HIS KINGDOM COME ON EARTH AS IN HEAVEN
STEPHEN TURNHAM
MESSAGE FOR OUR TIME
By Stephen Turnham
RECEIVING A KINGDOM WHICH CANNOT BE MOVED
“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:7-9)
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES
The reasons for this message
Firstly, the Lord inspired it by his Spirit as a help and guide for all those of faith struggling to find true discipleship and sincere church fellowship as recorded in the Bible. Secondly, there is a terrible apostasy and numerous heresies in ‘Christianity’ which need to be addressed, in order to rescue older believers and spare new believers the trauma’s of abuse and..
Thirdly, the prophetic signs and condition of the world are indicating that we are nearer now to the end of this age of grace and Jesus’ return than ever before in history. These crucial issues will be addressed as a help to you the reader in understanding God’s glorious plan, His Kingdom strategy and your part in it right now!
As the cover inset text says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord”. The SecreTS of The Kingdom of god Jesus the Messiah of Israel came into the world as he had promised to establish a people for himself and to glorify His Father. He did this
in a way no-one was expecting, His Way was not Israel’s way, because He was God in the flesh - perfect in all his ways. He proclaimed THE MESSAGE, the Gospel of the Kingdom and how to enter into it.
This message is for you as a believer and reveals secrets of the Kingdom of God which will enable you to overcome the world of darkness in which you now live so you can be the Church of God and a light. My prayer is that as you read these chapters your love for Jesus will be set alight afresh and your faith enriched. However, it will mean counting the true cost of obedience to the Word no matter what sacrifice or suffering it will bring and it will (Matt 5:10. Terrible times are upon us all and according to the Scripture it will get worse as evil men gain more control one last time. Satan is still the ‘god’ of this world and is still deceiving the nations and sadly even some of God’s Elect. Jesus will soon return to defend and save His people. The Day of the Lord approaches and we must get His message to as many as possible. Read on to see God’s Way and what this entails for you.
The eTernal Word
Jesus Christ, the eternal Word, was sent to earth from heaven to reveal the Truth of His Father, His thoughts, His Ways and His Spirit. He did this face-to-face with Israel demonstrating His Kingdom on earth and what is to come!
As The Apostle and High Priest, Jesus Christ is the perfect image of the invisible God and, crucially for us, the head of His Church body who are now His dwelling place on earth by the Holy Spirit.
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.” (Colossians 1:15-18).
Not many stop and consider that Jesus is the Creator of ALL things visible and invisible. This is why He came himself to earth and created His Church, a body fit for the ‘New Creation’ to come, a place for those who love Him and the Father.
Unfortunately many people have not yet even heard His Word or they have deliberately chosen to reject this glorious testimony and the witness of the 12 Apostles whom He taught and comissioned.
As disciples of Jesus we should not be surprised by this mass rejection, because Jesus himself said this would be the case in the future.
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” (Matthew 7:13-15)
“I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” (John 17:14)
Are you one of the few that will make it on the narrow way?
The good and Bad neWS
Jesus brought the Good News, but also gave warnings about the consequences of rejecting Him, of sin, iniquity and false prophets who would lead many astray, bad news. Both He and later his Apostles warned us that deceivers would manipulate others for their own
power and financial gain.
Jesus was a true prophet because what he prophesied about Israel and the church has come true 100%.
The apostle Paul also taught that one of the biggest signs of the end of the last age would be a return to ‘justification by law’ and the ‘rules of men’ - what we call self righteousness or legalism. Paul called this condition, ‘falling from grace’ or in Scriptural language ‘iniquity’ (Galatians 5:4). This is also something Jesus prophesied would increase before His return.
“Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” (Matthew 24:9-13).
The greaT falling aWay
The glorious Gospel of the Kingdom of heaven, that the Father gave us in the person of his Son, has been perverted, distorted and corrupted throughout the last 2000 years.
Even a brief look at most traditional church history reveals how many
power crazed men (and women) brought corruption and deceived millions by their cultic laws and rules. All these years later and deception and hypocrisy are still rampant, causing untold grief and death in the world and a stumbling stone to those seeking the Truthwolves in sheeps clothing abound!
As a consequence these ‘false prophets’ and ‘self-appointed teachers’ have created a global religious deception called ‘Christianity’. Incredibly there are now have over 43,000 factions (or denominations) claiming to be a ‘church organisation’ that is in some way related to Christ and yet very few (if any) truly demonstrate the fullness of Christ and the powerful Kingdom gospel that He and His apostles preached. No doubt this is why Jesus said this about the true Kingdom Way, ‘and few there be that find it’ (Matthew 7:14).
These words of our Lord should greatly concern us in these days as most people think they are good enough for eternity because they said a prayer and attend a ‘church’, but is this really enough?
