Future Rulership With Christ

Now, surely friends, we can see and hear just how rotten a good portion of this world is that we’re living in. The LORD our God had told Adam and Eve after they chose to listen to the serpent, the whisperer – Satan the devil – and do things his way – ‘Alright, go ahead and form your own societies, your own governments, your own way of doing things. And, I’ll allot mankind six-thousand years to rule themselves – which is the whisperer’s way.’

So friends, here we are at the soon-coming conclusion of that allotted time, and we look around the world and we see and we hear, and we are witnesses to, what has ensued with this self-rule of mankind. And, it's not very pretty. We see all around us the growing evils and the growing totalitarianism of men’s minds. We need, dear friends, to be on high alert and aware of just where we are today and why we need to be ever-so vigilant and not lose our crown – which God has warned we could do if we’re not diligent.

Now, through the generations since that time, God Almighty and Jesus Christ are preparing a few – part of which is why you are reading this today. Now, He has called a few through these nearly six-thousand years to follow the Second Adam – Jesus Christ. And to outright reject the decisions which our earthly father made.

Now, this may come as a shock to you – but humans are incapable of ruling themselves. No matter the number of types of governments around the world, albeit Anarchy, Republic, Totalitarian, Theocracy, Monarchy, Dictatorship, Democracy, or even what Citibank is now calling the 1% of the uber-wealthy of America, Plutocracy – mankind is miserably failing. So now God is soon going to intervene in this world’s affairs – very soon – with a few who will have become perfect. Or, as the Greek word for perfect –  teleios, meaning mature or finished. “’ Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect’” – Matthew 5:48.

 And turn with me if you will, hopefully, you have your Bible’s and are following along. Turn to 1st John 3, and I’ll show you what I mean –

Verse 1 – “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2) Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed [when our Master and Elder Brother and soon-coming King of kings and Lord of lords returns], we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”

Verse 3 – “And everyone who has this hope in Him [in Jesus Christ] purifies himself [or herself], just as He is pure.”

So, friends, we – the chosen few – are to take over the governments of this world.

So, when and how will God Almighty and Jesus Christ do this!?

How often do you think of yourself – in a true sense – as an ambassador for Christ Jesus!? And, as a king to rule with Jesus Christ on this earth!? I mean – to truly sit around and think about it, to meditate, and to truly understand just what this means!? This great calling which we have. And, on the other hand, how often do you think of yourself as a soon-coming religious leader!? Now, I have discussed just this topic with my dear Sister recently – and I thought – this would make a great teaching point.

And I speak not of the religious leaders of this world – which pretend to be what they really are not. But you- many of you friends – will be a religious leader on this earth with the title of “royal priest.” A holy member of the family of God! And yes – and this is a truism of which Jesus Christ Himself has revealed to us – at that time, worthy of worship.

Turn to Revelation chapter 3, verse 9, and see for yourself:

“’ Indeed [Jesus wrote] I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews [or rather, the chosen people] and are not, but lie – indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.’”

Speaking of course to the living Church of God!

Now, God’s holy and resurrected saints are said to be given crowns – verse 11:

“’ Behold, I AM coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 12) He who overcomes, I will make him [or her] a pillar [or rather, leader] in the temple [or rather, kingdom] of My God, …’”

Jesus Christ’s holy saints will have God the Father’s name written upon them – verse 12:

“ … ‘I will write on him [or her] the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him [or her] My new name.’”

Also, we can compare these Revelation passages to Romans chapter 2, verse 28:

“For he [or she] is not a Jew [again, we can say ‘a chosen one of God’ or a Christian] who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; 29) but he [or she] is a Jew [or rather Christian] who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, …”

So, a holy priest of Almighty God and Jesus Christ, pure, possessing the very mind of Christ, mature – perfect in every way.

And, so, we might say that Christ’s Church in this dispensation is the forerunner of the soon-coming kingdom of God. Or, as Jesus Christ said, ‘the kingdom [from] heaven is like a mustard seed,’ waiting to grow rapidly upon His return – Matthew 13:31-32.

