Ron McGatlin
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Joined: 08/23/2004
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Posted: 02/23/2012 at 8:27am
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Worldwide Kingdom Awakening News and Views
Published by Ron & Barbara McGatlin - Basileia Publishing
In This Edition
1. Back to the Kingdom
2. The Order of the Kingdom
3. Top News Headlines
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1. Back to the Kingdom
By Ron McGatlin
A World Gone Astray
Like Martha the historical church in a broad sense has become busy about many things. Modern western society has carried this busyness involving many things to extreme levels that are probably unprecedented in history.
For the most part the religious and secular driven world has gone far off the track of God’s will and purpose for mankind and Planet Earth. A world in which most people have abandoned their relationship with and guidance from the supreme God that created them is an insane world that is headed toward a violent end.
God in His infinite love has provided a Savior for this world. Religious and secular ideas that are limited and incomplete, if not false, have emasculated the glorious potential of the Savior to save a runaway insane world gone off track. The world-changing words of the gospel of the kingdom have been greatly hindered by the deceitful works of unbelief and lack of truth and love.
The gospel of the kingdom that Jesus and the first century disciples preached was lost after only a couple of centuries. It was replaced with another gospel from the church systems of man-made “worship forms” rituals and orders. The “gospel” of church was proclaimed for centuries. Through the dark ages a hierarchy of man-ordained church rulers held the common people (laity) in bondage of false allegiance to a harlot system that affected their fate in this life and after. This eventually led to the powerless lukewarm church systems of the recent past.
It is my opinion that all through the many centuries of darkness, there were some who saw the kingdom of God. They may not have had a full revelation of the kingdom but were walking in the Spirit realm, hearing and seeing in the Spirit. They were hidden away and largely unseen at the time and mostly unseen in recorded history. They were always persecuted if seen and often martyred. I believe God had a remnant witness of a few spiritual people who heard and saw in the spiritual realm – people who walked in the true intimate reality of becoming one with Spirit God.
Restoration of the Gospel of the Kingdom
In recent centuries God has begun restoring the true gospel of the kingdom on a broader scale through those who have laid down their lives in this world to truly live in the Spirit and walk in the Spirit in this life. Layer by layer, part by part, the whole gospel is being restored through Christ Jesus by the Holy Spirit.
Only about five centuries ago the gospel of salvation of man, purchased by the blood of Jesus and received by grace through faith, was restored as an early part of the gospel of the kingdom.
The revelation of the return of Christ Jesus as the Spirit of the Lord in the Holy Spirit at Pentecost began to be restored only slightly over one hundred years ago. For many “Christ in you the hope of glory” is yet being revealed.
Christ returned as He promised His disciples to indwell, empower, and guide the lives of His people in restoring the kingdoms of this earth to the kingdom of our God. The practical reality and the fullness of the kingdom of God on earth is yet being revealed and experienced as it expands in the hearts and lives of an increasing number of maturing sons of God.
A Major Change of Focus
We are leaving behind the many focuses of passing church systems and secular ungodliness rooted in pride and motivated by the lust of mankind. Man turned from the true Spirit reality of His creation and design to be ruled and empowered by his own intellect and spirits of darkness.
We are moving into the one focus of God and His kingdom on earth from heaven. The gospel (good news) of the kingdom is again being proclaimed to those who have ears to hear. The restored spiritual reality of living in the Spirit and walking in the Spirit of God is causing us to move toward becoming one with God for the purpose of bringing forth His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven – to fill the world with His love, righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Anything and everything in our lives that is not leading toward, relating to, or in some way supporting the coming of the kingdom of God in us and then into the world is of no real value and should NOT be a source of busyness in our lives.
"Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." ~ Jesus
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” ~ Jesus
“Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.” ~ Jesus
A NEW ADMINISTRATION AND A NEW ORDER
In our lifetime God has brought and is bringing a new administration and a new order to the true church (the ekklesia). A few decades ago the word began to come forth that church as we had known it was over – God was bringing forth a new administration and a new order. This is certainly not new to God in any way. It is new to us who have been taken off track by religious church systems and godless secularisim for centuries but are now returning to the kingdom of God way of life.
The new administration of the kingdom church is by the Holy Spirit.
Christ Jesus administers as the Spirit of the Lord – the Spirit of God – the Holy Spirit in His people.
The new order is the love of God.
The love of God fulfills all the law and prophets bringing divine order to God’s kingdom on earth in and through His called-out ones (ekklesia) (Mat 22:37-40).
Christ Jesus is the ONLY Head of His kingdom church. (Col 1:18)
The headquarters are simultaneously in heaven, at the throne, and in His temple - His people on earth.