Most, if not all the factions have ‘rules of men’ mixed onto the original gospel truth, like a bad yeast in good bread, causing a ‘corruption’
or ‘perversion’ thus making it unclean (Matthew 16:12). This ‘falling away from grace’ towards ‘religious legalism’, even ‘cultism’, has meant that the Helenistic, humanistic, secular minded world has mostly written off the relevance off the good news message. They see the continual hypocrisy in these so called Christian institutions and ignore them. As a consequence things are not right in modern day ‘Christianity’ and so the unrestrained worldly powers feel increasingly free to continue in their iniquity, corruption and war. We even see open worship and obedience to Satan and his minions in public and in the media!
Peter himself said that this would eventually happen to the Gospel over time: “And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.” (2 Peter 2:2)
Ironically the biggest fail of all has been the Roman Catholic religion which tries to claim Peter as their founder! However, what Peter reveals is that there is indeed ‘a way of truth’ which we must accept and obey without religious pagan rituals added on top.
This ‘Message for Our Time’ has been written to communicate
concerns about the wider ‘church’ and to inspire prayer and dialogue between disciples of Christ on how to move forward to greater repentance and obedience. In short a renewal of our understanding of what both ‘church’ and ‘ministry’ are about according to the example of Jesus and the Apostles. It is plainly written in the Bible for us, but as always the question is, will we read it and respond in obedience?
The goal is that believers become a purer reflection of His ‘body’ here on earth. That we come to understand the true calling and purpose of the spiritual temple that Jesus is building by His Holy Spirit.
Be SeparaTe, Be holy
This message is not in any way ‘anti-church’, but in fact very ‘prochurch’, but importantly ‘church’ as defined by Jesus and the Apostles and not by tradition. No-one is perfect without Christ before a holy righteous God, however our Lord commands us to ‘be holy as he is holy’, that is separate from the world system (through Christ’s power) and righteous towards our neighbours (1 Peter 1:15-16; Ephesians 1:4; 5:27).
This text clearly implies that it is 100% possible to be separate and holy and to come to a mature knowledge of God our Father by the
Spirit, in order to fully understand His perfect will. Christ commands us to ‘sin no more’ and to ‘love one another’. The Apostles teach us to ‘walk in the Spirit’ and to ‘turn away from the lusts of the flesh’. This should be the norm for those who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord, Saviour and Master (John 5:14; Galatians 5:16). This is vital because without this separation from darkness we will not see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).
The poWer of The Kingdom goSpel
This ‘Message’ outlines a Scriptural understanding of how Jesus Christ established His ‘church’ (ekklésia - Greek) and how all the apostles imitated and multiplied God’s children through 100% obedience to the will of the Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit. They did this to fully represent Christ’s redemption to a lost world trapped in sin and suffering under Satan’s dominion and it worked!
They believed in the experiential power of the Kingdom Gospel that came from heaven: “And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for
prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:19-21)
Have you been moved by the Holy Spirit!? Please continue to read this message with an openess to Jesus by the Spirit, realising that it is in no way intended to condemn, but seeks to properly reveal what Jesus and the Apostles meant by the Greek term ‘ekklésia’, that’s translated ‘church’ or ‘assembly’ in our modern Bibles.
Meanings will be revealed as we go through this message, in order to best demonstrate the Kingdom Gospel to our lost world.
glory To god alone
We must all face judgment one day, to be rewarded or condemned for our words and actions. My aim is to bring glory to God, even if that might test and upset those that are now complacent and comfortable. The true message of the Kingdom of God reveals the Truth about who His People are and it may well conflict with teaching you’ve believed about ‘church’ and ‘Israel’ in your past. Your current ‘church’ experience and understanding of it will likley be challenged and corrected, so please be prepared for these surprises!
You may ‘work’ for a church
organisation in some capacity and apologies now that you will be called to rethink this status.
Everything presented here is the Word of God from the Father, delivered by his Son, Messiah Jesus Christ, who must be our only foundation:
“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.” (2 John 7-11) (see also Luke 6:49 & 1 Corinthians 3:11).
It is time to look afresh and very closely at what the ‘doctrine’, or ‘teaching’, of Christ really is, lest we be deceived and somehow follow deceivers and there are many today!
geT The revelaTion
John, the youngest Apostle, knew Jesus and saw the risen Lord on earth and later, by the Spirit and revelation in heaven, as Almighty God. This man knows what he is talking about and tells us some crucial facts especially in his second letter, that if you can see them, will change you forever!
Analysis of 2 John 7-11:
1. There are MANY deceivers who deny Jesus deity and authority.
2. There is a REWARD for those who hold to the pure teaching of Jesus both now and forever.
3. Whoever SINS (transgresses) does not have God (all and any sin!). We must not let sin reign in our mortal flesh.
4. Whoever does not ABIDE (remain) in the pure teaching (doctrine) of Jesus does not have God. If you ‘add to’ or ‘take away’ from what Jesus said, you have perverted the true gospel.
