God’s Eternal Will Or Desire Is For Humans To Rule As Kings In The Earth

1. Introduction

We began to discuss the authority that humans possess over the Kingdom of Darkness by asking, “What Did God Mean When He Sentenced Satan To Eat Dust, Eat Dirt Or Bite The Dust?”  As citizens of the Kingdom of God, the believer has been elevated to an equal position of authority with the Lord Jesus who rules eternally as King and Lord of all.

To recap, we also learnt that the words King and Kings encapsulate the meaning of Kingdom in the Greek language.  This is exciting, because God the Father is King. As heirs of God, we have been given the inheritance of  KINGSHIP. Thus the believer rules with God over all of the Kingdom of Darkness.

The authority of the Kingdom of God is twinned with priesthood, which represents separation from sin, dedication to the service of God and true worship.

When we compare the New Testament texts with God’s mandate to Israel in Exodus 19: 5 & 6, we see that God remains FIRM in His eternal Will or desire for humans to simultaneously RULE IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND TO WORSHIP in the earth:

And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen (Revelation 1: 6).

And hast made us unto our God kings and priests:and we shall reign on the earth (Revelation 5: 10).

Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine

And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation (Exodus 19: 5 & 6).

2. God’s eternal will or desire is for humans to rule as Kings in the earth

How is this revealed in the scriptures?

1. God created Adam and Eve to be rulers in the earth. However, Adam and Eve gave over the Keys of their kingdom or authority torule  unto satan and allowed him to rule them instead.

2. In generations to come, following the example of Adam and Eve, humans further collaborated with satan and his demons to the point of destruction and great rebellion against God. They permitted satan to infiltrate and rule in the earth through the principles of his ungodly and demonic kingdom/rule, teachings and lifestyle practices.

3. Meantime, God would establish His Kingdom through those who would live according to His righteous ways. These included the seven prophets born after Adam and Noah, who was the eight, according to revelation given to us by  our beloved Apostle Jude  (Jude 1: 14)

4. God was forced to wipe out the planet in the Flood of Noah’s day in order to remove traces of evil from the earth.

5. After the flood, citizens of the earth continued to collaborate with the Kingdom of Satan/Darkness. God was forced to disperse the nations at the Tower of Babel due to their rebellion against Him

6. Centuries later, Father God established the nation of Israel through Abraham, then called out his descendants to become a nation of Kings and Priests. His desire was for Israel to reestablish His rule and worship in righteousness and power in the territory of earth to which He had assigned them:

Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine.
And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation (Exodus 19: 5 & 6).

7. Through our Lord Jesus, God reestablished His Kingdom in the Church. We see the similarity between the New Testament Text and the mandate given in Exodus 19: 5 & 6 to the Nation of Israel:

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light (1 Peter 2: 9).

3. Scriptures reveal that the rule of God is manifested by Righteousness, Peace, Joy and Power

It is the Father’s desire or will for the principles and ways of His Kingdom to permeate the earth (Matthew 6: 10).   Righteousness, Peace, Joy and Power are FOUR KEY HALLMARKS  of  His Rule or Kingdom.  This is why it was so easy for the Apostles, especially Paul, to show the marked contrast between the lifestyles of the citizens of the Kingdom system of Darkness and the Kingdom System of God, which is Light.

We see a clear delineation between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Satan.  For example, since many of their rulers are controlled by the Kingdom of Darkness,  earth systems propagate and legislate the principles of the system of Darkness. These principles include but are not limited to abortion, homosexuality and lesbianism, lying, injustice, greed, extortion, wars and demonic power (manifested through Lodges, Witchcraft, The Illuminati etc).

In contrast, each believer, as a member of the Church or Kingdom of God in the Earth, preaches and lives out the gospel of righteousness, peace and joy and the demonstration of the Power of God:

They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea  (Isaiah 11: 9)

 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea (Habukkuh 2: 14)

I speak blessings, health, peace and Angelic Protection over you. More to come.

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Christ Rules In The Earth Through The Church

1. Introduction

We began in the post “What Did God Mean When He Sentenced Satan To Eat Dust, Eat Dirt Or Bite The Dust?” to discuss the authority that humans were given over satan and the hosts of darkness. We know from the scriptures that believers in the Lord Jesus enjoy this privileged position of authority because they have a spiritual inheritance of equal authority and power with the Lord Jesus who rose from the dead.

