Christmas Past and Future

 

View a Christmas message from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson:

 

https://www.periscope.tv/w/1ZkJzqoNbwyGv

 

 

What gift can we bring Him, but ourselves?

This Christmas, make room for Jesus in your heart.

Jesus never left a person unchanged after an encounter with Him. 

 

 

Have a blessed Christmas. Let us hear from you.

 

To Contact/Give:

PO Box 155

Christmas, Fl.  32709

https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8

http://everlastingcovenant.wixsite.com/theshroud

 

 

 

 



What the Kingdom Declares

 

The Kingdom of God declares transformative truths in the heavens and on earth. They are truths that impact the individual, the circumstances and condition of life, and even the earth, itself.

The Kingdom declares:

the Lordship of God, both in heaven and on earth, and consequently, the Lordship of Christ, who did only His Father's will in the earth (Mt. 11:25, 27, Col. 1:16-20):

"For by Him (Christ) were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth...and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist..."

The Kingdom declares: 
that it comes by revelation to those whom the Father chooses (Mt. 11:25):

"...Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes."

The Kingdom declares:

repentance that opens the door to the Kingdom. Repentance transforms the destiny of a person, city or nation. Jesus said that after seeing the great works of the Kingdom, we should come to a place of repentance (Mt. 11:20-24):

"Then began He (Jesus) to upbraid the cities wherein most of His mighty works were done, because they repented not."

The Kingdom declares:

that repentance begins the process of deliverance. As we turn away from darkness, we are brought into the light of the Son's Kingdom (Col. 1:13, 1 Pet. 2:9, Jn. 3:21):

"Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness..." 

"...ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."

The Kingdom declares:
the restoration of "zoe" life. It is the same kind of life the Father has-kedem (eternal) and olam (everlasting): from antiquity, without ceasing, into an unending future. It is life in abundance in every way (Jn. 3:15-17):

"...whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life...everlasting life..."
The Kingdom declares:
reconciliation. The things of the earth have been reconciled with the things in heaven. Man and God have been reconciled by the forgiveness of sin through the blood of Christ (Col. 1:14, 20, 22):
"...having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometimes alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled."
The Kingdom declares:
that we have been translated (removed from one place to another, changed, to carry away, to pass over, transfer, transport), even as Enoch was translated that he should not see death (Heb. 11:5). We also have already been translated from darkness to light, from death unto life, from corruptible (flesh) to incorruptible. This is the rapture, already accomplished in the spirit, and soon, we believe, to be experienced in the natural (Col. 1:13):
"(The Father) who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the Kingdom of His dear Son."

The Kingdom of God has declared, and is still declaring, these great truths. Jesus sent out His disciples to carry the truth of the Kingdom to others. They were not just to preach the Kingdom, but to demonstrate the Kingdom. This was even before the cross (Mk. 6:7-13, Lk. 9:1-6):
"And He called unto Him the twelve, and began to send them forth two by two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;...And they went out and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them."
"And He sent them to preach the Kingdom of God, and to heal the sick...And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where."
Not only did Jesus send out the twelve, but He also sent the seventy-two in the same manner. They were not to be concerned with their provision, nor fear possible rejection. If their message of the Kingdom was rejected, they were to just continue on to the next town. 
The Kingdom of God is not just for us to receive with joy. It is also, by command, for us to take out to others by word and demonstration. It is for us to declare and demonstrate the sovereignty and Lordship of God and Christ, bringing the truth of the transformative power and deliverance of repentance. It is for us to declare the reconciliation between God and man, and between things on earth, and things in heaven. We are to show that not only are we reconciled, but we are translated. As His disciples obediently went out in power before the cross, how much more should we be demonstrating the Kingdom and converting others two thousand years after the cross?
This week, and in the coming weeks, it is not enough to treasure the gospel to ourselves. In these days when men are perishing, it is a necessity to be the Kingdom to others. Jesus has sent us out. What is holding us back, and what report will we bring back to Him?

