Chapter ( Twelve)

Part 4: The Role and Impact of the Governor 

Manifesting Kingdom As we have seen, every nation manifests itself in unique cultural and social expressions. There are specific ways that people from certain countries act, speak, and look, so that you can recognize, “That’s a Bahamian,” “That’s an Italian,” or “That’s a Russian.” After you have been around people from various countries or regions long enough, you begin to recognize their distinguishing mannerisms, atti-tudes, and speech. The previous chapter emphasized that, as citizens of the heavenly kingdom, we should begin to take on the disting uish-ing characteristics of our new country. 

                                  While we are still surrounded by the kingdom of darkness, we are to live from the inside out rather than from the outside in. Since we’re not used to living in this way, we depend on the Governor to instruct and empower us in all the ways of the kingdom its mindset, lifestyle, and customs so that what is within us can be mani-fested in our attitudes, words, and actions. In this chapter, I want to explore an aspect of kingdom culture that is vital to all other aspects of it; in fact, it often leads to and is associated with the gifts of the Spirit, which we will discuss in more depth in chapter thirteen.To begin, let’s look at the characteristics of all human nations, or kingdoms. 

Characteristics of All Nations 

There are certain characteristics that nations must have to become established and to maintain themselves as nations. They must have...1. Land (territor y)2. Culture (what the nation stands for; its ideals)3. Values (the standards the people of the nation live by)4. Language (a common form of communication)For example, what makes the United States of America a nation is not a particular ethnicity or standard of living. It is the land, the foundational beliefs and tenets found in its Constitution and other important national documents, the values that are drawn from those foundational beliefs, and its common language, English.

The Power of Language to a Kingdom 

Of the above four characteristics, language is the primary and greatest manifestation of a nation’s culture.Why is language so important to a nation? Historically, Americans have agreed that their language is English, the French have agreed that their language is French, and people from Spain and Latin American countries have agreed that their language is Spanish. If you emigrate to another country, it’s supposed to be your responsibility to make sure you adopt the country’s language. Otherwise, it encourages disharmony. Therefore, every nation embraces a common language because it is the key to unity. 

Language Is the Key to Effective Communication 

Third, language is the key to effective communication. National culture, values, history, goals, needs, and desires can be transmitted only if a nation’s leaders and citizens are able to effectively communicate these things to each other and subse-quent generations. A common language is essential to accom-plish this, especially in helping to ensure the accuracy of the transmission. 

Language is the Key to Effective Expression 

Fourth, language is the key to effective expression. You won’t be able to articulate what you desire to say if you lack the words to do so. Such a lack makes it difficult for people to participate in a nation as full-fledged citizens. 

 Language Signifies a Common Heritage 

Fifth, language is the key to common heritage. It identifies the original home country of those who speak it. For example, if a man from Portugal met a man from Brazil, they would recognize their common heritage because they both speak Portuguese, even though there might be regional differences in their respective expressions of the language. 

Language Is the Key to Generational Transfer 

Sixth, language is the key to generational transfer. When families emigrate from a nation, and the parents preserve the language and customs of the home country but their children do not, you eventually have situations in which grandchildren are unable to speak with their grandparents and lose contact with their heritage. This means that, if I want to pass along my values, beliefs, and family traditions to my children, I have to be able to communicate with them in a common language. Language therefore preserves family heritage throughout generations. 
                     Loss of Unity and Communication with the Kingdom These points about the power and value of language have implications for kingdom culture on earth. When human beings rebelled against their King and lost the Governor, the clear lines of communication between the heavenly kingdom and the inhabitants on earth were disrupted. In this sense, we could say that heaven and earth no longer had a “common language.” Human beings then tried to use their human lan-guage to further disassociate themselves from the King. 
                         Let’s examine how this transpired.The book of Genesis records, “Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. As men moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there.” We learn in Genesis 3 that after Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden of Eden, the entrance to the eastern side of the garden was specifically guarded so they couldn’t return there. Apparently, they left from the east side, and humanity continued to move eastward as the earth’s population grew. 
                            In Genesis 11, we find that the people were still spreading out eastward, and that they had retained a common language. This is the chapter that describes how the people decided to build a city with an immense tower. The incident shows the power of language. The people wanted to build a tower that would reach to the heavens, and they said, in effect, “We will build a tower and make a name for our-selves.” God’s response was, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.” Note that he said, “If as one people with the same language,” indicating that a key to power is language.
                        The people’s desire to build, however, was an indication of their separation from the home country. When you build something just for your own honor and purposes, even while using the mind, talent, and material the King gave you, and you call it your own, this is the same as idol worship. Anything that is more important to us than the King is an idol. So the people were about to build a tower that was more important to them than their Creator-King was. 
                            The King was not against people building cities or towers. In fact, he wants us to build the dreams that are in our hearts, which he put there. Rather, he was against their selfish pursuit of fame, and their arrogance. We are to do everything for the sake of the King’s glory, not our own. If it’s not for his glory, it will eventually be to our detriment.Again, the key to their ability to build this tower was their unified language. “If as one people speaking the same lan-guage they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.” The power of language is its ability to produce. 
                            Today, we see that the language barrier prevents many countries from working together on projects, and it can cause communication problems for companies who try to build in other nations.Since the whole world at that time had one language, we can say that the whole world had powerful potential. But they used that power of language to build something for themselves, and the King said, in essence, “This is wrong. Everything you’re using is mine. The ground is mine. The water is mine. The straw is mine. 
                          The nails and the hammers are all made from materials I created.” And so, his response was, “Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.” He didn’t say, “Let us destroy the tower,” because that wasn’t necessary. If they couldn’t talk to one another, the tower couldn’t be completed. The Genesis account continues, “That is why it was called Babel because there the LORD confused the language of the whole world.” This incident is where we get the word babble. Babble means “confusion.”1 When we say someone is babbling, we mean that what he is saying is incomprehensible. The tower was not originally called the Tower of Babel. 
                        That was just what it was called after the King destroyed the people’s ability to communicate with one language. Confounding humanity’s language was the King-Father’s way of protecting us until he would one day restore our unity and communication with him and one another through the return of the Governor. Expelling human beings from the garden had protected humanity from eating from the Tree of Life and living in an eternal state of rebellion and separation from God, with no hope of redemption. Similarly, confusing humanity’s language helped to guard human beings from the self-destruction of pursuing their goals only for selfish pursuit. The action was for their ultimate good.
                            If the key to power is one language, then the key to weak-ness is many languages. I believe this is one reason why the United Nations is so ineffective. Different languages, and the cultures they create, inevitably promote misunderstanding and disunity, and it isn’t possible to change this fundamental issue, even through well-meaning organizations. The rebellion of human beings, therefore, damaged their unity and communication with God and one another until the King-Son could put them back in the position to reconnect once again through the Governor. Significantly, this restora-tion of communication and unity was characterized by a capac-ity to speak in heaven-given languages, an ability given by the Holy Spirit. Once again, we can see why the key to bringing back kingdom culture to earth is the Governor. 