Using the New International Version for simplicity, we see from the text of Ephesians 1: 17 – 23, that Lord Jesus rules over all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked.  Apostle Paul teaches that King Jesus is head over  all things for the benefit of the Church.

¹⁷ I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

¹⁸ I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people

¹⁹ and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength

²⁰ he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms

²¹ far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come

²² And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church

²² God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church (NLT)

²³ which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way (Ephesians 1: 17 – 23).

2. How does Christ rule in the earth through His Church?

Lord Jesus taught us that we must pray, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven”  (Matthew 6: 10).  Let us examine the meaning of Matthew 6: 10 in order to determine how Christ would rule in the earth through His church:

a.  The KINGDOM/basileia of God comes from a root word which means KING and KINGS. We saw from Ephesians 1: 21 that Jesus has all power over all “rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked.” However, Lord Jesus depends on His body the church to rule in the earth realm.

b. God desires that His  will/thelēma  or His PLEASURE be manifested in Earth (Revelation 4: 11).  Thelō /G2309  which is the root word for Thelēma,  further shows us that the will of God is His DESIRE.  Father God  desires that citizens of the earth realm practice and live out the Constitution of His Kingdom.

God reveals His  desire or pleasure through His Word:

Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed ^G2309(Mark 9: 13)

they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would ^G2309 not that any man should know it  (Mark 9: 30)

And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire ^G2309 to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all (Mark 9: 35)

he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love ^G2309 to go in long clothing  (Mark 12: 38)

Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring ^G2309 to see thee (Luke 8: 20)

But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. ^G2309

But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. ^G2309 (1 Corinthians 12: 18)

3. What are FOUR key hallmarks of the Kingdom of God?

The Kingdom of God is the rule of God the King in heaven and earth. Righteousness, peace, joy and power are four key characteristics of the Kingdom of God:

For the kingdom of God is … but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost (Romans 14: 7)

For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power (1 Corinthians 4: 7)

4. The Kingdom of God is a place and a system

The Kingdom of God is a place called heaven, which is the dwelling place of the Father:

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption (1 Corinthians 15: 50)

The system of the Kingdom of God that of righteousness, peace, joy and power. The Kingdom of God is marked by the gospel or GOOD NEWS which Jesus preached during His Ministry in Earth.

Therefore we can conclude that Christ rules in the earth through His righteous, peaceful, joyful, powerful Church which lives out the righteous mandate of His Kingdom.

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GOD SENTENCED SATAN TO BOW DOWN AND COWER TO HUMANS

What Did God Mean When He Sentenced Satan To Eat Dust, Eat Dirt Or Bite The Dust?

Satan Tempted Jesus To Worship In Exchange For Kingdoms, Glory And Power

 

What Are The Characteristics Of This New Man Who Rules Over Satan?

1. Introduction

I began this series by asking “What Did God Mean When He Sentenced Satan To Eat Dust, Eat Dirt Or Bite The Dust?” I discovered that God meant that He had sentenced satan to being ruled by humans. 

However, the sinful human spirit, or old man, which is similar in nature to Adam, cannot rule Satan.  This Old Man Must Be Spiritually Processed Into A New Man In Order To Exercise Authority Over The Forces Of Darkness

Therefore, we will proceed by examining the Characteristics Of This New Man Who Rules Over Satan.  The scriptures exhort us to:

“… put on the new/G2537/kainos , which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4: 24).

“put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”

“and put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”

2. The meaning of “the new” man

Kainos (G2537/adjective)  is the Greek word used in Ephesians 4: 24 in reference to the new man.  As an adjective, the word “new” is used in the English Language to mean:

• never before existing
• changed, especially for the better
• recently made or brought into being
• markedly different from what was before
• having just or recently become, for example a new bride (Collins Online Dictionary 2014).

New or kainos is used in the scriptures to mean:

a. Fresh, unused, never before existing, markedly different from what previously existed

The new man in Christ is remarkably different from the old. One example is Apostle Paul, whose conversion produced such an incredible transformation that the believers did not receive him into fellowship immediately

 And laid it in his own new ^G2537 tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock (Matthew 27: 60).

For this is my blood of the new ^G2537 testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins (Matthew 26: 28).

