THY KINGDOM COME ON
EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN
DIALOGUES WITH GOD
BY
BEN C. LUNIS
OCTOBER 3, 2009
The author is a certified Facilitator with Communion With God Ministries.
A personal biography is available at
He is available to conduct seminars and workshops on learning to
have two way conversations with God.
This and other ebooks by the author:
Passionate Intimacy With God Through Dialogue,
Unbelief and Disbelief In the “Western” Church
As Seen Through Dialogues with God
Dialoguing With God Through The Tabernacle Experience,
and
Seek My Face So That I Can Open The Eyes And Ears Of Your Heart
are available as free downloads at
The author may be contacted on the world wide web at:
or
4488 Golden Eagle Drive
Ashton, Idaho 83420
208/652-3743
THY KINGDOM COME ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN
DIALOGUES WITH GOD
1. WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE BIBLICAL MEANING OF KINGDOM!
The concept of kingdom living is foreign to most of us who have lived under a democratic form of government. For this reason, we frequently have difficulty understanding certain Scriptures. The Bible is not about democracy - it is about kingdom living! Democracy arose in ancient Greece, not in the Bible! A kingdom is diametrically opposed to democracy. A kingdom, both earthly and heavenly, has ambassadors, appointed by the kingdom, to communicate the message of the kingdom. In His Kingdom, followers of Jesus are His ambassadors. Jesus said to His followers: "And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me (Luke 22:29) (NKJ). This is not a religious designation - it is a governmental one!
Dr. Miles Munroe, in his book Rediscovering The Kingdom[1], (which book Holy Spirit directed me to read) provides us with an in-depth evaluation of Kingdom living. Dr. Munroe grew up in the Bahamas, which functions as a parliamentary nation under the titular headship of the Queen of England. With this secular background, he understands the concept of kingdom living, which includes colonialism. (Colonialism recognizes control by one power over a dependent area or people.) I incorporate Dr. Munroe’s thoughts in paraphrase or directly to help communicate kingdom concepts and principles. As a result of analyzing Rediscovering The Kingdom, I have gained a greater understanding and appreciation of living in a kingdom. I am deeply grateful to Dr. Munroe for his writings and highly recommend reading his books!
2. GOD WANTS HIS KINGDOM TO COME ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN!
In instructing His followers about how to pray, Jesus said:
"In this manner, therefore, pray: our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:9, 10) (NKJ)
This Scripture, and others addressed later, tell us that God wants His Kingdom to be administered upon planet earth now as it is in heaven. Then why is it we see so little of this happening today?
I will, with valued input from our Lord through the Scriptures and dialogue, and the anointed writings of others, attempt to answer this question. Granted, we all look forward to being with Jesus in heaven after our death or rapture. Sadly, too much of today’s religious emphasis centers upon the future rather than the now when it comes to kingdom affairs. Before I further address why we see so little of God’s Kingdom being experienced in the present time, the scriptural validity of having God’s Kingdom come now on earth as it is in heaven is presented.
An understanding that heaven is a place and that kingdom is a realm, an administration, is needed in order to fairly present the gospel message of Jesus, the Messiah. Believers are to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven! Remember, we are His disciples!
And the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them (the multitudes) in parables?" 11 He answered and said to them, "Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. (Matthew 13:10, 11) (NKJ)
3. SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GODAND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS!
We are encouraged to seek first God’s Kingdom, its administration, and His righteousness. This is a prerequisite to asking Him for the basics of life:
"Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 "For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:31-33) (NKJ)
Lord, forgive me for seeking first the things of life before seeking Your Kingdom and Your righteousness. (Here is His response:)
Ben, know that you are forgiven. Know that you were hindered by your past religious training. Know that you are not condemned in any way. Know that I know that it takes time to bring My children to see and experience My truths, truths that are not altered by religious beliefs.
4. THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND!
Jesus not only said the Kingdom of God is at hand - He proved it by His actions! The people marveled when Jesus cast a demon out of a person that caused the person to be unable to speak. Some accused Jesus of casting out the demon through the power of Satan. Jesus explained to them the errors of their reasoning. He then told them that the Kingdom of God was evidenced in their very midst because of what He, Jesus, did. Luke 11:20 records: "But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. (NKJ) The casting out of demons is one of the evidences of Kingdom living!