Heaven-Given Languages 

One of the first things the Governor gives us after we receive his infilling is the ability to speak in heaven-given languages. He may give an earthly language that the speaker does not understand. Or he may give a heavenly language that is unknown on earth. Through heaven given languages, the Governor enables human beings to once more share a “common tongue,” so to speak, with the heavenly King, showing they belong to his kingdom. 
                         After Jesus had accomplished his mission of restoration, he told his disciples, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.” But he also said, “These signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;...they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” Jesus was outlining the evidence of lives that have been connected to the heavenly kingdom.The promise of the Father was not just for kingdom power,therefore, but it was also for kingdom language. 
                    According to Jesus, when you receive citizenship, you receive “new tongues.” The Governor gives you languages from the heavenly king-dom. Let’s review what happened when the Spirit was poured out on the day of Pentecost:When the day of Pentecost came, they [the one hun-dred twenty followers of Jesus at that time] were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blow-ing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 
                       All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues [or languages] as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in be wilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 
                      Utterly amazed, they asked: “Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? Parthi-ans, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Juda-ism); Cretans and Arabs we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” Sud-denly, those one hundred twenty people, who had gathered together to worship the King-Father and wait for the out-pouring of the Spirit, were enabled by the Governor to speak in other languages. 
                      In this particular case, the God-given languages included human languages that the international crowd could understand. The King was communicating his plan of restoration through a special gift of language given to his kingdom citizens. This was a sign of the fulfillment of his promise. It showed that the communication lines between heaven and earth were open once more through the return of the Governor. 
                            It was also an indication that God desires to restore unity among the people of the world.Peter told those who witnessed their speaking in tongues, “God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.” When the Governor indwells our lives, we’re supposed to hear his presence, not just see it. It’s supposed to be manifest in the evidence of language. 
                               Let’s note the beauty of this occurrence. At the incident of the Tower of Babel, God confused the people with multiple languages so he could weaken them. Here, he gave his people the gift of languages in order to strengthen them in their new kingdom life and enable them to communicate the promise of the Spirit to other inhabitants who needed to hear this mes-sage. This gift of languages also served to unite kingdom citi-zens as one people belonging to the King-Father.
                           I have traveled to over seventy countries, mostly to speak at conferences but sometimes to visit. I don’t understand the languages of many of these nations. However, when I have attended conferences in a number of these places, something unique has happened that illustrates the oneness between people that comes from receiving heaven-given languages.For example, I was recently ministering in Ukraine, where twenty thousand people had gathered in an auditorium. I don’t understand Ukrainian. 
                        However, we started worshipping, and the whole place seemed to explode with heaven-given lan-guages. When I heard twenty thousand Ukrainian-speaking people begin to speak in tongues, and I joined them, I thought, “We’re one now!” I suddenly felt at home. This reminded me again that the power of unity is in language.In a similar incident, my wife and I went to Germany some years ago, and we went to a Pentecostal church where I was to speak. Of course, everybody was speaking German. 
                           Then they started worshipping and speaking in tongues. All of a sudden, I had that same feeling of being home. To hear them speak in tongues was to feel, “We are one family.” The barriers dropped away. We realized that we are all citizens of the kingdom, and that we have a common heritage. It was tongues that did it. Then, when the worship portion ended and the people began.The Governor provides us with heaven-given languages so that, along with other communication, it becomes possible for us to express our crucial needs and requests to the King. 

         A Sign We Are Connected with the King 

When Jesus’ followers first spoke with “new tongues” as the Holy Spirit was poured out upon them, it was a sign to the thousands of people gathered for the feast of Pentecost that these disciples were connected to the heavenly kingdom. As Paul taught, “Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.” 

 An Evidence of Our Citizenship in the Kingdom 

There is an incident in the book of Acts where the Holy Spirit was poured out on new kingdom citizens in the city of Caesarea as Peter was explaining the gospel of the kingdom to them. Peter and the other believers recognized that these were fellow citizens, “for they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.” Their speaking in tongues was clear evidence of their citizenship in the heavenly kingdom. 

 Common Questions about Tongues 

Inevitably, in a discussion about tongues, people have cer-tain questions, such as...√ Are tongues real?√ Were tongues only for the time of Jesus and his early fol-lowers?√ Is it necessary to speak in tongues in order to live the life of a kingdom citizen?Let’s address these questions. 

 Are Tongues Real? 

Tongues are actual spoken communications between heaven and earth. Many people wonder if tongues are real because speaking in tongues has been put into a context of something that is strange or abnormal. The early followers of Jesus spoke in tongues, as Jesus had said they would. Kingdom citizens throughout the last two millennia have spoken with the King using this means. If we realize that tongues are what comes natural to citizens of the kingdom, their strangeness disappears and their true purpose becomes clear. 

Were Tongues Only for the Time of Jesus and His Followers? 

Tongues were given to kingdom citizens to assist them in kingdom purposes, and we are still living in a time when we need this assistance on earth. Their value to the first-century kingdom citizens is their value to us today—communication with the King-Father as we carry out his will in the world.Yet some misunderstanding and conflict between people concerning speaking in tongues is not surprising. 
                 We read in the Genesis account concerning the tower of Babel,The LORD said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. Come,let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.” So the LORD scattered them from there over all the earth,As we just discussed, when people don’t understand each other, they tend to separate themselves. 
                     We all like to be with people we understand. This is why, generally, all the English-speaking people group together, all the French speakers stay together, all those who speak Spanish join together, and so on. Language creates differences, and differences can create feel-ings of competition, pressure, and conflict. When you come down to it, war is often created by language differences. Therefore, when some kingdom citizens don’t under-stand the value of the gift of tongues and have not received it, then conflict and misunderstanding inevitably occur between them and other kingdom citizens, and this is regrettable. 
                  I believe that heaven-given languages are a powerful unifier among those who have received them, and this is why Lucifer fights against the baptism in the Holy Spirit and the outpour-ing of heavenly gifts to the children of the King. He encour-ages some kingdom citizens to create doctrines against the gift of tongues; in this way he tries to make sure that not all kingdom citizens will speak a common, unifying “language.” This is, to a large degree, why we have theological positions against tongues, such as that tongues are not real or that they were only for the first followers of Jesus. 
                       We have seminaries that teach that these God-given languages don’t exist any-more. Unfortunately, these schools are teaching ignorance. But the real damage is that this opposition to the baptism in the Spirit and tongues prevents some citizens of the King from having all the power they need to exercise the kingdom life. The devil knows that he is in trouble when we start speak-ing in tongues. 
                          Tongues are our key to overcoming obstacles in many areas of our lives. For example, I used to be an F stu-dent. After I started speaking in tongues when I was in high school, I became a top student in the school and even gradu-ated at the head of my class. Tongues, therefore, are given for renewing the lives of individual kingdom citizens and enabling them to exercise power for kingdom purposes. 

Is It Necessary to Speak in Tongues to Be a Kingdom Citizen? 

