“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33
Christ spoke about God’s Kingdom and throughout the old and new testaments it is mentioned many times. So I reflected on this as I was interceding for this nation, and became distraught. For the days are evil, and the United States of America has been transferred into corrupt and evil hands. I have never interceded so intensely or so long as during the last four years of President Trump’s administration. And although this is important to God for us to intercede for our country and our leaders, He has also, reminded me that every s government will one day pass away while God’s government and sovereignty will remain forever. So my priority in intercession has been adjusted – to bring as many into the Kingdom of God, in these last days, whereby Christ reigns, and we can enjoy His peace and counsel today and forevermore.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6
So how do we pray- as the Lord’s prayer demonstrates, we pray, “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” This is the first petition mentioned in the Lord’s prayer, which Christ taught His disciples- Not putting our personal petitions first, but the earnest plea that God take over in His sovereignty ruling the nations as He rules heaven. For God is patient to await the salvation of all who will be saved, before He sweeps the earth clean of its wickedness and establishes His eternal physical kingdom which He promises to come.
(Matthew 6: 5-15, 2 Peter 3:9)
However, the Kingdom of God presently, exists, not physically, but as a spiritual dwelling, whereby, all who come to faith in Jesus Christ shall enter.
“Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” John 3:3
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Galatians 5:19-20
It is clear that only those who are righteous may enter the Kingdom of God and righteousness does not come about by our good deeds, but by faith in the only one who is righteous and makes us righteous by our faith in His shed blood.
(Ephesians 2:8-9)
The result of faith in Christ, however, will result in good works, because abiding in Jesus Christ will always produce His fruit.
(John 15: 1-4)
When Nicodemus inquired of Jesus concerning salvation, Jesus told him he would have to be “born again” in order to enter the Kingdom of God. He could not enter as he was, but would have to be spiritually changed, having God’s divine nature instead of his sinful one. (John 3)
*How does this come about that one can be born spiritually and then enter God’s Kingdom where God’s Holy Spirit dwells with us, in us and upon us? It is by His Holy Spirit we become new creatures in Christ Jesus. New creatures require a new place to dwell, for the old is no longer adequate, and must pass away.
(2 Corinthians 5, Mark 2:22)
*“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
Jesus would say things like the “Kingdom of God is at hand”, and ‘’you are not far from the kingdom of God”, which testifies of a spiritual place not a physical one.
(Mark 1:15)
After the earth is cleansed and all wickedness is swept away, God will establish His physical Kingdom where Christ and His bride- the Church will reign one thousand years. And during this time all the people who survive the great tribulation will come and learn about God and be taught His ways. Then the deceiver will be loose for a time, once again making war against God and His People, by gathering the nations, and all that join him in this last rebellion will be destroyed. The end will then come, whereby, the dead will be resurrected to stand before God to be judged according to their deeds and those names not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will enter hell, where they have no rest from the punishment for their sins, because they refused God’s mercy and salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ.
(Romans 2: 5-8, Revelation 20, Acts 4:12, Proverbs 14:12).
Then God, will create a new heaven and a new earth where those who love Him and His Kingdom, will be with Him forever and ever.
(Revelation 21:1-4)
So, instead of focusing on one nation and one man, should we not be praying for a revival that will sweep across all the nations revealing Jesus Christ; a great harvest before the coming of the Lord, a global repentance, beginning first with the Body of Christ.
“For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” 1 Peter 4:17
