Part 2-Dominion

Understanding the Kingdom

Matthew 24:14 -Signs of Christ's Return- And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a witness to all the nations, and then the end shall come. Lets take a minute and discuss the "Kingdom gospel," verse the other messages being preached. The best analogy I can think of is the simple use of something we see every day. Our highways are full of billboards. The "salvation gospel," billboard asks a question if you were to die tomorrow where would you go. The "kingdom gospel" billboard would ask the same question from a different perspective. The Kingdom Gospel would ask if you live tomorrow who will you serve? Each billboard represents two very different approaches to Christianity. Some promote that being saved is the primary focus from a purely selfish motive. While the other promotes a living, vibrant relationship with a God who loves us. This kind of "now" relationship has the added benefit of eternal Salvation.
 
Do you know the role of the kingdom? Have we allowed the convenient theologies of man to override our understand what the kingdom message is all about. In the Kingdom gospel, we focus not just on one personality of God while ignoring the others. Jesus is the door through we each know a relationship with our heavenly Father. Having opened this door to salvation, in walks the person of God to dwell within us through the Holy Spirit. Missing any one side of the trinity means our lives are being only partially fulfilled.  Only when we worship the God head as one can we know the meaning of the kingdom gospel. Salvation is not just a destination but a reconciliation of immense proportions.

We here in America have a not so subtle god of independence. This god promotes itself by demanding we having a "vote" in everything that goes on. The startling news is that heaven is not a republic nor a democracy. God is a benevolent King who listens to each of us but ultimately has the final say in all that happens. In other words we don't get a vote in what heaven does or doesn't do. I have for one renounced my spiritual "declaration of independence." While the real one helped give birth to a nation, it can also create within us a "independent," spirit that is not healthy. To some degree we need to "re-monarch" ourselves by declaring we indeed have a King.

The second part of the Kingdom gospel is that by defination has a sense of place. There can not be a kingdom without it having boarders and subjects. When we pray the Lords prayer, we are volunteering to represent "thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." This is not a theological exercise but a physical one. To represent the kingdom gospel is to carry the tools for social change into the physical realities we all live in.
 
One of the keys of working within the realm of the monarchy of heaven is to recognize that we have a King who calls the shots. I would wager that the majority of work being done under the name of Christ these days has little to do with him. Much of our "missions," activity lacks the tools for social change apart from someone joining our club. Toxic Charity is a great book worth reading. This scandalous book uncovers the true motive we often carry to the world in the name of Christ. Its time for a change if we are to fulfill the mandate of Matthew 24:14.

Effective Tools of Intercession

 Many people think that prayer is reciting our needs like a grocery list in the hopes that something "may" evoke a response from God. This kind of list praying is sometimes appropriate but is not the key to understanding God as a friend. First of all he already knows what you need before you ask him, and second of all list praying is only one sided communication. By being still and quite before God we have opportunity to fellowship his physical presence which will change our lives for ever. Once our relationship takes on this deep heartfelt meaning he will tell us what is on his mind. When we pray what he wants prayed a lot of the extraneous issues get solved as a by product.
 
We are all human. Having lived life in a fallen state means we have hurts and pains. With the Holy Spirit living inside of us, God has a personal perspective in felling what you fell along the way. It is important to let God heal us of our hurts so that they do not begin to frame our perspectives in life. If we don't be begin to see those around us from a distorted lens. Prophetic people can fall into this trap quit easily. They start to prophecy doom and gloom out of a wound that needs healing form the inside out.

For example, I have heard a lot of voices warning America about a coming "judgement." In my opinion we are more threatened by the extravagant love of God than his judgement. if his jealous love knows no boundaries then he will run over or destroy anything that gets in his way. At present the government of America is attempting to supplant the hand of God with entitlement programs. If the government gets between God and his inheritance then the government will eventually fail. Not because God is made at it, but because God is jealous over his people. He wants to be God!

There is not condemnation for those who belong to Christ, but there sure can be convection. Unfortunately many people confuse convection with condemnation. At times convection can "fell" like condemnation. Convection however always leaves us a way out. Condemnation leaves us powerless. Convection is full of humility and a genuine heart ache for righteousness. Condemnation is full of pride, bitterness anger and soulish judgment.

Matthew 7:1-6-Concerning Judging Others (A warning for intercessors) Do not judge lest you be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. And why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, `Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

Some of the key tools on our tool belt of the Kingdom are Worship, God's Word and our opportunity to write legislation on Heavens behalf. The later is through making declarations and decrees. 

