Defining The Kingdom of God

The Bible uses terms such as the Kingdom, the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven interchangeably. I believe that these terms speak of the same thing however some theologians believe that they mean different things. The phrase Kingdom of God is used 68 times in the New Testament. On the other hand, the term Kingdom of Heaven is only used 32 times in the New Testament and all those references are found in the book of Matthew. The word kingdom appears 162 times in the New Testament. The word dominion appears 62 times in the King James Version Bible from 55 verses. You can tell that the idea of the kingdom is important to God and it is a significant doctrine. A doctrine can only be established out of the mouth of two or more witnesses. You need at least two or three verses to establish a doctrine. No scripture is of private interpretation and from my research there are many scriptures that collaborate the doctrine of the Kingdom.

A kingdom is a country/territory with a ruling king who intends to influence his citizenry with his constitution, law and code of ethics until the citizens represents him according to his will, purpose and values. It is a country with privileges, an army, economy, language and culture. Dr Myles Munroe defines a king as “an actual country ruled by a king who influences and impacts the domain of his Kingdom personally with his values, morality, lifestyle, and his entire principles until the people begin to reflect his lifestyle.”[1]

The Greek word for kingdom is Basilea which means “royal power, kingship, dominion, rule not to be confused with an actual kingdom but rather the right or authority to rule over a kingdom, of the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah, of the royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah’s kingdom and a kingdom or the territory subject to the rule of a king.”[2] The Strong’s concordance defines the basileia as the domain in which a king exercises sovereignty, royal power, rulership and authority.

The Greek word Basileia in Aramaic is Malkutha signifying “to reign”, “The kingdom”, “Empire”, “Dominion” or “Inheritance”. There are three Hebrew words associated with the Aramaic Malkutha namely Malkuth which means to “reign”, Melukah which translates to “royalty” and Mamlakah meaning “dominion”, “sovereignty”, “estate”, “rule”, “country”, “realm”, “reign” or “royal”.

In order to fully comprehend the concept of the kingdom we need to discuss the structure and components of the Kingdom. Every kingdom has a structure, system and components that allows it to properly function. The Kingdom of God is a system (a set of interacting or interconnected components that form a unified whole). Every kingdom must at least have these components:

*     A King/Ruler/Sovereign

*     A Judge

*     Subjects or Citizenry/Community/Society

*     A Constitution

*     The Law

*     A Culture

*     An Army

*     An Official Language/ Communication

*     A Cabinet of Officials

*     An Ambassadorial Corps

*     An Economy

*     A Governor

*     An Education System

*     A System of Taxation

*     Code of Behavior/Code of Conduct/Code of Ethics/Protocol

*     Health Care System

A KING

A King is a sovereign ruler of a dominion, empire or territory. A King exercises the highest form of authority in the kingdom, or he may delegate power to other lower officials or representatives. The authority of a king is absolute, he does not account to any other ruling body such as a senate, parliament, synod or congress. The word of the king is generally regarded as law. A King has the authority to exercise the kingdom’s sovereign rights and usually the throne is gained through inheritance. The king does not answer to his subjects or any human entity within the monarch, he is only answerable to God. Kings are not voted into power on the contrary they are born into it. A King usually rules for life or until abdication or renunciation of the throne. A king is the most important person in the kingdom and necessitates the highest form of security.  The role of the King was to protect the crown/kingdom both from internal and external threats. Another primary function of the king was to establish the economic prosperity and stability of the kingdom ensuring that the poor were not neglected.

A JUDGE

In a kingdom the king also had the privilege to function as a judge. The King’s court was a place in which judgements were made by the king with the guidance of wise men, nobles, barons, lords, priests and relatives. These elite group of individuals who assisted the king were called the king’s council.

The Latin term for the King’s Council is Curia Regis. It was a term used to describe the council of advisors and administrators who served in the king’s court. George Burton Adams in his article, “The Descendants of the Curia Regis” in The American Historical Review puts it this way:

“I am accustomed in my instruction to emphasize three general functions as especially defining the business of the curia––legislation, judicial, and conciliar. The point which it is of the greatest importance clearly at the start is that these three functions, which we should call distinct, were exercised without distinction by one institution, the curia regis. As I have said elsewhere: ‘In a single session of the court, advice might be given to the king on some question of foreign policy, and on making or revising of a law; and a suit between the king’s vassals might be heard and decided: and no one would feel that work of different and somewhat inconsistent types had been done. One seemed as properly the function of the assembly as the other.’

