In the other camp are those who proclaim God's kingdom here upon earth. They declare how His kingdom is advancing against the enemy. Some speak of God's provision for His people, and declare that many of us will begin receiving some of the riches that have in the past, fallen into the hands of the world. Many flock to hear a prominent speaker that has come to a nearby city. The kingdom will be proclaimed and probably some new revelations will be given both personally and corporately. Some will leave with a new fervor and vitality in their individual lives. Others may wonder just what God is doing, and what is in store for us as a nation and as a people both individually and corporately. Some of these things are good and some perhaps come from the minds and plans of man's traditions and schemes. They however, seem to be at opposite ends of the spectrum from the first group.
I wonder however, what either Isaiah or Jeremiah would think if they would sit-in on some of the conferences that are occurring in this hour. Would they walk away shaking their heads in disbelief and confusion, or would they say a very loud "Amen?" Would they applaud as many would while watching a circus that had just come to town? I wonderÂ…
Isaiah learned that when God's judgments came that the people would learn righteousness. The judgments of God are meant to lead the people back to Him.
ISA 26:9 My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you. When your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness.
ISA 34:5 My sword has drunk its fill in the heavens; see, it descends in judgment on Edom,the people I have totally destroyed.
ISA 66:16 For with fire and with his sword the LORD will execute judgment upon all men,and many will be those slain by the LORD.
Jeremiah came to realize that God was a jealous God and that He would not accept the people's worship of something else. The wicked would be punished and a time would come when a people and land could not be healed.
JER 1:16 I will pronounce my judgments on my people because of their wickedness in forsaking me,in burning incense to other gods and in worshiping what their hands have made.
JER 25:31 The tumult will resound to the ends of the earth, for the LORD will bring charges against the nations; he will bring judgment on all mankind and put the wicked to the sword,' "declares the LORD.
JER 51:9 " `We would have healed Babylon, but she cannot be healed; let us leave her and each go to his own land,for her judgment reaches to the skies,it rises as high as the clouds.'
God does want to bless His people and He does want His kingdom to be advanced. He also though, wants to declare His judgments upon the earth. I believe that He wants as many as can come to Him as possible before the final judgments fall. I don't believe that this kingdom will be established until He has place everything under His feet, and this will not happen until death is finally swallowed up in victory.
I CO. 15 [24] Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. [25] For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. [26] The last enemy to be destroyed is death. [27] For he "has put everything under his feet." Now when it says that "everything" has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. [28] When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.
The Jews looked for a kingdom that would be established upon the earth at the time of Jesus. They thought that He would be their earthly king and would lead them into battle against their enemies and establish them in their nation. They looked for an earthly king and He wasn't what they were looking for. What is the kingdom that we are portraying? What is it in the prophetic word or proclamation that is being trumpeted? Is it a kingdom that is advancing against the world order, or is it the judgment of God being resonated from the lips and pens of men and women who have truly heard from God?