Rediscovering the Kingdom: Kingdom Manifesto 2

As I look on in horror and sadness the attack on Ukraine and its citizens, I know that God is good and evil will not go unpunished. “Be assured, the evil person will not go unpunished, I believe that what we are witnessing today, the baseless war between Russia and Ukraine, unproven conspiracy theories, are sign of Christ’s soon return. But the descendants of the righteous will be rescued” (Pro. 11:21). “Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Be assured, he will not go unpunished” (Pro.16:5). In times like these we tend to privately ask within our hearts the following questions:

• Why is there so much hatred in the world?
• Why do men in every generation pursue power at the expense of peace?
• Why is there racism in the world?
• Will there ever be global peace and tranquility on earth?
• Is there hope for the world?
• What can I do to make a difference in this world?

Naturally asking these questions can kindle a spirit of depression and despair because they bring to light the deficiencies and failures of humanity. One thing I know is that the solution to the cries of humanity will not be found in religion nor politics. It will not be found in human wisdom because human wisdom is superficial, earthly, unspiritual, and demonic (Jam. 3:15). God’s Word says that “…. the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the sight of God. For it is written: “He is the one who catches the wise by their craftiness” (1 Cor. 3:19). But God’s wisdom is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free of hypocrisy” (Jam. 3:17). This wisdom will only come from a concept that was established at the beginning of creation. That is why it becomes indispensable that we look to God for wisdom in these trying times. There is hope for humanity, but only as we restore our Creator’s original purpose for life on earth.

I am grateful for the amazing kindness of the Lord that caused Him to save and deliver me from darkness and simultaneously release me into a ministry where many were being set free from the ravages of drug and alcohol addiction. God’s character throughout the scriptures has always demonstrated His innate desire to set captives free and release justice on behalf of the oppressed. In Jeremiah 9:23 (NKJV), the Lord reveals His nature: “Let not a wise man glory in his wisdom and let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glory, glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD exercising loving-kindness, judgement and righteousness in the earth; for in these things I delight,’’ says the LORD. God’s loving-kindness, justice and righteousness were demonstrated many stories of deliverance throughout the Bible

The Lord Jesus comes not to call the righteous but to be the savior of all humanity. In the words of Dr. Myles Munroe, “The greatest threat to the future of the world is religion.” Jesus intends His followers to seek His Kingdom and to pray for its coming as our first priority in life. But we must have some sense of what that Kingdom will look like as it comes among us.

“For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Romans 14:17

“But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

“I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.”

Psalm 27:13

We are witnessing great moves across the earth today. Prophets are prophesying revivals and awakenings. This knowing has been in my spirit for a number of years. On November 21, 2007, I heard the Lord say the following Words: “You will have to be strong and courageous.”  “Many are living for self without seeing the condition of God’s house.” Sadly, many leave God’s house after service feeling empty, unsatisfied and weak. This is not what God intended for His people, and it grieves Him to see it. The body of Christ must awaken many from the deadness of their religion and strengthen what remains. We must be stretched out of our religious way of thinking to receive revelation that opens up new realms of thinking and possibilities (Prov. 29:18)

“When the Church is absolutely different from the world, she attracts it.  It is then that the world is made to listen her message, though it may hate it at first.”

– D. Martin Lloyd-Jones

In 2018, I began to write about urgency for the church to wake up! Ephesians 5:14 says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.” Evidently, the church of Ephesus must have fallen asleep. The Spirit of the Lord is saying “Wake up! Strengthen what remains, and is about to die. We have unfinished work to do before the return of Christ. ”  In the Book of Acts, we see the power of the Holy Spirit working through the first-century churches—not just in the miraculous sign gifts, but in the daily witness of the churches.

In these post I hope to offer insight into God’s vision of what is possible as God’s people grasp a clear and compelling view of the
Kingdom of God and then begin to live it out in our personal spheres of influence. As you read these posts I encourage you to meditate on the understanding they provide for the greater awakening of our personal lives, our families, our culture, and society to the reality of the Good News of the Kingdom of God.

 “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

Blessings,

Minister Dr. A. Francine Green

Notes:

All Scriptures are taken from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.