The second fact which must never be forgotten is the existence of the curia regis in two forms. The fact is so peculiar according to modern ideas that it is difficult to describe it in language which is at the same time accurate and sufficient to convey an understanding of the case. The curia regis was constantly in session under one or the other two forms, never at the beginning apparently under both at once. One is the great curia regis, called after a time magnum Concilium, meeting occasionally only, on special summons, and composed of all tenants in chief. The other is the small curia, practically in constant session when the other was not, called, when men began to distinguish it somewhat clearly from the other, the perpetual, or ordinary council, and composed of the royal officers, and of tenants in chief who were in attendance on the king, or might happen to be at court. The point of importance and of difficulty is not the composition or the meeting of the smaller curia, but the fact that it was in rights, powers, and functions, the larger. It was not a committee of the larger, its powers were not vested in it by the larger, it was not responsible to the larger; it was the larger. Whatever the larger might do the smaller might do, and the three functions which I have named as belonging to the curia regis in the feudal state were exercised by it under both forms alike. ”[3]

The function of the king was also to be a judge with the help of his Council. It is difficult for those in the modern world to comprehend any individual with such authority and power, but such was the power of a king.

In the scriptures we find that kings at times could function as judges. It is also important to note that kings also had the power and authority to appoint judges. Solomon used to judge difficult cases for example he adjudicated the case of two women who were disputing about the identity of their sons. The children of Israel demand for a king, but they also recognized him as a judge.

That we also may be like all the nations; that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles. (1 Samuel 8:20)

SUBJECTS OR CITIZENRY

Citizens are members of the sovereign or kingdom. The Meriam Webster dictionary defines a citizen as, “an inhabitant of a city or town especially one entitled to the rights and privileges of a freeman.” A citizen therefore is a subject of a king within a sovereign entitled to special rights and privileges. A citizen is generally “a native or naturalized person who owes allegiance to a government and is entitled to protection from it.” In a kingdom a citizen is endowed with civil, political and social rights and privileges. Citizens or subjects in the kingdom are also the workforce for the king serving in military, palace, farm and other projects associated with the monarchy. For a citizen to fully enjoy the benefits of a kingdom they had to obey the law of the kingdom. However, it was the duty of the King to protect and provide for his citizens in exchange to their allegiance and obedience.

Remember the children of Israel begged God for a king even against His will. Notice what the Words says about the King they were to have:

He said, “These will be the ways of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them for himself to his chariots and among his horsemen and they will run before his chariots. He will appoint them for himself to be commanders over thousands and over fifties, and some to do his plowing and to reap his harvest and to make his implements of war and equipment for his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks, and bakers.  He will take the best of your fields, your vineyards, and your olive groves, and give them to his servants. He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vineyards and give it to his officers and to his servants. He will take your male servants and your female servants and your best young men and your donkeys and use them for his work.  He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves shall be his servants. Then you will cry out on that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the Lord will not answer you on that day [because you have rejected Him as King].” Nevertheless, the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel, and they said, “No, but there shall be a king over us, (1 Samuel 8:11-19)

A CONSTITUTION

A constitution is a set of laws and principles that form the basis upon which a kingdom function. Dr Myles Munroe puts it this way, “The Constitution is a covenant of a king with his citizenry and expresses the mind and will of the king for his citizens and the kingdom of God.”[4] When these laws and principles are written and placed in a single document we call that document a written constitution. In the Kingdom of God, the Bible is our written constitution that clearly elaborated God’s will, intent and purpose for his children. The Bible is divided into two sections known as the Old and New Covenants. Bishop David Oyedepo defines a covenant “as a deal initiated by God built on well-defined terms and sealed by an oath.” A constitution therefore is the will of God in writing, it details the mind and intent of God for His Kingdom. God has elevated the His Word even above his name. The constitution is the most important document in the Kingdom. Whilst the King is the most important person in the kingdom he still must abide by the constitution. In the Kingdom of heaven before God answers to his name he first must answer to His constitution.

I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. (Psalms 138:2)

THE LAW

Hugh Evander Wills in his article “A Definition of Law” in the Virginia Law Review posits:

 

“Blackstone said that law, in its most general and comprehensive, ‘is that rule of action which is prescribed by some superior and which the inferior is bound to obey.’ Civil law he defined as ‘a rule of civil conduct prescribed by the supreme power in a state, commanding what is right and prohibiting what is wrong.’ In Blackstone’s definition there are two main concepts: (1) the concept of a ‘superior,’ and (2) the concept of a command.’” [5]

 

A kingdom has a clear set of rules and regulations that citizens are supposed to follow. In the Kingdom of God his Word carries the law. God is the supreme power in the Kingdom responsible for setting the law. God’s law must be obeyed by its citizens for the Kingdom to flourish. Violating the law in the Kingdom of God is called sin and it is a violation punishable by death. No human being is capable of fulfill the law hence the King had a plan for his citizens called grace. God instructs Joshua to adhere to the Word of God in order to succeed, He calls it the book of the law.