You can be a kingdom citizen without speaking in tongues. However, you will have problems communicating with the kingdom and, as I said, you will lack the power you could have in living the kingdom life. Here is an illustration to show you that the gifts of the Spirit, and tongues, in particular, are very practical.In my church, I have members or visitors who come from a variety of countries. 
                    There are people from the Philippines who speak Filipino. There are people from Haiti who speak Creole. There are people from Mexico who speak Spanish. If a woman from the Philippines prayed the Lord’s Prayer in Fili-pino, most of us wouldn’t understand her. However, would she be making sense? Yes, to other people from her original coun-try. 
                         If a man from Haiti spoke a psalm in Creole, he wouldn’t make any sense to us, but he would make sense to people in Haiti. The same thing would apply to someone from Mexico who spoke in Spanish.Now, just because we wouldn’t understand them, would that make their languages invalid? Would you be able to say that their languages weren’t real? Or, would your belief or disbelief in what they said change the fact that their languages were genuine? No. Whether we understood or agreed with them, the languages would still be authentic. Paul wrote,Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 
                        If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me. Now, suppose one of those church members or visitors learned English. Since it is not his country’s language, when he picked up the phone to call rela-tives at home, he would shift into his country’s tongue. Therefore, if he wanted information from the Bahamas, he would speak English, but if he wanted infor-mation from home, he would speak the language of his home-land.In a similar way, when you speak in tongues here on earth, it’s as if you’ve picked up a phone to call your home country and are speaking in your original language. The Scripture says, “For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. 
                          Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.” In regard to prayer, we are to pray in tongues more than we pray in our human languages. This is because we don’t want a weak communication of our intent when we’re speaking to heaven. The Scripture tells us that the Governor knows the mind and will of God. Therefore, when we pray in the Spirit, we know that the King hears us and that we have the things we have asked him for, because the Governor helps us to pray according to the will of the government. We need a direct line to heaven, and tongues are that direct line. 
                      When you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you can speak in tongues at any time of the day, any time you need to communicate with your King-Father. This is why you and I should earnestly desire spiritual gifts, as Paul said. They are important resources from the heavenly kingdom.Some people refer to speaking in tongues as babbling. In fact, the reverse is true. Heaven-given languages communicate the thoughts and requests of the heart more clearly than any earthly language. With tongues, we’re not speaking with our minds but through our spirits, and the Spirit communicates every need. For me, speaking in English can interfere with my ability to pray. That’s why I pray in tongues much of the time.
                       I love praying in tongues because my prayers don’t have to be “translated.”I would even conclude that speaking in tongues is not really an option for a citizen of the kingdom of heaven. Per-haps you grew up in a church where speaking in tongues isn’t believed in or practiced. Your theology or your church doesn’t give you a relationship with God, however. It is the sacrificial work of Jesus and the Holy Spirit within you that enable you to have this relationship. The Holy Spirit brings you into the kingdom and gives you the ability to speak in tongues so that you can communicate with your King-Father. 

Different Manifestations of Tongues 

Two distinct forms of tongues are described in Scripture. These differences only demonstrate the versatility of language, as well as how communication changes depending on those with whom we are communicating. For the most part, what we have been discussing in this chapter is the first type of communication in tongues, which is for direct, personal communication with the King. Paul wrote, “Anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit [or, by the Spirit].” 

For Heavenly Communication to Other Kingdom Citizens 

The second type of communication in tongues is not for personal but corporate communication. Paul taught the first-century kingdom citizens that ministry spiritual gifts, in con-trast to personal spiritual gifts, are for the building up of all those in a local gathering of kingdom citizens. They include the public declaration of the King’s will in a heaven-given language(s), with accompanying interpretation in the lan-guage of the people who are gathered, to assure that everyone understands the message. Paul wrote,Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 
                    To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom...to another speak-ing in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all proph-ets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? 
                     Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an inter-pretation. All of these must be done for the strength-ening of the church. If anyone speaks in a tongue, two or at the most three should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret.For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says.
                      Paul was teaching that a special gift for communicating the will of the King through heaven-given language is given to some-one whom the Governor helps to speak the mind of the King, in order to present it to the citizens. Notice that Paul said this gift is for the “common good” rather than individual edification. It is to help all the citizens to know the will of the King and to be comforted and encouraged by his words. Paul concluded, “Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 
                             But every-thing should be done in a fitting and orderly way.” We should encourage public declaration of tongues and interpretation, as long as it is done according to the guidelines set forth in the Constitution of the kingdom. 
Ten Reasons to Speak in Tongues 
There is more to being filled with the Spirit than speaking in tongues, but tongues are an integral and important part of the manifestation of the Governor’s presence in our lives. Speaking in tongues is a flowing stream that should never dry up. It will enrich and build up our spiritual lives. In my expe-rience, speaking in tongues is a critical key in releasing and using other gifts of the Spirit. This, of course, applies to the gift of interpretation of tongues, but also to the other gifts, particularly prophecy, wisdom, and knowledge because they involve language.Let’s briefly look at ten reasons why every kingdom citizen should speak in tongues. 

1. A Sign of Connection to the Kingdom Tongues are often the initial supernatural evidence of the indwelling and filling of the Spirit. We see this first in the experience of the followers of Jesus at Pentecost. We also see it in the kingdom service of Paul of Tarsus. The physician Luke wrote, in the book of Acts, “While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples.”Notice that they were called disciples. They were actually followers of John the Baptist, and Paul said to them, in effect, “You are on the right track, but you need to hear about Jesus, the one whom John was referring to, and you need the prom-ise that he provided for you. 
                  You need the baptism in the Holy Spirit.”These disciples had said to Paul, “We have never even heard of the Holy Spirit.” They are not very different from many people in churches today whose theology has excluded the active working of the Holy Spirit in their lives. They believe in the King and his kingdom, but they are unaware of the full role of the Governor in their lives.When these disciples heard the gospel of the kingdom, which John had pointed them toward, and which Paul fully explained to them, they were baptized in water in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them and prayed for them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they immediately spoke in tongues and prophesied.An evidence that we are connected to the home country is that we receive heaven-given languages. 

2. For Edification Speaking in tongues builds up, or recharges, our spirits. We are personally strengthened as we interact with the King through the Governor. As Paul wrote, “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself.” Tongues are given to us so that our communication with God can be as it was for Adam—with no interference. 

3. To Remind Us of the Governor’s Indwelling Presence Tongues make us aware of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, and when we are conscious of his presence, we are encouraged and comforted. Jesus said,And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 

4. To Keep Our Prayers in Line with the King’s Will Praying in tongues will keep our prayers in line with God’s will and prevent us from praying in selfishness. As I quoted earlier from the writings of Paul,In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. 

5. To Stimulate Faith Praying in tongues stimulates faith. When we know the Spirit is fully communicating our needs, we are enabled to trust God more completely. Having faith also leads to praying in tongues as we go to the throne of the King-Father in pur-pose and confidence. The author of the New Testament book of Jude wrote about faith and speaking in tongues: “But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.” 

6. To Keep Us Free from Worldly Contamination Tongues keep us in constant connection with the culture of the kingdom, even as we live in the midst of the culture of the world. We can speak to the King-Father when we are on the job, at home, or anywhere. Our connection with the King through the Governor helps to keep our minds and actions pure. We can also encourage not only ourselves, but also others in the ways of the kingdom through heavenly communication. Paul wrote, “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.” 

7. To Enable Us to Pr ay for the UnknownThe Spirit knows things we know nothing about; there-fore, through heaven-given language, we can intercede with peace and confidence. Again, “we do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” 

8. To Give Spiritual RefreshingTongues are a type of spiritual therapy for anxiety, tur-moil, and perplexity. Paul wrote,Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

9. To Help Us in Giving ThanksTongues help those who are unlearned in spiritual things—and all of us, in fact—to offer the kind of thanks and praise to the King that he deserves. A combination of praying in human and spiritual language helps our minds and spirits to express our gratitude, in addition to other communication, to the King. Paul wrote, “I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.” 

10. To Bring the Tongue Under Subjection Last—but not least—speaking in heaven-given languages places our tongues under the control of the Spirit of God, something that is much needed in all of our lives. We read in the New Testament book of James, “But no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.  My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?” Only as the tongue is yielded to the Gover-nor can it be controlled to speak words of life in keeping with the King and his kingdom. 

Tongues Are Meant for the Entire Human Race
 To conclude this chapter about the manifestation of king-dom culture, I want to emphasize t hat speakingin tongues does not “belong” to charismatic or Pentecostal Christians. It is meant for the whole world because it is a gift the King-Son came to pro-vide for all the inhabitants of the earth. It is intended for the close to seven billion people on earth right now.