And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new ^G2537 doctrine is this?

In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new ^G2537 tongues (Mark 16: 17).

A new ^G2537 commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you  (John 13: 34).

 

b. Something brought into existence that cannot coexist with a previous version

The old man and the new man cannot coexist:

Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new ^G2537 bottles, and both are preserved (Matthew 9: 17).

No man putteth a piece of a new ^G2537 garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new ^G2537 maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new ^G2537 agreeth not with the old (Luke 5: 36).

But new wine must be put into new ^G2537 bottles; and both are preserved  (Luke 5: 38).

c. A changed, transformed life

The old man, or previous, sinful spirit was guilty of sins such as “fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, covetousness, which is idolatry, anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy and filthy communication” (Colossians 3: 5, 8 & 9).

However, the new man in Christ is a changed, transformed spirit that no longer lives out the old, sinful existence. All things – the way of thinking, lifestyle, habits etcetera have become new. This new spirit is risen with Christ, is seated with Him in the Heavenly places and has been given the authority to rule over satan and to trample him in the dust:

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new ^G2537 creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new ^G2537  (2 Corinthians 5: 17).

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new ^G2537 creature (Galatians 6: 15).

I conclude with the words of the beloved Apostle Paul:

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2: 1, 5 & 6).

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The Old Man Must Be Spiritually Processed Into A New Man In Order To Exercise Authority Over The Forces Of Darkness

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The Old Man Is The Human Spirit That Is Dead In Trespasses And Sins

1. INTRODUCTION

We began to explore the doctrine of the “old man” in post titled, The Old Man Is Not A Physical Being Of Flesh And Blood .  Based on the imagery and comparisons used, I believe that Apostle Paul referred to an invisible element of  the human being when he wrote about the “old man.”

I also wrote that “The Old Man Must Be Spiritually Processed Into A New Man In Order To Exercise Authority Over The Forces Of Darkness.  Apostle Paul used the imagery of death to sins to paint a picture of the spiritual processing that the believer must undergo in order to become a new man in Christ.

2.  THE  CRUCIFIXION OF THE OLD MAN RESULTS IN THE DESTRUCTION OF THE BODY OF SIN

Apostle Paul then continued the imagery of death of the old man by teaching that the old man must be crucified with Christ in order for the body of sin to be destroyed.

What does the Apostle mean when he speaks of the body of sin? Is he speaking of the death of  a physical body? Does he mean that the believer must do penances for sin?

In order to solve the puzzle of the body of sin, we must explore the context in which Apostle Paul wrote. One KEY truth to remember is that  The Old Man Is Not A Physical Being Of Flesh And Blood:

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life

For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection

“the  old man is crucified with Him that the body/sōma/G4983 of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin”

For he that is dead is freed from sin  (Romans 6: 4 – 7).

3.  THE USAGE OF THE WORD “BODY” IN THE PHRASE “BODY OF SIN”

Sōma/G4983  is  the Greek word used for Body in the text of Romans 6: 6. Cross references in related scriptures show that it is used to refer to the:

a. physical structure of flesh and blood or mortal body. 

b. physical structure as the vehicle or house of  the human spirit.

Apostle Paul compared being In the body with being out of the body. In this out of body experience, the Apostle was caught up into the third heaven and saw things which he felt he could not speak about (2 Corinthians 12: 3).  Coninuing the imagery of the body as a house, the Apostle also spoke of  his spirit being “at home in the body … absent from the Lord” and absent from the body and present with the Lord  (2 Corinthians 5: 6 & 8).

When we explore the scriptures further, we see that Apostle Paul further referred to the physical body structure as the “outward man,” and to  the invisible spirit as “the inward man” and “inner man” His comparisons serve to remind me that the human spirit is not a vague, ghostly cloud, but a real, invisible being with a form similar to that of the outward man.