The result of the reality of becoming one with God in Christ by the Spirit is that Christ rules in His people. There is no need for any man to stand to vicariously represent Christ Jesus ruling the kingdom church. Christ is fully available in every spiritually mature person through the Holy Spirit to rule and reign on earth now: first in our emptied vessels as one Spirit with our spirit and subsequently flowing His attributes of life as rivers of living water (Spirit life) into the world around us. Christ always remains the ruling authority. It is His authority in us.
Desire Spiritual Gifts (1 Cor 14:1)
Gifts are of Christ. Christ Jesus is the great Apostle, the Spirit of Prophesy, the great Evangelist, our great Shepherd, and Master Teacher. To desire Spirit gifts is to desire Christ who is the giver of the gift. To despise these gifts is to despise that which emanates from Christ. It is the essence and substance of God deposited in those who are becoming one with Him.
Yes, eventually as we collectively become truly one body – His Body, His life, His love; then these edifying gifts will simply evaporate into the oneness of all things in Christ Jesus, King, and Lord of all. In this kingdom establishment time, the gifts are desperately needed and of great significance and value.
Gifts are not of themselves offices of rule in the kingdom. Apostles, prophets, evangelist, shepherds, and teachers are not ruling officers of the kingdom. Christ is the only Head of His kingdom church. Overseers are people who are emptied of self and in whom the Spirit of the Lord abides. Overseers and leaders are mature ones who have traded their self-lives for the all-consuming fire of the life of God. A biblical word for mature is elder. Elder leaders and overseers may be gifted as apostles, prophets, evangelist, shepherds, teachers, or some other gifting or combinations of these.
Through every part of the kingdom church (ekklesia), Christ is the Head abiding in His people by the Holy Spirit according to the degree that place is given to Him by each individual. Elders (mature ones) are those who have given Christ full reign in their lives and are therefore overseers and leaders for those who are less mature and have not yet made full room for Christ to live in them by the Spirit.
The gifts of apostle, prophets, evangelist, shepherds, and teachers may have been given when the person was formed in the womb as a potential in their spiritual DNA. However, they will not be fully released or manifested until there is full redemption and the fullness of Christ dwelling in them by the Holy Spirit.
None of this is structured by “church system offices” or any other human organization or man-made structure. It is all by the Spirit of the Lord, Christ Jesus ruling and reigning on earth in and through His people.
Walking now in the Kingdom of God
The kingdom of God is a spiritual realm or walk. It is a lifestyle, sovereignly ruled by the basic foundational power of God through which God’s ruler/dominion is established on earth.
The kingdom walk or lifestyle is produced by the appearing or manifesting of Christ Jesus through the Holy Spirit within God’s people.
The kingdom of God that Jesus taught about is the rule of God on earth now. It is available to us now. Its righteousness, peace, joy, abundance, and presence of God are available to us now in the Holy Spirit.The kingdom of God lifestyle is for us today to establish the kingdom on earth and many are missing it. That’s why Jesus preached, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven (the ruler/dominion of God, from heaven) is at hand.” Repent means to change our minds. A renewing of the mind is required to turn from our past ways to the awesome reality of the kingdom of God in us and through us.
(Matt 12:28, Matt 9:35, Matt.10:7-8, Luke 10:9-11, Mark 16:15)
From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matt 4:17)
Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:14-15)
Keep on pursuing Love. Love never fails
and His kingdom never ends.
Ron McGatlin
archive.openheaven.com
basileia@earthlink.net
2. The Order of the Kingdom
By Kriston Couchey
A NEW THING COMING FORTH
When Jesus began His ministry on the earth, even John the Baptist questioned whether He was the one they had waited for (Luke 7:19). John's expectations were dashed as Jesus ignored the Roman occupation of Israel, and didn't try to change or gain influence with the religious and political establishment of His day. Instead, He offended the establishment by spending His time loving and bringing wholeness to the broken, the sick, and the destitute, and the outcasts. These nobodies flocked to Him to the embarrassment and anger of those who were in power. His inner circle of leadership were unlearned and poor men. Like John, many today are expecting God to strengthen the existing political, economic, and religious systems of men; and bless and enhance them with kingdom life. But it is not to be so in this unfolding age.
As in Jesus day, a new thing is coming forth. Father Himself is revealing His heart in sons who have left their dependence upon the systems and ways of men to walk as bearers of the Love of God to the broken and destitute. The most powerful force mankind has ever seen is Love made flesh in the form of the first-fruit Jesus Christ. The seed of the first-fruit has germinated and has been growing and maturing and is now bearing fruit; the sons of God manifesting the very heart and Love of God to all of creation with authority. A new order is emerging; it is the order of the kingdom of God, it is an order of the heart of God in His people, it is the order of Love!
A KINGDOM ORDER OF LOVE
This order of Love is not coming forth to enhance to make better previous systems or works that have been part of an age of sin and death. The order of God that is now unfolding is an order of an age in which sin and death are being completely placed under His feet (you and I are His feet). This unfolding age is being trumpeted from the heavens and the signs of this awesome transition cover the earth. The powers of the earth are shaking and all man has built is cracking and failing.