 It is meant for all ethnic groupsChinese, French, Sudanese, Australians, Danes, Mexicans no one is excluded from God’s intentions. At Pentecost, Peter said, “The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off for all whom the Lord our God will call.” It is our job as kingdom representa-tives to help people from all backgrounds enter the kingdom of heaven so they may receive this gift and other gifts from the Governor, which will enable them to live the kingdom life on earth. 
 Remembering the Purpose of Tongues:( Communication)
Tongues are beautiful, but they’ve sometimes been made into a doctrine, a denomination, even a whole religion. We’ve lost sight that tongues are heaven-given languages that are a means to an end: providing communication between heaven and earth. We’ve been treating tongues as if they are a religious issue when they are really a governmental one in terms of the king-dom of God; through tongues, the Governor communicates our requests to the King, and the King’s will to us. 
We can’t pray effectively without the Governor, because he knows the mind of the King and how our requests fit with the purposes of the kingdom.Speaking in tongues is as natural as speaking your own human language, whether that is English, Spanish, French, or Swahili. Paul spoke in tongues frequently. He said, “I will pray with the understanding, and I will pray in the Spirit.” As citizens of the kingdom of heaven, we are to do the same.

Chapter Thirteen

The Governor’s Administration 

The primary responsibility of a governor is administra-tion over the territory entrusted to him. Likewise, the heavenly Governor is responsible for governmental administration over the colony of earth. He is present to train kingdom citizens on how to have dominion in the territory, because that’s our official function under his leadership.As we saw in chapter ten, the gifts of the Spirit are the delegation and distribution of powers by the Governor to king-dom citizens, in order to execute government business in the colony. 
                            They are for the purpose of impacting the earthly envi-ronment. When the King-Son was on earth, he healed people, cast out demons, did miracles, and even turned water into wine to help out the host of a wedding. He did practical works on earth. He was out solving people’s problems through the power of the Governor. And this is the work he continues in our lives today through the Holy Spirit. 

@ Authorized Power Is Given as the Governor Wills @ 

In an earthly kingdom, the governor was given power by the king to appoint various people to governmental posts in the colony. The same is true concerning the heavenly government. Paul, after listing various gifts of the Spirit, wrote, “All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.” What gifts, and to whom he del-egates them, are his prerogative and responsibility. We need to learn how to use the authority and power of the Governor in the right way so we can deliver his wonderful works to the world and bring about a change of kingdoms on earth.
                   Paul listed a number of gifts of the Spirit in his first letter to the kingdom citizens living in the city of Corinth:Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. To one there is given through the Spirit the message or, “word” of wisdom, to another the message or, “word” of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers [or, “the working of miracles” to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits [or, “discerning of spirits”], to another speak-ing in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 

 Authorized Power Is Given for the Service of the Heavenly Government ||
               Any authority and power that we receive from the Governor is for the service of the heavenly kingdom; it is not for our private benefit. As the Governor delegates kingdom authority to us, he teaches us, directly and through the Constitution of the kingdom, how to administer his gifts correctly and effectively. He shows us that administration has to do with serving others, not lording it over them. Peter wrote, in his first book, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” Likewise, Paul affirmed,There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 
                   There are different kinds of service [or “administra-tions”, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.Unfortunately, there are some disturbing trends today in regard to the use of spiritual gifts. Some people are using their gifts to make money off fellow kingdom citizens. They’re “sell-ing” healings by telling people they will become well if they send money to them. 
                  Or they’re abusing their gifts by using, for example, a gift of prophecy to intimidate others by claim-ing to have a message from God that condemns rather than restores or builds up.The purpose of true government is to serve its citizens. Therefore, if the Governor of the heavenly kingdom gives you a gift, you are to use it in service to your fellow kingdom citi-zens. It is not for making money, boosting your ego, or giving you control over others. 

            Authorized Power Is Not Personal Property

In an earthly government, if a governmental employee is given a car or a computer to carry out his duties, this is not his personal property to use in whatever way he chooses. It is to be used only to help fulfill his official responsibilities. The car or computer doesn’t belong to him; he has to return it if the government requests it or he leaves his employment. His use of such things is a privilege, not a right. The same thing is true of spiritual gifts given by the heav-enly government. 
                 Some kingdom citizens, however, start to believe that the power they have been authorized to use by the Governor actually comes from their own abilities. This leads to the problem we just discussed, that of using this power for their own purposes. This is dangerous for both the person abusing the power and the ones he is supposed to be serving. He fails to fulfill his call, and the ones who are meant to benefit from his service go without the help they could have received. #The Authorization of Power Addresses All the Needs of the Colony# The Governor, in conjunction with the King Son, del-egates power to kingdom citizens in order to address all the needs of the colony for the greatest impact of the heavenly kingdom on earth. 
                      Paul wrote to the kingdom citizens in the city of Ephesus,It was Jesus who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pas-tors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowl-edge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
                             Here Paul talked about spiritual gifts in terms of specific roles, which are for building up all citizens in the kingdom. Thus, the kingdom shows its presence by its influence on the people and environment of the world. The authorized power given by the Governor to kingdom citizens also equips them to deal with conf lict and opposition from the kingdom of dark-ness, which exists not to benefit, but to destroy, the inhabitants of earth.

 # Manifesting the Authorized Power of the Governor: 

The Gifts of the Spirit in Kingdom Terms# 

Let us now explore nine gifts of the Spirit, as listed by Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians. We will look at them in terms of specific administrations of the Governor on earth. There are three categories of gifts listed:
√ Three of them say something.
√ Three of them do something. 
√ Three of them reveal something. 
The three that “say” are gifts of utterance: prophecy, dif-ferent kinds of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues. The three that “do” are gifts of power: faith, miraculous powers or the working of miracles, and gifts of healing. The three that “reveal” are gifts of revelation: the message or word of wisdom, the message or word of knowledge, and distinguishing or dis-cerning between spirits. 

While there are a variety of gifts, they have a unity of purpose serving citizens of the kingdom by enabling them to take on the nature of the King and use the power of the kingdom to transform the earth into the image of heaven. We begin with the revelation gifts, which address things such as facts, events, purpose, motivation, destiny, and whether some-thing is human, whether it is of the kingdom of heaven, or whether it is of the kingdom of darkness. 

 # The Authorized Word of Wisdom # 

“To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom.” The message or word of wisdom is a supernatural revelation by the Holy Spirit concerning the mind and will of God and his divine purposes. It is authorized power from the Governor that gives kingdom cit-izens the ability to know the best thing to do in difficult or per-plexing situations. 
For example, when you need legal advice, you contact a lawyer, and he gives you legal wisdom that is appropriate to your situation. The word of wisdom is special instructions from the King, through his Governor, about what to say or what to do in a particular instance.There is natural wisdom that can be gained through a knowledge of the Constitution of the kingdom. For example, in the Old Testament book of Joshua, God encouraged Joshua, Moses’ successor, to apply what he learned from the Scriptures in order to have success in life: “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. 
Then you will be prosperous and successful.”A word of supernatural wisdom is different from natural wisdom, however, in that it comes directly from the King to a citizen (or citizens) through the Governor, enabling him to deal judiciously in the affairs of life. Scriptural accounts reveal that this wisdom may come in the form of a vision, a dream, an angel (messenger) from the King, or a word or impression given to a kingdom citizen by the Governor. For example, in the life of Paul...
 √ The Holy Spirit spoke to kingdom citizens in the city of Antioch, instructing them that they were to set apart Paul and Barnabas for the work of the kingdom to which they were called. 
√ When Paul was being taken prisoner by ship to Rome, and the ship encountered a violent storm, Paul received a message of hope and encouragement for all who were on board:I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, “Do not be afraid, Paul. 
You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.” So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.Paul’s encouragement, which he received from a messen-ger of the King, showed them how they were to respond to this life-threatening situation. 
 A word of wisdom may apply to the person who receives it, or it may apply to someone else. 
In both instances, the kingdom government is teaching its citizens regarding how to best apply governmental policy and purposes in the colony of earth. # The Authorized Word of Knowledge# “To another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit.” While wisdom is about application, knowledge is about having the information you need to make the best deci-sions in executing delegated authority in the colony.