5. If you receive or even greet someone who does not agree with 1-4 you SHARE in his evil deeds and may suffer the same judgement.
As you can see, this is a very serious subject that can corrupt your spiritual life here today and may affect your eternal destiny! John sounds extreme even ‘over the top’, but he has good reason. Satan is a crafty adversary able to outwit those who do not know ALL the Word of God as it is written in Scripture. Most do not take the time to read it and meditate on its truth.
The key is ‘be not deceived’ (Luke 21:8). But how can we truly know if we have been decieved or not?
Read on to see if you were deceived...
focuS on The goSpel of The Kingdom
Firstly, this is a message about the Kingdom of God, not about what ‘church’ to attend. Going to a church meeting does not consitute true fellowship or relationship with man or God.
Secondly, most likely you are dissatisfied in some way with your past or current experience of ‘traditional’ or ‘institutional’ expressions of ‘church’.
These places often function more like a business or club, with programmes, leaders, fundraising, routine services and social traditions.
Sadly your experience of ‘church life’ and what the Bible actually says that church should be, often seem in conflict. Thankfully you can find the truth when you seek first His Kingdom and Righteousness. This must be your main priority and then everything else will fall into place as Jesus promised (Matthew 6:33).
falSe apoSTleS aBound
As mentioned it is false leadership styles that have caused many to be led astray both then and now. Both Jesus and Paul pointed out that it is hypocritical liars (wolves) who lead others astray for their own benefit (1 Timothy 4:2). Have you met them?
You know who they are. History is full of those who have abused the
gospel message and church people to their own ends, both kings and priests.
Do you believe that there must be more to ‘church’ than you’ve currently experienced? Are you humbly seeking the real Way of Jesus to reach the ‘high calling’ (Philippians 3:14)? Your curiosity led you here to this message. Time for a change of direction.
a neW direcTion
In this message I will show how Jesus demonstrates true leadership and how this significantly redirects God’s disciples to sincerely serve one another outside of ‘religion’. I share these truths in love and to the glory of Christ (1 Corinthians 4:6; Ephesians 4:15). I pray that this message will help you make a positive choice for your future growth and lead to a greater maturity in Christ, building you up in your knowledge of God and His good and perfect will.
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
(Romans 12:2)
Apart from my own experiences, I have witnessed many believers being led astray by historic (and modern)
‘leadership’ teaching errors that are hindering spiritual growth and a full understanding of the glorious inheritance paid for by Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.
As mentioned we see today many ‘factions’ that were created by misguided ‘lesders’. They fell for Satan’s trickery and went the wrong way. Right now you may well be in one of these ‘denominations’ or ‘Ministries’.
This is to be expected with so many in our corrupted society. I was once in one too (even many!) and oblivious to how it was hindering me and even robbing me! There may seem to be a measure of blessing within an organisation, because God is faithful, but I would imagine, and I presume you do too, that we want the best that Jesus paid for?
As painful as it is to face the facts of much ‘wasted time’ that we’ve spent in these man led organisations I believe it’s essential that these ‘errors’ are pointed out and corrected (using Apostolic Scripture).
We need to bring repentance and change for the good of all believers and for the glory of God. In this way Jesus is glorified and his divine nature experienced among us who gather in his Name. Paul calls this change the ‘renewal’ of the mind
first for the individual and then for many. (See also Galatians 1:6; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Titus 3:5). Nothing could be more important.
SignS ThaT folloW BelieverS
The Acts of the Apostles did not stop when the book ends in chapter 28 or when the Apostles later died, but the story has continued from generation to generation with heavenly signs following those who believe. Signs such as healing the sick, casting out demons, preaching to the poor, raising the dead and sharing all things equally within strong family and community. This history has been hidden from view in most cases because of persecution and destruction of most records. However some records have made it through showing the true believers living in power.
TranSformaTion of The mind
The transformation of a believer by the Holy Spirit is essential to see good fruit. The expression of all the Spiritual gifts for edification; such as speaking in tongues, prophecy, word of knowledge etc. (1 Corinthians 12:7) is edifying when in the right context of a gathering of believers, but potentially dangerous when out of context in a large public meeting. The ministry functions (offices) of mature believers are only given to
equip believers, in order that they might do the supernatural works of service. (See Mark 16:17-18; Galatians 4:7; 5:22; 1 Corinthians 12:4; 28; 14:1).
All these things are a demonstration of Jesus and the Kingdom of God and of His Spirit in us. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8).
Through this message I will address many key issues offering a clear Scriptural basis for this understanding. Please test and double check the Scriptures that are presented here and like the Berean’s I trust that you will come to similar conclusions.
“And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few”. (Acts 17:10-12)
diviSion iS ineviTaBle
Jesus and the Apostles constantly challenged religious traditional thinking, especially those things which had been culturally accepted
for many hundreds of years, but were often not Scriptural. We do not want to be like those first Jews who could not see the truth in front of them, so that they perished in their ignorance:
“And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.” (Matthew 13:14-16)
Are your eyes and ears open to receive the Kingdom truth?
