“Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name.  Thy kingdom come.  Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:9-10)

The negative forces would daily affirm that this cannot be, and with the constant crisis and turmoil in the world, the present rule of corruption and evil, until “he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey”, (Isa. 59:15), it does seem to be an almost impossible dream.  But Jesus clearly taught that when the situation was so bad that men’s hearts would fail them for fear, and “for looking after those things which are coming on the earth”, then we are to take courage.  “For when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh”.  Furthermore, “when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand”. (Luke 21:26,28,31).

But even before the full kingdom age is manifested, the scriptures also teach that there are those who “have tasted the good Word of God, and the powers of the world (age) to come”, (Heb. 6:5).  Surely even now the firstfruits are tasting of this power, authority of the age to come, and they are learning to bow in submission to pray from their innermost being, “not my will, but Thine, be done”.  And HIS KINGDOM is beginning to reign in the hearts of men.

Surely “The kingdom of God cometh not with observation”, (Luke 17:20), so that men may say, “Lo, here; or, Lo, there”.  For His kingdom is among us, yes, within us, as daily we learn to submit to His sovereign rule.  The Son, Jesus Christ, must rule until all enemies – all self-will, rebellion, lust, strife, within has been brought into His control.  Then will He deliver the kingdom up to the Father, that God might be all in all.  It is an everlasting kingdom, but in ascending degrees its glory expands.  When all is delivered up, given over to the Father, it is that greater revelations might be realized than those confined to the “Son realm”, for the lesser is swallowed up into the greater, and the “in part” into the whole, glorious kingdom of God!

“I am this day weak, though anointed king…”   (II Samuel 3:39)

Much teaching in charismatic circles emphasizes the verse, “ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit has come upon you…” (Acts 1:8), and they stop right there, thrilled with the thought that if you want power, get anointed.  But it is needful that we understand the purpose of these present day anointings, which literally become our “anointing for burial”.  The rest of the verse reads, “Ye shall be witnesses unto Me…” The anointing is to enable us to lay down our own self-life, so that henceforth we become a manifestation of HIS LIFE.  But it requires power to be able to face this death-to-self-process, and that is why the anointing of the Holy Spirit is given unto us.  It is for our burial.  Then comes the resurrection life, His life rising out of our earthen vessel, “that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us”, (II Corinthians 4:7).

It is a fact, the more we walk by His anointing, the weaker our flesh will become, and He will subdue us; crucify every form of resistance of the carnal nature.  Nothing like the glorious anointing of the holy Spirit to make us weak – weak, and yet so very strong, for there is a power released of which few know anything about, because they refuse to accept the sphere of weakness wherein HE IS MADE STRONG.

Again we say with the Psalmist, “He weakened my strength in the way”, (Ps. 102:23).  HE diminished me, brought me to nothing, until we had nothing left herein to boast, nor in which we could glory in ourselves.    But then is when we truly find that “My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.  Most gladly therefore will we glory in our weaknesses, that the power of Christ might rest upon me – for when I am weak, then am I strong”,  (II Cor. 12:9-10).

And when my weakness I can give

To Him, He takes this negative

And births a strength so positive.

O new creation, rise and live.

“And thou, O tower of the flock, the stronghold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion.” (Micah 4:8)

Obviously, this is a work of sovereign grace in the hearts of His apprehended ones. “What is man, that Thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that Thou visitest him? For Thou has made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of Thy hands: Thou hast put all under his feet,” (Psalm 8:4-6).

Made to have dominion – over all the works of His hands. This is hard to comprehend. “For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him,” (Hebrews 2:8).

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