Jesus Christ’s kingdom will be in relation to what the Apostle Paul wrote concerning the Church of God:

“And God has appointed these in the Church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps [or rather, helpers], administrations, varieties of tongues [or rather, languages]. 29) Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30) Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues [or rather, different languages]? Do all interpret?” – 1 Corinthians 12:28-30.

So, in this respect –God’s chosen children – His firstfruits – is (and shall be in His kingdom) “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, …” “it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, …” – 1 Peter 2:9; 1 John 3:2.

As Jesus Christ teaches us in His Parable of the Talents – Matthew 25:14-30; as well as Him speaking of the glorious kingdom of God in Luke 19:15-27 – if you’ve been given God’s Holy Spirit, you’ve been given a great amount! – whether you have more or less of His Spirit – you’ve been entrusted with great wealth!

Now, we, dear brethren, are a very ‘special people’ – whether we realize it or not – we are the children of God, we are the chosen ones – the ones which possess God’s revealed truth’s. And, it’s vitally important that we use this great wealth – and stir it up!

So, as Jesus Christ Himself teaches us, many will be rulers over ten cities, or five cities – “’ For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.’”

So, to be a good and righteous holy priest – making judicial decisions for cities, or even nations – you will be given the grave responsibilities to lead in the very Way of God.

Now, you ask, “Me!? How can I attain that level of knowledge, wisdom, and righteousness to be co-ruler with Jesus Christ in that way!? Without making any mistakes in my decisions of which I may hand down!?”

Now, you say of yourself!? “I feel so weak, so inadequate.” And, yes, you are right brethren. If you are looking at yourself with only the human spirit within you. Because we all fall short. The Apostle Paul knew this. And he said so. He had concluded, “There is none righteous – no not one.”

Turn to 2nd Corinthians chapter 5, and verse 17.

Now – the question to us becoming perfect. It’s not, can God do it? But, by what method has He revealed to us in His living Word – the Bible – that He will do it!? And, friends, it is not through the human spirit, which is temporary – as a host to a new Spirit. A Spirit which you did not have until baptism and the laying on of hands. This Holy Spirit Paul called the ‘new creation.’ A separate Spirit from the human spirit.

And, the method which Almighty God and Jesus Christ will use to accomplish this!? It is this ‘new creation.’

Over in the Book of Philippians chapter 2, verse 5:

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”

And, as it says in Romans chapter 8, verse 7:

“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.”

Our mortal, fleshly, meaty mind, cannot go along with God. It rejects God’s Way, His laws, even His Spirit.

So then, it is this other Spirit, this ‘new creation’ – analogous to a small child – begotten of God the Father. Who is at first nourished on the milk of His holy Word like a baby – and now needs to mature spiritually, with time and experience. Which is exactly what Jesus Christ was speaking about in Matthew 5:48. ‘Be ye spiritually mature, just as your Father is spiritually mature in heaven.’

Indeed, we all remember our first love – the excitement of hearing God’s truth! How we just wanted to tell everybody – our family, our friends, our co-workers. But it just didn’t work – did it!?

So, it’s important that we mature spiritually. We have to learn from our experiences.

And I myself – a great experience which God allowed me to be witness to – in 2004, while I was driving a tractor-trailer over-the-road and I was getting a bite to eat, there was this man down about five booths from me. I thought I was seeing things. I took my glasses off – rubbed my eyes – looked at him again. But he still had this darkness around him as if he was in a deep shadow. He was anxious and stressed. And, the thought which came across my mind was that this man was not long for this world. For he was in a hurry, gobbling his breakfast like there was no tomorrow. He had a lot of weight on his shoulders, and his veins were bulging from his neck. I had an urgency within me to get up and walk over to him and warn him of this impending doom. But I was chicken, and I didn’t do it. And those types of scenarios occurred quite a bit to me over-the-road during those years. But you grow, you grow in this spirit of wisdom – and that is what we have to do – through these life experiences. We learn to be bold and unafraid in Christ our Lord. And, upon baptism and the laying on of hands, we receive this new “Spirit of wisdom.” And, we have to feed this ‘new creation.’

