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BACKGROUND
DEFINITION OF TERMS (For Serious Students)
COVENANT
LAW
LAW
I. In the Old Testament
II. In the New Testament
GRACE
GRACE, MEANS OF
KINGDOM OF GOD
KINGDOM OF GOD, KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
I. In John the Baptist
II. In the teaching of Jesus
III. Kingdom and church
IV. In the rest of the New Testament
V. In theological thought
The
full background to this teaching is available online at this link
<b>DEFINITION OF TERMS</b> (For Serious Students)
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Online links to scriptures (New International Version [NIV] unless otherwise stated) are shown in blue
| THE KINGDOM FULFILLED |
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 Right back in the second kingdom age of the Old Testament, with God speaking through the prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel, we find the promise of the kingdom yet to come. Take, for example, this message from the Lord through Isaiah.
Isaiah 65:17-19
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 Interestingly, but unsurprisingly, there are considerable similarities between this kingdom and the Garden of Eden, where God walked with his creation. One of the more interesting comparisons, mentioned in different places, is that the current conflict between animals, and animals and man, will disappear.
Isaiah 11:6-9
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 Another is in the provision of fruit, as food to eat. In the Garden of Eden:
Genesis 2:16
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 The disciples too, were looking forward to the return of Jesus. Here Paul speaks of it in his letter to the Ephesians.
Ephesians 1:18-21
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 But the description of the kingdom to come, and the spiritual battles involved, is most clearly set out in the final 19 chapters of the Bible, in Revelation chapters four to twenty-two.
The first three chapters offer very practical advice to the seven churches in the province of Asia (modern day Turkey). After this, the description of the coming kingdom and the spiritual battles involved in its establishment, are expressed in an allegorical way. One that theologians, and non-theologians for that matter, have discussed and interpreted in varying ways over the nearly 2000 years since the book was penned by John on the Island of Patmos.
Allegorical, with the exception (in my opinion that is) of Chapter 20, which again appears to be literal. For it states in a straightforward way what will happen at the time of, and after the return of Jesus.
Satan will be defeated and his power extinguished for 1000 years.
Revelation 20:1-3
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 Along with those who have spiritually died to their own nature and submitted themselves fully to God's will in their lives.
1 Corinthians 11:31-32
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If we are prepared to sacrifice ourselves now, we too can take part in the first resurrection.
Revelation 20:4-6
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At the end of the 1000 years the final battle with satan, the beast and the false prophet (the counterfeit godhead) will be waged and won.
Revelation 20:7-10
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After the 1000 years too, the rest of the dead will be resurrected and judged.
Revelation 20:11-15
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 The major question then, we need to consider for ourselves, is how to become one of those able to overcome satan and take part in the first resurrection. Fortunately the book of Revelation answers this question as well. It is summed up in one short but key verse, Revelation 12:11. Of course, we still have the responsibility to put it into practice!
First we need to set the scene.
Revelation 12:7-10
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 This introduction is followed by the key verse in the Bible in explaining how we are to win the battle over satan. The verse upon which Walking With Jesus Ministries is based.
Revelation 12:11
A three-part process of martyrdom, physical or spiritual, involving Jesus, the Holy Spirit and the Father identifies the qualification for participating in the First Resurrection. It is the process of attaining spiritual maturity, the goal of which is to overcome satan. The 3 stages in the process are:
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| 1. JESUS: <i>"the blood of the Lamb"</i> |
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 Jesus is the Lamb of God. John the Baptist declared it. It was the first act in the public ministry of Jesus.
John 1:29
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And it was prophesied in picture and type way back in the first kingdom age. For in Jewish understanding, prophecy has an ongoing, as well as an initial, fulfillment.
Genesis 22:8
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 This is seen in the Passover story where the lamb and the blood are beautifully combined to prevent God's judgement upon the house.
