UNDERSTANDING KINGDOM CITIZENSHIP

Genesis chapter 4













Today we are walking in: Understanding Kingdom Citizenship







Today we look to the word-KINGDOM- H4467 mamlâkâh, (mam-law-kaw') -dominion, (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm):—kingdom, king's, reign, royal









The Torah testifies...............





Numbers 32:33




And Moses gave unto them, even to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and unto half the tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom H4467 of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom H4467 of Og king of Bashan, the land, with the cities thereof in the coasts, even the cities of the country round about.







The prophets proclaim..................






Jeremiah 18:9




And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom H4467, to build and to plant it;









The writings bear witness...........................





1 Kings 9:5




Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom H4467 upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel.







In recent times, it has been a popular notion to celebrate the opposition against monarchies, and many have even suggested the eradication of the concept of monarchies from our so-called modern or post-modern world. Popular uprisings against the remaining monarchies in the name of the pursuit of democracy have become the craze of today’s self-proclaimed freedom fighters. In some cases it may be justifiable; in many of the instances cited, these kingdoms are filled with contradictions, abuse, oppression, social extremes, and dictatorial administrations. However, it must also be noted that many of the democracies in our world today are also plagued with the same defects and shortcomings. In essence, the problem is not the king, the kingdoms, or even the form of government, but the defects in the human nature that functions in any of these systems.

Yet the kingdom concept is the only one presented, preached, promoted, taught, and established by Yahashua Hamachiach throughout His ministry. His proposed solution to mankind’s problems on the earth is the establishment of the Kingdom of Heaven in the earth. As a matter of fact, the message of the Bible and, more specifically, the focus of Yahashua was not a religion or, for that matter, any of the many subjects we have magnified and many have preached as “the gospel” or good news to the world. For instance, Yahashua never preached as a priority public message subjects like faith, prosperity, giving, deliverance, or even His death on the Crucifixion Stake or resurrection as “the gospel.” But He repeatedly promoted and declared “the Kingdom of The Most High Yah and Heaven” as His principal message.

I am well aware that what I just said may be cause for much reaction, mental conflict, and religious resistance; but I would encourage you to search and research the four Gospels for yourself and discover this surprising reality. Yahashua also indicated that this message of the “Kingdom” would be His disciples’ message to their world.

Yahashua’ message of the Kingdom was foreshadowed in the Old Testament centuries before He was born in Bethlehem. Here are two examples. The first one indicates The Most High Yah’s motivation for delivering the slave clans of Israel from Egyptian oppression:

“Now if you obey Me fully and keep My covenant, then out of all nations you will be My treasured possession. Although the whole earth is Mine, you will be for Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites (Exodus 19:5-6).

In the second example, we see the Old Testament Messianic promise declared by the prophet Isaiah, strongly indicating the governmental aspects of the Kingdom mandate:

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty The Most High Yah, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over His kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this (Isaiah 9:6-7).

Yahashua’ message was clearly kingdom focused and not religiously motivated:

From that time on Yahashua began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matthew 4:17).

Yahashua went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people (Matthew 4:23).

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted (Matthew 5:3-4).

For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will cer- tainly not enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:20).

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your king dom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven(Matthew 6:9b-10).

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:33).

Yahashua went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness (Matthew 9:35).

As you go, preach this message: “The kingdom of heaven is near” (Matthew 10:7).

But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of The Most High Yah, then the kingdom of The Most High Yah has come upon you (Matthew 12:28).

He replied, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them” (Matthew 13:11).

When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart (Matthew 13:19a).

Yahashua told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field” (Matthew 13:24).

He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field” (Matthew 13:31).

He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough” (Matthew 13:33).

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field (Matthew 13:44).

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it (Matthew 13:45-46).

Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish (Matthew 13:47).

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven (Matthew 16:19).

I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom (Matthew 16:28).

And He said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3-4).

Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants (Matthew 18:23).

For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard (Matthew 20:1).

Yahashua said to them, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of The Most High Yah ahead of you” (Matthew 21:31b).

The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come (Matthew 22:2-3).

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to (Matthew 23:13).

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come (Matthew 24:14).

Then the King will say to those on His right, “Come, you who are blessed by My Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world” (Matthew 25:34).

After this, Yahashua traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of The Most High Yah (Luke 8:1).

And He sent them out to preach the kingdom of The Most High Yah and to heal the sick (Luke 9:2).

Then He took them with Him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, but the crowds learned about it and followed Him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of The Most High Yah, and healed those who needed healing (Luke 9:10b-11).

I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of The Most High Yah (Luke 9:27).

Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom (Luke 12:32).

And I confer on you a kingdom, just as My Father conferred one on Me (Luke 22:29).

Yahashua said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is from another place” (John 18:36).

“You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Yahashua answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to Me” (John 18:37).