It’s a sad fact that the people who were most offended with Jesus and the apostles were the traditionalist (religious) people. They thought that what they had was the best and good enough to please God.
“And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the
old. And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved. No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better. (Luke 5:36-39). How mistaken they were then and are today. We must take the road of humility and admit that we do not know everything, but can find more. We must realise that many have gone before us and failed to see what you are about to see!
radical oBedience To JeSuS
This revelation message is much more than a mere intellectual recognition of the Truth in the Bible, but rather it’s a dynamic and radical call to obedient faith, to the Spirit life in action. This means, that as the people of God’s Kingdom, we will come together and relate together in the powerful simplicity of Christ alone, without religious add-ons, pagan traditions or cessationism. It means we do what the Word and Spirit tell us is the way.
unTil he comeS
As believers we are awaiting Jesus’ bodily return in glory from heaven, His second coming. We can agree there are many Scripture references
offered as evidence of God’s plan and good will for all of us who believe in him. Please take time to check them. But before that Day comes Jesus told us that there would be followers in the future who would be one in the Father and this would be the greatest outreach ever.
“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” (John 17:20-21)
a freSh revelaTion of god’S Will Revelation or revealing of the truth is vital, so that we can then obey correctly and do His will and not our own or worse someone elses!
The important thing is that whatever is currently binding you, or hindering your growth, is removed now today, so that when you stand before Jesus at the judgement you have a clear conscience and confidence of your reward!
“And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.”
(1 John 2:28)
“For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God”.
(Acts 20:27)
THE SON OVER GOD’S HOUSE
The apoSTle and high prieST
“Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this man (Jesus) was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; but Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.”
(Hebrews 3:1-6)
Firstly, I want to consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession and why He was very different to any Hebrew prophet or priest who came before Him. It’s because of Him that we believe in God the Father and seek to be his sons and daughters. In the
opening verses of Hebrews the author made it clear that Jesus’ first coming to Israel with the good news of salvation (from sin and thus judgement) was the fulfilment of his plans for that chosen nation Israel:
“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.”
(Hebrews 1:1-4)
Jesus, the Word, was sent by God the Father as the Apostle from heaven to the world with the Kingdom message of reconciliation, redemption and details of the New Creation to come, restoration.
To fully understand the body of
people that Jesus is building for this future it’s sensible that we go back and look very closely at the makers pattern. The letter to the Hebrews answers some very important questions for us regarding God’s purpose and plan and reveals much about His church and His faith that we should walk in.
At the time of writing the book of Hebrews many messianic Jews were beginning to experience persecution for becoming believers in Jesus and were being tempted to give up the faith and go back to being Jewish (by denying Christ was King), and so avoid the pain of persecution. They were even trying to persuade Gentile Christians to become Jews by being circumcised. The letter writer explains two key revelations of the ‘houses’ or ‘spiritual groups’ of people. Jesus had said, “I will build MY church...” (Matthew 16:18).
KeyS To The TWo houSeS
First the people of Israel or ‘Moses house’, known appropriately as ‘the Hebrews’ after Abraham (later ‘the Jews’ after Judah), and in Hebrews 3:6 (see above my bold) he refers to the disciples of Christ (now after Pentecost) as his ‘own house’ (disciples of Jesus) with whom he associates his readers, ‘whose house are we’, (referring to all Spirit born
believers, including us today). He said that he would build ‘His church’ (or household) as a ‘separate body’ from that of Israel under the Law and that the ‘gates of hell’ would not prevail against it:
“When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matt 16:13-20)
The gaTeS of hell
Caesarea Philippi, which stood in a lush area near the foot of Mount Hermon, was a city dominated by immoral activities and pagan worship. This is the mount where 200 fallen angels descended in the time of Noah. Caesarea Philippi stood only twenty-five miles from the religious communities of Galilee.
The pagans believed that the cave entrance was the gate to hades of the dead (hell). By making His proclamation on this very place Jesus was declaring that paganism would be defeated by His people. (see https://www.thattheworldmayknow. com/ gates-of-hell-article)
JeSuS iS The rocK noT peTer
It’s now a widely held interpretation that this ‘Rock’ that Jesus spoke of was not in fact Peter (a pebble), the unredeemed man, but rather it was the ‘revelation’ that Peter had received from the Father in heaven, i.e that He (Jesus) is the ‘Christ’, the SON (The Rock of God).
Consider for a moment how important this was; Peter received a revelation from the Father in heaven! This privilege had previously been reserved for great prophets and seers like Samuel and Isaiah! Here was a mere fisherman whose heart and mind had been opened to recognise a deep truth about this Jesus standing before him - He IS the Christ (Messiah). This ‘revelation of Christ’, as begotten Son and Lord, is THE solid foundation of God’s new household - Jesus’ church (assembly/leadership) is built on this ‘rock of revelation’ with Jesus as the chief cornerstone.