We also see from the Apostle’s writings that the human spirit or inner/inward man is a living organism with the characteristics of strength and renewal or growth through the power of the indwelling Spirit of God:

for I delight in the law of God after the inward man: ^G444     (Romans 7: 22)

          That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be  strengthened with might by his Spirit in the   inner man; ^G444 (Eph 3: 16)

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man ^G444  perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day (2 Cor 4: 16)

Our dear Apostle Peter synonymously referred to the inner human spirit as the hidden man ^G444 of the heart.  The Apostle wrote about the virtues that God values in believing women and therefore exhorted women of faith to decorate themselves with the ornaments of  meekness and quietness: 

 But let it be the hidden man ^G444 of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price (1 Peter 3: 4)

c. spiritual or heavenly, incorruptible body

The spiritual body is the heavenly, eternal body  of God, Angels and Saints living in heaven.  Apostle Paul taught us that the spiritual body is celestial, spiritual, glorious, from heaven, immortal and incorruptible.

He then heightened our understanding by compared celestial bodies with the terrestrial, the natural body with the spiritual, the vile body with the glorious, the earthy and that which is from heaven, the mortal with the immortal body and the incorruptible resurrected body with the corruptible body of flesh. Again we see that the heavenly body has a structure similar to that of the human shape. Did not the scriptures teach that we are made in the image and likeness of God?  (1 Corinthians 15: 40 & 44 & 52 – 54;  Philipians 3: 21).

d. body of the Lord which was broken for us, to the body of Christ and to illustrate the unity of its parts and importance of the individual members, even though they appear to be menial.

4. CONCLUSION

After reviewing the scriptures, I believe that the body of sin to which Apostle Paul referred is the sinful old man or sinful human spirit. It seems to me that the Apostle  interchanged the phrases “old man” and “body of sin” in the text in much the same way that Apostle Peter interchanged the phrases “hidden man ^G444 of the heart” and meek and quiet spirit.  Apostle Paul knew that the “old man”  was the sinful human spirit  which is a synonym for the sinful, inner, inward man.

The human spirit, which the Apostles refer to as the inward man in both males and females, has a form or body like structure. It is this old, sinful spirit, which was born in sin and shaped in iniquity, that must be crucified or put to death on the cross with Christ destroyed so that the spiritual process of burial and resurrection can take place. The new man or new resurrected spirit is no longer a slave to sin, but becomes a servant of Christ:

… our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.

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The Human Spirit

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The Old Man Is Not A Physical Being Of Flesh And Blood

1. THE FIRST TRUTH IS THAT THE OLD MAN IS SINFUL, A SERVANT OF SIN, CORRUPT, FULL OF LUST, A LIAR AND FULL OF EVIL DEEDS

I have been revisiting the Fall of Man in the Garden of Eden and recommenced with an explanation on What Did God Mean When He Sentenced Satan To Eat Dust, Eat Dirt Or Bite The Dust?  We learnt that when God commanded satan to eat the dust, He meant that the devil or serpent must bow down to, must fear and must be ruled by the human race.

Our study therefore progressed naturally to the spiritual authority that is deeded to believers in Christ. In the post titled  “The Old Man Must Be Spiritually Processed Into A New Man In Order To Exercise Authority Over The Forces Of Darkness,”  I wrote that:

“Apostle Paul clearly shows in two parallel letters that there is an old man who must be processed spiritually in order to inherit the blessings of authority with Christ.”

I  began in the previous post “The Old Man Must Be Spiritually Processed Into A New Man In Order To Exercise Authority Over The Forces Of Darkness, to explore the meaning of the Greek word anthrōpos or old man (G444).  The first truth I discovered is that  the old man is sinful, a servant of sin, corrupt, full of lust, a liar and full of evil deeds:

Knowing this, that our old man/anthrōpos ^G444   is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin – Romans 6: ⁶

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man/anthrōpos ^G444 which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts – Ephesians 4: 22.

Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man/anthrōpos ^G444 with his deeds – Colossians 3: 9.

2. The old man IS NOT A PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF FLESH AND BLOOD.

The second truth I discover is that The old man IS NOT A PHYSICAL STRUCTURE  OF FLESH AND BLOOD.  I believe that our beloved Apostle Paul wrote in a PARABLE when he said that

“the  old man is crucified with Him that the body of sin might be destroyed.”