There are numerous Scriptures that record the fact that the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. John the Baptist heralded this event:
In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 and saying, "Repent (reconsider, think differently), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (near)!"
(Matthew 3:1,2) (NKJ)
For many, our cultural and religious understanding of the word “repent” has limited our ability to know what some Scripture verses are trying to communicate to us. Our training can confine us mostly to thinking of repenting of sins. The King James translators chose to use the word “repent”, and the NKJ, NIV, NAU, and others followed suit. What was originally intended? The Greek word’s primary meaning is to think differently, to reconsider. John wanted the people to think differently about kingdom rule! The people at the time of Jesus were accustomed to kingdom dominion, which was the rule of the Romans. John wanted them to think of a spiritual kingdom rather than an earthly kingdom! Jesus made the same point as He announced the arrival on earth of the spiritual Kingdom of heaven:
Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent (reconsider, think differently), and believe in the gospel." (Mark 1:14, 15) (NKJ) Also see Matthew 4:17.
Matthew records the fact that signs and wonders are all part of the Kingdom of heaven being manifested upon planet earth.
"And as you go, preach, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' 8 "Heal {the} sick, raise {the} dead, cleanse {the} lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.
(Matthew 10:7, 8) (NAU)
Holy Lord Jesus, I see where the phrase “the kingdom of heaven is at hand” has been construed by some to be an event occurring somewhere in the future, at the time of Your returning to planet earth. Your comments please, upon this.
Ben, this is another byproduct of dispensational thinking. It has effectively kept many from seeing and hearing My basic truths. Why can’t people just take My words, My written and spoken words, at face value? At hand means at hand! It is there! You do not have to wait for some future event to bring to earth that which exists in Heaven!
Members of the religious group known as the Pharisees asked Jesus when the Kingdom of God would come. Jesus provided a great truth to them, and to us, that the Kingdom of God exists within us! How does the Kingdom of God exist within us? Through the indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit who enters into us when we are spiritually born again! It is through the actions and the power of the Holy Spirit that believers are enabled to bring about that which exists in heaven into the earthly realm!
Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; 21 "nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17:20-21) (NKJ)
In one of his letters to the believers in Corinth, Paul noted a significant characteristic of the Kingdom of God. Power is available to carry out the duties of the Kingdom of God! It is more than just words: For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power (I Corinthians 4:20).
Following are two more Scriptures that show the ties that exist between followers of Jesus, heaven, and earth:
"Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:18-20) (NKJ)
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13 "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. (John 14:12-14) (NKJ)
5. WHO ARE THE CITIZENS OF GOD’S KINGDOM?
The precious rights of citizenship in God’s Kingdom are conferred upon everyone who places their trust in Jesus as Messiah and Lord! Scripture and reality attest to this:
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: (John 1:12) (NKJ)
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, (Philippians 3:20) (NKJ)
Holy Father, Your thoughts, please, upon the concept of living in Your Kingdom.
Ben, I want all of My children to experience Kingdom living. I want them to experience it now, not just at some far distance point in time. As you have reviewed the Scriptures, you see My desire to bring heaven to earth in the now. Continue to seek My face, continue to spend time with Me as I reveal Myself and My Kingdom to you. Encourage others to seek My face, to spend time with Me. I want all of My children to walk in My ways, to bring freedom and joy to others.
