Matthew 12:25, 26, “…Every kingdom divided against itself is
brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not
stand: And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall
then his kingdom stand? And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against
himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?”
Let
me briefly explain. We are led to believe through movies and television shows that
a person who practices sorcery can cast out demons and bless homes. We are also
led to believe that evil can battle evil and one side of the evil wins and
everyone lives happily ever after. But according to the gospel of the kingdom,
a kingdom that is divided against itself can’t stand. Therefore, evil cannot
cast out evil nor can evil bless another for good.
Luke 6:43, “For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit;
neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.”
It
is important that we innerstand the path of Christ in order to thoroughly
recognize what it means to be in a divided kingdom.
Let
me give another example. In James 5:13-15
we read, “Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any merry? Let him sing
psalms. Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and
let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the
prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he
have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.”
Here
we see James leaving a message to the twelve tribes of Israel to go to
the elders who are following the way of Christ for their healing of any
diseases and affliction.
I
have heard a few say, “Oh, that person does not have a medical degree.” Once
again, that is the way of the world’s thinking. I don’t know about you readers
but if a person is following the way of Christ and is under the direction of
the Holy Spirit and Christ dwells within them, that’s the person I would like
to have praying over my illness. With my faith and their faith—together we can stand.
Matthew 18:19, “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall
agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for
them of my Father which is in heaven.”
Matthew 21:22, “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer,
believing, ye shall receive.”
I understand that this takes a lot of faith for most;
for our society quickly runs to the doctors of the world for healing. Now, let
me ask this question: if you are walking in the faith of Christ and the doctor
you see is not or is against Christ, will there be healing? There may be in a
particular area but shortly thereafter, something else will arise. If the
enemy’s main objective is to kill, steal and destroy, where does healing fit
into this agenda?
With
Christ has your healer your disease or affliction is removed and cast into the
sea. With the world as your healer your disease or affliction is moved and cast
into other areas of your life.
What
I have found particularly interesting while on this path is those that practice
a lifestyle outside Christianity often seek help and advice from those who are
on the same path sharing a very similar belief system. For example, when a
Wiccan wants herbal healing they usually go to another Wiccan who is
experienced in herbal healing. Native Americans usually seek help from other
Native Americans and so on and so forth.
Christ
healed many and His apostles healed
many and raised people from the dead also. Acts
10:36-37, 40, “Now
there was in Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is
called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and works of mercy which she
did. And it came to past in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when
they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. But Peter put them all
forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha,
arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.”
As
a follower of Christ, miracles such as this should be happening all the time.
They did not stop with the Apostles. Not when Christ says we’ll do greater
things than he did. If a follower does not believe in the scriptures then what
else don’t you believe? You surely cannot pick and choose it’s either all or
nothing.
James 1:8, “A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
When
we innerstand the concept of a kingdom divided or nation divided we can begin
to see with clear vision. Then know what steps we need to take in order to seek
ye first the kingdom.
A
kingdom will not stand and maintain as long as there are different beliefs,
whether political or religious. A kingdom will not stand with different
traditions, cares and lusts. In this earthly kingdom, we all have different
beliefs, goals and desires and at one point in time our beliefs, will surely
cross paths and he who has the most money
wins for he who has the most money is the controller in this earthly kingdom.
But much praise to the Most High whose kingdom is not
based on money, degrees, high powered positions, fame, homes, cars and luxury!
Matthew 6:24, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will
hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise
the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
There
are so many teachings, churches, temples and synagogues in this world; subsequently, each claiming to be the
“right one”. As a result, so many people are simply confused. We must
understand that during the seeking phase one may become troubled at his or her
findings and try different methods of worshiping and connecting with the Most
High. This is perfectly okay. It allows us to see our errors; correct our
errors and help others along this path when needed. Why help others? The answer
is simple. Because we have been there and done that and we have a story to
tell.
Therefore,
never be ashamed or afraid to discuss your journey. This is a part of our
spiritual growth and maturity. The Most High knows through all the confusion
those who are faithfully seeking will come full circle and be brought into the
Light of truthfulness.