Apostle Paul must certainly be writing in a parable because:

• Jesus would have to be crucified anew in order for someone to receive salvation by faith through His finished work on the Cross.
• Furthermore,  we would have to physically join our Lord on the cross in order for our body of sin to be destroyed. 
• Apostle Paul continued the parable when he spoke of himself being  “… crucified ^G4957 with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me (Galatians 2: 20)
• In his discourse about the “old man,” and his deeds, Apostle Paul obviously refers to an invisible element of the human being that cannot be seen
• We can compare this discussion on the old man with the Apostle’s writings about the resurrection of the bodies of the believing dead or those who died in Christ. Here he refers to the human body as  a natural body, earthy, corruptible, mortal,  terrestrial and flesh and blood.  The Apostle made no attempt to refer to this pre – resurrected human physical structure as the “old man”   (1 Corinthians 15).
• As I explored further, I discovered that the scriptures use earthly, earthly things, earthly house and things in earth as synonyms for the terrestrial body (epigeios.G1919). 
• There is certainly no attempt to equate this old physical body with the doctrine of the “old man.”

More to come. Blessings, peace, angelic prosperity and protection.

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The Key Which Explains The Mystery Of The Believer’s Equal Position Of Authority With Christ

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The Old Man Must Be Spiritually Processed Into A New Man In Order To Exercise Authority Over The Forces Of Darkness

1. Introduction to the “old man” and the spiritual processing from death, burial, resurrection and ascension to a new life of spiritual authority with Christ

I wrote in the previous post about “The Key Which Explains The Mystery Of The Believer’s Equal Position Of Authority With Christ.” While it is a spiritual mystery, Apostle Paul  taught us that the only prelude to this great spiritual authority is a spiritual processing through sharing in the death, burial,  resurrection and ascension of  our Lord Jesus.

Apostle Paul clearly shows in two parallel letters that there is an old man who must be processed spiritually in order to inherit the blessings of authority with Christ. This spiritual processing begins with being buried with Christ in order to become dead to sin. The old man, being dead to sin, is then spiritually resurrected like Christ to become a new man. The spiritually resurrected new man can no longer practice sin and ascends spiritually to this new life of authority with Christ:

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

… we are buried with him by baptism into death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life

For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection

…  our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin

For he that is dead is freed from sin (Romans 6: 1 – 6)

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2: 5 & 6).

2. Who then is this “old man?”

Apostle Paul said that “…  our old (g3820/palaios) man (g444/anthrōposis) crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” (Romans 6: 5).  Palaios, the Greek word for “old,” is used in reference to the old man in the following texts:

the old man

• the old, corrupt man – Ephesians 4: 22
• the old man with his deeds. Apostle Paul clarified that the deeds of the old man included fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, covetousness, which is idolatry, anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy and filthy communication  – Colossians 3: 5, 8 & 9).

Two other usages of Palaios give additional imagery of the old man:

something that was formerly used – we MUST put off the old man

• the vail which covered the eyes of the Jews in the old testament – 2 Corinthians 3: 14
• the old leaven – 1 Corinthians 5: 7 & 8

extremely used and worn old bottles and clothing

• using a new piece of cloth to darn an old garment – Matthew 9: 16; Mark 2: 21; Luke 5: 36
• putting new wine into old bottles since they will break – Matthew 9: 17; Mark 2: 22; Luke 5: 37

3. Conclusion

This old man has to be crucified so that the believer can rise to the place of spiritual authority in  Christ.  The believer who is seated together with Christ in the heavenly places is no longer the old man who was  dead in trespasses and sins.

We will further examine the concept of  “old man” in upcoming posts in the will of the Lord.  Blessings, peace, angelic prosperity and protection.

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The Key Which Explains The Mystery Of The Believer’s Equal Position Of Authority With Christ

1. Introduction to the mystery of the believer’s equal authority with Christ

In the previous post titled, “Jesus Rose From The Grave, Then Ascended Into Heaven And Resumed His Heavenly Place Of Authority,”  I wrote that believers inherited equivalent authority with Christ.  We were given this spiritual position of authority because God quickened us while we were dead in sins, then raised us up together with Christ:

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins…

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2: 1, 5 & 6).

This is a mystery which is hard for the natural mind to understand. However,  those who receive and act on the truth will walk in the same authority that Christ possesses and gave to all believers as our spiritual inheritance.

In the text, Apostle Paul painted a picture of the believer, formerly dead in sins, being made alive with Christ, raised from the dead with Christ and ascending into the heavenly places with Christ. However, there is one key  difference, Christ died for our sins while we were sinners who were dead in sin.

2.  The believer associates with Christ’s authority by being baptized into His death, burial, resurrection and ascension

How could a person who was once dead in sins be elevated to such a position of power with God?