My purpose for listing all of these statements is to show and emphasize the preoccupation Yahashua had with the kingdom concept rather than a religion. Note in particular the last statement above, where Yahashua declares Himself a “king” and not a president or prime minister or mayor. This is why it is necessary and essential that we rediscover and desire to understand the Kingdom as a concept and a reality. It is the foundation of The Most High Yah’s plan for mankind.

The original ideal kingdom concept is distinct from the earthly version even though it contains many of the same components and concepts of all kingdoms. Despite the many failed kingdoms throughout history, the questions still arise: Why did The Most High Yah choose a kingdom and not a republic? Why did The Most High Yah choose a kingdom and not a democracy or socialism? What are the benefits of being in a kingdom over a democratic republic or a communistic regime? Why is a kingdom better than a democracy or socialist form of government? Why is Yahashua a King and not a president?

What exactly is a kingdom? Very simply, a kingdom is the government of a king. More specifically, a kingdom is the sovereign rulership and governing influence of a king over his territory, impacting it with his will, his intent, and his purpose, manifesting a culture and society reflecting the king’s nature, values, and morals. A kingdom is the governing impact of a king’s will over a territory or domain, his influence over a people, and a government led by a king.

Therefore, the very heart of any kingdom is its king. This definition perfectly describes the relationship of The Most High Yah to the heavenly realm. Heaven exists because of the creative activity of The Most High Yah. Throughout its entire expanse, it is infused with His presence, char- acter, and authority. There is no corner of heaven where His will is not accomplished. In every way The Most High Yah is the unrivaled and unequalled King of Heaven.

The same was true in the natural realm when The Most High Yah extended His Kingdom authority to the earth through the man and woman He created in His image and released to rule in His name. They rebelled against the King’s authority, however, and lost their rulership. Control of the earthly realm then passed temporarily to a demonic usurper until the day in the King’s sovereign plan when it would be restored to its rightful ruler.

In the fullness of time, Yahashua came to the earth and re established the Kingdom. Because only a king can establish a kingdom, this act alone reveals that Yahashua Hamachiach is the King. The Bible, the constitution of the Kingdom of Heaven, leaves no doubt as to the Kingship of Yahashua. Perhaps the clearest statement of all is found in the 18th chapter of the Gospel of John where Yahashua, mere hours before His execution by crucifixion, has a revealing exchange with Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of the province of Judea. Falsely arrested, illegally tried, and wrongfully condemned for “blasphemy” by the Jewish religious authorities in Jerusalem, Yahashua now stands before Pilate for judgment. Pilate has heard the accusation that Yahashua claims to be a king. So the governor asks Him directly:

“Are you the king of the Jews?”...Yahashua said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is from another place.” “You are a king then!” said Pilate. Yahashua answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to Me.” “What is truth?” Pilate asked (John 18:33b,36-38a).

Yahashua said, “My kingdom is not of this world,” and “My kingdom is from another place,” clearly implying that He was a King. He was speaking of the Kingdom of Heaven. Notice that Yahashua said that His Kingdom was not of or from this world; He never said that it was not in this world. His Kingdom on earth originated in Heaven.

When Pilate pressed further, Yahashua plainly said, “I am a king.” He then said, “I came into the world to testify to the truth.” What truth? The truth that He was a King with a Kingdom. What could be clearer than that? Testify is a word often used to describe what a witness does in a courtroom—testifying or avowing to what he has seen or heard. The original Greek word employed here has an even deeper meaning. It is a word of experimentation from the laboratory and means to verify or validate. Essentially, Yahashua said to Pilate, “I came to earth because I am a King, and I will prove it by putting it to the test. I testify to the truth that a King is here, a Kingdom is here, and this Kingdom is available to anyone who wants to come in.”

The last thing Yahashua said to Pilate was, “Everyone on the side of truth listens to Me.” A more accurate rendering would be, “Everyone on the side of truth hears Me.” This is a very important point because it has to do with “connecting” to Yahashua’ message. Everywhere I go teaching the message of the Kingdom, I find that it resonates with people from all religions and walks of life. The Most High Yah created us for kingship—for dominion—and inside each of us is a latent kingdom consciousness striving for expression. This consciousness reveals itself in various ways, such as in our natural resistance to being ruled or controlled by any other person and our continual longing to control the circumstances of our own lives. That is what finally connected me to Yahashua—when I realized that He could teach me how to run life, not let life run me. I learned that I could control my own circumstances.

The search for power is a natural human drive. We all seek power over things and over circumstances, and that is what the Kingdom of Heaven promises. Yahashua said, “I will testify to the truth of the Kingdom, and when you hear Me, you will believe it. You will connect with what I have to say because it will resonate with the kingdom consciousness that is already in you.” We connect with the Kingdom message because it addresses the most deep-seated longing of our heart—our longing to be kings.

While it is natural to desire power over things and circumstances, desiring power over people is another matter. Seeking to influence people, public opinion, and public policy through kingdom principles is always appropriate, but pursuing despotic power over other people for personal gain at their expense is a corruption of our natural quest for power. Desiring to control our own life is one thing; desiring to control others’ lives is another.