This study was first taught on May 21, 2017

Topic: What Kingdom? Which Israel? What Timing?_2: A Spiritual Perspective

(use the audio to study)

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Background
Last week, we attempted a historical survey of the nation of Israel dating from the time of Abraham up till the time when the Lord walked the face of the earth. In doing this, our mission was to understand the question, Jesus’ disciples asked in Acts 1:6, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”

Our study led us to understand the meaning of the word ‘kingdom’ as used by the disciples in the question, which means, rule (administration/governance); reign (authority over/government); realm (area, sphere, or, territory/governed). Thus, we noted that Jesus’ disciples were eager to be free from the oppression of their oppressors who included not just the Roman empire and its government and governance, but also their own religious and political elite! In considering their question further, we noted that we also, have a desire to be free from our own oppressors in the representation of not just the secular political operators of our day, religious persecution, and addictions to drugs, sexual sins, and worldliness, but sadly, also, the oppression and domination of many so-called ‘church leaders’ who have scattered the flock of the Lord and made them to become “like sheep without a shepherd”!

We noted that we ought to pray and cry unto God for deliverance, and, as He heard the cries of the children of Israel in Egypt, He will hear our own cries and bring true deliverance to us speedily; even as all of the created animals, birds, and fishes are desirous to be freed of bondage resulting from the fall of Man.

Scripture Text(s)
Acts 1:6-8; Genesis 3:1-19
Our discussion last week only took a historical view of the matter at hand—“What Kingdom? Which Israel? What Timing?” We only stopped at the oppressors which the disciples and the people of their day saw and experienced in their daily living. Our second scripture text today, provides us with a historical background of the tragedy that has befallen mankind, through the sin of Adam. But there was more to the sin of Adam that meets the eye; hence, we shall pursue the matter further, by seeking to unmask the real oppressors of mankind in general, and the church, in particular. We pray that the Holy Spirit will enlighten our hearts with spiritual truth and understanding, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Our second scripture text explains many things that have befallen mankind—painful childbirth, the hard labour of making a living, why all of mankind now live only to die, among others—none of which was intended from the beginning. Hence, all of creation is asking, “Lord, when will you restore again, the rule and reign of the tranquility that was in paradise to mankind?” (Romans 8:22). There was in the Garden of Eden, a ‘ruler’ who acquired his kingdom and dominion through trickery, craft, and wiles—the bible refers to him as “that old Serpent”—and, he continues to exercise his dominion over mankind using the same approach! Last week, we saw the oppressors of the Jews in Jesus’ day; today, as we view the spiritual perspective, we shall unmask the real oppressors in Jesus’ day, and indeed, through the generations; from whom we should be seeking freedom!
Matthew 16:5-12; Zechariah 1:18-21; Daniel 10:12-14, 20-21; 11:1ff; Job 1 & 2; Revelation 12:1-17; Ezekiel 28:11-19; Ephesians 6:12; Daniel 10:12-20; Romans 6:12-14; 2 Corinthians 11:12-13; 4:1-5; Ephesians 4:14; 2 John 1:7; Matthew 4:1-11; Romans 1:18-19; 6:15-23; 10:8-13; Daniel 4:17, 25, 34-35; James 4:7-10; 1 Peter 5:5-10.

Conclusion
The real oppressor of mankind, who is also referred to as “the ruler of this world” (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11), “that old Serpent” (Revelation 12:9; 20:2) and, also called the Devil, is Satan! He is the ruler of the kingdom of darkness, and he exercises total dominion over his subjects. When Adam sinned, he inadvertently brought all of mankind under Satan’s rule, and as such, they are governed by his rules for living which have come to mankind through philosophies and religions over the Centuries.

Satan’s kingdom is set up through a well-organized structure of ‘administrators/governors’—principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this age, spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. These ‘administrators/governors’ reign over realms that vary in size depending on the level of the administrator in the hierarchy, from individuals to whole nations, and even generations. They also include those that govern various religions, cults, cultures, etc. There are also, sin, which governs mankind through deceit and temptation; and, the human agents of Satan, who include, false ministers of the gospel!

Satan’s goal through his kingdom machinery is to keep men in subjection to him and his administration unto eternity. In achieving his goal, his greatest weapon is deceit, trickery, wiles, and fear, all of which seek to draw the individual’s attention and focus away from God and His word, unto any other thing (provided it is not the word of God or what God is about or doing). He also needs the help of the person being deceived, and this is where the flesh—the nature of man that loves to sin—comes in. The flesh has desires and passion or affections, which it seeks to satisfy; and this it does by acquiescing to the lure of sin, which damages the inner man of the individual concerned, making him a candidate for eternity in hell.

To get out of Satan’s grip, a person must necessarily turn to God in faith through Jesus Christ, who is the ruler of the kingdom of God! This turning to God is achieved through a definite desire in the heart of man to surrender and submit to God through faith in Jesus’ finished work at Calvary, and a verbalized or public profession or confession of such a submission to Christ, as Lord; meaning that he is desirous of leaving the kingdom of Satan for the kingdom of the Son of God! This notwithstanding, Satan does not give up on those who have left his kingdom, and seeks to bring them back under his rule; but if we resist Satan, and humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, we shall be safe and secure under Christ!

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