Worship can take many different forms. It is not limited to what happens in a pew on Sunday. It most often occurs during the other 99% of your life. Worship can be musical, a sound, an action you take or most importantly how you live your life. You don't need a piano in all cases to worship God. 

The Bible is God's Word to us. It ALL is red letter. The Holy Spirit is the author of its many diverse books. Being a gentile believer does not displace Israel but allows us to be born again into the blood line of Jesus our savior. All of the promises and prophecies in the old testament are our inheritance in this generation. 

  

Decreeing and Declaring

When you make a declaration or make a decree in prayer, it is in effect introducing before God a legislative initiative. If it has been spoke by the power of prophetic intercession, then it carries the enforcement capabilities of the company of heaven. Supernatural intervention is both expected but promised. 

Man Declaring

Deuteronomy 32:3-4 For I proclaim the name of the Lord; ascribe greatness to our God! The Rock! His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; a God of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and upright is He.

Isaiah 61:1-3 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives, and freedom to prisoners; to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. so they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

 
Matthew 10:27 What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops.

 
1 John 1:1-3 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we beheld and our hands handled, concerning the Word of Life and the life was manifested, and we have seen and bear witness and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, that you also may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.

 
Job 22:21-28 Yield now and be at peace with Him; thereby good will come to you. Please receive instruction from His mouth, and establish His words in your heart. if you return to the Almighty, you will be restored; if you remove unrighteousness far from your tent, and place your gold in the dust, and the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks, then the Almighty will be your gold and choice silver to you. For then you will delight in the Almighty, and lift up your face to God. You will pray to Him, and He will hear you; and you will pay your vows. You will also decree a thing, and it will be established for you; and light will shine on your ways.

 
Jeremiah 31:10 Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare in the coast lands afar off, and say, "He who scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock."

 
1 Samuel 17:43-51 And the Philistine said to David, "Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?" And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. The Philistine also said to David, Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the beasts of the field." Then David said to the Philistine, You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. This day the Lord will deliver you up into my hands, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you. And I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the Lord does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the Lord's and He will give you into our hands." Then it happened when the Philistine rose and came and drew near to meet David, that David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand into his bag and took from it a stone and slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead. And the stone sank into his forehead, so that he fell on his face to the ground. Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and he struck the Philistine and killed him; but there was no sword in David's hand. Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.

 
Joshua 6:5,16 And it shall be that when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people will go up every man straight ahead….And it came about at the seventh time, when the priests blew the trumpets, Joshua said to the people, "Shout! For the Lord has given you the city.  
Numbers 6:24-26 Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, `thus you shall bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them: the Lord bless you, and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you, the Lord lift up His countenance on you, so they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I then will bless them.

 
Ephesians6:18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints

God Declaring

Jeremiah 16:14 Therefore behold, days are coming," declares the Lord, "when it will no longer be said, `As the Lord lives, who brought up the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt,

Jeremiah 30:3 For, behold, days are coming,' declares the Lord, `when I will restore the fortunes of My people Israel and Judah.' The Lord says, `I will also bring them back to the land that I gave to their forefathers, and they shall possess it.'"


Prophetic Intercession 


Prophetic Intercession is another powerful tool for kingdom minded individuals. Let me take a minute to dispel a religious myth. Prophecy in its basic definition is simply God communicating with us in first person. This communication is then "weighted," against what God has already said in his Word to us and by the wisdom of others we are walking with. It is the inheritance of all believers to have a deeply intimate relationship with Christ. If that is the case how could that possible happen apart from communication between you and God? Could a marriage last when the husband and wife never talk to one another? Of course not. Then learning to tune into God's frequency is one of our greatest tasks. Hearing God's voice is a elementary part of our relationship with him. For those new with the idea of hearing God's voice in first person, I suggest you take a look at "The Beginner's Guide to Hearing God." by James W. Goll. 

Once you have some practice hearing God then he may at times tell you want he wants you to pray about. It is your inheritance to be a history maker not a circumstance endure-er. When your voice becomes God's voice supernatural activity takes place. History changes, lives are won, enemies are defeated. You become the vice in which God's will finds its way into this dimension. There is really no greater joy than finding your voice in heaven. 

The deeper you go in your relationship with God the more important it is to be part of a community of believers. This community helps you shape your opinions, your testimony, and keeps us all on page with the truth. Groups are great for helping us overcome wounds while remaining submitted to each other in love. It also helps us make sure we are walking with accurate information with accurate focuses. The lone ranger doesn't last long in the Kingdom and by definition suggest that having a independent spirit keeps us from being part of authentic Kingdom expressions.

