* * * * * article from p. 28 continues * * * *
Dominion is really what a kingdom is all about. The very word kingdom literally means “where the king has dominion.” It speaks of the place where a ruler exercises his reign. Although in the natural there are many different kingdoms on earth right now, spiritually there are only two. One, the kingdom of the world, is ruled by the devil. The other is ruled by God.
Because God is all-powerful and unequaled, His kingdom is sovereign. It’s superior to the devil’s, and supreme in power, rank and authority. It doesn’t always appear to be, however, because God doesn’t exercise His dominion on earth directly. When He created Adam in the Garden of Eden, He gave that responsibility to man.
As we all know, Adam messed things up by sinning and bowing his knee to Satan. But God continued to work through man’s dominion by making covenant with people who would believe and obey Him. Through them, He kept His BLESSING in the earth and put into effect the plan of Redemption. He paved the way for people to be born again and baptized in His Spirit so that once again His kingdom could be re-established on earth.
This is why Jesus had to take on flesh and come to earth as a man!
He had to become “the firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:29). He had to undo the evil work the devil did with Adam in the Garden of Eden, exercise divine dominion here, and preach the gospel of the kingdom of God.
A lot of Christians don’t realize it, but the gospel of the Kingdom was Jesus’ central message. He taught about it continually, whether He was ministering to individuals or to multitudes.
• He said to Nicodemus, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).
• He said to Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). Or as the "Amplified Bible, Classic Edition," puts it, “...My kingdom is not from here (this world); [it has no such origin or source].”
• He told the crowds that came to hear Him preach, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15).
BVOV : 29