The order of his kingdom is an order of Love that the current political, economic, religious, and military powers of man CANNOT contain, nor can they stop it's coming forth. This kingdom order is emerging in fullness as the stone uncut by human hands turns to dust all nations and their systems built upon the wisdom and works of men. The order of Love coming forth in this day is much different then the order and structure of society as we have known it up till now. Here are some of the differences:
LEADERSHIP OF LOVE
Man's political and religious systems have placed emphasis on leaders with position and title. While position and title exist in the kingdom, these are simply an expression of the love one possesses. Father gives authority for the sake of expressing love. The gifts are tools to express the Love that God places in His people. In the kingdom order greater authority is expressed and possessed by those with the greatest love. There is coming forth a relational order of love among the people of God that far surpasses titles. Those who have come to relationally express their gifts in self sacrificing love will be given greater gifts and authority; while those who have gifts and authority but have not increased the "talent" of love will find what little "authority" they have will be given to others. Leadership is coming to be known for greater love that far surpasses their gifts. People will honor and follow the love of God in others and not seek to exploit a gift. True love relationships are taking predominance in God's people and the manner in which we have related is drastically changing from that of title to one of love relationship.
LAW OF LOVE
Religion and the laws of men's governments have enacted rules and requirements for people in an age where sin and death have made it necessary for law to keep people in check. Jesus made it clear that the one who loves God and others fulfills the law. The rules of men's systems are irrelevant when men by nature love each other and have written within their hearts the law of God. This order coming forth is one in which political and religious institutions find they have lost relevance as men and women are transformed by the Love of God. People will no longer need an external controlling influence to live in peace with their fellow man. As in Jesus day, there will be jealousy of the kingdom order of love that invalidates man's institutions; jealousy that will bring persecution.
THE ECONOMY OF LOVE
Today's economic system is based upon supply and demand, capitalism, free-markets, and usury. The economy of the kingdom is not based upon any of these factors, but is based solely on love. It was love that caused the New Testament believers to give all they had to meet the needs of others, not considering what they had their own. It is religion that has relegated giving to a law of tithe from an age of law, when Father's intent is that the order of love meets everyones needs. Love makes unnecessary an economic system built by man's desire to gain wealth. A new order of love turns to dust and crushes the political and economic systems of men that depend upon natural resources to live. Our Father gives all things abundantly to those who ask, and uses men whose hearts are full of His love to do so.
THE POWER OF LOVE
What the arm of man's flesh cannot do the love of God can do. While men cannot conquer a well defended city, love can conquer the hearts of the most hardened sinner. God's love is bringing down the forces of darkness that encroach upon the earth. Radical Islam, ethnic strife, and the wars that rage over resources cannot stand against the power of a life laid down in sacrifice for love. No country and their warriors can establish the kingdom with the arm of the flesh. Only the kingdom of God coming forth from His warriors of love can do so. No military was able to stop the spread of the gospel out of the mouths of the early witnesses moved by the love of God. That same self sacrificing love will bring down the very principalities and powers that empower the forces of violence, pride, and greed that threaten to overtake the earth today.
THE ARMY OF LOVE
There are warriors coming forth today out of the most desperate places. Jesus came upon the scene preaching the kingdom to the outcasts, sinners, broken, and weak. It was these that He was able to reach because they KNEW they were in need. It was this ragtag group of people filled with the Love of God that turned the world upside down. These became the leaders of God's army in their day.
Where is this order of Love manifesting today? It is manifesting among the brokenhearted, the cast down, those bound in chains and weak, and those who mourn. It is coming forth from impoverished nations whose people have been oppressed of the devil. Its coming from Indian Reservations among people who have been stripped of their dignity and heritage. It is coming forth from prostitutes finding real love in Christ. It is coming forth from street gangs, from bars, and from prisons. It comes forth in the group homes and halfway houses that cannot correct what Father alone can heal. There is coming forth an order and force of the kingdom that exercises great authority because it is motivated and moved by Love. There is a simplicity in what Father is doing, meeting mankind where their needs are because of His love. Father is calling us to be part of that order, the Order of Love.
Isaiah 16:1-2 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to preach good tidings unto those who are cast down; to bind up the wounds of the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those that are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD's favour, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn...
