom Rule is Through the Son of King David.
A. Jesus Quotes this same Psalm, Proving that He is the Son of King David:
And He said to them, “How can they say that the Christ is the Son of David? Now David himself said in the Book of Psalms:
Luke 20:41-43
‘The LORD said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” ’
Because of this, Jesus is qualifying Himself to be the Messiah.
B. The Jews Coronated Jesus, the Jewish Messiah.
“Tell the daughter of Zion,
Matthew 21:5
‘Behold, your King is coming to you,
Lowly, and sitting on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ”
Because of this prophecy, Jesus, moving in the word of knowledge, tells the disciples where to find the donkey. The Jews confirm His Kingly authority as a result, and all of Jerusalem (the natural Zion) hears of it:
Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:
Matthew 21:9-10
“Hosanna to the Son of David!
‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’
Hosanna in the highest!”
And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?”
6. God’s plan for Kingdom Rule is no Longer Through Jesus as King of the Jews
A. Jesus was born King of the Jews
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
Matthew 2:1-2
B. Jesus, King of all Humanity who come to Him in Humility
However, God causes the Jewish shepherds and foreigners to honour the new king. Their humility immediately declares a mystery that Jesus is not just king of the Jews; God’s plan for Kingdom rule applies to all humanity and those who walk in humility.
This immediately declares a mystery, that Jesus is not meant to be just king of the Jews, but God’s plan for Kingdom rule is to the whole of humanity, and to those who walk in humility.
C. The Jews look for THEIR king.
Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.”
Matthew 20:20-21
D. Kingdom of the Jews Finished on the Cross and is now Dead
Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘He said, “I am the King of the Jews.” ’ ” Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”
John 19:19-22
God ensured it was written in all the languages so the whole world knew that Jesus was no longer king of the Jews. Jesus’ death as king of the Jews also meant that it was not just a Jewish kingdom; instead, it is a Kingdom over heaven and earth.
Jesus’ death as king of the Jews also meant that it was not just a ‘Jewish’ kingdom, instead it is a Kingdom over heaven and earth.
7. God’s plan for Jesus’ Kingdom Rule is Heavenly with the Earth as its Footstool
A. The Earth is Jesus’ Footstool
‘Heaven is My throne,
Acts 7:49
And earth is My footstool.
B. The Enemies are on Earth
The LORD said to my Lord,
Psalms 110:1
“Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”
C. The Kingdoms of this Earth will Become the Kingdom of God.
And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”
Revelation 11:15
D. When Jesus Ascended, Satan was Cast to Earth.
Why are the enemies of God now on earth? Because the devil is cast to earth.
“I watched till thrones were put in place,
Daniel 7:9-10
And the Ancient of Days was seated;
His garment was white as snow,
And the hair of His head was like pure wool.
His throne was a fiery flame,
Its wheels a burning fire;
A fiery stream issued
And came forth from before Him.
A thousand thousands ministered to Him;
Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him.
The court was seated,
And the books were opened.
So, in this scripture, we see that the courts were seated, and angelic beings opened the books. We will look at this again in God’s Kingdom Here Now. Satan no longer has the authority to accuse from heaven anymore.
She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne.
Revelation 12:5,7-10
Then war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.
8. The Kingdom Returns to the Father
A. God’s plan is for the Kingdom to return to the Father at the end of the Age
Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.
1 Corinthians 15:24
9. God’s Plan is for Jesus to be Seated and for the Church to Kingdom Rule
As we have seen, God gave Jesus the Kingdom. We will now look at His Coronation 40 days after His resurrection in God’s Kingdom – Here Now.
© Use by Permission Awakening Impact Ministries / Dr Neville Westerbeek van Eerten D.Miss. 2024