 It refers to the government providing you with the ability to understand its policies; but especially, it gives you the ability to understand what the King is thinking; it is supernatural revelation by the Governor of certain facts in the mind of the King.The King has all knowledge, but he doesn’t reveal every-thing to his citizens. The word of knowledge gives them part of what he knows what they spe-cifically need to know to carry out their assignments. 

Some human governments give their employees classified information on a “need to know” basis, which is only what they need to know to fulfill their responsibilities. The word of knowledge operates in a similar way.The word of knowledge may be manifested through an inward revelation, the interpretation of tongues, a word of prophecy, a vision, or an angel. Again, this is not natural knowledge that can be gained from experience or informa-tion, or even a profound acquaintance with the Scriptures. It is supernatural, meaning it is something we would not ordinarily be able to know and cannot learn on our own. For example... 
√ Jesus demonstrated a word of knowledge when he talked with a woman he had just met and told her she had had five husbands and was currently living with another man. This demonstration of knowledge was for the purpose of gaining her attention and building faith in the King so she and others would understand how to be reconciled to the heavenly government. 
√ A prophet named Agabus was given a word of knowl-edge that a severe famine would afflict the entire Roman world. (In a demonstration of the relationship between the word of knowledge and the word of wisdom, the kingdom citizens took this knowledge and applied it [wisdom], deciding to send relief to kingdom citizens living in Judea.) 
√ Peter was given supernatural knowledge that a couple named Ananias and Sapphira were lying about the money they donated to the church. 
√ Through a vision, the disciple John was given knowledge of the inner spiritual conditions of seven assemblies of kingdom citizens in Asia, so that he could give them mes-sages of warning and encouragement from the King.Through the word of knowledge, therefore, the Governor may communicate a message from the King to his citizens, saying, “This is what is going wrong here,” or “This is what’s going right in the colony; keep up the good work.” He may also reveal important information to a kingdom citizen, so that he can convey to another citizen what he needs to func-tion properly in the kingdom. 

 # The Authorized Power of Faith # 

“To another faith by the same Spirit.” The authorized power of faith is a supernatural belief or confidence. It is the government providing its citizens with special ability to believe in its policies so they will take action to carry them out.Every kingdom citizen has faith.  In fact, the author of the book of Hebrews wrote, “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” 
The gift of faith, therefore, is not the same as the faith with which we enter the kingdom through belief in the sacrifice of the King-Son on our behalf, and the forgiveness we receive as a result. That faith comes through belief in the Constitu-tion of the kingdom. As Paul wrote, “Faith comes from hear-ing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” Neither is the gift of faith the same thing as the fruit of the Spirit known as “faithfulness.” 

Nor is it the faith by which kingdom believers daily live as they trust the King to carry out his purposes through their lives and to bring them encouragement and peace. Again, such faith can be increased through exposure to and application of the King’s Word. Instead, the gift of faith is a special authorization by the government to a kingdom citizen so that he knows, without a doubt, that a particular outcome will ultimately be manifested for the purposes of the kingdom. Some examples of this kind of faith follow. 
As you review them, note the close relationship between the gift of faith and the working of miracles. (In this context, one Bible commentator referred to the gift of faith as “wonder-working” faith.) 
√ The belief of three Hebrew men, who were governmen-tal officials in the ancient kingdom of Babylon, that God could deliver them even if they were thrown into a blazing furnace. 
√ Jesus’ confidence that Lazarus, who had been dead for four days, would be raised to life.
√ The unwavering belief of Peter and John that a man who had been crippled from birth would be healed in the name of Jesus.The gift of faith is therefore the Governor motivating kingdom citizens to trust in the promises and power of the heavenly government. The Governor encourages the citizens to courageously carry out their assignments in the belief that he will take care of everything that needs to be done to accom-plish the work. 

# The Authorized Power of Healing # 

“To another gifts of healing by that one Spirit.” Gifts of healing are supernatural cures for disease and disability. No natural means are involved, whether medical science or other forms of the application of human knowledge. In terms of the administration of the heavenly government on earth, healing is the King’s commitment to the welfare of his citizens, as well as his program for securing that welfare. 

This healing power is mentioned in the plural gifts of healing. The word healing is sometimes used in the plural in this context, as well: “gifts of healings.” The plural usage refers to the ability to heal different kinds of diseases. The book of Matthew records, “Jesus was going about in all Galilee, teach-ing in their synagogues, and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people.” The gifts of healing address a variety of sickness, both mental and physical, that bring us into disharmony with our-selves, other people, or the King-Father. This would include things such as fear, loneliness, and depression. 

Gifts of healing are for the restoration of the whole person. We should recognize that all healing ultimately comes from God, whether it is through a doctor’s care or the body’s natu-ral healing processes. The gifts of healing do not negate doc-tors. However, we should be aware that supernatural healing, a physician’s care, and the body’s natural ability to heal are dis-tinct channels of healing. The first comes from another world, the second only assists the healing ability that our Creator has placed within our own bodies, and the third is an inbuilt capac-ity. In addition, there is a distinc-tion between gifts of healing and our receiving healing by exercis-ing faith in Scriptures that state the King’s desire to heal us.

 A person may be healed by applying to himself statements such as this one from the first book of Peter: “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” Yet gifts of healing are manifested through a kingdom citizen to whom the Governor gives a special administration of heal-ing; they occur through the activity of a kingdom citizen as empowered by the Governor. We should also understand that we cannot make gifts of healing, or any of the gifts, operate according to our own wills. They are given only according to the will of the Governor, and we should maintain an open mind to receive whatever gift he may give us.The following are some examples of healing that go beyond medical help and were administered through the intervention of a person empowered by the Governor: 

√ A man’s shriveled or withered hand was completely restored; a centurion’s servant who was paralyzed and on his deathbed was cured; a man who was born blind was given his sight; a woman who had suffered from a hemor-rhage for twelve years—and who had been to many physi-cians without help—was made completely well. Each was healed by Jesus working in the power of the Spirit. √ Through Peter’s ministry, a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and bedridden for eight years, was made totally well.

√ Paul healed a man on Malta who suffered from apparently recurring bouts of fever and dysentery.It has been said that healing and compassion go hand in hand. Sympathy alone is ineffective. Sympathy means that you feel sorry for the person, empathize with his illness, and want to help him. Compassion, however, is an almost irresistible urge to free a person from the sickness or problem afflicting him. 
There is true passion in compassion that alleviates suffer-ing.In the administration of the kingdom of heaven on earth, therefore, the gifts of healing are the Governor’s authoriza-tion of kingdom citizens to free others from being invaded by anything that is abnormal to the kingdom. In this way, the government shows evidence that it is present and can address negative conditions in the colony. In the kingdom of God, healing is executing justice. The Governor confirms the rights of the citizens to live in wholeness. 

