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TWO SPIRITUAL KINGDOMS
There are natural kingdoms of this world. A natural kingdom is a territory or people over whom a king rules. The Bible speaks of the kingdoms of the world. The kingdoms of the world are presently under the control of Satan:
"Again, the Devil taketh Him (Jesus) up into an exceeding high mountain, and
sheweth Him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
And saith unto Him, All these things will I give thee, if you wilt fall down and
worship me." (Matthew 4:8-9)
In the future, all the kingdoms of the world will become kingdoms of God and He will rule over them:
"And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven,
saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord,
and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever." (Revelation 11:15)
In the natural world a king is the sovereign ruler of the kingdom. All the territory and people of the kingdom belong to him. He has the power of life and death over his subjects.
The spiritual world is composed of two spiritual kingdoms, the Kingdom of Satan and the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of Satan consists of Satan, spiritual beings called demons, and all men who live in sin and rebellion to God's Word. The Kingdom of God consists of God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, spiritual beings called angels, and all men who live in righteous obedience to God's Word.
THE KINGDOM OF GOD
There is one Kingdom of God, but it is described in different ways in Scripture. The expression "Kingdom of Heaven" is also used as a name for the Kingdom of God.
This Kingdom is identical with the Kingdom of the Father (Matthew 26:29), of Jesus (Revelation 1:9), of Christ Jesus (II Timothy 4:1), of Christ and God (Ephesians 5:5), of "our Lord and His Christ" (Revelation 11:15), of "our God, and the power of His Christ" (Revelation 12:10), and "of the Son of His love" (Colossians 1:13). All of these are names for the Kingdom of God. For purposes of simplicity, the single title "Kingdom of God" is used in this site.
The Kingdom of God is not a denomination. Denominations are man-made organizations of groups of churches. They have been established for practical purposes of organization and administration. Denominations are major church organizations like Baptist, Assembly of God, Methodist, Lutheran, etc.
The Bible speaks of the true Church which is not a denomination or religious organization. The true Church is composed of all those who have become residents of the Kingdom of God. The true Church is the corporate spiritual body which God established by which the Gospel of the Kingdom is to be extended to the nations of the world. This Church is composed of all men and women who are residents of the Kingdom of God.
The Church is not only to preach and teach the Gospel of the Kingdom, but it should provide a scale model of life in the Kingdom of God. The Church should operate by Kingdom patterns and principles and demonstrate in its lifestyle the teachings of its King, Jesus Christ.
The Kingdom of God existed in the past, it exists in the present, and it will exist in the future, all in different forms. At the present time in the natural world, the Kingdom of God exists individually within every man, woman, boy or girl who has made Jesus King of their lives. In the future, there will be an actual visible revelation of God's Kingdom. You will learn more about the past, present, and future of the Kingdom of God later in this site.
Because the Kingdom of God is a spiritual kingdom and not a natural kingdom of this world, it must be understood with a spiritual mind:
"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (I Corinthians 2:14)
RULERS OF THE KINGDOMS
The Kingdom of Satan is ruled by Satan. You will learn more about him and his kingdom in the Satan was originally a beautiful angel created by God and was part of the Kingdom of God, but he tried to take over God's Kingdom. You can read about his rebellion in Isaiah 14:12-17 and Ezekiel 28:12-19. Several angels joined Satan in this rebellion and they were all cast out of the Kingdom by God. They formed their own kingdom which is called the Kingdom of Satan.
The Kingdom of God is ruled by the Trinity of God which is composed of the Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
RESIDENTS OF THE KINGDOMS
In addition to the rulers, there are other residents of the two spiritual kingdoms. Evil spirits called demons are residents of the Kingdom of Satan. These spirits can enter, torment, control, and use humans who belong to Satan's kingdom. They motivate many evil acts done by men and women.
Before the end of the world, Satan will use two special spiritual beings in his kingdom called the Antichrist and the False Prophet. They will be part of the final deceptive plan of Satan to overthrow the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God also has residents. There are angels which are spiritual beings who minister to men and women who are part of the Kingdom of God.
Just as demons do the bidding of Satan in the world, angels do the will of God.
Although angels and demons are spiritual beings, they reveal themselves visibly and verbally in the natural world on occasion. Demons possessing the bodies of men speak and act in evil ways through them and angels sometimes appear in visible form.
In addition to these spiritual beings, all people alive are either residents of the Kingdom of Satan or the Kingdom of God.
ENTRANCE TO THE KINGDOMS
One of the parables told by Jesus reveals that all men are either part of the Kingdom of Satan or the Kingdom of God. Jesus compared the world to a field. The good seed in the field were the children of the Kingdom of God. The bad seed, which resulted in the growth of tares (weeds) were the children of the wicked one:
The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the Kingdom; but the
tares are the children of the wicked one. (Matthew 13:38)
People enter the Kingdom of Satan through natural birth. The Bible teaches that all men are born in sin. This means that they have a basic sin nature or the "seed" of sin within. Their natural inclination is to do evil:
"Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me."(Psalms 51:5)
"Wherefore, as by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." (Romans 5:12)
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)
Because we are born with the basic sin nature, we have all at one time been part of the Kingdom of Satan. The whole message of God's written Word, the Holy Bible, is the appeal to man to move from this evil Kingdom of Satan to the righteous Kingdom of God.
Men are born into the Kingdom of Satan through natural birth. They must be reborn into the Kingdom of God through spiritual birth.