So, if you’ll turn to Hebrews chapter 5, and verse 13:

“For everyone who partakes ONLY of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14) But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

And – while I had been driving over-the-road I had not been baptized or had had hands laid upon me – but yet I was learning from these Godly experiences – these spiritual experiences which were frequently occurring – helping me to learn, to gain some experience 0n learning to discern between good and evil.

Turn over to Hebrews chapter 6, verse 1:

“Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2) of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3) And this we will do if God permits.”

The Apostle Paul is talking about here – growth. Spiritual maturity – which is a mental thing. A new way of seeing and doing things.

So, think about it like this – as we go through life in this Christian journey – we have tribulations, issues, problems we must face – we struggle at times. And, it is hard. And God understands, and He knows that it is hard. And we feel as if we’re making some progress and then something happens and we fall and scrape our knees – as I say. We sin. And we cry out unto God Almighty and Jesus Christ, ‘Please forgive me. Please help me, strengthen me, I’ll try and do better!’ And so we might take ten steps forward, but we have just taken three steps back – but here’s the thing – God is looking at the overall picture. The overall progress which we’ve made.

And that is why we have to endure – to keep going! We cannot ever give up!

And you are making progress! Every single time you sin you’re going to God Almighty and Jesus Christ, you’re struggling – you’re making progress! And this, friends, is what it is about – making progress.

Now, the Apostle Peter wrote in 1st Peter chapter 2, and verse 1:

“Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2) as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, …”

And, now, if we do this – and at the right and appropriate time of the resurrection – God will do the rest.

We will be brought to perfection so as to be perfect – even as God is perfect. Can you even imagine that!? We will be perfect – and again the Greek word being teleios, meaning mature or finished. This is what God’s living Word says.

And what then!? Well, turn to the Book of 1st John chapter 3, verse 9:

“Whosoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.”

We are begotten now. But in the resurrection we’re born of God – and we cannot sin. You will have become mature, finished – and you cannot sin.

So, again, what is the process God will use to bring us to this level of righteousness – to perfection – righteous king, a royal priest,  holy member of the God family - worthy of worship!?

Well, the answer is clear from God’s living Word. At baptism, God the Father unites and plants His seed within the human spirit. And a ‘new creature’ is created – whose Father is God. It will mature and develop and be useable by God to place within a new body not made of flesh – but a spiritual body in the resurrection to come.

So then, you have this ‘new creature’ in Christ and with it, the wisdom and the maturity will be developed in this life – but then God is going to give you wisdom, knowledge, and understanding which you would NEVER obtain to in this life. Because you will be in the God family and understand all things and will not have to wonder anymore concerning this thing or that thing.

Now, there are many people who say, ‘Well, I’ll know the answer to things I cannot understand now – when I make it into God’s kingdom.’ Yes, we will. But, before Almighty God and our Lord Jesus Christ bless us with this type of knowledge to know all things – there is a vital ingredient that is necessary. Knowledge alone is not sufficient. But, knowledge and wisdom are like a well-fitted glove.

As Jesus Christ tells us, “’ For everyone to whom much is given, from him [or her] much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him [or her] they will ask the more.’” – Luke 12:48. You are responsible for what you know. And, wisdom is obedience.

Sadly, I know people (and I’m sure you do as well) who have come to know the Word of God, the Truth of God, and the ultimate Plan of God and have subsequently walked away. I have even been witnessed to people who have apologized for having kept the Sabbaths and the holy days to a whole group of people. I met and had a two-hour meeting with a supposed minister of God who literally apologized for everything I had previously learned. It's like the television show from 2012 - 10 Things You Don't Know About with Henry Rollins - which, to me, skews the history which we've learned - we might as well just throw it out the window because a new American agenda is in town!