 # The Authorized Power of Miracles # 

“To another miraculous powers.” In one sense, all gifts of the Spirit are miracles because they are beyond our natural experience. But miraculous powers or the working of miracles are specific acts that defy human understanding. They “blow the mind.” As such, a miracle is a supernatural intervention in the ordinary course of nature, a temporary suspension in the accustomed order of things by an act of the Spirit of God. Some examples of this gift include... √ Moses’ parting of the Red Sea, which allowed the Israelites to escape the pursuing Egyptians on dry ground. √ The continual flow of a widow’s supply of oil and flour during a famine, through the intervention of the prophet Elijah.
√ Jesus’ feeding of more than five thousand people by the multiplication of just five small loaves and two fish. √ Jesus’ raising of Lazarus from the dead.
√ Peter’s raising of Dorcas from the dead. 
√ The temporary blinding of Elymas the sorcerer, who opposed Paul’s proclamation of the gospel of the king-dom. Interestingly, the Greek word for miraculous or miracles, in reference to this gift, is dunamis, the same word used for the power that Jesus said would come upon his followers when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon them.

1/ Miracles are an “explosion” of kingdom power; they are wonders that bring astonishment to people who witness them.In the administration of the kingdom of heaven on earth, then, miracles are the government providing for the special needs of people. Whatever the miracle is, whether it is sup-plying food, raising the dead, or something else, it is provi-sion. Miracles are not entertainment; they are the result of the Governor, through citizens under his authority, performing actions that confirm the presence of the kingdom and its abil-ity to transform the environment of the colony. 

 # The Authorized Power of Prophecy# 

“To another prophecy.” Prophecy is a message from the King, supernaturally given, in an earthly language known to the hearer or hearers. It is the heavenly government giving its citizens confirmation about information the government has previously told them.Paul wrote this concerning the gift of prophecy:Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries. 

But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation [or, “comfort”]. One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church. Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying.
The purpose of prophecy, Paul said, is for edification, exhortation, and consolation or comfort. He indicated that prophecy is the most important gift of all because it edifies kingdom citizens. The word edification in the Greek means “‘the act of building’in the sense of the promotion of spiritual growth.”
2 It therefore signifies strengthening or building people up in the ways of the kingdom. The Greek word translated exhortation means “‘a calling to one’s side’; hence, either ‘an exhortation, or consolation, comfort.’”
3 Comfort means “‘a speaking closely to anyone,’ hence denotes ‘consolation, comfort,’ with a greater degree of tenderness” than exhortation. I think of this word in the sense of calming people down in the face of difficulty and bringing peace to them.
Paul specifically said that the gift of prophecy should be earnestly sought, for the better-ment of others. As the prophet Joel said, “Your sons and daughters will prophesy,” and “Even on my ser-vants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.”Prophecy is obviously a vital gift to kingdom citizens, but it has been too often misused. Here are some guidelines in using this gift:
1. Prophecy is not one-sided. It must be confirmed by giver and receiver. 
2. Prophecy usually confirms something already known by the receiver, rather than being the means of giving direc-tion to that person. 
3. Prophecy speaks to the intellect and understanding. 
4. Edification, exhortation, and comfort may be delivered through a biblical teaching from a leader in an assembly of kingdom citizens. 
5. The gift of prophecy should not be rejected. Paul wrote, “Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies.” 
6. Prophecy should be tested rather than automatically accepted. Paul also said, “Test everything. Hold on to the good,” and “Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.” 
7. Someone who gives a prophecy is not “under the control” of the prophecy. He has a choice whether or not to speak it and can decide when is an appropriate time to speak it. When someone receives a prophecy, he must draw on the qualities or fruit of the Spirit, exercising self-control in regard to its use. 

As Paul said, “For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged,” and “The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.”We should also note that there is a distinction between the gift of prophecy, which all citizens are encouraged to seek, and the office of prophet, which is given by the Spirit to certain kingdom citizens. √ The disciples at Ephesus “spoke in tongues and proph-esied” when they received the baptism in the Holy Spirit. 

√ Philip the evangelist had four daughters who prophesied. 
√ Agabus the prophet predicted the famine in the Roman world as well as Paul’s being taken prisoner to face Caesar in Rome.The authorized power of prophecy, therefore, is the Governor providing a kingdom citizen with information that supports and encourages his fellow citizens in the life of the kingdom. For example, when the Bahamas was still under the kingdom of Great Britain, we would receive various communications from the government, such as, “A storm is coming, but we have a plan in place to address any problems that may arise.

 If something should happen, here’s what the government will do.” Similarly, a prophecy from the heavenly kingdom might be, “You’re going through a tough time, but we’re sending help to address the problems and relieve your distress.” In this way, prophecy is a reminder to kingdom citizens that the heavenly government is still at work on their behalf, no matter what they might be going through. After we have received a prophecy, even if we don’t see it immediately mani-fested, we can know that everything we need is on the way whether it’s deliverance, freedom, peace, or healing. 

 # The Authorized Power of Discernment # 

“To another distinguishing between spirits.” Distinguish-ing between spirits or the discerning of spirits gives a kingdom citizen insight into the supernatural world and its workings. Its revelation is focused on a single class of beings, spirits, and should not be confused with discernment that comes as a result of a word of wisdom. It is not a kind of spiritual mind reading, psychic insight, or mental penetration. Neither is it the discern-ing of other people’s character or faults. It concerns nonhuman spiritual entities. 
Some believe it only has to do with discern-ing evil spirits; however, it refers to discerning both good spiritual beings, who are part of the heavenly kingdom, and evil spiritual beings, who are part of the kingdom of darkness. Paul wrote, “Satan himself masquer-ades as an angel of light.” We need to be able to tell whether messages or impressions we receive are from the King or his enemy.One example of the authorized power of discernment is the ability to discern the visible likeness of God. 
√ Moses was given this capability, as he recorded in his second book, Exodus:Then the LORD said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.” 
√Isaiah the prophet was given this capacity through a vision of the holy King of heaven. He wrote,In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were ser-aphs, each with six wings: with two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”Another example of this gift is the revelation of the source of a supernatural manifestation: 
√ Paul discerned that the slave girl who had a spirit of divi-nation, or the ability to predict the future, was under the control of the power of the kingdom of darkness, and he cast the demon out of her. 
√ A centurion named Cornelius recognized that the angel who appeared to him in a vision was from God, and he acted on the instructions he was given in that vision, so that he and his family and friends were connected to the heavenly kingdom.The authorized power of discernment often works in con-junction with the word of wisdom or the word of knowledge.

 #The Authorized Power of Special or Different Kinds of Tongues# 
“To another speaking in different kinds of tongues.” Dif-ferent kinds of tongues are supernatural utterances given by the Holy Spirit in languages not necessarily understood by the speaker or hearer. They are either expressions from the Gov-ernor to the King on behalf of the citizens, or expressions from the King through the Governor in response to the citizens. In the previous chapter, we talked about tongues as the initial evidence of a kingdom citizen being filled with the Holy Spirit. The emphasis was on heaven-given languages that every believer may receive.

The purpose of speaking in these tongues is for individual communication with the King-Father. It is mainly a devotional experience through which we praise and worship him and offer him requests. While devo-tional tongues is usually private, and has to do with oneself, the gift of different kinds of tongues is public, and is in regard to others. We may therefore call the gift of different kinds of tongues the public ministry of tongues, as opposed to the personal expression of tongues. The gift of different kinds of tongues is manifested within a gathering of kingdom citizens. 

#The Authorized Power of Interpretation of Tongues# 

“To still another the interpretation of tongues.” The power of interpretation of tongues is manifested when the Governor reveals to a kingdom citizen the meaning of an utterance spoken in special tongues, and the person speaks that interpretation to the assembly. I believe the word interpretation is important in this context. This is not a word-for-word translation but an interpretation that makes the communication comprehensible in the human language of the citizens.

