Chapter Four

KINGDOMCONCEPT(1)
UNDERSTANDING THEKINGDOM 
CONCEPT OFKINGS 

In recent times, it has been a popular notion to cel-ebrate the opposition against monarchies, and manyhave even suggested the eradication of the conceptof monarchies from our so-called modern or post-modern world. Popular uprisings against the remaining monarchies in the name ofthe pursuit of democracy have become the craze of today’s self-pro-claimed freedom fighters. In some cases it may be justifiable; inmany of the instances cited, these kingdoms are filled with contra-dictions, abuse, oppression, social extremes, and dictatorial admin-istrations. 

However, it must also be noted that many of thedemocracies in our world today are also plagued with the samedefects and shortcomings. In essence, the problem is not the king,the kingdoms, or even the form of government, but the defects inthe human nature that functions in any of these systems.Yet the kingdom concept is the only one presented, preached,promoted, taught, and established by Jesus Christ throughout Hisministry. His proposed solution to mankind’s problems on the earthis the establishment of the Kingdom of Heaven in the earth. 

As amatter of fact, the message of the Bible and, more specifically, thefocus of Jesus 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, Jesus never preached as apriority public message subjects like faith, prosperity, giving, deliv-erance, or even His death on the Cross or resurrection as “thegospel.” But He repeatedly promoted and declared “the Kingdom ofGod and Heaven” as His principal message.

I am well aware that what I just said may be cause for much reac-tion, mental conflict, and religious resistance; but I would encourageyou to search and research the four Gospels for yourself and discov-er this surprising reality. Jesus also indicated that this message of the“Kingdom” would be His disciples’ message to their world.Jesus’ message of the Kingdom was foreshadowed in the OldTestament centuries before He was born in Bethlehem. 

Here are twoexamples. The first one indicates God’s motivation for delivering theslave clans of Israel from Egyptian oppression:“Now if you obey Me fully and keep My covenant, then outof all nations you will be My treasured possession.Although the whole earth is Mine, you will be for Me akingdom of priests and a holy nation.” These are the wordsyou are to speak to the Israelites (Exodus 19:5-6).In the second example, we see the Old Testament Messianicpromise declared by the prophet Isaiah, strongly indicating the gov-ernmental aspects of the Kingdom mandate: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the gov-ernment will be on His shoulders. 

And He will be calledWonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government andpeace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throneand over His kingdom, establishing and upholding it withjustice and righteousness from that time on and forever.The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this (Isaiah9:6-7). Jesus’ message was clearly kingdom focused and not religiouslymotivated: From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for thekingdom of heaven is near” (Matthew 4:17).

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their syna-gogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, andhealing every disease and sickness among the people(Matthew 4:23).Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom ofheaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will becomforted (Matthew 5:3-4).For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses thatof 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 allthese things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:33).Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching intheir synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdomand healing every disease and sickness (Matthew 9:35).As you go, preach this message: “The kingdom of heavenis near” (Matthew 10:7). But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then thekingdom of God has come upon you (Matthew 12:28).He replied, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdomof heaven has been given to you, but not to them”(Matthew 13:11).When anyone hears the message about the kingdom anddoes not understand it, the evil one comes and snatchesaway what was sown in his heart (Matthew 13:19a).

Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heavenis like a man who sowed good seed in his field” (Matthew13:24).He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven islike a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in hisfield” (Matthew 13:31).He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heav-en is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a largeamount 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 joywent and sold all he had and bought that field (Matthew13:44).Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant lookingfor fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he wentaway and sold everything he had and bought it (Matthew13:45-46). Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that waslet down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish(Matthew 13:47).I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatev-er you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and what-ever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven (Matthew16:19).I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will nottaste death before they see the Son of Man coming in Hiskingdom (Matthew 16:28).

And He said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change andbecome like little children, you will never enter the king-dom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself likethis child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven”(Matthew 18:3-4).Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who want-ed to settle accounts with his servants (Matthew 18:23).For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who wentout early in the morning to hire men to work in his vine-yard (Matthew 20:1).Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectorsand the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of Godahead of you” (Matthew 21:31b).

The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wed-ding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, butthey refused to come (Matthew 22:2-3).Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hyp-ocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces.You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enterwho are trying to (Matthew 23:13). And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in thewhole world as a testimony to all nations, and then theend will come (Matthew 24:14).

