For those who have been longing to be taken out of tribulation and be taken up before things get worse, I would urge you to consider our great commission. Rather than preparing to leave, we should be positioned to lead. Instead of predicting the end, we should be presenting our case. Rather than storing up provisions for fear of impending doom, we should be out in our communities releasing the clarity, purpose, and wisdom that our culture so desperately needs. Though Jesus clearly said to be ready for His return, His primary message was to preach the gospel, demonstrate the Kingdom, and bring order to the earth He gave us.

Good government rises and falls on leadership. This is true in both the sacred and secular realms. The dysfunctional leadership now in some of the highest positions of our government are, unfortunately, a reflection of the Church’s dysfunctional leadership. This is not from lack of love for God or even love for others. It’s due to immaturity of character, lack of accountability in leadership, and an incomplete theological framework for Kingdom expansion. The fatherless generation talked about for decades is now grown up and seeking positions of power and influence. Without a solid biblical worldview and community of faith in place, we will continue to see wicked rulers rise and Kingdom expression curtailed.

 On Earth as It Is in Heaven

Even in the heavenly realms, there is a government at work. In Ephesians 3:10, it speaks of the “rulers and authorities in heavenly places.” Daniel 10:13 describes Michael, the archangel, as “one of the chief princes” among the heavenly host. Additional Scriptures allude to orders and ranks of heavenly beings (see Genesis 3:24; Isaiah 6:1-3; Ephesians 3:10; Colossians 1:16). God is truly the Creator of every governmental structure on both sides of the veil.

For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him (Colossians 1:16).

The purpose of God’s government is to reconcile to Himself all things in both realms to bring peace to His creation. Ever since the fall of man, God has been working to bring order back to the chaos and blessing back from the curse. In His ultimate act of love, He gave His Son to make the way possible. Now, He extends to His sons and daughters, the invitation to partner with Him in rendering decisions that will restore order and reconcile humankind to God, once and for all. This is what heaven is doing and this is what His Kingdom governmental authority accomplishes.

Jesus taught His disciples to pray that His Kingdom would come, and His will would be done on earth as it is in heaven (see Matthew 6:10). This is an invitation for the government of God to be made manifest on the earth—with us as His ambassadors. That which is done in the heavenly realms to bring divine order, liberty and freedom, abundant life, and the presence of the Holy One, is to be established here on the earth.

The entire ministry of Jesus was a training ground for His followers to learn what He modeled so we could replicate it for generations to come. It not only included salvation along with signs, wonders, and miracles, but the administration of the Spirit, and the building of the House of the Lord from which all other mountains would seek truth and direction (see Isaiah 2:20) . Our commission doesn’t only include salvation, but discipling nations to follow a heavenly pattern of Kingdom power and authority.

The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool (Psalm 110:1).

We know that our battle is not against humans, but against the rulers and authorities in the spiritual realms who are trying to steal, kill, and destroy our Kingdom authority. This is the place where we are to reign as sons and daughters of the King to take dominion and rule over every seat of darkness set against the Lord. As coheirs with Christ, we wrest the authority from illegal spiritual invaders over the Body of Christ and over our nation. It is here that our true authority is tested and matured so we have legitimate authority on the earth.

The kingdom of darkness will continue to press in, and the work of our adversary will never stop advancing until the final day of judgment. However, in the midst of that darkness, the light of Christ will shine, for “Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end” (see Isaiah 9:7). Jesus’ commission was for us to disciple His Bride among every nation of the earth to show forth the glory of His Father and demonstrate what heaven looks like. We do this by exercising our God-given authority in the spiritual realm first, thus impacting and shifting the authorities on the earth.

(excerpted from Chapter Three of MOVING FROM SWORD TO SCEPTER)