For example, when we are dealing with human languages, there are some phrases and idioms in one language that cannot be translated into another language on a word by word basis and still convey their essential meaning, especially if colloqui-alisms are involved. This might occur when, for example, we take something spoken in English and interpret it for French-speaking people. For this reason, there may be a difference in length between the original statement and its interpretation. The same thing applies in the interpretation of tongues. An utterance in a heaven-given language may lead to an interpre-tation of longer or shorter length than the original utterance.

Interpretation of tongues obviously does not operate as an independent gift; it is dependent on the gift of tongues. Its purpose is to render the meaning of tongues intelligible to the hearers so that the whole assembly of kingdom citizens can be instructed, warned, strengthened, or encouraged by it. As Paul wrote, “He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.” Effective Service All these examples of authorized power are very practical and have to do with effective service on behalf of the heavenly kingdom in the colony of earth. Each gift comes from and is working for the same Spirit. Again, the gifts exist to show evi-dence of the presence of the government in the colony and to reveal the benevolent nature of the King and his desire to give the best to his citizens. 

 All are given by the same Governor, who delegates them as he chooses. He may cause someone to exercise a gift just one time or he may enable him to continu-ally manifest it. We must be sensitive to the ways in which the Governor is working and not try to force something he isn’t doing or quench something he is doing. Receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit Authorized power comes through the baptism in the Holy Spirit. All kingdom citizens need this baptism in order to live victoriously on earth and fulfill their calling as ambassadors of the King. As we have seen, receiving the new birth is the first step; being baptized in the Holy Spirit is the second step. With-out the baptism, we’re not pre-pared to live on earth and serve the kingdom of heaven as well as we could. 

Many believers have entered into a relationship with the King but have experienced little of the power of the King, which is necessary for kingdom life to be fully and effectively expressed. Spiritual power is the privilege of every believer who seeks to be filled to overflowing with the presence of the Governor. We receive the legal right or authority of the King when we receive the new birth. John the disciple wrote, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.” But Jesus said we would also receive a different kind of power, a power of enablement, an explosive power: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.” Again, the Greek word translated power here is dunamis, or “miraculous power,” from which we get the word dynamite.5This enablement is present to some degree in conversion, but its fullness is received with the baptism in the Holy Spirit, and as we continue to walk in the Spirit. We receive the personof the Holy Spirit in the new birth, and we receive the powerof the Holy Spirit in the baptism.

Chapter (Fourteen )

Why the Whole World Needs the Governor 

As the millennial clock struck, measuring and recording the passage of time on planet earth, ushering us into the uncharted waters of the twenty-first century, every-thing in our world and generation seemed to begin to unravel. All the secure foundations of our long-established institutions have been shaken to the core. 
                   With the advent of global terrorism; economic uncertainty and insecurity; escalating oil prices and fuel costs; the reemerg-ing threat of nuclear weapons; ethnic, cultural, religious, and racial conflicts; political and diplomatic compromise; moral and social disintegration; and a global upsurge in human fear, the spirit of despair among earth’s planet dwellers is becoming a norm.This fear is compounded by the attempts of humankind, with its limited appreciation for human beings’ inherent defects, to address these global conditions through intellectual, religious, scientific, philosophical, and political systems. 
                        Per-haps the greatest evidence of humanity’s failure in this regard is the seemingly impotent effects of primary human institu-tions and coalitions, such as the United Nations, the Inter-national Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the World Trade Organization, and the Group of Eight.If one is to be honest, perhaps it may be realistic to con-clude that any effective and appropriate help for our world and its plight cannot come from the world itself. We need help from another world. It is my conviction and experience that humankind cannot and will not solve its self-generated problems. Humanity must look to another world for assistance. My convic-tion of this fact was the founda-tion for, and became the essence of, this book. 
                     Our natural world needs relevant, practical, and effective help. We need our governing institutions to be gov-erned by a higher, more superior government. This is why the whole world each individual in it , as well as the world collectively needs to acknowledge and experience the return of the Governor. We have seen that the restoration of the heavenly kingdom on earth can come only through the life and power of the King, given to us through the Governor. 
                    This kingdom is infinitely higher and more powerful than any government on earth, and yet it is immediately relevant to the world we live in. Nations are only as good as their communities, and com-munities are only as good as the families that comprise them. Families are only as good as the individuals of which they consist. Therefore, the quality of a nation is determined by the quality of its people. This is especially true and critical in regard to the leadership of a nation. Often, as the lead-ers go, so goes the nation. 
                  The values, standards, and moral consciences of our leaders frequently determine the decisions and laws of our nations, and they influence the lifestyles and cultures of the people.It is imperative, therefore, to understand that if the people of our nations, the individuals we appoint as leaders over us, and the institutions of our societies do not have a higher source of reference for their convictions, beliefs, morals, values, and standards, then we will continue to be victims of our own cor-rupt nature. 
                      This is why the Creator’s design for humankind’s life on earth requires that human beings be filled with the very Spirit of the Creator himself the Holy Spirit the Governor of heaven. In essence, national community and global life on earth was intended to be lived through and by the Holy Spirit, the Governor. The person and role of the Holy Spirit is not a religious issue, but a social, economic, cultural, and political concern. The Holy Spirit is therefore a national and interna-tional issue and must be seen and presented as such.

 Individual Purpose and Fulfillment 

As individuals, each of us needs the Governor for true life, purpose, and effectiveness. The breath of the Spirit that origi-nally ignited life in the first human being did so in three dis-tinct ways: 
(1) in the invisible spirit of man, made in the image of God; 
(2) in the soul of man the total human consciousness of mind, will, and emotions; and (3) in the physical body of man, the living vessel housing his spirit and soul. While Adam’s soul and body gave him an awareness of his earthly environ-ment, the Spirit of God within him gave his spirit a conscious-ness of his Creator-King and the ability to communicate directly with the heavenly government. 
                            Human beings must return to this life and wholeness again. We were created to express the nature of God, and we can relate to and reflect his nature only if we actually have his nature within us through his indwelling Spirit.The meaning of our individual lives—living out our pur-poses and exercising our full potential is therefore totally dependent on our receiving the Governor. 

         A World Community of Kings and Priests 

 While our King communicates with us individually, it is not his intention that the citizens of his kingdom live in isola-tion. His plan is a community of kings and priests who will reign on earth. The Governor is the key to life for all of humanity. The world community therefore needs to be led by the Gover-nor if it, also, is to become what it was created to be. Corporately, the world has rejected the presence and influence of the Governor. This is why we experience wars, natural disasters, and social crises on earth.The King wants the world to receive the Governor again. He wants the earth to be rid of the pain, sorrow, destruction, and death that are plaguing it. 
                 The restoration of the heavenly government reinstates humankind’s ability to affect and con-trol circumstances on earth through the Holy Spirit.When a community of kings and priests works together for the right reasons—honoring and expressing the nature of our King—and acts in genuine unity, we will have powerful poten-tial to influence the earth with the nature of the kingdom.It will enable us to encourage and create... 
√ social stability. √ economic development. 
√ environmental soundness. √ educational advancement. 
√ physical health and wholeness. √ scientific innovation. 
√ political honesty. √ governmental justice. 
√ intercultural understanding. 

A Benevolent Ruler 

Who wouldn’t want to function under a government that provides for, encourages, and enables the fulfillment of the greatest individual and corporate potential in life? The prophet Isaiah described this heavenly government, under the rule of the King-Son through the Governor:Power and peace will be in his kingdom and will con-tinue to grow forever. He will rule as king on David’s throne and over David’s kingdom. He will make it strong by ruling with justice and goodness from now on and forever. 