I Corinthians
14:33, “For God is not the author of
confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” However, now that
we have an innerstanding of what the kingdom is and what the kingdom is not,
when we follow Christ, which is the Word we can’t go wrong or be confused.
When
we go through phases of confusion, the kingdom that dwells within us becomes
divided. Luke 18:21, “…the kingdom of God is within you.” When we have different
mixtures of teachings and beliefs such as, to rapture or not to rapture, to
tithe or not to tithe, to keep the Sabbath or not keep the Sabbath, to maintain
the dietary laws or not maintain them and these are just a few out of many
questions that people with.
All
of these answers and more are found when you seek the kingdom of God
which is the Word which proceeded from the mouth of Christ. As long as you are
being fed feel good messages, you run the risk of being in error
before the Most High. Never stop seeking during this phase rather continue to
strive toward the kingdom. Feel good messages are those messages that an
individual wants to hear rather than what they need to hear.
Hosea 4:6, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge:
because thou has rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt
be no priest to me: thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget
thy children.”
We
do not have to wait to follow Christ until we find that perfect place of
worship. We must realize that we do not have to attend the teachings of men in
order to follow the path of Christ. Matthew
18:20, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I
in the midst of them.” Christ is among you whether you are reading with your
spouse, family, friend, co-worker or stranger. This should be an eye-opener for
those of you who have not found a house
of prayer to guide you on your path.
Matthew 21:13, “…It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a
den of thieves.”
Imagine
this earthly kingdom all on one accord living according to the Word, which is
the gospel of the heavenly kingdom. We innerstand that a kingdom divided can’t
stand. It may stand for decades even centuries; thus, at some point in time
that kingdom will surely fall.
This
world is not our kingdom nor was it the kingdom of Christ.
We read throughout the gospels of the kingdom, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John,
how Christ greatly wanted us to separate from man’s traditions. It wasn’t His
goal to take us out of this earthly kingdom but for us to overcome the world as He did.
He
did not want us to invest our treasures in this kingdom but rather invest them
in the heavenly kingdom to come. He knew that it would be a challenge especially
has time went on. As each generation passes, the further the next generation is
from Christ. Although we remain in the world Christ did not want us to be
friends with the world but to overcome
this world. For a friend with the world is an enemy to the Most High.
James 4:4, “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that
the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a
friend of the world is the enemy of God.”
What
does it mean to overcome the world?
Before we even attempt to overcome the world we must first acknowledge what the
world has become and the ultimate driving spirit within it.
If
we take a moment and look at this earthly kingdom from the Most High’s point of
view the phrase God Bless America
seems like an insult. The heavenly Father is not going to bless a nation that
supports against the laws of nature. The heavenly Father is not going to bless
a world that supports abortions. The heavenly Father is not going to bless a
country that has enslaved children and those who only want to worship Him
according to their way.
The
heavenly Father will not bless a nation that has taken His spirit out of the
public school system. He will not bless a nation that has forgotten how to
treat their fellow citizens. He will not bless a nation that has forsaken the
beauty of marriage. He will not bless a nation that has dismissed the God given
laws and replaced them with man’s laws.
There
are so many other reasons. If we just take a look and view this earthly kingdom
at face value with our eyes and hears open, we can then ask the Most High God,
“What will you have me to do in order to be a blessing in someone’s life?”
The
Most High doesn’t ask for much. He has given all of us different gifts and
talents and those are to be used to help others, not for a profit. Not to be
seen, acknowledged or puffed up, but to help and guide others on their path.
There
are so many people who love this world and I truly believe that most enjoy this
world simply because they can’t imagine the kingdom to come. Those faithful in
Christ look forward to the harvest and are often misunderstood by those who
place their treasures in this kingdom…but that’s okay.
We
can see that there’s a better way for us to live and a better way for us to be.
A world filled with comfort, peace and pure love awaits us not on this earth
but the kingdom to come.