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. (Joshua 1:8)

Also consider:

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. (Psalms 1:1-3)

A CULTURE

Edward Burnett Taylor defines culture as, “that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society.”[6]The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines culture as, “the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution.”[7] The etymological root of the word culture is drawn from the Latin colere which associated with cultivation or tillage of the land and the same word is connected with colonization. In Latin culture is written as cultus, clui, colo or colere which means “to inhabit”, “to cultivate”, “to worshiping”, “to tend”, “to maintain”, “to decorate” and “to adorn” with love. Cicero in his Tusculan Disputations uses the Latin term cultura animi, employing an agricultural metaphor to describe the ultimate telos of the maturation of a philosophical soul understood as the highest state of being.[8]

In the Kingdom of God culture is determined by the word of God and the church becomes the embassy of the kingdom in which God’s culture is cultivated and disseminated into all spheres of influence through the process of kingdom colonization. Culture in the Kingdom entails revelation knowledge, faith, worship, prayer, fasting, obedience, preaching, the manifestations and demonstrations of the spirit, rituals, and ceremony. The church is crucial to the cultivation of kingdom culture. But the kingdom of God is not limited to the church. The purpose of the church is to influence the world with kingdom culture. God intends us to colonize, till, cultivate, tend, and adorn the systems of this world with the culture of the kingdom. The kingdom must penetrate the religious, cultural, political and socio-economic spheres of the cosmos (world systems). Jesus makes it clear that our mission is to influence the earth and its world systems.

 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-16)

Consider what Kathryn Sorrells says in Intercultural Communication: Globilization and Social Justice about culture quoting Clifford Geertz a highly influential anthropologist:

“According to Geertz, culture is a web of symbols that people use to create meaning and order in their lives…In his widely cited book Interpretation of Culture, Geertz (1973) said culture ‘denotes an historically transmitted pattern of meaning embodied in symbols, a system of inherited conceptions expressed in symbolic forms by means of which men communicate, perpetuate and develop their knowledge about attitudes towards life.’ (p. 89) Culture, then, from an anthropological perspective, is a system of shared meaning that are passed from generation through symbols that human beings (not only men!) to communicate, maintain, and develop and approach and understanding of life. In other words, culture allows us to make sense of, express, and give meaning to our lives.”[9]

In the Kingdom of God, we make use of symbols such as the cross, the dove, the blood, the lamb, the lion etc. to convey the message of salvation, redemption and reconciliation in Christ. We draw our system of conceptions from the Word of God and convey the meaning from one generation to another.

THE ARMY/MILITARY

The military is the armed forces of a kingdom responsible for protecting the sovereignty of the territory and its interests against foreign threats. The duties of military are not just limited to defense but also include duties such as: disaster relief, health care, agriculture, public hygiene, and construction of roads, bridges, tunnels, aqueducts, and any other activities required by the state. Some soldiers were used for espionage and the dissemination of the crown’s culture among colonies. In the Kingdom of God angels are the army of the kingdom. There are three main arch angels in the Bible, Gabriel, Michael and Lucifer who later fell and became the Devil. Michael is the minister of defense in the kingdom, Gabriel is the minister of information and Lucifer was the minister of culture. Throughout the scriptures we see the ministry of angels in action. They are integral to the function of the kingdom. We understand from the word of God the throne of God is protected by Cherubims, Seraphims and Watchers. These angels protect the holiness of God’s throne, nothing impure can penetrate the throne of God. The prophet Elisha once prayed for the eyes of his servant to be opened when they were under the siege of Syrians and the servant saw a mountain of chariots of fire.

And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. (2 Kings 6:17)

 

We see Gabriel disseminating revelation knowledge to Daniel after being held up by the prince of Persia for twenty-one days. God released the angel Michael as a reinforcement to fight against the Prince of Persia and release the angel Gabriel.

Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. (Daniel 10:12-13)

The Bible says in the book of Hebrews that God has made us flames of fire but angels ministering spirits. Angels are regarded as ministers of the Lord sent to do the will of Kingdom citizens. Angels only respond to Kingdom citizens in accordance with the constitution. In other words, angels only respond to God’s word.