This was grace given from God the
Father. Heaven’s truth was revealed to Peter in that moment and he saw the unseen and spoke it. He was beginning to tune into the heavenly Father’s mind and this is what Jesus was, and is looking for from all his disciples. All that Jesus did and said was built upon this ‘Rock’ - i.e. Himself and his lifestyle of obedience to the Father! It is this revelation from heaven that defeats deception and paganism which is the pantheistic religion of Satan (Pan/Baal).
This is confirmed to us again by Paul who reveals that Christ, as the Rock, was with the Hebrews as they followed Moses: “Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptised into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.”
(1 Corinthians 10; see John 6:53)
Clearly Jesus was not ‘physically’ with the Israelites, but He was with them spiritually, angelically, unseen except by Moses. This is the fundamental nature of the Rock of
revelation: hearing, confessing and obeying the Word. Many people hear the Word, but then fail to obey it (like many in the wilderness) and so remain earthly minded and this causes things to collapse when trouble arises (Luke 6:49).
Jesus’ ‘household’ are those who believe in him as the eternal Christ and then DO what he says, obedience in response to His grace which is Faith. Without the doing you are NOT on the Rock. Jesus demonstrated this himself with the Father to show us what to do:
“I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” (John 5:30)
A physical body was prepared for the Jesus Word of God (who preexisted time) in complete fulfilment of all prophecy given throughout the history of the Hebrew nation, in order to deliver the very words of the Father to them (and us) in person FACE-TO-FACE, pure revelation, Spirit and Life from heaven incarnate and visible. The Father did this because of His great love and our blindness (John 3:16).
living By faiTh iS doing WhaT We hear So now we show our love and faith in Jesus when we DO what He
says, and this is only possible if His Holy Spirit is dwelling in us. Therefore hearing and obeying is the ONLY Christian walk, because this is what Jesus did. This is the real ‘good news’ and means complete liberty from Satan, sin and iniquity (worship of paganism and idols).
“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house (your life) on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24-25)
Most people think this passage is about simply believing intellectualy in Jesus, but it is more than that. We must ask ourselves, are we really doing what Jesus said? Hearing and doing is the real faith of Jesus.
The Kingdom of JeSuS
Returning now to the difference between the Jewish ‘household’ or ‘Moses church’ and ‘Jesus church’ (household) as it’s an important differentiation because the first one (Moses) is based on outward effort and obedience (Law) to achieve spirituality and blessing through keeping covenant rituals. These were given to reveal and to restrain sin and rebellion. The second is based
first on inner spiritual revelation of Christ’s redeeming work (Spirit) removing sin from the heart leading to love and obedience (Faith) without rituals.
The first is ‘earthly’ (a shadow) and the second is ‘heavenly’ (the reality/ revelation) and as such is far superior. For the first believers this differentiation was very clear and plain because it was there in front of them.
1. Israel (disobedient)
2. The Gentile nations (pagan)
3. Believers (obedient)
The household of Israel was (and still is) limited by Scriptural promise to just one (circumcised) nation of 12 tribes and one promised land, Canaan / Israel.
The greater heavenly nation (all believers), which is composed of ALL nations (including Hebrews who believe), possesses all things and inherit the new heaven and earth!
Jesus began with the first 12 Apostles as a foundation of ‘church leadership’ to reach the whole world. We see this taught by both Jesus and all the other Apostles thereafter, who always emphasise the ‘kingdom of heaven’ rather than the ‘Kingdom of Israel’. Here are a number of
Scriptures which reveal this point: Matthew 22:1-14; 23:37- 38; Luke 16:16; 17:21; John 3:3; Romans 14:17; 1 Corinthians 15:50; Acts 1:1-7)
“Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:7-8)
For many years while living with Jesus the disciples wrongly thought that, as Messiah, he would restore the physical, visible and political kingdom of Israel (in their lifetime), and that they would sit with him as a king in the temple to rule and reign over the Romans and the world!
That’s why, before Pentecost, they kept asking Jesus the above question, about restoring Israel. It was only after Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came into them, that they suddenly realised the real truth - the true Kingdom of God is not of this world, Israel was just a foreshadow, an embassy to reach the world.
under conSTrucTion
The church (the holy nation) is supernaturally built from our cleansed human bodies and not bricks and mortar. God’s holy people now live in the whole earth, not just in Israel. Jesus’ church or body therefore has no outward material structures (buildings/ temples) or special clothing etc. to mark it out as holy to God. That was the old household for those who did not believe the gospel, but they preferred to have Moses as an ‘earthly mediator’ and Aaron as a priest in the Tabernacle where God was said to dwell.