Then the King will say to those on His right, “Come, youwho are blessed by My Father; take your inheritance, thekingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world”(Matthew 25:34).After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and villageto another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom ofGod (Luke 8:1).And He sent them out to preach the kingdom of God andto heal the sick (Luke 9:2).Then He took them with Him and they withdrew by them-selves to a town called Bethsaida, but the crowds learnedabout it and followed Him. 

He welcomed them and spoketo them about the kingdom of God, and healed those whoneeded healing (Luke 9:10b-11).I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will nottaste death before they see the kingdom of God (Luke9:27). Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has beenpleased to give you the kingdom (Luke 12:32).And I confer on you a kingdom, just as My Father con-ferred one on Me (Luke 22:29).Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, Myservants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. Butnow My kingdom is from another place” (John 18:36).“You are a king, then!” said Pilate. 

Jesus answered, “Youare right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason Iwas born, and for this I came into the world, to testify tothe truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to Me”(John 18:37).My purpose for listing all of these statements is to show andemphasize the preoccupation Jesus had with the kingdom conceptrather than a religion. Note in particular the last statement above,where Jesus declares Himself a “king” and not a president or primeminister or mayor. This is why it is necessary and essential that werediscover and desire to understand the Kingdom as a concept anda reality. It is the foundation of God’s plan for mankind.

The original ideal kingdom concept is distinct from the earthlyversion even though it contains many of the same components andconcepts of all kingdoms. Despite the many failed kingdomsthroughout history, the questions still arise: Why did God choose akingdom and not a republic? Why did God choose a kingdom andnot a democracy or socialism? What are the benefits of being in akingdom over a democratic republic or a communistic regime? Whyis a kingdom better than a democracy or socialist form of govern-ment? Why is Jesus a King and not a president? What exactly is a kingdom? Very simply, a kingdom is the gov-ernment of a king. 

More specifically, a kingdom is the sovereignrulership and governing influence of a king over his territory,impacting it with his will, his intent, and his purpose, manifesting aculture and society reflecting the king’s nature, values, and morals.A kingdom is the governing impact of a king’s will over a territory ordomain, his influence over a people, and a government led by a king. Therefore, the very heart of any kingdom is its king. This defini-tion perfectly describes the relationship of God to the heavenlyrealm. 

Heaven exists because of the creative activity of God.Throughout its entire expanse, it is infused with His presence, char-acter, and authority. There is no corner of heaven where His will isnot accomplished. In every way God is the unrivaled and unequalledKing of Heaven.The same was true in the natural realm when God extended HisKingdom authority to the earth through the man and woman Hecreated in His image and released to rule in His name. 

They rebelledagainst the King’s authority, however, and lost their rulership.Control of the earthly realm then passed temporarilyto a demonicusurper until the day in the King’s sovereign plan when it would berestored to its rightful ruler.In the fullness of time, Jesus came to the earth and reestablishedthe Kingdom. Because only a king can establish a kingdom, this actalone reveals that Jesus Christ is the King. The Bible, the constitu-tion of the Kingdom of Heaven, leaves no doubt as to the Kingshipof Jesus. 

Perhaps the clearest statement of all is found in the 18thchapter of the Gospel of John where Jesus, mere hours before Hisexecution by crucifixion, has a revealing exchange with PontiusPilate, the Roman governor of the province of Judea. Falsely arrest-ed, illegally tried, and wrongfully condemned for “blasphemy” by theJewish religious authorities in Jerusalem, Jesus now stands beforePilate for judgment. Pilate has heard the accusation that Jesus claimsto be a king. So the governor asks Him directly: “Are you the king of the Jews?”...Jesus said, “My kingdom isnot of this world. If it were, My servants would fight toprevent My arrest by the Jews. 

But now My kingdom isfrom another place.” “You are a king then!” said Pilate.Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. Infact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came intothe world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side oftruth listens to Me.” “What is truth?” Pilate asked (John18:33b,36-38a).Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world,” and “My kingdom isfrom another place,” clearly implying that He was a King. He wasspeaking of the Kingdom of Heaven. Notice that Jesus said that HisKingdom was not ofor fromthis world; He never said that it was notinthis world. 

His Kingdom on earth originated in Heaven.When Pilate pressed further, Jesus plainly said, “I am a king.” H ethen 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 clear-er than that? Testifyis a word often used to describe what a witnessdoes in a courtroom—testifying or avowing to what he has seen orheard. The original Greek word employed here has an even deepermeaning.