But
while we’re in this kingdom we must do what Christ did…overcome the world. We
overcome the world by slowly detaching ourselves from the things of this world
and from the things that are not Christ-like. When we follow Christ we do just
that…follow His Way.
How
many of you from the time you wake up in the morning from the time you go to
bed watch television? How many of you get excited about the coming new season
on your favorite show? How many of you
can’t wait to hear or reveal the latest gossip rather it be via media, in
person or telephone?
Many
people get so excited about their favorite singer’s new CD coming out. Thus
many get excited about a newly elected politician or president and hold parties
in their image and likings. Many stand in line for hours waiting on their
favorite store to open when there is a sale or grand-opening.
How
many of you have gotten excited about Christ? Or excited when a scripture that
you read many times finally made sense? How many of you have thrown a party or
gathering when someone got baptized or lead another to Christ? The angels are
rejoicing in heaven, but why aren’t most of us rejoicing here when we call
ourselves Christians?
I
often get excited after reading a scripture for the hundredth time and one day
it clicked! And can be backed up with other scriptures and the Bible begins to
come together like a novel. Those are exciting days! Often when those days come
there are only one or two people to share the excitement with that can give
positive feedback and more revelations.
Sadly
to say, if I obtained employment working with the President of the United States
there would be a party thrown in my honor. If I suddenly become employed with
the biggest television network a dinner would be thrown in my honor. If I
overcome one of the seven deadly sins…silence fills the room. If I resist
temptation in any area…a change of subject is at hand.
The
Way of Christ can be a lonely road as was mentioned to me before taking this
path. Subsequently, we are never a lone. For the Holy Spirit fills our heart.
The kingdom of Christ dwells within. The angels are
surrounding and ministering to us while the Most High God is pleased with our
efforts. Gosh, if that doesn’t excite a person, I honestly don’t know what
does.
This
earthly kingdom is going to pass away one day. All the homes and luxury cars
that you see, the beautiful buildings and architecture will all pass away one
day. The closet filled with clothes and shoes will all pass away one day. The
china the porcelain, the crystals will all be gone.
There
will only be one kingdom when Christ returns and that kingdom will be His
kingdom. Let’s get excited about that kingdom—if you want to be a part of that
kingdom.
Life
is so short. In the blink of an eye we might be gone. At that hour what will
you say? Gosh, I wish I had worked more hours; or I wish I had bought that home
in Hawaii. I
wish I had played the stock market one last time. Sadly, there are some who may
think these thoughts. Subsequently, there are those who would pray, hope and
wish that they will be found worthy for acceptance into the Most High’s
kingdom. Escorted by the angels to the right rather than escorted by those
angels to the left.
Death
and the kingdom is not a topic that most think about on a regular basis. Some
day we will be present at the great white
throne of judgment as a good and faithful servant or as an enemy of the
Most High.
Once
you find the straight and narrow path that leads to the Most High, that my
friend is the path you boldly stand on. Not the path of the wicked or lovers of
themselves. Not a path built on traditions of man. Not the path of false
teachers, pastors and prophets. Not the path of strange doctrines and feel good messages; but the path toward eternal life obtained through the Word.
You
must always remember that Christ is not a religion but a lighted path to the Most High God. Christ was the Word in the
flesh. Christ is the gospel of the kingdom which is everlasting.
Revelation
22:14, “Blessed are they that do his
commandments, that they may have a right to the tree of life, and may enter in
through the gates into the city.”
What
a beautiful verse as the saints go marching in! There are a lot of people on
this path, who are really, really yearning for the return of Christ; yearning
for that utopia that will never occur in this earthly kingdom. With each
passing generation, for those who have eyes to see, this earthly kingdom gets
further and further away from the path of Christ and more and more into the
traditions of man.
However,
with the knowledge and vision that we hold we still must occupy and use the
talents that our Father has awarded us with until this earthly kingdom becomes
the kingdom of Christ. For we do not know the day or
hour when that marvelous day will come upon all the earth; however, we do know
that we must be prepared and ready when Christ appears.
Revelation
21:7-8, “He that overcometh shall
inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the
fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers,
and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake
which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
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