The LORD All-Powerful will do this because of his strong love for his people.Again, this rule is a reality only because of the King’s great love for his citizens, and his desire for their highest good in life.The Scriptures, however, also talk about the very real pres-ence of another, malevolent ruler and his cohorts who seek to control this world:The ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 

Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect if that were possible.The ruler of this dark world is Lucifer, or Satan, the trea-sonous former general and worship leader of heaven who has attacked the good of humankind since the very beginning of our existence. 

 He would like to perpetuate the sorrow and darkness of the world so that he can continue to control it. He desires to consolidate the people of the world under his harsh rule so they can never become free.This is why it was essential that the King-Son came to destroy Satan’s power over the world, transferring us from being under the darkness of a corrupt world into the light of the heavenly kingdom. The prophet Isaiah wrote, The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. 

While Satan is described in terms of darkness and death, Jesus, the KingSon, is described in the Scriptures in terms of light and life:He will shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.Jesus spoke of himself in these terms:I am the light of the world. 

Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.Jesus told the theologian-apostle Paul,I am sending you to [the world] to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me. Paul taught first-century kingdom believers, For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. 

Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth).For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. The nations of the world urgently need the light and life of the kingdom, which comes only from the Son-King through the Governor. 

The presence of the kingdom of heaven on earth, through the Holy Spirit’s return, is the message of the Scriptures, and it is the message of Jesus. The story of humanity and therefore of all of us is inextri-cably tied to this kingdom. Exer-cising kingdom dominion on earth, under the guidance of the Governor, is our collective purpose and calling. As we yield to the Governor’s presence and work in our lives, we will spread the kingdom of God on earth. Change will take place in all areas of life and in people of all national and ethnic backgrounds, East and West; and from all social and economic circumstances. 

The CEO, the teacher, the artist, the financial analyst, the health care worker, the farmer, the scientist, the economist, the seamstress, the governmental leader, and the homemaker will be transformed according to the heavenly kingdom, so that life, and not confusion, stress, and death, will be the result. The Spirit gives life to the world, in the fullest extent of the word. Whatever comes into being through the influence of the Spirit will eventually bring life to people, and can reach whole countries and influence the world community. 

 For example, if all the judges in a nation are under the guidance of the heav-enly Governor, and if their minds are immersed in the philosophy of the kingdom, you will not have to wonder what kind of judg-ments they will hand down, nor will you have to suffer under unjust laws. A culture influenced by the Spirit will be a culture that preserves and protects life. “The mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.”

 The Complete Transformation of the Earth into the Kingdom 

The world is ultimately moving toward complete trans-formation into the King’s image and nature. This plan will climax in the creation of a new heaven and earth. 
 In effect, heaven and earth will become one, so that there will be no essential distinction between the two, and God himself will live among his people. The disciple John described the earth’s total transforma-tion into the kingdom of heaven’s nature, mind-set, and values. In the italicized words in brackets, I describe what I see as the implications for kingdom life:Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away [the earth is totally aligned with the heavenly kingdom, with no trace of the kingdom of darkness. 

 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beauti-fully dressed for her husband [the citizens of the kingdom are totally pure, set apart, and integrated; they are one with the nature of God and in harmony with themselves. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.” The Governor contin-ues to dwell within the King’s people, and there is nothing to separate the King from his beloved children. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. 

There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” The kingdom of darkness has been completely destroyed, and the kingdom of life and light totally reigns on earth.]The creation of a new heaven and earth will be the apex of the plan of the King for the coming of the Governor, which he had in mind from the beginning. The people of earth will be a true world community of kings and priests living out the kingdom life in its fullness. 

Citizens of the Kingdom The disciple Peter wrote the following declaration to the kingdom citizens of his day, which applies to us, as well.But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

The Holy Spirit is the key to the world; he is the most impor-tant person on earth because he brings us the presence and power of the kingdom of heaven. May you be reconciled to your Creator-King, receive the Gover-nor into your life, and live as the royal kingdom citizen you were always meant to be! 

A Word to the Third World Nations of the Third World face some of the most dif-ficult challenges of any countries on earth. They desperately need to be free from perpetual poverty, disease, epidemics, and political and social tyranny from gov-ernment officials who want to hoard the nations’ wealth for themselves. For this reason, Third-World peoples perhaps feel a lack of heavenly kingdom influence in their nations most keenly. The problems and challenges of Third-World nations have been addressed through politics, legislation, and humanitar-ian aid. 

These methods certainly have their place, and many good people and programs are currently doing their best to alleviate suffering. For powerful and lasting solutions, how-ever, I think that we have been focusing on the wrong things.There is a need for something immeasurably greater, something I will call a “national baptism,” or an invasion of the Holy Spirit’s influence and power in the lives of Third-World peoples. Each Third-World nation must have a countrywide encounter with the Governor of heaven if order and soundness is to return to them and their leaders. This baptism is one of both philosophy and power. It is where the Holy Spirit infiltrates a whole nation, from the leaders to the children. 

We have seen that to have a true kingdom philosophy, we must align ourselves with the lead-ership of the King of heaven, and we must transform our entire outlook so that it is united with his mind-set. For a nation to experience this kind of transformation, the Governor must, of course, come to live within its people. After the Creator gave human beings his own nature, he  (1) gave them physical bodies so they could function in the phys-ical world he had created and prepared specifically for them, and (2) breathed His very Spirit into them, animating and empowering them to fulfill their calling on earth.Four billion people live in countries designated as Third-World or developing nations. 

Third-World Nations have a unique calling in this world, but they can fulfill their poten-tial only if they receive the power and the mind-set of the heavenly Governor, because the Governor is their connection with the kingdom of heaven.Only our Creator God, through the working of his Holy Spirit on earth, has the necessary authority, ability, and desire to address the needs of the Third World. No one has more love and concern for developing nations than he does. 

And he wants to enlist you, as a Third-World resident, to transform your community and nation into a replica of the kingdom of heaven. When you are realigned with God through his Son Jesus Christ, you are not only a member of a Third-World nation; you are also a citizen of the wealthi-est, most powerful kingdom in the universe, with all the rights and privileges that correspond with your citizen-ship. Earthly leaders can disappoint or abuse us; and even well-meaning friends may not be able to provide the answers we need. We can, however, depend on the Governor of heaven to work on our behalf, and also to work within us, providing supernatural gifts and abilities to overcome the problems we face in our individual and national lives. 

We can receive help, strength, and answers from the Spirit of the King. Everything in your life that can seem out of your con-trol, such as who manages your destiny, how you will raise your income level or start a business, how to receive adequate health care, or even where you will get the next meal for yourself and your family can be given into the care of the Governor. You can place yourself under the perfect rule of a benevolent Creator who has your interests, welfare, and ful-fillment in mind. 

A restored relationship and communication with the Cre-ator-King through the Holy Spirit is vital for the optimum development of Third-World nations and their future in the world community. Third-World, developing nations need to be free from a culture of corruption, poverty, and despair. They must allow the Governor to direct and guide them in valuing the life of every person in the nation, and to provide heavenly kingdom wisdom for knowing how to use their national wealth and resources for the good of the people.

My prayer and challenge for all peoples of Third World, developing countries for their generation and their nations is to welcome the Holy Spirit into their personal lives, and then into the lives of their national cultures, allowing him to transform the values, morals, standards, social consciousness, and economic conditions of their countries, as only the all-powerful and compassionate Governor from heaven can do. By/ Dr.Myles Monroe