 It is a word of experimentation from the laboratory andmeans to verify or validate. Essentially, Jesus said to Pilate, “I cameto earth because I am a King, and I will prove it by putting it to thetest. I testify to the truth that a King is here, a Kingdom is here, andthis Kingdom is available to anyone who wants to come in.”The last thing Jesus said to Pilate was, “Everyone on the side oftruth listens to Me.” A more accurate rendering would be, “Everyoneon the side of truth hearsMe.” This is a very important pointbecause it has to do with “connecting” to Jesus’ message.

Everywhere I go teaching the message of the Kingdom, I find that itresonates with people from all religions and walks of life. God creat-ed us for kingship for dominion and inside each of us is a latentkingdom consciousness striving for expression. This consciousness reveals itself in various ways, such as in our natural resistance tobeing ruled or controlled by any other person and our continuallonging to control the circumstances of our own lives. That is whatfinally connected me to Jesus—when I realized that He could teachme how to run life, not let life run me. I learned that I could controlmy own circumstances.

The search for power is a natural human drive. We all seekpower over things and over circumstances, and that is what theKingdom of Heaven promises. Jesus said, “I will testify to the truthof the Kingdom, and when you hear Me, you will believe it. You willconnect with what I have to say because it will resonate with thekingdom consciousness that is already in you.” We connect with theKingdom message because it addresses the most deep-seated long-ing of our heart—our longing to be kings.While it is natural to desire power over things and circum-stances, desiring power over people is another matter. 

Seeking toinfluencepeople, public opinion, and public policy through king-dom principles is always appropriate, but pursuing despotic poweroverother people for personal gain at their expense is a corruptionof our natural quest for power. Desiring to control our own life isone thing; desiring to control others’ lives is another.THE KING IS CENTRAL TO HIS KINGDOMIf we were created for kingship, and if Jesus came to earth torestore the kingship we lost, and if we want to be prepared to resumeour rightful place as kings, then we had better learn what it meansto be a king and how a king relates to his kingdom. 

This is importantboth for teaching us how to think, speak, and behave like rulers andfor teaching us how to relate properly to God, our High King. A trueking is not a dictator.The first thing we need to understand is that a king is the cen-tral component of his kingdom. A king embodies the essence of his kingdom; the kingdom is the king. Without the king, there is nokingdom. The land and the people may still be there, but unlessthey are ruled by a king, they are not in a kingdom. 

This is one pri-mary distinction between a kingdom and a democratic state. In ademocracy, the country’s leader, whether called a president or aprime minister or whatever, is notthe center of the government.The constitution is. Presidents and prime ministers change everyfew years, but the constitution provides continuity of law and gov-ernment. In a kingdom, the king is the constitution. His word isthelaw.

 His word isthe government.Second, a king is the ultimate and only source of authority inhis kingdom. In the Kingdom of Heaven, the authority of God theKing is exclusive and absolute. His word is law and His will is car-ried out even to the farthest reaches of His realm. And God’s realmis infinite.The sole and absolute authority of the King is what distinguish-es the Kingdom of Heaven from religion. Religious people give lipservice to God’s kingship but then turn around and debate, question,and even amend His laws. 

For example, the King says that homosex-ual behavior is an abomination (see Lev. 18:22), yet a gathering ofbishops who supposedly honor the King’s law install an openly andactively homosexual priest as an archbishop! In the Kingdom, theKing’s word is law. It is not open to debate, discussion, challenge, oramendment.While this may seem restrictive or even despotic to someone raised in a democratic environment, in many ways it actually relieves a lot of pressure. If you are under the King and someoneasks you, “What do you think about so-and-so?” you can defer to theKing’s authority: “What I think does not matter. 

I am bound to fol-low my King, and my King says this...” or “I agree with my King, andthis is what He says...”In a democracy, political leaders campaign, negotiate, compro-mise, and consult committees in an effort to reach a consensus for establishing law and policy. In a kingdom, the king speaks...andthat’s it; no debate or question. The authority of the King is like theslogan that began circulating years ago: “God said it, I believe it, andthat settles it.” Even better is the variation: “God said it and that set-tles it, whether I believe it or not.”Jesus demonstrated this kingly authority when He said numer-ous times, 

“You have heard...but Itell you...” (see Matt. 5:21-22, 27-28,33-34, 38-39, 43-44, emphasis added). The biblical account of thisoccasion records:When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowdswere amazed at His teaching, because He taught as onewho had authority, and not as their teachers of the law(Matthew 7:28-29, emphasis added).Jesus spoke and taught on His own authority. He did not relyon the thoughts, ideas, interpretations, or traditions of others.Why? Because He was a King whose authority was independentand sovereign.

