Kingdom Reality Replacing Religion
By Ronald D McGatlin
In recent decades we have seen the release of heavenly authority to many who have turned from religion to the reality of life in God. The mighty works of Father God in Christ Jesus by the Holy Spirit have now become reality in this season. The Pentecostal power that had morphed into a religious form is becoming living reality in God’s people. In recent years we have experienced the waning of religious form and the beginning of true kingdom reality for maturing sons and daughters of God.
That which past generations have preached and hoped for but did not truly experience has become the reality of our lives in this season. Seemingly without effort the supernatural miraculous works of Jesus have come forth in God’s humble pure hearted people without even a hint of pride or merchandising. That which we, in times past, said that we believed and tried to make happen is being done by the power of God abiding in His holy humble people. Truly the priesthood and the kingship of Christ are becoming manifest in His body of believers on earth.
Do not look for this as a big show. It is seen in multitudes of humble gatherings, small and large that are veiled to those who are not willing to receive the fresh reality of kingdom life.
Religious striving has been and is still passing away among God’s kingdom people.
Religion has ruled the world under the prince of this world – the prince of the power of the air. (Ephesians 2:1-10).
All religion is powerless without believers/followers. The devil has no power over those in whom Christ fully dwells as savior, Lord and King by the Holy Spirit of God. His only means of control is deception. In order to deceive the devil often infiltrates religions with his cunningly devised partial truths mixed with the deadly poison of twisted lies. Twisted truth can be word for a past season projected into the new season.
The New and Greater Covenant (Hebrews 7:22, 8:6, 12:24).
Religious ceremonies, rituals, sacrifices, offerings and keeping of feast served its purpose in the old covenant. However, it was and is out of place in the greater new covenant. In the current season religion is out of order and relationship Spirit to spirit by Christ Jesus in the Holy Spirit is in order.
IN THIS SEASON NOW, religion is seen to be man-made. However, it really originates from the dark spiritual world of the enemy. The only authority the enemy has is the authority we allow him to have. Deception is his primary weapon.
The enemy was in the garden with Adam and Eve but was completely powerless until he deceived Eve and then Adam. The devil must deceive human beings to usurp the authority given to mankind to rule in the world.
To usurp our authority, the devil must separate us from the reality of life with God and entice us to follow him. The more he can make his false religion look like the reality of life in God, the more easily he can deceive people into following him and releasing their God-given authority to rule in this world. Religion is designed to placate the innate desire in the hearts of men for life in God.
“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. Ephesians 2:1-3.
The Precious among the Vile
The recent decades have been a season of separation for sanctification and connection for preparation. God led His people into an intense time of preparing for this season of devastating circumstances and at the same time glorious Spirit life in Him.
The kingdom of God that had been formed within us is now manifesting under cover from the world in precious spiritual gatherings. In these God connected groups and gatherings, the manifest presence of God is spiritually bringing together a prepared people to endure the hard times and to plant the kingdom of God into the entire world.
During and after the season of devastation, the fullness that has developed and is still developing under cover will be and is now being released into the world.
The clearing and the deep plowing of the land of this world will leave little to none of the previous world order and fully prepare the soil of this world to receive the seed of the kingdom planted by the prepared people of God. Thus the Bride City of God, the New Jerusalem, is becoming reality on earth.
Draw near to God
By far the first and primary area of preparation for every child of God is intensely relating to God in the Spirit. Of course, this should have always been our priority. However, it truly must be our number one focus in this season.
All other preparations will be of little or no value if we are not truly seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness FIRST in our lives. Intimately relating to God in the Spirit and becoming one with Him will release the authority of heaven within us to supernaturally accomplish the will and plan of God. Clear direction from God through praying in the Spirit and hearing in our spirit is enabling us to walk through turbulent times without fear.
As we walk in oneness with God, we must hear and obey what He speaks for us personally to be and to do. He can prepare a table before us in the presence of our enemies. God may use some of us to be a part of growing and preparing the food for that table. Others may be used in preparing for other needs, for other provisions and services. Extremely basic life will develop with the necessities of life locally grown, made or built from whatever is available and with whatever tools are available.
If we are truly one with God and are obediently doing what He says when He says, the Spirit will coordinate the works of all to fit together in the kingdom lifestyle.
Through the life of God in us, we shall overcome the enemy by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony and not loving our lives to the death. (Revelation 12:11). Whether we live a long life or a short time in this body, we are the Lord’s and will never be apart from Him. (Romans 14:8). Our great desire is to fully serve Him and to accomplish all He has given us to be and to do in this life.
We are very important to one another and closely knit together in Him as each joint supplies its part. (Ephesians 4:15-16). This is more acutely seen and experienced in the seasons of devastation in this world and the glorious season of experiencing the deepest river of His love filling us with His life and flowing the glory of the kingdom to one another. The glorious kingdom lifestyle is available within us now. The kingdom is truly at hand in this day of the Lord.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the LORD and depart from evil.
It will be health to your flesh,
And strength to your bones.” Proverbs 3:5-8.
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32.
Ron McGatlin
OpenHeaven.com
basileia@earthlink.net