Sometimes God may ask us to do something on his behalf. We call these prophetic actions or gestures. These may take any number of forms. Lets take a look at some prophetic actions to understand the concept better. 

Prophetic Actions or Gestures

Moses & Branch-Exodus 15: 22-25 Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness and found no water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter; therefore it was named Marah. So the people grumbled at Moses, saying, "What shall we drink?" Then he cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree; and he threw it into the waters, and the waters became sweet There He made for them a statute and regulation, and there He tested them. 

Salt in the Water-2 Kings 2:19-22 Then the men of the city said to Elisha, "Behold now, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees; but the water is bad and the land is unfruitful." He said, "Bring me a new jar, and put salt in it." So they brought it to him. He went out to the spring of water and threw salt in it and said, "Thus says the LORD, 'I have purified these waters; there shall not be from there death or unfruitfulness any longer.'" So the waters have been purified to this day, according to the word of Elisha which he spoke.

Communion-Matthew 26:26-28 While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.

Baptism-Galatians 3:27 “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”

Colossians 2:12 “…having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.”

Shall Know a Tree by It’s Fruit-Matthew 7:16-20 So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits.


Luke 6:43-45 For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.

John 15: 5 [Jesus said] I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

 Ezekiel and his beard-The LORD said, "Mortal man, take a sharp sword and use it to shave off your beard and all your hair. Then weigh the hair on scales and divide it into three parts. Burn up a third of it in the city when the siege is over. Take another third and chop it up with your sword as you move around outside the city. Scatter the remaining third to the winds, and I will pursue it with my sword. Keep back a few hairs and wrap them in the hem of your clothes. Then take a few of them out again, throw them in the fire, and let them burn up. From them fire will spread to the whole nation of Israel."
(Ezekiel 5:1-4)  

Another tool in our arsenal is Indemnificational Repentance. Identificational repentance is foundational to Christianity. Let me explain. To be saved we have to first identify with original sin of someone thousands of years ago. The fact is we are condemned by the actions of Adam as father to us all. Then we identify by the actions of Christ another historical figure. We receive his act of sacrifice as the "antidote," for the sins of our forefather. Without "Identificational repentance" no one can be saved.



Identificational Repentance

Is our salvation the only application for this "historically identification" or are there other cases we need to address? Jesus said it is finished on the cross. It is my opinion that the battle was indeed won on every level. However its takes our voice to apply His victory over the various circumstances of our lives. 

For example, while we may well be saved, until we "declare" the victory of the cross over our alcoholism, substance abuse or other relational baggage, we can still live under the torment of it. The question remains does this torment involve other historic issues that needs us to reconcile?

Generational

Numbers 35:33 So you shall not pollute the land in which you are; for blood pollutes the land and no expiation (atonement) can be made for the land for the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of him who shed it. 

Nehemiah 8:8-9 They read from the book, from the law of God, translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading. Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep." For all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the law.

Acknowledgment

Daniel 9:1-19 In the first year of Darius…who was made king over the kingdom of the Chaldeans… I, Daniel, observed in the books the number of the year which was revealed as the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet for the completion of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years. So I gave my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed and said, "Alas, O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant…we have not listened to Your servants the prophets… "Indeed all Israel has transgressed Your law and turned aside, not obeying Your voice… "O my God, incline Your ear and hear! Open Your eyes and see our desolations and the city which is called by Your name; for we are not presenting our supplications before You on account of any merits of our own, but on account of Your great compassion. "O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and take action! For Your own sake, O my God, do not delay, because Your city and Your people are called by Your name." 

Strategic Intercession

Sometimes this identificational repentance takes on large scale applications. we call this strategic intercession. Strategic intercession is most always a team effort. To understand what may be holding sway over a city or region, we need to know the ground under which the iniquity exists. Satan has no authority among us we didn't give him. Somewhere, somehow someone often opens a gate that needs to be closed. Spiritual mapping is the intelligence gathering arm of strategic intercession. Without knowing the history of an issue we can not remove the grounds under which iniquity transcends generations. Spiritual mapping researches the logistical supply, the command and control structures that Satan uses to inflict his harm among us. 

Spiritual Mapping

Numbers 14:24 But my servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it.


II Samuel 21:1 Now there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year; and David sought the presence of the Lord. And the lord said, It is for Saul and his bloody house, because he put the Gibeonites to death.