This leads to a third point to understand about a king: The sov-ereignty of a king is inherent in his royal authority. The people do notmake a king sovereign; he is born sovereign. Jesus told Pilate that Hewas borna king; He did not receive His kingship—or His sovereign-ty—from the hand of men. Sovereignty means freedom from exter-nal control. As sovereign, a king is free to do as he pleases with noaccountability to anyone else in the kingdom. Otherwise, a king hasno true authority. No one has the authority to tell God what to do.God’s sovereignty is absolute. He is completely self-determining.

FOURTEEN CHARACTERISTICS OF A KING

A king is distinct both from a democratically elected leader,such as a president or prime minister, as well as from a dictator in a totalitarian state. Following are 14 characteristics of a king thatclarify that distinction.1. A king is never voted into power.His power is inherentfrom birth. Democratic leaders are electedto power;totalitarian dictators seize power; but a king is bornintopower.

2. A king is king by birthright.His kingship is not con-ferred by men. Elected leaders rule by the will of the peo-ple. Dictators rule through fear, repression, and coercion.A king rules because he is born to it. Jesus Christ wasborn a King. We do not make Him King; all we can do isacknowledge that He isKing.

3. A king cannot be voted out of power.Because the king-dom is his by birth, a king rules for life. A president isvoted out of office or departs due to term limits. A dic-tator may be brought down by a coup d’etat or popularuprising. Kingship, however, is a lifelong office. A humanking may be dethroned by force or revolution, but he cannever be voted out. The King of Heaven reigns by sover-eign right of creation. He will never be voted out ofpower. Nor will He ever be dethroned. Lucifer tried andfailed. Human empires have tried and failed and thenfallen themselves, as is the destiny of all regimes thatchallenge His sovereignty. 

He was King before this worldbegan, and He will still be King after it has passed away.In fact, Scripture makes this bold declaration:The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of ourLord and of His Christ, and He will reign for ever and ever(Revelation 11:15b). No act either of man on earth or of the spiritual powersof darkness will ever remove the King of Heaven fromHis throne.4. A king’s authority is absolute.That is why he is not apresident or a prime minister. 

Presidents must consultCongress, and prime ministers, Parliament. If the primeminister of the Bahamas makes a decision, the senate candiscuss it, the parliament may attack it, the media maymutilate it, and he may change his mind. Dictators, onthe other hand, while perhaps exercising absolute power(for a time), possess no legitimateauthority. This is whythey must use force and repression to stay in power. Butwhen a king speaks, he speaks with absolute authority—authority that is inherent to his kingship.

5. A king’s word is law.Because a king’s authority isabsolute, his word is law. No one can countermand hisorders, negate his pronounce-ments, set aside hisdecrees, or amend his statutes. David, an Israelite kingwho loved the King of Heaven with all his heart, had thisto say about his King’s law:The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. Thestatutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the sim-ple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to theheart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving lightto the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether right-eous....By them is Your servant warned; in keeping themthere is great reward (Psalm 19:7-9,11).The King’s word is law. Great reward follows obedience.Disobedience brings severe penalties.

 6. A king personally owns everything in his domain.Presidents and other elected leaders do not own theircountries; they are citizens like everyone else. Dictatorsoften act as though they own everything, but whateverthey possess they acquire by fraud, theft, and corruption.A king, on the other hand, personally owns everything inhis domain. In fact, a kingdom is the only form of gov-ernment where the ruler owns everything and everyone.In the words of King David, once again:The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world,and all who live in it (Psalm 24:1).

The King of Heaven Himself declares:Every animal of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on athousand hills (Psalm 50:10).A king owns the people, the animals, the plants, the land,and the air around the land. He owns the value under theearth—the gold, the silver, the platinum, the diamonds,etc. He owns the soil and the seeds in the soil. A kingowns everything in his territory. That is why he is calleda lord. Lord means owner. We’ll discuss more on thisconcept in the next chapter.

