BRADES, Montserrat, August 27, 2016 – In a government that is working right, the Constitution gives sound principles of governance, the legislature passes good laws rooted in those principles, the premier/ president/ king carries out these laws fairly, and the judiciary hears cases to see that the laws were carried out justly. But what happens when men rebel against God and his word, take greedy “advantage” of others and refuse to do what is right? What about when those who do what is right are attacked with lies and threats, are trampled on and are even destroyed?
Obviously, God is going to have to step in to restore his righteous rule – his Kingdom.
Just as King Nebuchadnezzar saw in the dream recorded in Daniel 2.
First, God acts with mercy and calls us back to his laws of righteousness; which, as Deuteronomy 10:13 says, are “for your good.” He establishes his kingdom of grace and blessing through his Messiah, and so through his gospel-call to repentance, renewal by his word, and Holy power by his Spirit he establishes his church, his ekklesia. That is why, on April 20th, Rev. Dr Nicholson turned his focus to God’s church, his ekklesia – God’s assembly with spiritual legislative powers. That is why the secret to powerful prayer, is 1 John 5:14 & 15 – “if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us . . . we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.” For, the Church of the living God, “the assembly of the first-born” (Heb 12:23) is God’s delivery system to carry out His WILL based on His VISION/WORD to effect the DESTINY that He has prepared for earth.
To understand the full force of the Scriptures (which are the church’s Constitution), we need to study the original languages. And, the Greek word Ekklesia is a compound word derived from the Greek words “ek” which denotes origin (from, out – of place, time or cause) and “kaleo” which is to call, bid, call-forth; usually aloud or by declaration. The Ekklesia of the ancient city state was a legislative body similar to our Parliament, and its functions were to: 1) Legislate (pass laws and rules); 2) Elect and dismiss magistrates; 3) Develop and direct the policy of the city; 4) Declare war and make peace; 5) Negotiate treaties and arrange alliances; 6) Charge generals, release troops for battle and finance the army. In Scripture, the Ekklesia of God is not authorized by humans but is called out from the throne of God which is the highest seat and source of power and authority. The Ekklesia represents heaven’s kingdom on earth.
Mat 16:15 – “He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 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. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church (Ekklesia); and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
God seeks to bless nations and lands so the Ekklesia is to teach and disciple the nations in the word, grace and righteousness of God. So, we must live by his word in truth, love, purity and power by his Holy Spirit. That is how, in God’s government, there is transformation from the inside out (we must be born again) and from the bottom up (the least is the greatest). So, we see Eph 1:18 – “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”
Just as in a parliament, the members of the Ekklesia must be in their seats in order to legislate. Heb10:25 – “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” But simply being in your seat is not enough. God will not hear our prayers if we disobey his word by treasuring up in our hearts sin, iniquity, un-forgiveness, hatred, malice, selfishness or rebellion against God.
Psa 66:18 – “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” Jam 4:3 – “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” Matt 5:23 – “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” Mark 12:30 – “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” Matt 5:44 – “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
This level of love, truth, trust and dedication is required of every member of God’s Ekklesia for the full power and authority of God to flow through His church. Do we measure up? What must we do?
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