MICHAEL D. SHARP, D.MIN.
NETWORK SECRETARY-TREASURER
msharp@adcag.org
God’s Kingdom is Not of This World
“ 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”…“14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”…“15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,”…“1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people, 2 for kings and all those in authority that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, ” – John 18:36, Heb 12:14, 1 Pet 3:15, 2 Tim 2:1-2.
There is a false gospel preached today: the Seven Mountain Mandate (7MM) or dominionism. It twists Scripture to justify the evangelical/charismatic Church taking control of the “seven mountains of society” – education, religion, family, business, government, arts, media – then imposing cherry-picked “christian” beliefs and practices in all areas of life. This Dominion Theology entered charismatic circles in the 1970’s. It is supported heavily by the Apostlesand-Prophets movement (NAR/Latter Rain). It has no recognized biblical scholars, uses bad hermeneutics, misinterprets Scripture and uses it in ways misrepresenting God’s kingdom (Deut 7, Isa 2:2, Rev 17:8, et al). No Christian denominations, including evangelicals and Pentecostals, have ever endorsed this philosophy. It presents a great danger to the Church, our nation, and the witness of the Church in our nation.
Jesus was clear in teaching about his kingdom: “My kingdom is not of this world!” Christ’s kingdom, including the Church, is not produced by the methods of this world. His kingdom is that realm where God reigns in the lives of humans through the Spirit’s power, transforming their characters to be like Jesus. Such lives, conformed to the image of Christ, are to be the salt and light of all the world’s kingdoms, influencing but not domineering. The Bible teaches that all kingdoms of men – political, religious, economic – are beastly empires whose rulers, philosophies, and economies oppress and defile human beings. We are repeatedly warned against being deceived by earthly kingdoms. They seek to dilute our pure devotion to Christ and his kingdom and exploit us to achieve their own selfish ends
Paul compares Christians to soldiers in a spiritual battle who mustn’t become enmeshed in civilian affairs, and to athletes who will only win if we play by God’s rules (2 Tim 2). He warns against angels of light that come preaching corrupted gospels of any kind (Gal 1). He warns against demonizing human “enemies”, reminding us that our real enemies are evil spiritual beings (Eph 6). Rather, we are to love and pray for all who oppose us, even the rich, the powerful, and the rulers, letting them see by our holy compassionate lives the truth of Christ’s gospel. The Son of God humbled himself, came to poor people oppressed by a wealthy empire, died for all, rose again, ascended to the Father Jesus did not grasp at power: He still awaits the Father’s command to come and rule the nation(s) as King (Phil 2).
We cannot defeat evil and bring in God’s kingdom by using the ways of this world. We are warned against the weapons of this world – money, power, violence, deceit – for this was never Christ’s way of convincing sinful humanity to repent and serve him. Rather, through the preached and lived gospel of Jesus the Spirit calls all to repent and commit their lives to Christ. God’s voice brings conviction of sin, belief in Christ’s saving work, and new birth through the Spirit. It is not, and can never be, a forced compliance to the authoritarian commands of a christianized beastly empire. Christians are called to take up their crosses, not their crowns (Matt 16:24-26).
The 7MM is a counterfeit gospel, polluting Christ’s church, twisting God’s word, appealing to our basest carnal impulses to war against those unlike us, defeat them, and gain worldly power. It is not the way of Christ! It is not the way of holiness, love, and servanthood. Please heed the warnings of godly scholars and teachers: Reject this heretical movement! Take up your cross and follow Jesus, the servant of the saved and the lost.
May 26-June 4 // Foreign AIM Trip to Costa Rica
June 16-July 11 // Summer Camp
July 13-18 // Stateside AIM to NYC
August 3-9 // NaHonal Youth Conference
August 21 // AYM Cabinet MeeHng
August 23 // G5 Conference
September 24 // See You At The Pole
Sep. 29, 30 & Oct. 2 // Regional Conference
October 10-12 // PK Retreat
October 19 // Speed the Light Day