7. A king’s decree is unchanging.In a democratic system,laws can be amended, revised, or revoked. Dictatorschange and even reverse their own decrees whenever itsuits them. They renege on their word all the time. But aking’s word is law. Once a king issues a decree, it cannotbe changed.Daniel, a faithful, God-fearing Jew in exile, was a highofficial in the court of Darius, a Medo-Persian king.When Daniel’s enemies plotted to destroy him, they persuaded Darius to issue a decree that for 30 days noprayers or petitions were to be raised to any god or any-one else except to the king himself. Violators would bethrown into a den of lions. This decree was a “law of theMedes and Persians, which may not be revoked” (Dan.6:8b NASB).

Catching Daniel in the act of praying to God in violationof the king’s decree (as they knew they would), Daniel’senemies took him to the king. Darius was trapped. Evenhe could not revoke his own decree! The king spent atormented, sleepless night while his trusted servantDaniel cooled his heels in the lion’s den. The Lord deliv-ered Daniel safely, and his enemies ended up with thelions instead.The point here is that a king’s decree, once issued, can-not be undone. The decrees of the King of Heaven arejust as permanent:The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of ourGod stands forever (Isaiah 40:8).

Jesus the King said:Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words willnever pass away (Matthew 24:35).8. A king chooses who will be a citizen. In a democracy,the citizens choose their leader while a totalitarian sys-tem treats its “citizens” as little more than tools of thestate. A kingdom operates in the opposite mannertheking chooses the citizens. Because his authority isabsolute, he determines the standards of citizenship inhis kingdom. The people do not vote for the king, but inessence, he votes for them. Jesus demonstrated this kingly prerogative as well when He saidto His closest followers:You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed youto go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Fatherwill give you whatever you ask in My name. 

This is Mycommand: Love each another. If the world hates you, keepin mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to theworld, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do notbelong to the world, but I have chosen you out of theworld. That is why the world hates you (John 15:16-19).Jesus chose them out of citizenship in the world andmade them citizens of His Kingdom with full benefits ofcitizenship. They no longer belonged to the kingdom ofthe world. Now, like Jesus, their Kingdom was fromanother place. Jesus does the same thing today for every-one who believes Him—everyone who accepts His mes-sage of the Kingdom.

9. A king embodies the government of his kingdom.This means that wherever a king is, his entire govern-ment is present. Whenever a king speaks, his whole gov-ernment is speaking. Whenever a king moves, thegovernment moves with him because he embodies thegovernment; the king is the government.When President Bush travels abroad, the authorityof theUnited States government travels with him because herepresents the government and the people. 

              The govern-ment itself, however, does not travel with him. It remainsin place and functioning in Washington. The govern-ment of a king, on the other hand, is wherever the kingis. A king and his government are inseparable. This ishow we can know that the Kingdom of Heaven is on earth; the Kingdom is here because the King is here.Jesus said:...if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for,it will be done for you by My Father in heaven. For wheretwo or three come together in My name, there am I withthem (Matthew 18:19-20).and:... All authority in heaven and on earth has been given toMe. Therefore go and make disciples of allnations...teaching them to obey everything I have com-manded you. And surely I am with you always, to the veryend of the age (Matthew 28:18-20).The Kingdom of Heaven is here because the King ofheaven is here in the hearts and lives of His citizens whopopulate His colony here.

10. A king’s presence is the presence of his authority.When a king shows up, his full authority is present. Hisauthority does not reside in a place or in a document; itresides in him personally. This is why citizens of God’sKingdom colony on earth can act with kingly authority.Because the King is present, His authority is present also.

It was this present authority that Jesus had in mind whenHe said:I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will bebound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will beloosed in heaven (Matthew 18:18).and: I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Sonmay bring glory to the Father. You may ask Me for any-thing in My name, and I will do it (John 14:13-14).Kingdom citizens may always exercise kingly authoritybecause the King is always present with them.

11. A king’s wealth is measured by his property.The larg-er and richer in resources a kingdom is, the wealthier theking, because the king owns everything in his kingdom.Dictators become wealthy by stealing from the people.Democratically elected leaders may or may not be per-sonally wealthy, but they definitely do not own theircountry. 

This is one of the major distinctions between aking and other government leaders. Kings own every-thing in their domain by right of birth and kingship. As amatter of fact, property is so tied up with a king’s identi-ty that without it a king is not a king. We will discuss thismore thoroughly in Chapter Six.Why is wealth so important in a kingdom? So the kingcan take care of his citizens.