Jesus showed us that because of his sacrifice it’s now our physical bodies that are the true temple and it’s the ‘fruit of the Spirit’ expressed by holiness (in our body) and charity (love in action) and the power to heal and deliver that makes his people special. From now on we should not have a care in, or for, the world’s ‘stuff’, or it’s religious works (1 John 2:15). There are no buildings, no ceremonies, no traditions of men, no garments and no sacrifices that mark out the true disciples of Christ simply because He NEVER commanded it. These things are no longer necessary to please God. In fact by doing those add-ons we are actually hindering
the true Gospel! This is why the traditional church has become powerless! The Spirit has left. As it was for Jesus, so it is for us, no more, no less. Show me Jesus’ brick church house? Show me his fast chariot? Show me his huge bank account? Show me his gold reserve? Show me his extensive wardrobe? It just isn’t there, because as Psalm 50 tells us, he doesn’t need it, because he owns everything anyway. God doesn’t need us, we need him!
Sadly this is in stark contrast to the modern ‘church’ in all it’s factional designs with its complex divisions and add-ons, this was not ordained by Jesus and it’s not His will - not His apostolic body, but an apostasy!
As then, this Kingdom message will upset a lot of people, just as it upset the Pharisees and Lawyers in Jesus’ day, in fact it’s one of the reasons they crucified Jesus and stoned Stephen and later Paul as well (see John 11:47-53).
god’S paTience WiTh iSrael
As the book of Hebrews reminds us it was over a four hundred year period that Abraham’s physical descendants eventually became ‘Moses household’ finally escaping slavery in Egypt by Yahweh’s power. Then, at Mount Sinai (in Arabia), they officially became
the household ‘under the Law’ by covenant, this was needed because of their rebellion against the personal revelation the Rock (Exodus 20:19).
Jesus’ household today is ONLY of Faith in Him, His Name and His ‘law of the Spirit of life’. His own physical life fulfilled ALL the former Law, Prophets and Psalms* removing the burden (of external law) off the Jews who believed. He also opened the way for ALL the nations to ‘know’ the Father through Him by the Apostles preaching and teaching. The promise to Abraham, which came before the Law, is also fulfilled in Jesus, as the true ‘spiritual seed’ (Galatians 3:16). Through Jesus (Messiah) God had therefore completely fulfilled his promises and covenant to Israel, leaving them without excuse. He was very patient with them, but sadly most rejected him and many perished in their sins (John 8:21). Their remaining descendants were dispersed and still mostly resist him today!
So we see God’s incredible patience and long suffering with Israel and how He dealt fairly with them in all respects (and still does!).
a neW Kingdom came Some find it hard to accept that the Kingdom of Israel ended when Jesus had completed His work. He
himself said that He conferred a new kingdom (from heaven) to the Apostles. That the anointing of the Spirit was taken from Israel’s leaders and placed upon the 12 and those 100 ordinary men and women in the upper room (Matthew 5:3; 13:11; 16:19; 21:43. Luke 12:32; 13:28; 16:16; 22:9. John 18:36). This ‘new’ household is the ‘nation’ of the new Kingdom of Heaven and is described in a number of different ways, to help us grasp the uniqueness of this ‘heavenly’ or ‘spiritual nation’, these include: The Bride, the Body, God’s building, God’s field, living stones, Royal Priesthood, kingdom of priests, the new Jerusalem, the city of God, God’s dwelling place, wife of the Lamb, the great multitude and of course ‘church’ which means ‘council assembly’ or ‘government’. All these are given to help us grasp the incredible eternal dimensions of the Kingdom of heaven and of God the Father and ‘Mount Zion’ (another metaphor) meaning the tabernacle or canopy of angels around the Father in heaven’s paradise. This heavenly Zion is gigantic and massive beyond our imagination and importantly without Satan or any sin for he was cast out! So it is plain that ‘natural Israel’ and the ‘heavenly church’
are separate bodies with their own identities, even destinies, and it’s erroneous to say that the church is the ‘spiritual Israel’. Gentile nations are grafted into the ‘inheritance’ of the patriarchs through Christ, but we are not Israelites, we are Messianic. The church (global) is a brand new body made of ‘new creatures’ in Christ by the Spirit whose foundation, as I have said, is the revelation of Christ as God and not by the flesh (DNA) from Abraham or Moses (Romans 9:8).
This is seen in God’s original promise to Abraham in Genesis 17:7 and highlighted by Paul in Galatians 3. Paul always speaks of these three; the Jews, the Gentiles and the church: “Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God” (1 Corinthians 10:32)
What’s true then, is true now and just as in the time of the first Apostles, ALL Israelites (Jews) today need to be saved into the ‘new nation’ (church of God) in order to be listed in the Book of Life (Rev 20:12) and enter the kingdom of heaven. Just being born a Jew does not get you into the book of life, just being born into a Christian family doesn’t either - only genuine faith AND obedience in Jesus.