Our dear Apostle Paul explained the foundation of  this mystery in Romans  6.  He taught us that the believer in Jesus symbolically shares the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of through BAPTISM or Baptizō/G 907, which is the Greek word used in the text of Romans 6.

Baptō (G911)    is the root word for  Baptizō/G 907  and it means  DIP (Luke 16: 24) and DIPPED  (John 13: 26, Revelation 19: 13). In other words, baptism means to be dipped into water, not sprinkled with water, as some commonly practice.

When I read the text of Romans 6, it seems to me that Apostle Paul refers to a spiritual act of baptism rather than to a physical dipping of the believer in water for baptism. However, the physical dipping paints a picture of what actually happens in the invisible realm when a person turns from sin to righteousness.

The key point is that an individual cannot experience the authority that he/she possesses through Christ until all of the foundation requirements are met

SPIRITUAL MYSTERY OF THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN THE BELIEVER AND CHRIST’S DEATH, BURIAL, RESURRECTION AND ASCENCION

CHRIST	THE BELIEVER (NEW MAN/FORMERLY OLD MAN)
Christ  died by crucifixion	The believer shares in the death of Christ, being buried with Christ and is now dead to sin. Since the believer  is now dead to sin he/she should no longer practice sin (Romans 6: 2)  Those who were baptized into Jesus Christ are baptized into His death (Romans 6: 3)  … our old man is crucified with him, that the body G4983 of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin (Romans 6: 6)  Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body G4983, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof  (Romans 6: 12)
Christ was buried in the grave	The believer is buried under water in the natural, but the spiritual meaning is that  he/she is now  dead to sin:  Do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?  (Romans 6: 3)
Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of God   Christ, being raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him (Rom 6: 9)	The believer is raised with Christ and lives a new life in which sin no longer is his/her master:  Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life (Romans 6: 4)  Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord  (Romans 6: 11)  Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts (Romans 6: 12)  And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God (Romans 6: 13)  For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace (Romans 6: 14)
Christ ascended to Heaven and resumed His position of authority	The believer was raised with Christ, and ascended with Him into  the heavenly places from which he/she rules with the Lord:  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, by grace ye are saved;  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus  (Ephesians 2: 5 & 6)

 Blessings, peace and angelic prosperity

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Jesus Rose From The Grave, Then Ascended Into Heaven And Resumed His Heavenly Place Of Authority

1. Jesus Rose From The Grave Then Ascended Into Heaven

In  a previous post titled, “Satan Bowed To Lord Jesus And Confessed That He Is Lord”, we learnt that Jesus descended into hell and stripped satan of his power and authority over believers.  Apostle Paul taught us that the Lord then ascended  ^G305  to Heaven with the Captives that He took away from satan:

Wherefore he saith, When he ascended ^G305 up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

(Now that he ascended, ^G305 what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?.

He that descended is the same also that ascended up ^G305 far above all heavens, that he might fill all things)  – (Ephesians 4: 8).

Prior to His Ascension, Lord Jesus visited the place where He had been buried and appeared to Mary Magdalene, who did not recognize Him immediately because He had appeared in another form:

Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended ^G305  to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend ^G305  unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God (John 20: 17).

The Lord spoke about His Ascension during His Ministry and the words in the following text prophesy the astonishment that the disciples would experience as they would see Him go back to His home:

What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up ^G305 where he was before?  (John 6: 62).

Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before!  (NIV).

2. Jesus resumed His heavenly position of authority

I love the scriptures in which beloved Apostle Paul wrote about the exceeding greatness of the power that God revealed when He raised Lord Jesus from the dead:

…  and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places

Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come

And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church (Ephesians 1: 20 – 22).

We see that Apostle Paul used some descriptive language in order to paint a picture of the Lord’s position in heaven. For example, he said that Lord Jesus is at the Father’s “own right hand,”   that  all principality, power, might, dominion and name are “under His feet” and that the Lord is “head of all things.”

These words may appear to be puzzling and contradictory to some people since we know that Lord Jesus is Eternally God and Ruler of Heaven and Earth. However, during His life on earth, Jesus submitted Himself to the authority of His parents and to some degree to human systems such as taxation. He also submitted to the authority of the Roman system, allowing Himself to be crucified as a substitute for our sins. Halelujah.

