Brethren in the Lord, without wanting to sound critical or appear as though i were beating up on the church! knowing in myself that i am FOR the people of God (and not against them) and i am (for) the church of Jesus Christ and not against her. And as Paul said to the corinthians (so say I) I can do nothing against the truth, but FOR the TRUTH. And that which i presently speak i say In the Holy ghost! My conscience also bearing me witness. I love God's people both immensely and passionately! and by this i have the assurance OF eternal life. Knowing in myself i have passed from life unto death, because i do LOVE the brethren! And further to that: my own testimony for the last (4) years has been one of working closely with and in association with local churches and the pastorate! Included in this testimony is working with pastors who have led mega-size churches. But its a bit like that of paul at Galatia - i speak to them of reputation privately, but i myself preach to others publicly! And hope to continue on in this vein for as long as God should desire it - from me.
Now Some might be surprised that such a thing might be true of me, yet nonetheless it is VERY true! Some might further remark "yeh, but if they only knew what you preach and write about they would drop you in a minute and in a heartbeat ... well you would be wrong about that assumption also! Most in fact do know! and again you might be surprised how many times i recieve e-mails and text messages from them (the pastors) saying in effect: stephen - i agree totally with your comments, words and sentiments! Not that i need or seek there approval. As some (who live) only to please men and PLEASE the hierarhcies OVER them. ( personally i don't ) rather I agree with peter and John words who said in Acts "We ought to obey God and NOT man! King Saul obeyed the voice of the people and subsequently -- was rejected of the Lord!
And on this same vein and train of thought: One day Some 40 plus Jews banded together in a conspiracy to have paul slain saying we will neither eat nor drink until we see the death of this man called paul. These jews BADLY WANTED to please the elders and priests! However in doing so they BOUND themselves under a great CURSE. However The ensuing result was this (paul did not die, nor was HE slain) BUT WHAT DID HAPPEN IS THIS: (KNOWING THAT AN OATH BY JEWISH LAW WAS VIRTUALLY UNBREAKABLE) THESE jews would have starved and dehydrated to death, IS WHAT HAPPENED! Under there "great curse" of conspriracy!! (WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND) The king in Judges chapter one said these words "the Lord hath requited me" for that which i have done, to others. AND MIND YOU: THESE JEWS DID THIS because they wanted to please there superiors, And THOSE ABOVE them. This resulted in entering into the most stupendous and horrendous CURSE! A stupendous thing of COLLOSSUS error. YOU CAN READ THE ENTIRE TEXT FOR YOURSELF IN ACTS CHAPTER 23:12-15
( footnote: conformity and peer pressure would also have played there part and taken there toll In influencing these conspiring jews to do this lecherous and treacherous thing) But they failed! and paul lived! and there (curse and course) back-fired with immense consequences...
Let's move on: The subject matter of todays theme is "Thy kingdom come" ( Now Lord ). Now This wont be a long article compared to others written in the past so i ask that you bear with me and give consideration to the words and content therewith.
Over in John 6:15 it reads thus: When Jesus therefore percieved that they would come and ( take him by force ) to make him a KING, he departed again into a mountain himself ALONE.
Now "kingdom come" theology basically wants and desires a king "Now" is evident by there own teachings and by there own scribes of theology. They want Jesus to be there king now and not later - as we just read in john 6:15
But the view i have always held to and subscribed to is this: The consummation of the ages would climax IN the fulfilment of the revelation of Jesus christ! which co-incides with the outpoured judgments of wrath upon the earth and upon the heads of the wicked! This would be a future time when God judges wicked nations. Takes out all the tares, takes out all that offend and commit iniquity - And THEN establishes his KINGDOM which follows (upon) that day of the Lord! and (not before) !!!!! In fact all of the early prophets and them which we have come to know as the major prophets i.e Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel. All taught it this way. But now the church has changed the messsage and claims it has "more revelation" than that of the early church and even the apostles. Hmmm.
In refutation of the "kingdom now" message: Jesus said to PONTIUS PILATE that my kingdom is NOT OF this world, it it were THEN would my servants have fought, and not had me delivered to the gentiles. But NOW is my kingdom (NOT) from HENCE. If his kingdom were OF this world? then wouldn't it be reasonable to also assume Jesus WOULD have (accepted) satans offer in the wilderness temptation? to take possession of ALL the kingdoms of this WORLD??
In other words: Jesus would NOT have turned down satans offer to take POSSESION of all the kingdoms! WOULD NOT THE SON OF GOD INSTEAD SAID: YES GIVE IT TO ME, IT IS MINE ANYWAY, I accept devil...hand it over to me!
But let me finish on this note and i close: Just as the Jews of old wanted Jesus to be their king NOW and not LATER (john 6:15) We in like manner AND FASHION want Jesus to have a kingdom NOW (IN THE EARTH) and not LATER. WE ARE NOT WILLING TO PATIENTLY ENDURE (THAT WHICH) WE PRESENTLY DO NOT SEE! For here we have no continuing city, but seek one to come as pilgrims and STRANGERS in the earth.
But still they continue to put their "literal interpretation" and "rendering" on the text and passage that reads " thy kingdom come, thy will be done on EARTH, as it is in heaven"
Anyway Ive had my say! perhaps you disagree, or see it another way? Perhaps you agree with the current message that is gaining momentum and pace at a colossal rate of knots and speed. Friends this thing is going right through the churches like wildfire! and they are gobbling it up! (sad to say) personally i think it is a delusion and a lie of "monumental proportion" But perhaps you dont quite see it that way, or as strongly as i do?
Acts 13:27 says " For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their RULERS, because they KNEW him NOT, nor the VOICES OF THE PROPHETS (WHICH MIND YOU) are read every sabbath day ( in there synagogues ) they have fulfilled them IN CONDEMNING HIM. ( This refers to Jesus of course)
My emphasis.
P.s I often don't know where my sword ( the sword of the Lord) or his pen will take me when i sit down to write an article for the Lord and his people ( the holy remnant) The truth is: it often comes to me as im sitting before my laptop and keyboard. A lot of what you have read in the past has been the result of just letting the Holy ghost flow through me and in me! But I should add that there have been times of (great preparations and OF waiting before the Lord) in prayer for his Word!! Just to balance the spiritual equation.
I don't consider myself to be ANYONE of great importance or stature ( WITHIN the body of Christ ) Just one of the many voices out there! That Is all i TRUTHFULLY consider myself to be.
In fact: In a very real veritable sense ... that is all i literally percieve myself to be " A VOICE " and it's up to each and every individual to judge what i say... whether i have spoken the truth (or) not. The same rule of thumb however also applies to YOU and to YOUR teaching. As No man or his teachings are above being questioned or critiqued! Nor his message! Nor the movemement that accompanies that selfsame word and the fruit of them that follow...
( Amen and Amen) !!!