Despite the apparent failure of Israel as a nation, the Father still looks favourably upon them for the sake of the patriarchs (Romans 11:28), and because they have suffered as witnesses of his name. He has also used them in the worldwide dispersion to shape the modern world according to his plans. For us non-Jews we must respect the spiritual roots of the Patriarchs, but at the same time present the truth of Messiah to Israelites as the only way to the Father (Matthew 11:30; Galatians 3:29). Paul and the other Apostles did this and were persecuted for it, so will all who take this stand. Israel the land went through 1900 years of desolation and is still not fully restored to this day, and never will be until Christ himself returns to restore the whole earth and Israel for the millennial reign. In any case Israel was only ever meant to be a foreshadow of the reality to come which is the New Jerusalem in the new kingdom in the new heaven and earth.
iSrael Today
The Israeli leadership claims to be like any other democratic nation, not based on spiritual laws, but rather on human rule. Although they do promote certain traditions and feasts. There is no Temple on mount Zion, this has been blocked
by God by using Islam, their Arab enemies!
Israelites are mostly against Christ as their Messiah and even forbid open preaching of Jesus in their land!
Despite this it’s significant that more Jews are coming to accept Christ today than in previous generations and this is another sure sign that the end approaches (Luke 21:29).
Plus of course the very fact that they are back in the land of their fathers since 1948.
hiS Kingdom noT of ThiS World
Jesus is now the King over the Kingdom which is currently in heaven and those who are of his house are spiritually connected, sealed by the invisible Holy Spirit, marked for salvation and whose names are in the Lambs (book) scroll of life. This is what he said: “Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” (John 18:36)
This is a very important statement by Jesus just before he went to the cross, because it affects how we see the purpose of Jesus’ ‘nation’ (church) in relation to the Kingdom of heaven, Israel and the world. Jesus went back into heaven to rule and
reign on the throne of the Kingdom (right hand of the Father) having obtained salvation for those who believe in his redemption and know him. He is now like a High Priest who intercedes for his followers who remain in this dark world.
“The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God. And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’” Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant. Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them”. (Hebrews 7:18-25)
His Spirit in us means that we can now connect to that Kingdom through his Spirit and receive the abundant life of heaven not necessarily the abundance of this earthly life, these two are different. We are given entrance into the heavenly Jerusalem, the Bride, the
household of God, mount Zion which is in HEAVEN which is eternal! There is no earthly human kingdom or organisation called ‘the Church’, but rather we are called ‘strangers’ and ‘pilgrims’ who, like salt, are mixed into all of the multitude of nations or like yeast mixed in the dough, now pleading for them to receive Christ and be delivered from Satan before the judgement comes (Hebrews 11:13).
“For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”
(Philippians 3:20-21)
Why did JeSuS go To heaven?
He left earth because the Law was removed and would no longer be required for justification (acceptance). Instead of residing in the bricks and mortar Temple, God the Spirit was about to dwell inside human tabernacles - in physical bodies - that’s the miracle of faith! Paul writes confidently in his first letter to the Galatians that, because of this, we are no longer called to be in the ‘household of law’, but rather to be in the ‘household of faith’
which is heavenly:
“Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise (by Spirit). Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children (Jews). But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all (church, Zion). For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate (Gentiles) hath many more children than she which hath an husband (Israel). Now we (Christians), brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise (Spirit). But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.” (Galatians 5:21-31).
noT of ThiS World
The point of bringing this to the forefront, is that in order to be Christ’s household, His ‘holy nation’, we must first realise that it’s not about building any ‘earthly kingdom’ or ‘organisation’, with wealth, buildings, political domination and power over others - not even over God’s enemies who oppose the truth.
The earthly humanistic utilitarian idea is a complete delusion causing division and ambition among those who believe. So wicked are men’s hearts that they want to build an earthly kingdom on behalf of God, not realising that God does not require it! Such are the denominations and cults we see today, not designed by Jesus or the apostles, but inspired by Satan. In contrast, God’s plans for this fallen earth include a series of warning judgements leading ultimately to an inescapable final judgement (Revelation 5-11) and the destruction of man’s entire history and all his works!
Jesus said that this would be just as sudden as when he destroyed the world in the time of Noah or the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and who has found them apart from dust? However, the final judgement will be by a supernatural
fire, and many will be destroyed and lost for rejecting Jesus!
It’s the great and terrible day of the Lord. It’s terrifying to fall into the hands of the living God! The good news for those of faith is that whether we live or die through these many tribulations we will enter the heavenly kingdom and receive our reward.
Being a Christian is about being prepared for this last day and the final resurrection of the dead to meet Jesus and the Father with the angels in glory. Just think how glorious it will be to meet the Father without fear, sin or pain and then in a new earth to live eternally!