The Lord’s sojourn in the earth realm did not change His Position and Character. However, Lord Jesus set an example for all believers to follow. If we suffer in this earth for His sake, we will be exalted or rewarded in Eternal Life. Furthermore, when our Lord ascended on High, He gave gifts to men.  Through Jesus, redeemed human beings can now claim the spiritual inheritance of authority over satan that Adam gave up.

3. Best of all, believers are risen together with Christ and are seated with Him in the same position of authority

Continuing from Ephesians 1: 20 – 22, Brother Paul then gave the revelation about the inheritance and position of  the believer.   It is so amazing and wonderful to know that as a believer, I have inherited the same position and authority of my Lord and Christ.

Since Jesus is at the Father’s own right hand, this too is my position of favor and authority. Since all things are under His feet, then all principality, power, might, dominion and name are also under MY feet:

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins…

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2: 1, 5 & 6).

I just do not have the space here to write about the implications of our inheritance, but pray that you will meditate on the Word of God, take hold of it by faith and begin to cash in on your spiritual inheritance.

Blessings, peace and angelic prosperity.

RELATED READINGS

Did you know that God is a spiritual being?

God is a spiritual being

The Precept Or Doctrine Of Triune God

Characteristics of  God’s spiritual body

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Satan Bowed To Lord Jesus And Confessed That He Is Lord

1.  Satan bowed to Lord Jesus and confessed that He is Lord

I wrote in the previous post that “GOD SENTENCED SATAN TO BOW DOWN AND COWER TO HUMANS”.  We ended with the reminder that Jesus in His death showed us how  to overcome satan by stripping him of his prestige and power.  In other words, Lord Jesus disarmed the devil and his hosts of demons.  As Lord and God of all, Jesus subjected Himself to the humiliation of the cross and of death. He had to take on human flesh in order to show us how to overcome satan, even in death.

Jesus descended into hell when He died.  Since the scriptures teach us that  only the wicked go to hell when they die, we need to ask why Jesus descended there in His death:

“the wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God”  (Psalm 9: 17).  

Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them  (Psalm 55: 15).

The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath (Proverbs 15: 24).

But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell/geenna  /G1062  fire (Matt 5: 22).

And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell/hadēs/G86: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day (Matthew 11: 23).

Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell/geenna/G1062  fire? (Matthew 23: 33).

For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell/tartaroō/G5020, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment (2 Peter 2: 4)

Prophet David foretold that Lord Jesus would descend into hell in His death. When I examined the Old and New Testament scriptures, I noted that the word HELL carries dual meanings. For example in ACTS 2: 31, Hell refers to THE GRAVE (FOR THE FLESH ACCORDING TO ) and THE PLACE OF THE WICKED DEAD.

When we examine the scriptures further, we see that the FLESH sees corruption OR diaphthora/Greek in the grave. Corruption OR diaphthora comes from a root word which means to become old, perish, destroy. Jesus did not want decay to touch His body at all.

O death, where is thy sting? O grave/hadēs, ^G86 where is thy victory? (1 Cor 15: 55)

For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell/shĕ’owl; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption (Psalm 16: 10)

Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell/hadēs, ^G86 neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption ^G1312  (Acts 2: 27)

He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell/hadēs, ^G86 neither his flesh did see corruption ^G1312 (Acts 2: 31)

And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to  corruption, ^G1312 he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David (Acts 13: 34)

Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption^G1312    (Acts 13: 35).

For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption^G1312  (Acts 13: 36).

But he, WHOM GOD RAISED AGAIN, saw no corruption^G1312  (Acts 13: 37).

2. So why did Jesus descend into Hell?

It was not an easy thing for Him to do, but Jesus descended into hell in order to disarm satan so that we could become victorious over the adversary. Fully clothed in His righteous armour, Christ overcame. The adversary could not find one accusation against Him and could not imprison the Lord in Hell  because He had to bow.

As the Lord descended into the gloomy depths of the prison, the light of His glory filled the darkness and Satan realized that he had “killed” the Lord of Glory. Blinded by the Light, the demons ran screaming in terror and fear.  Hell was overcome by pandemonium.  Satan himself was blinded by the Light of the Lord of Glory and he fell to his knees screaming in terror.

