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Last week we looked at how God’s will is done in Heaven, and how does that relate to us doing the will of God here on Earth. Today, we look at the word Kingdom as used in the Bible, and an ancient custom used by conquering kings. You and I are called to be more than conquerors, so here’s a snapshot of what that looks like for our daily life.
Every time Jesus used the word “Kingdom” he used the word ‘basilea’ – literally meaning: “rule/authority”, “the authority to rule over”.
Today I want to take a look at the source of that word. It comes from the Greek word ‘basileus’ – literally meaning “a foundation of power”, “the foundation or source of ones authority”. This word, in turn, comes from the root word ‘basis’ – literally meaning “the foot”, “to place ones foot upon”.
This “placing of ones foot upon” comes from a well known custom from ancient times in which the king of a conquering army would take the defeated king to a high place and there have him bow with his head to the ground in front of him. He would then take his foot and very deliberately bring it down upon the neck of that defeated foe. He was establishing his “kingdom rule” over that fallen king.
The conquering army would cheer, and more than just being symbolic of the present victory, the implication for the entire nation’s confidence, identity, and unity was powerful! Everything that came under this conquered king, now comes under the authority and dominion of the conqueror.
A classic example of this is in Joshua chapter 10, verses 22 to 25 (click here to read the passage online).
What in fact was happening in that moment? Why did he not just kill them why the ritual? A DECLARATION was being made!
The placing of that foot upon the neck was a declaration concerning the attitude and the intention of Joshua as the leader of Israel. Joshua was an enforcer of the will of God upon the Earth. He was empowered by God and whatever evil that sought to defy the will of his God would end up like these 5 Kings. It was a declaration!
But we find something very curious about what Joshua did. Not only did Joshua do this himself, he called on his captains to do so as well. Do not think for a second that spiritual authority is something to be held by those who are in leadership positions. YOU can walk in it. YOU can walk in the authority of God to overcome every spiritual enemy that comes against you.
Yes Joshua was bringing “the Kingdom” to bear the authority of God to rule upon the Earth as He does in Heaven himself, but he encouraged those around him to do so as well. I believe we need a great deal more of that attitude in the Church!
Yes we are partakers of His indescribable love and grace, and yes this is the gospel that we carry, but we serve the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords, and His authority and His rulership must be brought to bear in our lives if we are to see His will accomplished fully in and through us.
The issue of Lordship is of utmost importance. That is why Jesus came! To take mankind from being under the rule of Satan and to bring them under the rule of God and in so doing establish those redeemed ones as sons and daughters, legal heirs with the right to also exercise that rule.
We have been redeemed to rule!
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