RESIDING IN THE ROYAL REALM OF CHRIST’S KINGDOM

by Brett Jacobsen

 

Christ the King inaugurated His Kingdom on earth with an earthshaking reformation. He completely overhauled the covenant and all the elements involved with it, transforming everything from the physical type and shadow to the celestial complete picture. This is what Jesus meant when on the cross He exclaimed “It is finished [teleo- complete, accomplished]” (John 19:30). He had ratified the New Covenant and therefore accomplished world-changing reformation into His heavenly Kingdom.

It is a sad fact of history that it didn’t take very long for a reverse reformation to begin its insidious attack on Christ’s Kingdom, drawing the majority of its inhabitants back into an inferior earthly counterfeit of the real. Of course we know that this continued down into the Dark Ages where it imbibed many crook characteristics and clearly manifested its foul fruits.

Yes we have had re-reformations, re-revivals and re-renewals since then, which have brought back at least a degree of Kingdom concepts and heavenly habits. But, we are still in drastic need of relocation from earth to heaven so that heaven will relocate itself to earth.

Celestial citizenship

Here are some scriptures to consider concerning our citizenship, our residence and our community as Christ’s Sons:

For our conversation [politeuma- community, citizenship] is in heaven; from where also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: (Phil 3:20)

And has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (Eph 2:6)

Therefore rejoice, you heavens, and you that dwell [skenoo- tabernacle, encamp, reside] in them… (Rev 12:12)

Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. (Heb 8:1-2)

But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; (Heb 9:11)

In whom all the building fitly framed together grows unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom you also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Eph 2:21-22)

Now before you may think that I’ve dived headlong into dualism, let me clarify that I’m very aware that God is “through all” and that He is exceedingly interested and involved in His physical creation (Eph 4:6). However, It is His celestial Kingdom which He reigns from while planet earth exists and it is His celestial Kingdom which we have been “translated” into (Col 1:13).

What I am wholeheartedly giving myself to is the truth that we must live in the Spirit by faith and let that outwork into the tangible realm. For “If you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God” (Col 3:1-3). I am saying that we ought to pray, believe and act like Jesus said to:

After this manner therefore pray you: Our Father which is in heaven, Hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. (Matt 6:9-10)

We must allow heaven to overtake earth by first allowing heaven to overtake our self. We pray “your Kingdom come” “in earth, as it is in heaven” but then it’s crucial that we thrust aside our earthly hindrances to our heavenly residence.

Fortunately for us Christ is still in the reformation business, even though it’s re-reformation. He is re-reforming the church to what He reformed it to when He took it from the Old Testament touchable shadows into New Testament heavenly reality.

Homeless outside of heaven

Now, there are some venue issues for us to reconsider concerning our Kingdom life on planet earth:

- We should reconsider going to venues and meetings and believing that we are going to church. We are the church and we gather in the heavenly tabernacle whenever we are Christ focused and walking in the Spirit. When two or three of us are gathered in His name (anywhere), this is enhanced because He is in the midst of us (Matt 18:20).

- We ought also to reconsider calling a building of any terrestrial type ‘the house of God’. There is only one house of God in New Testament times and that’s in the heavens:

Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together grows unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom you also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Eph 2:19-22)

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good to all men, especially to them who are of the household of faith. (Gal 6:10)

But if I tarry long, that you may know how you ought to behave yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. (1 Tim 3:15)

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he has consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; (Heb 10:19-21)

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (1 Pet 4:17)

Yes, God has endured our Dark Age deceptions of church buildings and companies; He’s even allowed a degree of fruit to grow amongst our Old Testament and pagan concepts and constructs of church. But surely it’s time for His church (us called out ones) to grow up in the Spirit and let go of the earthly props and dwell with the “last Adam” who is the life giving Spirit (1 Cor 15:45). It’s “high time” we realise what our real heavenly address is and take up permanent residence in the house of God rather than attending carnal cathedrals and joining church corporations.

HIS KINGDOM COME!

 

 

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008 at 4:33 pm and is filed under Brett Jacobsen's teachings, Church Structure, Living Christianity, Reformation/ Revival. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.