In His Love,
Kriston Couchey
kcouchey@gmail.com
http://my.opera.com/Boanerges/blog/
3. Top News Headlines
Fruit that Remains - Monrovia, Liberia Crusade - Thousands respond to the gospel - 2/22/2012
We are here in Monrovia, Liberia where thousands just now responded to the Gospel and put their faith in Jesus Christ. CfaN was last in this country in 1998. We have been hearing amazing testimonies from back then. It is also wonderful to see what Jesus is doing right NOW! Tonight the very first testimony came from a man who had been crippled for over 30 years. Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=39080&a mp;PN=1&TPN=1
Next Gen Charismatic Voices Gathering at Converge21 - 2/17/2012
The next generation of Pentecostal and charismatic voices are gathering in Virginia Beach this spring. “America is in desperate need of a 21st Century spiritual awakening,” Empowered21 USA is to bring scholars, Christian leaders and next generation voices together to help shape the future of the Spirit-empowered movement in the United States. Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=39042&a mp;PN=1&TPN=1
Sudan & Syria: millions of Christians facing death - 2/22/2012
In Sudan a half-million Christian's, displaced by ethnic cleansing face impending famine. After destroying their lands, the Arab-Islamist regime in Khartoum has closed off not only their escape routes, but all access to humanitarian aid. In Syria two million Christians (including over 300,000 refugees from Iraq) face a brutal and deadly war if the Assad regime falls. Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=39075&a mp;PN=1&TPN=1
Iranian Pastor Could be Killed Soon - 2/21/2012
There is an "increased likelihood" that the execution order against Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani has been signed and could be carried out at any time. The situation is more "dire" than ever. The fundamentalist government has stepped up persecution of religious minorities to deflect criticism." "The persecuted are their own citizens whose only crime is practicing their faith." Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=39070&a mp;PN=1&TPN=1
Franklin Graham: Obama Does More for Muslims - 2/21/2012
Rev. Franklin Graham was asked if he believes Obama is a Christian. Graham said he takes the president at his word. "I have no idea what he really believes." "Under Sharia law, Islam sees him as a son of Islam because his father was a Muslim, his grandfather and his great grandfather were Muslims." "The Muslim world sees Barack Obama as a Muslim, as a son of Islam." Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=39069&a mp;PN=1&TPN=1
Vicar of Baghdad: 'We Have Been Left and We Have Nothing!' - 2/17/2012
"None of us thought there would be any change here after the US troops left. They had not been seen on the streets for two years. We were wrong: from the day that the US military left we were in total chaos and disarray. "Violence increased. We could not even enter the Green Zone. Total mayhem politically, the government is fracturing and turning violently on itself. Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=39041&a mp;PN=1&TPN=1
Billy Graham: Pastor to Presidents - 2/22/2012
Every U.S. President since World War II through Barack Obama has met with Billy Graham. Here are short snippets of their stories: Harry S. Truman: In 1950 - Dwight D. Eisenhower - John F. Kennedy - Lyndon B. Johnson - Richard M. Nixon - Gerald R. Ford - Jimmy Carter - Ronald W. Reagan - George H. W. Bush - William J. Clinton - George W. Bush - Barack Obama. Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=39077&a mp;PN=1&TPN=1
News From British Isles, Ireland. Europe and Worldwide - 2/23/2012
Pickles restores prayer to councils - Queen: C of E protects freedom of religion - Support for traditional marriage gathers - Welsh church leaders defend positive impact of faith communities - Turkish Christians still experiencing discrimination - The fire of faith burns bright in Bosnia - Congo: Post election violence against Church opposition - Iran: Christian updates - ... Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=39083&a mp;PN=1&TPN=1
Report Reveals White House Ties to Liberal Watchdog - 2/21/2012
The White House is under fire from conservative groups after a new report revealed it has close ties with a non-profit liberal watchdog group being paid to target religious broadcasters. Media Matters of America bills itself as dedicated to "correcting conservative misinformation in the U.S. media." Media Matters has significant influence within major news organizations. Read On: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/politics/2012/February/Report-Rev eals-White-House-Ties-to-Liberal-Watchdog/
NY Knicks' Jeremy Lin: Tearing Up the Court, and Quietly Displaying a Solid Faith in Jesus - 2/20/2012
"I listen to [Christian music] just to remind myself why I'm playing the game, and to remind myself I'm playing to glorify God. I just really try to focus on that." In the past couple weeks, Harvard graduate and NBA point guard, Jeremy Lin, has been in sports headlines. He was un-drafted professionally. After ending up with the NY Knicks, his game really began to shine. Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=39064&a mp;PN=1&TPN=1
Protesters bear killer cold in Russia - 2/17/2012
Russia: Extreme temperatures in Eastern Europe have killed over 650 people this winter. "112 fatalities in Ukraine alone." "Thousands of people are stranded because of extreme cold in the Former Soviet Union." Abandoned cars litter the streets. Many people remain inside all day. Even in the cold 100,000 people showed up to one recent protest for political stability. Read On: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=39039&a mp;PN=1&TPN=1
For More Top News Headlines, Go Here: http://archive.openheaven.com/news/headlines/
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Topic: OpenHeaven.com Digest - February 23, 2012