Even more glorious is that it’s possible for us to connect with the greater glory of Jesus today. Again in Hebrews we read: “But ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn (remnant Jews), which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect (prophets), and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped
not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven (sky). And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made (the visible universe), that those things which cannot be shaken may remain (Christ’s Kingdom). Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:18-29)
Make no mistake about it, the human race is in really big trouble, because Jesus is coming back in POWER with destroying angels! Lord have mercy on us all.
This will be a terrible and terrifying day for those who are unprepared. This is the whole point of the body of Christ – to prepare for his return and so, just like the Levite priests, we now realise we have no inheritance in this earth (land), but rather we are strangers and pilgrims that are looking to him for salvation, this is our great hope (Romans 8:24). This is also why Paul exhorts us to ‘seek those things above’, because this is our place and destiny, we must not turn back like Lots wife
(Luke 17:32).
Don’t turn back to the world, but press onwards and upwards and escape this corrupt generation!
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. (in heaven!) Set your affection on things above, (in heaven!) not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your (spiritual) life is hid with Christ in God (in heaven). When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1-2)
These truths have huge practical implications for how we see ourselves, others and how we decide to live our lives in this present evil world. Are you really ready for Him? “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. (1 John 3:1-3). Time to purify!
eScaping The WraTh To come
Over the centuries there have been many great Christians who have revealed Christ’s divine life and passed on the good news of his salvation from the wrath to come. We must be clear on what we are being saved ‘from’ and ‘to’, then our purpose becomes very clear - His will be done on earth as in heaven. The focus of our attention must be, as Jesus and Paul preached, ‘seek first His Kingdom and His Righteousness’ and this Kingdom is not on earth but in Heaven where Jesus now dwells as King and Lord. He must be our total focus – our Apostle and High Priest in heaven. The Kingdom is not the church.
We must know and understand what is going on in heaven in order for it to be done on earth! This Kingdom is where Paul knew he would be going before he was taken and martyred by the Roman emperor Nero: “And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (2 Timothy 4:18)
When Paul was beheaded for the Faith by Nero he died and his spirit and soul went to be with Jesus in heaven, in the glory of God’s presence, into paradise.
One day, along with all other dead Christians, he will return with Jesus and receive a new body at the resurrection and those of faith, still living after great tribulation in Israel, will too! These spiritual bodies are the promised ‘houses’ or ‘mansions’ that Jesus prophesied.
“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:1-3)
“Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be well pleasing to him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences”. (2 Corinthians 5:6-11)
What this all means practically, is that the ‘church’, which Jesus builds, is firstly ‘heavenly minded’ not ‘earthly distracted’. The ‘church’ is not the Kingdom on this earth and it’s not meant to be an organisation or charity to improve society by political means (without any repentance). The ‘church’ is not meant to take over the kingdoms of the earth for Jesus (dominion theology), we are called to be ‘salt’ and ‘light’, a witness. The Kingdom to which we belong is ‘in heaven’ and we have become citizens of that place (Hebrews 12:22, Philippians 3:20).
As this Kingdom is within us by the Holy Spirit we, like Jesus and Paul will experience inner peace, but also persecution from enemies.
The kingdom of God is bigger than the people of God and much bigger even than the visible universe! God’s plan was and is to do away with Satan, sin and the corrupted earth. This means that this earth (even the whole universe) is due for demolition because of sin’s corruption and God plans to build a new heaven and new earth - he’s not planning to simply restore this one and He has the power to do it! This means that the only way to escape this judgement is to be IN CHRIST and CHRIST IN YOU by the Holy Spirit. HE is literally our ‘spiritual Ark’ and those who enter
in become his people forever! Our Christian hope is to be a part of the new heaven and new earth where righteousness dwells and sin is no more. The restoration of all things: “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” (2 Peter 3:13).
The neW Temple
Lastly we must accept that we are the new temple of God’s dwelling in this earth today and that this is enough for us. We must not turn back to reconstruct the shadow of the Law with buildings and religious paraphernalia . Rather we must embrace the freedom of the Holy Spirit and go out towards all the lost and needy with the good news, just as Jesus had commanded.
“And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:17-20)
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
ISAIAH 40:28-31
Stephen Turnham is a believer since 1981, husband, father, designer, artist. He is also a personal mentor, coach and Bible teacher and has written many small free books on the key topics of Scripture designed to help young believers come to maturity in the faith of Jesus. Some publications challenge the mainstream concept of what it means to be a Christian and what church is really all about.
Other publications include: Beware Deception, Overcoming Satan, Your Inheritance in Christ, The Day of the Lord, Fulfillment of the Ages, Fearing the Lord, Sin & Iniquity, The Four Marks, Predestined Remnant, The Commands of Christ, Who am I, The Sabbath Rest... and more. These are all free online at https://issuu.com/turnhamdesign Based in Eastbourne UK. ©2024 All rights reserved. Funded by donation and offerings at: https://buymeacoffee.com/turnham