Every Kingdom has those who on the outside oppose its rule and reign. The Kingdom of God is no different. Spiritual warfare is a normal part of walking with God. Representing his will among his enemies if foundational. While we don't live in the trenches we often fight there. Inheritance is most always opposed. The higher the stakes the higher the level of warfare. Strategic intercession always carries with it a higher level of opposition. 

Spiritual Warfare

Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

II Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

1 Peter 5:8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.


Earned Authority


Our only authority is through Christ Jesus. No believer has more authority than any one else. We may have different sphere's of influence, but the authority within our sphere is always the same. Within our sphere we have certain life experiences that allow us to pray with insight over a issue. I use a term "earned authority." it does not mean we have earned authority beyond the cross. it means that if I am struggling with alcoholism who better to be praying for me than someone who has overcome alcoholism. If I am prying over a government issue in a city then the person to pray that prayer is a seated city official. Earned authority allows us to honor the life experiences of those around us. I think God really likes this approach and breaths on it as a result. What might you have "earned authority" over? Your tragedies in life can be turned from a liability to an asset in the blink of an eye!


Strongholds


A strong hold is something that we can't seem to over come on our own. Various dependencies that seem to always hang around in our lives suggest there is a stronghold in our life. What exactly is a strong hold? Anything out of alignment with God’s truth are the building blocks of strongholds. Strongholds can be individual, corporate or national using the same building blocks. 

What are the building blocks of strong holds? 


Ephesians 4:26-27-Anger
2 Timothy 1:7-Fear
2 Corinthians 2:10-11-Un Forgiveness
James 3:14-15-Jealousy/Ambition
2 Timothy 2:25 – 26-Opposition to the truth
Matthew 16:23-Temporal, man-centered pursuits
Luke 9:54-56-Self-righteous Condemnation
Acts 5:3-Hypocrisy, greed, Lying
John 8:43 – 45-Lying
Ephesians 2:1-2-Unrighteousness
1 Corinthians 10:20-21-Idolatry
1 Timothy 5:13-15-Laziness
1 Timothy 6:9-Materialism
1 Timothy 1:19-20-Violated conscience
1 Corinthians 5:1-5-Sexual Immorality
2 Timothy 3:5-False religions
2 Corinthians 11:13-15-Deceit 

How Strongholds are built in our lives? Strongholds begin with a thought. When a though has lodged in our minds we then make a decision to a course of action. This course of action then affects our values that create a lifestyle. This lifestyle leads to bondage and slavery. However all is not lost. With God on our side all things are possible. To dismantle a stronghold we disassemble the process in reverse. 

First we admit our slavery to a lifestyle of bondage. This requires us to make lifestyle changes that affects our values and changes our choices in life. We then confess the lie that we believed in the first place. Supernatural interaction helps the believer overcome this stronghold. Depending on the issue it may require rehab, counseling and support groups, but it all begins with identificational repentance that a stronghold exists. 

God's Word to us

II Corinthians 10:3-6 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses, we are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.


Hebrews 10:12-16 but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right of God, waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet. For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying, "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws upon their heart, and on their mind I will write them,"

To bring the Kingdom gospel to the world requires some new pioneers. However we cant bring to the world what we have not exercised on a personal, city, state and national level. We have to understand the many blessings that are ours to enjoy. Satan will not obey what you do not force him to. We have to know who God's enemies are and how they operate. By renouncing the grounds for demonic incursion into a issue they no longer have the right to exist there. Spiritual mapping helps us understand who and what the issues are. This gives us a good idea who has the earned authority to renounce the iniquity.


 If my people will humble themselves and pray, seek my face I will hear their voice and heal their land. God's power as demonstrated on the cross is the antidote for any problems. To dismantle a car you take it apart one part at a time. The same is often true with a stronghold. Through revelation we have our part to play as chief mechanic for the Kingdom of God. Once we "dismantle," we need to make sure we "re-mantle" the issue. Something will fill the void if we do not insert God into the equation. When we leave behind the "mantle" of the Kingdom, who can oppose it?


Not all strongholds are evil. we can create strongholds for God as well. To create a righteous stronghold we have insight and revelation that the Holy Spirit deposits. This is our source for our "idea." this creates a lifestyle change that leads to new values that create a position of worship and devotion. Strongholds for God are a tremendous asset for the Kingdom of God! God inhabits the praise of His people? 


Finally, I want to urge us to get out of our religious boxes to exercise God's authority by exercising dominion within ever facet of our lives. It is our duty and obligation as a subject of His Kingdom.


The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. ---Edmund Burke


People who are not prepared to do unpopular things and to defy clamor are not fit to be ministers in times of stress. ---Winston Churchill