Now, there are so many so-called Christians who proudly say, ‘Oh how I love the Lord! Oh, how I love God!’ And I ask – do you keep His commandments!? And, as we know, without the intervention of God’s Spirit, a human cannot or will not know the things of God – and will be rebellious. Now, they may say they love God – but they don’t.

YOU MUST OBEY GOD! – IT’S REQUIRED! And, that’s wisdom.

And, wisdom is something we need to ask God for. We ask God Almighty and Jesus Christ in helping us to make the right choices between the human spirit and God’s Spirit -of which we now possess. This ‘new creation’ will not entertain anything contrary to God’s will – unlike the human spirit. It is similar to a duel personality – the human spirit and the Spirit which possess the very mind of Christ.

So, let me briefly mention this spirit in man – Job 32:8. The human spirit enters the human embryo at conception. This human spirit is like the “hard drive on a computer” – it stores information. And from my notes I have written:

The spirit essence is NOT an immortal soul or an eternal spirit. The spirit in man is NOT the man. It is something in the man. It has no life of itself, for the life of man is in the air he breathes, and, in the blood, that circulates through his body (Genesis 2:7; Leviticus 17:11). It does not of itself see or hear (for even a blind or deaf person, though deprived of one of his senses, is altogether human). And at death, it has no consciousness of itself, for it sleeps (1 Corinthians 11:30; 1 Corinthians 15:51; 1 Thessalonians 4:14). Like a tape recorder, it forms a permanent record of the qualities of mind and character built by a man during his lifetime. And, much like a used tape is stored lifelessly on a shelf till activated in a recorder, so also does the spirit of man “return to God who gave it” after death, until the resurrection when life is again given to a person (Ecclesiastes 12:7).

So, on a human level – God gives wisdom to different people in the Bible who did not possess such wisdom before He gave it to them. So, friends, how much more will He give wisdom to those He has brought into His family – in the kingdom of God!?

Let us look at a few examples of how God did that – even with the human spirit – of giving people wisdom and understanding.

Exodus 28, verse 3 – as an example:

“’ So you shall speak to all who are gifted artisans, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, …”

Also, turn to chapter 31 – “Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 2) ‘See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 3) And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, 4) to design artistic works, …” – so God gave him something he didn’t have – the Spirit of God, of wisdom, of understanding and of knowledge.

In Mark chapter 13, Jesus Christ Himself says – speaking to the end-time prophets – “’ But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.’”

Conclusion

A few more examples can be given – 1st Kings 4:29 –

“And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore. 30) Thus Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt. … 34) And men of all nations, from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom, came to hear the wisdom of Solomon.”

Also, 1st Kings 10:1-3 –

“Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with hard questions. 2) She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, … 3) So Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing so difficult for the king that he could not explain it to her. … 23) So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.”

So, the answers to our infirmities and our inadequacies to rule justly – with God Almighty and Jesus Christ in this absolute perfection –  not within ourselves as a human agent, but what God will do for us when we are no longer flesh and blood. 

And now that we have considered the process of conversion to perfection, let us look at some promises that God has given us.

Turn with me to Revelation, chapter 1, verse 6. Promises of positions of authority, of power, of holiness. As it says here in this passage – “and who [will make us] kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."

Also, Revelation, chapter 5, and verse 10 – “’ And [He will make us] kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.’”

Revelation 20, and verse 6 – “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. …” – it’s a better resurrection; a spiritual resurrection – unlike the second which is a physical resurrection. “ … Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God [the Father] and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.”

So, we are to be given authority, power, rulership, and holy – a level which God says will bring us above the angels. 

So, don’t be concerned friends – God will make it happen. God will do for you what you cannot do for yourself. Don’t doubt this. Let us make the right choices and ‘let this mind be in you which is in Christ’s.’ Let Christ live within you. □