Those who are born again change their residency from the Kingdom of Satan to the Kingdom of God. They change their allegiance from Satan to God. When they enter the Kingdom of God they must learn the principles which govern life in this Kingdom. It is like learning the lifestyle of a new country to which you have immigrated
RELATIONS BETWEEN THE KINGDOMS
From the time of the rebellion of Satan, there has been spiritual warfare raging between the Kingdom of Satan and the Kingdom of God. The Bible is the written record of the warfare between these two kingdoms.
This spiritual warfare being waged throughout the world is over the minds, souls and spirits of mankind. Satan is trying to keep men captive to sin in his kingdom. Through deceptive methods he entices men and women to partake of the temporary lusts of sinful living. He aims for the affections of the soul and spirit which rightfully belong to God: "The thief (Satan) cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I (Jesus) am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)
This warfare in the spirit world will continue until the end of time as we now know it.
FOR FURTHER STUDY PLEASE NOTE:
THE KINGDOM OF SATAN
I. Ruler of the Kingdom of Satan: Satan
A. His origin: All creatures were created by God: John 1:3;
Colossians 1:16-17
B. His former glory: Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:12-17
C. His former position: Ezekiel 28:14
D. His fall: Ezekiel 28:12-19
E. His names:
l. God of this world: II Corinthians 4:4
2. Angel of light: II Corinthians 11:14
3. Devil: I Peter 5:8; Matthew 4:1
4. Satan: John 13:27
5. Lucifer: Isaiah 14:12
6. Dragon: Revelation 12:3
7. Serpent: Revelation 12:9; 20:2; II Corinthians 11:3; Genesis 3:4,14
8. Adversary: I Peter 5:8
9. Belial: II Corinthians 6:15
10. Beelzebub: Matthew 12:24; Luke 11:15; Mark 3:22
11. Murderer: John 8:44
12. Tempter: Matthew 4:3; I Thessalonians 3:5
13. Anointed Cherub: Ezekiel 28:14
14. Destroyer: Revelation 9:11
15. Deceiver: Revelation 12:9; 20:3
16. Apollyon (Greek word for destroyer): Revelation 9:11
17. Abaddon (Hebrew word for a destroying angel): Revelation 9:11
18. Ruler of darkness: Ephesians 6:12
19. Angel of bottomless pit: Revelation 9:11
20. Enemy: Matthew 13:39
21. Prince of the devils: Matthew 12:24
22. Liar, father of lies: John 8:44
23. King of Tyrus: Ezekiel 28:12-15
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24. Prince of this world: John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11
25. Prince of the power of the air: Ephesians 2:2
26. Spirit that worketh in the children of disobedience: Ephesians 2:2
27. Evil one: I John 5:9
28. Roaring Lion: I Peter 5:8
29. Accuser of the brethren: Revelation 12:10
F. His attributes:
1. Intelligent and subtle: II Corinthians 11:3
2. Emotional: Revelation 12:17
3. Self-willed: II Timothy 2:26
4. Proud: I Timothy 3:6
5. Powerful: Ephesians 2:2
6. Deceitful: Ephesians 6:11
7. Fierce and cruel: I Peter 5:8
8. Deceptive: II Corinthians 11:14
G. Recorded words of Satan:
1. Genesis 3:1,4,5
2. Job 1:7-12
3. Job 2:1-6
4. Matthew 4:1-11
5. Luke 4:1-13
II. Residents of Satan's Kingdom: Demonic spirits
A. Satan is the ruler of a host of demons: Matthew 12:22-28
B. Their Origin: Revelation 12:7-9; Jude 6
C. Their attributes:
l. Spirit beings: Matthew 8:16; Luke 10:17,20
2. Speak: Mark 5:9,12; Luke 8:28; Matthew 8:31
3. Believe: James 2:19
4. Exercise their wills: Luke 8:32; 11:24
5. Demonstrate intelligence: Mark 1:24
6. Emotional: Luke 8:28: James 2:19
7. Recognize: Acts 19:15
8. Supernatural strength: Acts 19:16; Mark 5:2,3
9. Supernatural presence: Daniel 9:21-23; 10:10-14
D. Their structure:
l. United: Matthew 12:26,45; Luke 8:30; I Timothy 4:1
2. Organized in forces: Luke 8:30
3. There are degrees of wickedness: Matthew 12:43-45
4. There is organized structure: Ephesians 1:21; 3:10; 6:12;
Romans 8:38
5. There are different kinds of demons: Matthew 10:1; I Timothy 4:1
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III. Residents of Satan's Kingdom: All people who are not residents of the Kingdom of
God: Revelation 20:15; 21:8
IV. The realm of activity of Satan and demons:
A. Access to God's presence: Job 1:6-7
B. Access to the whole earth: Revelation 12:10
V. Activities of Satan and demons:
The activities of Satan and demons are dealt with in detail in the Harvestime
International Institute course entitled "Spiritual Strategies: A Manual Of Spiritual
Warfare.” To summarize: Their activities are always directed against God, His
purposes, and His people.
VI. Believers have greater power than Satan and his demons:
A. Matthew 10:1; Mark 6:7;9:38; 16:17; Luke 10:17; Acts 5:16; 8:7; 16:16-18;
19:12
VII. The future destiny of Satan's Kingdom: Matthew 8:29;25:41; II Peter 2:4; Jude 6;Revelation 12:7-9; 20:10; I John 3:8; Luke 8:28; Matthew 25:41
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My appreciation goes out to the following: Harvestime International Institute for the materials, Dr. Myles Munroe, Dr. Cindy Trimm, Bishop T.D Jakes, Bishop Noel Jones, Prophetess Dr. Juanita Bynum, Pastor Joel Osteen, Pastor Andrew Fofanah , Dr. Kevin A. McPherson, Paula White Joyce Meyer etc