Freedom House Church and Healing Centre

POSSESS WHAT WE HAVE ALREADY BEEN GIVE-THE KINGDOM!

I have been studying the book of Daniel with some women.  What a blessing to study the Word of God together.  In taking a look at Daniel Chapter 7, three verses were highlighted to me regarding the saints of the Highest One:

But the saints of the Highest One will receive the kingdom and take possession of the kingdom forever, for all ages to come. (Dan 7:18 NASB)

until the Ancient of Days came and judgment was passed in favor of the saints of the Highest One, and the time arrived when the saints took possession of the kingdom. (Dan 7:22 NASB)

Then the sovereignty, the dominion, and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Highest One; His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all the empires will serve and obey Him. (Dan 7:27 NASB)

What are these scriptures saying to us?  God has judged in favor of the saints and His saints will receive and will take possession of the kingdom forever!  God in His sovereignty has already established victory!

This truth should cause us to stop and worship God!

Before I go on let's define who the “saints” are.  The word “saint” comes from the Greek word hagios, which means set apart to God, holy.  In the bible it is almost always used in the plural, “saints”, a group of people set apart for the Lord and His kingdom.  “Saints” are the body of Christ, the church. 

The fullness of this promise for us, the saints, will not be realized until Jesus returns.  Between the first and second coming of Christ we are in a battle.  Dominion, which means to govern, prevail, and dominate, is in the hands of world powers.  Satan is the god of this world. (2 Co 4:4)   This is becoming more and more apparent.  The battle is intensifying.  It is becoming more are more challenging to be in and not of this world.  Have you noticed?

There is good news!  Only because of Jesus is there good news!  The battle we are in has already been won at the Cross!  While we are waiting for the return of Christ, we, the saints, are possessing the kingdom.  Possess means to hold on, to occupy.  It is an ongoing battle as we, the redeemed saints possess what we have received-the kingdom.  The kingdom, an everlasting kingdom, over which Jesus is King!

I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days And was presented before Him.  And to Him was given dominion, Honor, and a kingdom, So that all the peoples, nations, and populations of all languages Might serve Him.  His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed. (Dan 7:13-14 NASB)

And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.  Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. (Col 2:13-15 NKJV)

Jesus Christ’s triumph over sin and evil powers (rulers and authorities) was accomplished in the Cross!

Until Jesus returns we do battle against serpents and scorpions (Lk 10:19), principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this age and spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Eph 4:12), our adversary the devil (1 Peter 5:8) and experience victories and apparent defeats.  The conclusive triumph is withheld until Jesus comes again.

I kept looking, and that horn was waging war with the saints and prevailing against them, (Dan 7:21 NASB)

And he will speak against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make alterations in times and in law; and they will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half a time. (Dan 7:25 NASB)

In the Cross we have victory. (1 Co 15:57)  We are overcomers. (Rev 2:26; 3:21; 21:7, 1 Jn 5:4-5)  We are more than conquerors. (Ro 8:31-39)  We have been given power and authority to advance the kingdom!  (Lk 9:1-2)  Jesus has given us, His disciples, the saints, the responsibility to advance, to possess the kingdom.  This requires entering into conflict with His adversaries, at times at the expense of our own apparent defeat.  We must persevere, press in, wrestle, continue in warfare until Jesus returns and establishes His kingdom forever. (Dan 7:14)

Remember that we have been equipped for this battle with the armor of God.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.  For our struggle is not againstflesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.  Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  With every prayer and request,pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints, (Eph 6:10-18 NASB)

Remember that we are not a passive church!  The kingdom of heaven suffers violence but with the authority given to us by Jesus and in the power of Holy Spirit we are strong and courageous taking the kingdom by force with zeal, commitment and radical obedience to preach the gospel of the kingdom!  Possession of the kingdom of God is the result of preaching and pressing in!

And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. (Mt 11:12 NKJV)

The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it. (Lk 16:16 NKJV)

I encourage you to read and meditate on Rev 12:10-11.  It is clear that we are in an ongoing battle.  However we, the redeemed, are overcomers because of the Cross and the authority of God’s Word.  We see that victories cost, sometimes our lives.  We can enter into the battle, possessing the kingdom, in confidence, knowing we shall triumph and reign with Christ forever!

As I have been studying these scriptures it came to my mind that every time we preach and demonstrate the gospel of the kingdom of God and see salvations, healing and deliverance, we are possessing the kingdom.  Every time we repent or forgive someone from our heart, we possess the kingdom.  Every time we overcome temptation to sin, we possess the kingdom.  Every time we choose to follow Jesus and make a decision that is according to His will and way, we possess the kingdom.  Every time we are obedient to the commands of Jesus, we possess the kingdom.  Every time we allow Holy Spirit to work godliness and holiness in our hearts and lives, we possess the kingdom.  Every time a lie is revealed and we allow Holy Spirit to renew our minds with truth, we possess the kingdom.  Every time we go through a trial or tribulation, trusting that God is with us and allowing Him to bring us through His way, we possess the kingdom. 

Saints of the Highest One, persevere, don’t give up!  Battle in faith with the authority and power that is ours in Christ!  Pray!  Remember that the battle has been won at the Cross.  Look forward to and encourage and remind one another of the day when Jesus will return, all His enemies will be defeated and the King of kings and Lord of lords will reign forever in His kingdom and we will receive and possess the kingdom and reign with Him forever and ever.  Amen! (2 Ti 2:11-12; Rev 20:4-6; 22:5)

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Rev 2:7 NKJV)