Jesus held the old serpent by the nape of his neck, shook and tossed him around and passed the Law of the Lord regarding his place and the position of every believer in the Lord.  He took away satan’s power over death and hell and preached to the captives who had been there since the days of the flood.

Jesus yelled,  “who is the Lord of heaven and earth?”  Blubbering and trembling, satan and his demons, already prostrate on the ground, screamed, “You are Lord, Jesus.”  Jesus sternly and fiercely warned them that the saints in Christ were in charge:

I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear (Isaiah 45: 23).

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth (Philipians 2: 10).

And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philipians 2: 11).

And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross (Colossians 2: 15/NIV).

RELATED READINGS

Hell

Dominion

Rebuking the Devil

Jesus’ Earthly Ministry and Purpose

Jesus passed a new court ruling against the devil on Saturday 14th

King Adam was also commanded to SUBDUE the earth and establish the KINGDOM OF GOD

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GOD SENTENCED SATAN TO BOW DOWN AND COWER TO HUMANS

1. God sentenced Satan to bow down and cower to humans

It is amazing how the original language of the scriptures reveal truth that is seen when scripture is compared with scripture in which specific words are used.   As I reread the previous post “Bite The Dust Satan,”  I saw that someone who eats, bites  or licks dust has to BOW DOWN TO A RULER.

The revelation in these scriptures confirm that God placed humans in a position of authority over the devil and also that He NEVER intended satan to rule or to be in charge of us:

And the LORD God said unto the serpent … thou art cursed …  UPON THY BELLY SHALT THOU GO, and dust ^H6083 shalt thou eat all the days of thy life (Genesis 3: 14).

He shall have dominion  … they that dwell in the wilderness shall  BOW BEFORE HIM; and his enemies shall lick the dust ^H6083 (Psalm 72: 8 & 9).

Enter into the rock, and HIDE … in the dust, ^H6083 for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty  (Isaiah 2: 10)

And kings … And their queens … SHALL BOW DOWN TO THEE WITH THEIR FACE TOWARD THE EARTH , and lick up the dust ^H6083 of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me (Isaiah 49: 23).

2.  Through His death, Jesus delivered the human race from the fear and terror that satan exerted for centuries over Adam and Eve’s descendants

Prior to the Lord Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, satan fooled many humans into believing that he was superior through a variety of power and bullying tactics. Humans lived in fear of satan and death until Lord Jesus showed us how to overcome.

As a result of  their rebellion in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve permitted satan to bring death on the human race.  Operating like a monster, satan terrorized  many members of the race, forcing them to continue to obey his laws and to rebel against God. However, Lord Jesus  came and broke the power of  the adversary:

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—

and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death (Hebrews 2: 14 & 15).

3. Jesus stripped satan of his power and authority over the human race

When Jesus descended into hell upon His death, He was so annoyed with the devil that He reinforced all of the laws and regulations regarding satan’s position to the human race (specifically believers). Lord Jesus also stripped satan of all the power that he exerted over us  for centuries. This officially ended his reign of terror and stolen dominion.   Apostle Paul said that Lord Jesus:

“spoiled (Ekdyō/G1562) principalities and powers“  and “made a  shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it”  (Colossians 2: 15).

Ekdyō, one of the root words used for  spoiled in the text, means TO STRIP SOMEONE OF THEIR CLOTHING.

1.  To  strip someone of their clothing means  to remove the clothing or symbols that represent authority and prestige. For example, Roman soldiers stripped Jesus of His purple robe, since the color purple represented prestige and kingship.

2.  Moreover, to strip someone of their clothing is also to wound and leave them for dead.

3.  Someone who is strip someone of their clothing is also being prepared for death by the worst possible means. Satan is destined for the Lake of Fire. Halelujah.

4. Jesus made an open shew of satan

The scriptures also reveal that Jesus made an open shew of satan or set him forth as an example.  In other words, Lord Jesus openly disgraced satan, ruler of the kingdom of darkness, as a warning to other demons and also to show us how to overcome the adversary.

In my mind, it is rather amusing that this terrorist is only making a “grandstand.”  We have already overcome by virtue of the position given at the Creation and by Christ’s example.  Through the centuries, the prophets assured us that satan had no authority over the saints. This was reinforced repeatedly in the scriptures, with Pharaoh and Egypt being  prime examples.

More to come. Blessings, peace and angelic protection.