To contact/give:
P.O. Box 155
Christmas, FL. 32709
http://everlastingcovenant.wixsite.com/theshroud
 



Understanding the Kingdom

 

In order to have and be the Kingdom of God, we have to understand the Kingdom. This understanding can be elusive for us because the Kingdom is totally unlike the systems and expectations of the world in which we live. Even the religious experts and scholars of Jesus' day did not understand the Kingdom. Jesus' own disciples struggled with it, trying to fit it into a worldly understanding. They expected the Kingdom to manifest in a natural, visible manner. Even after seeing Jesus minister in miracles, they were asking how and when the Kingdom would come. Jesus answered:

"The Kingdom of God cometh not with observation. Neither shall they say, Lo, here: or, Lo, there: for behold, the Kingdom of God is within you."   Lk. 17:20-21

The Kingdom is not in a building where we can go, nor at a location to which one may make a pilgrimage. As they say, "You can't get there from here". The Kingdom can only be found inside you, inside me. This is something foreign to worldly thought, foreign to even religious systems that have modelled themselves upon worldly concepts. Jesus went even further in describing the Kingdom of God at the questioning of His own disciples, who witnessed the Kingdom every day with Him:

"At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?" And Jesus called a little child unto Him, and set him in the midst of them. And said, "Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever, therefore, shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in My name, receiveth Me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."  Mt. 18:1-6

Even His disciples could not separate the Kingdom of God from their worldly mindset. They thought it must be that there are greatest positions, and titles to be had in the Kingdom, as there are on earth, and asked how to get them. However, Jesus told them that child-like love, faith, trust, dependence and humility were the measuring sticks of greatness in God's Kingdom. Those who despise these things as unimportant will never even get into the Kingdom! Those who bring harm to these precious child-like lovers, and believers of God, will find themselves to be most tormented.

How can we attain this child-like spirit upon which the Kingdom rests? We must be converted. The Greek meaning of converted means to turn one's self around, to revolve, to change one's mind, to turn back again. We can see this in the example of the child, as Jesus instructs us to change our minds from our worldly thinking, and to turn back to the  love, faith, trust, and humility we started out with as children, but grew away from because of our worldly experiences, attitudes and education. The perceptions of this world will never inhabit the same place as the Kingdom. We must also be careful of whom we judge to be unimportant, or not worthy of honor in the Kingdom. God's standards are not the same as the world's.

שׁוּב

The Hebrew word for converted is shuwb. It means to return, turn back as in the Greek. However, it also includes the idea to reject, refuse, relinquish, repel, repulse, hinder, and return to the starting point. We are rejecting and refusing the worldly attitudes, and instead, we are turning back to our starting point (like the child). Each of the letters of the Hebrew word, shin, vaw, beth, show us a spiritual picture of consuming and destroying, in this case, the worldly ideas and character, and being joined together, dwelling inside, within, amid. Jesus spoke about this in regards to the Kingdom: 

"If ye love Me, keep My commandments (Mt. 22:37-40). and I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever. Even the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him, but ye know Him, for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you."   Jn. 14:15-18

With the Kingdom inside of us, comes also the presence of the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit dwelling with us, and in us. Again, Jesus says that the world cannot receive this, because it cannot see this, nor know (understand) this.

 

With the inward dwelling of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, which is the Kingdom, comes the character or qualities of the Kingdom:

"For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."   Rom. 14:17-19

Though the Kingdom cannot be seen, the evidence of the Kingdom can and should be seen from each of us. Righteousness used in this scripture is not a religious concept (Mt. 5:20), but it means an equity of character, to be holy, innocent, and just. It is meant to be evident, or seen. Peace extends beyond the idea of the absence of turmoil, but includes quietness, prosperity (Mt. 6:31-34), atonement (unity through reconciliation). Joy is delight and exceeding gladness to be found in His presence within us (Ps. 16:11). The word joy in Greek, chara, is also the root of the word for the gifts of the Spirit, which we treasure so highly.

These things, which make up the character of the Kingdom, with which we serve Christ, makes us approved by both God and men. This character of the Kingdom also edifies the Church. 