 A righteous and benevolentking does not amass wealth for himself but for the wel-fare of his citizens. This is why it is only in a kingdomwhere we truly find commonwealth; that is, the wealth iscommon to all the people.No kingdom is greater or richer than the Kingdom ofHeaven because it encompasses all that exists. And noking is wealthier than the King of Heaven because Heowns everything everywhere in both the natural andsupernatural realms. Consequently, no citizens of anygovernment are more prosperous or have greater welfarethan do citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven because allthe infinite wealth of that Kingdom is their commonwealth. 

12. A king’s prosperity is measured by the status of hiscitizens.If the citizens are poor, the king is seen as apoor king. If the citizens are prosperous, however, theking is seen as a wealthy king. Wealthy citizens make aking proud. 

That is why it is important for a king to makesure his people prosper. Jesus never preached prosperity.Why not? Because prosperity is a matter of Kingdombusiness. Anyone who becomes a citizen of the Kingdomof Heaven automatically prospers because the King ofheaven is a wealthy King—the wealthiest of all. And Heis also a righteous and benevolent King who is commit-ted to the fullest and greatest welfare of His people.

13. A king’s name is the essence of his authority.A kingcan delegate authority to anyone he pleases to act inhis name or on his behalf. This is often done by issuinga “king’s letter,” a royal edict signed by the king andbearing his official seal that authorizes the bearer toact on his authority. Anyone to whom the king’s letteris presented must treat the bearer as if he were the kinghimself.Nehemiah, another exiled Jew who was a contemporary of Daniel, was cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes. Hearing that Jerusalem had been destroyed, Nehemiahlonged to go there and rebuild the city. 

When the kinglearned of Nehemiah’s desire, he granted him permissionto go. He also issued letters instructing the keeper of theking’s forest to give Nehemiah all the material herequired and for the governors of the various provincesto grant him safe passage. Nehemiah carried the king’sname and, therefore, his authority (see Neh. chapters1–2). Citizens of the kingdom of Heaven have the same privi-lege. Jesus the King has issued king’s letters to all His people, delegating His authority to them. 

That is why theNew Testament says that Kingdom citizens are to pray inthe name of Jesus. It is why He promised to do anythingthat they asked in His name. There is nothing religiousor mysterious about this. It is simply a kingdom princi-ple at work. The King’s name carries the same authorityas the King Himself, and all who carry His name canoperate in His authority.

14. A king’s citizenry represents his glory. Any conscien-tious king wants his citizens to be happy, prosperous,and content because their status and quality of life reflecton him. The greater their prosperity and well-being, thegreater the glory and honor that rest on the king whoprovides for them so well. Citizens of God’s Kingdom aresupposed to show what their King is like by the way theylive, act, dress, walk, and talk. Kingdom citizens are toreflect the nature and character of their King, who isrighteous, just, benevolent, compassionate, and full ofglory. This is why there is no poverty in the Kingdom ofHeaven, no economic crisis, and no shortages. 

As KingDavid observed:The Lord upholds the righteous...I was young and now Iam old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken ortheir children begging bread (Psalm 37:17b, 25).The King of Heaven takes care of His citizens.Appropriating the riches of the Kingdom of Heavenmeans first of all understanding that the King ownseverythingand we own nothing; and second, that He cangive whatever He wants to anyone He wants wheneverHe wants. This is the kingdom concept of lordshipand isthe subject of the next chapter. 

PRINCIPLES 

1. A kingdom is the sovereign rulership and governinginfluence of a king over his territory, impacting it withhis will, his intent, and his purpose.

2. In the fullness of time, Jesus came to the earth andreestablished the Kingdom. Because only a king canestablish a kingdom, this act alone reveals that JesusChrist is the King.

3. Jesus said that His Kingdom was not ofthis world; Henever said that it was not inthis world.

4. Inside each of us is a latent kingdom consciousness striv-ing for expression.

5. We all seek power over things and over circumstances,

and that is what the Kingdom of Heaven promises.

6. A king is the central component of his kingdom.

7. A king is the ultimate and only source of authority in hiskingdom.

8. The sovereignty of a king is inherent in his royalauthority.

9. God’s sovereignty is absolute. He is completely self-determining.