Exodus 12:7
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 And the relationship of Jesus to the forgiveness of sin through the blood is confirmed again in Revelation:
Revelation 1:5
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 Jesus gave His perfect life for our sinful life, in fulfillment of God's basic principle of a 'life for a life'.
Romans 5:19
The first step then on our journey to maturity, towards overcoming satan, is to accept Jesus as our Savior, through the sacrifice of His life, the shedding of His blood, on the Cross.
However, contrary to the belief of many, this is not the end but the beginning of our walk to maturity, towards overcoming satan in our life.
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| 2. HOLY SPIRIT: <i>"the word of their testimony"</i> |
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 The Holy Spirit is our teacher and guide who trains us in God's way.
John 14:26
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 He places in our heart good things, to replace the bad things of our former life. We speak this good work of the Holy Spirit through our mouth, through our testimony.
Luke 6:45
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 As we open our lives up to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to teach, train, change and guide us, we become more like Jesus. The angel acknowledges the input of the Holy Spirit through the spiritual gift of prophecy, when talking about those invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb.
Revelation 19:9-10
However, again contrary to the belief of many, our Christian walk to maturity does not stop simply by adding Holy Spirit input to that of Jesus. For it is no mistake that all three elements of the godhead are included in the above invitation to the wedding supper. Worship God! (The Father) For the testimony of Jesus (Jesus) is the spirit of prophecy. (Holy Spirit)
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| 3. THE FATHER:<i> "they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death."</i> |
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 Obedience to the will of God the Father is the third, and most challenging, key in our walk to spiritual maturity, of our progress towards overcoming satan.
Romans 6:16
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 The ultimate choice we make, on a daily basis, is to set aside our own will and desires in order to do the will of the Father in our life. We become holy through obeying the Father.
Hebrews 10:9-10
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 We are called upon to die to our old human nature and put on the godly nature, as taught to us by the Holy Spirit.
Romans 7:4-6
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 Jesus set the ultimate example of personal sacrifice to the will of the Father when He went to the cross, out of obedience, not desire. In the Garden of Gethsemene He prayed:
Matthew 26:42
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 As we come to this final place of the submission that Jesus reached, so we will be able to overcome satan through____
Revelation 12:11
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 And be prepared, be able, to participate in the Kingdom fulfilled. To join with Jesus and join in the First Resurrection.
6 Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. (Revelation 20:6)
Amen. (So be it.)
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| <i>NEXT WEEK:</i> A REVELATION OF……. SERVANTHOOD AND LEADERSHIP
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 The first of a new 7 part series, particularly exploring servanthood in leadership. Sure to challenge and make one think!
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| A NOTE FROM DAVID |
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 We now reach the climax of our study of the 3 kingdoms! For those prepared to make the sacrifice now will reign with Jesus for 1000 years in the first resurrection.
Our entire study has been pointing towards the culmination of the 3rd kingdom age and the return of Jesus. Surely the most anticipated event of all, for the sold out believer.
Come Lord Jesus, come!
DINING IN ANCIENT ROME
The ancient Hebrews, Egyptians, and Greeks used to eat sitting on mats spread on the floor. The Romans actually reclined on couches around a table. The couches were arranged forming three sides of a square. (a Triclinium)
Source: http://www.bible-history.com
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So until next week.......
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD!
His servant and yours
Learn more about us at...
www.wwj.org.nz/about.php
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A DAVID'S DOODLING
1256. God redeems the foolish, loves the wise, but truly seeks the godly.
David Tait
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Check
out the WWJ website for….
More David's Doodlings: www.wwj.org.nz/dd.php
Facts for Fun: http://www.wwj.org.nz/facts.php
Marriage and Family Facts: http://www.wwj.org.nz/maffacts.php
Just jokes: http://www.wwj.org.nz/jokes.php
Waxing Lyrical: http://www.wwj.org.nz/waxing.php
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And in the final chapter of Revelation: 
The martyrs will reign with Jesus for 1000 years. 
And we are required to do the same.