6. HOW DO WE BECOME CITIZENS OF GOD’S KINGDOM?
The one and only entry into God’s Kingdom is to be spiritually born again through what Jesus Christ, the Messiah, did for each of us. He did this by shedding His blood for us on a cruel cross and by the working of God’s Holy Spirit. In reply to a religious question from a religious leader named Nicodemus, Jesus said:
"Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 "Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' 8 "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit." (John 3:5-8) (NKJ)
Becoming as a little child before God enables us to experience His Kingdom. Jesus addressed this in Matthew 18:2-4:
Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the
kingdom of heaven. 4 "Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (NKJ)
To be spiritually born again, faith and belief in what Jesus did for each one of us, are required. However, being born again is just the beginning of our walk in God’s Kingdom. For centuries, much of the “western church” has limited its message to getting people “saved” and then looking forward to being in heaven in the “sweet by and by”. Sadly, too little has been said about Kingdom living in the now. Once we enter into His Kingdom when we are spiritually born again, our Lord wants us to grow in love for and with Him, for others, and to walk in the power and
wisdom of His Holy Spirit. This needed growth begins with the realization that WE WERE PUT HERE TO DO THE WILL OF GOD ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN!
7. WHAT ARE THE COMPONENTS OF A KINGDOM?
Dr. Munroe provides us with a listing[2] of that which makes up God’s Kingdom: His Kingdom has a health program - healing through the stripes placed upon the back of Jesus. Its education program is the teaching ministry of Holy Spirit. The taxation system is tithing, and its communication system is the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It has a diplomatic corps, who are ambassadors of Christ. The system of administration is the ministration of the Holy Spirit through mankind, called the Church. Its economy is a system of giving and receiving. God’s Kingdom does not have subjects as do earthly kingdoms. In God’s Kingdom, all of its citizens are relatives of the King and are kings themselves.
Kingdoms are built upon legalities, which extends to its citizens. It offers to them the rights and privileges that are guaranteed by the King. Directly quoting Munroe[3]:
“Too many ‘Christians’ are simply religious people, but citizens of the kingdom are legal people — legal in the sense that by virtue of a spiritual birth each individual in the kingdom has the rights and blessings of citizens of this heavenly kingdom. We must be delivered from our religious mind sets and have our thinking readjusted so that we can take on a regal mind set”.
As we pursue a deep love relationship with our Lord, we should, and will, experience more and more of the administration of His Kingdom here on earth. Scriptures and reality show that the Kingdom of God exists in the now in His believers who are on planet earth and that its administration is to be carried out here. Scriptures also show the manifestation of healing and deliverance (signs and wonders) are evidences that God’s Kingdom is active on the earth in the now!
8. HOW IS GOD’S KINGDOM ADMINISTERED?
Munroe says: “From the beginning, God’s intent has been to extend His heavenly Kingdom onto the earth through mankind.” Lord God, Your comments please, upon this statement.
Ben, I told him to write this sentence. It is fact, it is truth! Now, you are beginning to see the restitution, the resurrection, of My desire to have this take place. You are part of what I am doing to restore My Kingdom on planet earth. It has been a long time, yet it has not been a long time. But it is all on schedule, My schedule. I am restoring My Kingdom wherein My people will reign and rule with Me, as kings and priests. My Son, Jesus, is truly King of kings! You are kings as well as sons and daughters. Now you see what I meant when I said My Son is King of kings. I was not referring to earthly kingdoms. I am referring to a heavenly Kingdom, the Kingdom that resides in the hearts of My people.
Munroe also records[4]: “By God’s design and intention, we have dominion over the earth! ... Isn’t God sovereign and can’t He do whatever He wants? In theory that is true, but just as the word of an earthly king is law and cannot be reversed, so the word of the King of the universe is law and cannot change. These thoughts are discussed in detail later.
The book of Genesis records the fact that mankind was granted responsibility for the earth realm:
Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." (Genesis 1:26) (NKJ)
Note that God did not say “let us” but rather He said “let them”. Munroe comments upon this: “By doing this, He locked himself out of earth as a spirit being without a body. Because God is a spirit and when he speaks, His words become law. His integrity will not permit Him to violate or break His word; therefore, whatever He speaks becomes a law even unto God. He will never break His word nor violate His principles. In this case, the result is that God in His sovereignty has decided to delegate authority and dominion in the earth to mankind — a spirit in a body. This is why God cannot do anything on earth without the cooperation of a human. Man is God’s legal agency and access to earth. God is and remains absolutely sovereign, but He has chosen to limit His activity or intervention on the earth to that which we, the proprietors, give Him permission to do. The way we grant that permission is through prayer.”