The Kingdom of God is not of this world, nor like this world, and to attain it, we must be converted, and we must enter it as humble little children. To enter the Kingdom, we must understand it.

 

 

To Contact/Give:

P.O. Box 155

Christmas, FL. 32709

 

http://everlastingcovenant.wixsite.com/theshroud

 

Developing a Kingdom Focus

 

 

Most of us would consider ourselves, even part of our identities, to be as citizens of our nation. Having just been through a presidential election, our identity as Americans is even more pronounced in our minds. There is no question that we feel a loyalty and love for our country, and a connection to the governing powers of it.

However, as Christians, we are not identified by our nation. Christians are aliens and foreigners in all of the earthly kingdoms:

"These all...confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."   Heb. 11:13

"Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God...I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul." 

                                                                                                                    1 Pet. 2:10-11
 

 

Why is it so important to understand our alien identity? It changes our perception of who we are. It changes how we relate to the LORD, and it changes how we relate to this world, and its circumstances. We are from a Kingdom that is not of this world, nor are we connected to the systems of this world:

"Jesus answered (Pilate), "My kingdom is not of this world: if My kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight, ...but now is My kingdom not from hence...Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth My voice."   Jn. 18:36-37

 

As aliens and pilgrims, we bring into our daily lives the principles of the Kingdom from which we have come. Its Truth is not the same as the ways of this world. Jesus contrasted the Kingdom to the ways of the world as He told His disciples not to be troubled about even the most basic needs found in the world (Mt. 6:25-32). He said:

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."  Mt. 6:33-34

Focusing on the cares of this world rather than on the Kingdom of God is likened as serving two masters, which no man can successfully do (Mt. 6:24).

What we are to focus upon, seek, and consider has nothing to do with the systems and circumstances of this world:

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things that do appear."

                                                                                                                      Heb. 11:1-3

The unseen is considered a creative substance, and the seen things come from the unseen. These things are part of the Kingdom focus. Natural circumstances are ruled and determined by Kingdom faith and its reality. They exist in the invisible first, and then become manifest in the visible realm (v. 5-9). This focus on the Kingdom allowed Enoch to be translated and changed in body from corruptible to incorruptible, so that he did not see death, but walked with God. Noah could "see" the yet unseen coming flood, and he prepared the salvation of his household. An elderly childless couple, Abraham and Sarah, embraced the Kingdom promise of God, believing and seeing their yet unborn child. As a result, they were restored to their youth, so they could have the strength to conceive and bear that child. That child's generations would bring forth the Messiah. These elders lived and died in this creative faith of the Kingdom, receiving the promises, "seeing" them afar off, being persuaded of the truth of these promises, and embracing them. This single-minded focus on Kingdom promises by faith, before they could ever be seen in the natural, led them to confess that they were indeed aliens in the earth (v. 13).

All of the elders of faith understood that as strangers here on earth, they desired a country that is heavenly, with a city prepared by God, who was not ashamed to be called their God (v. 16).

Similarly, our worship and being is not connected to an earthly visible temple built by men's hands. We are instead, the living stones that create a living temple, inhabited by our spiritual priesthood. This living temple contains the presence of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

(1 Pet. 2:4-5). Walls built by human hands mean nothing, but rather the foundation and walls built of precious jewels of faith and truth of the Kingdom, as we are called to be.

The prophet Ezekiel is told by the LORD to "show the house to the house" of all it is supposed to be, its form, its fashion, its laws and ordinances, its goings in and goings out. The form of the House of God is not like the houses of the earth, and we cannot treat it so (Ez. 43:10).

As we understand and walk based upon a Kingdom focus, Isaiah describes how we strangers and pilgrims bring the Kingdom of God into manifestation in the midst of the kingdoms of men:

"And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Paths to Dwell in....not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words."   Isa. 58:11-13

It is this Kingdom focus that brings the unity of the faith, the perfect man, the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ for the work of the ministry and the edifying of the Body (Eph. 4:11-13). We are not there yet, but by changing our focus, we will change our understanding, our nature, and our perfecting in the Kingdom. The thing upon which we focus becomes - us.

Is your focus on the Kingdom?