Are not all the angels ministering spirits sent out [by God] to serve (accompany, protect) those who will inherit salvation? [Of course they are!] (Hebrews 1:4)

For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. (Psalms 91:11-12)

 

AN OFFICIAL LANGUAGE/COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

Every kingdom has a language which is the official means of communication. For a kingdom to properly function there is need for clear communication channels. Language is one of the identity markers in a kingdom. In the kingdom language can be used as a shibboleth (a custom, or belief distinguishing a particular class or group of people from another through the use of accents) .In the Kingdom of God prayer is the means of communication. The word of God is the official language of the Kingdom. In the Kingdom there is also covert language used in spiritual warfare to convey mysteries (secrets) of the kingdom. This language is called tongues or glossolalia in Greek. In the Kingdom of God, it is important to hear to what the Spirit is saying.

A CABINET

Every kingdom has senior high-ranking officials appointed by the king to serve in his cabinet (A body of high-ranking officials in a government). These individuals are given specific tasks and responsibilities associated with the administration and the governing of the kingdom based on their specific skills and qualifications. The King assigns executive branches, government organs and departments for Cabinet officials to administrate. They are also responsible for advising the King and function as the King’s Council. In the Kingdom of God the King has 24 Elders in heaven who function as His council. In the earth God has established the fivefold ministers who function as high-ranking officials in the kingdom. The five-fold ministry includes the functions of the Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher. But God has also established a Kingdom of Kings and Priests. This means that all his children in the Kingdom has a special role and function in His government. We all rule and reign with Christ, in fact we are seated with Christ in heavenly places far above every demonic principality.

AN AMBASSADORIAL CORPS/DIPLOMATS

Every Kingdom has a person/persons appointed by the Kingdom to conduct official government business on foreign territory. An Ambassador is a special envoy, diplomat, emissary, attache’, plenipotentiary, or official. This individual functions as a mediator, negotiator, arbitrator, peacemaker, reconciler, moderator and middleman for the crown. The term Diplomat is derived from the Greek diplomates meaning someone holding a diploma (a special form of accreditation from the sovereign).[10] An ambassador works as a negotiator for the crown in the colony politically, socially and economically. They represent the Kingdom in the colony, and they are as powerful as the King in the sense that if you attack them you have literally provoked the King himself.

In the Kingdom of God, the fivefold ministers also act as ambassadors. Apostles, prophets, evangelists, teachers and pastors are special envoys representing the King of kings. An ambassador in the Kingdom is a special messenger also known as an angel. Angels are God’s ambassadors who conduct official Kingdom business. Jesus is the King who introduced the ministry of diplomacy by acting as a mediator, reconciler and peacemaker. Apostle Paul always introduced himself as an ambassador of the Kingdom of heaven. God has established the church which is the embassy of the Kingdom in the earth and every member of the church is an ambassador. 

AN ECONOMY

The Greek word for economy oikonomia which means “household management” therefore economics entails the skillful management of a household’s available resources. In a kingdom an economy is a system that is responsible with the production, use and management of the sovereign’s resources. According to Will Kenton’s article “What Is an Economy?” in Investopedia asserts, “An economy is the large set of inter-related production and consumption activities that aid in determining how scares resources are allocated. The production and consumption of goods and services are used to fulfill the needs of those living and operating within the economy, which is also referred to as an economic system.”[11] Economy is an umbrella term which incorporates culture, education, values, history, political systems, legal structures, natural resources, arts, people, military, agriculture, animals, geography, and ecology as key components. A kingdom’s economy is defined by these key factors.

In the Kingdom of God everything in his household(domain) belongs to Him and only He has the prerogative to administer, arrange, distribute and dispense these resources at His will. The priority of the Kingdom is intricately connected to the economy of the Kingdom. Jesus instructed his disciples how the Kingdom economic system functions. The Key word in this economic system is priority.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33)

God is the owner of all his creation, and he distributes it according to his will/constitution. The earth, the world and creation belong to God.

The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. (Psalms 24:1)

The economy of the Kingdom operates on the principle of sowing and reaping. Giving and receiving is how the economic system of heaven operates. It is more blessed to give than to receive in the Kingdom.

Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over [with no space left for more]. For with the standard of measurement you use [when you do good to others], it will be measured to you in return. (Luke 6:38)

 

Now [remember] this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to others] will also reap generously [and be blessed].  Let each one give [thoughtfully and with purpose] just as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver [and delights in the one whose heart is in his gift].  And God is able to make all grace [every favor and earthly blessing] come in abundance to you, so that you may always [under all circumstances, regardless of the need] have complete sufficiency in everything [being completely self-sufficient in Him], and have an abundance for every good work and act of charity. (2 Corinthians 9:6-8)

 

 

A GOVENOR

Every kingdom has the role and function of a governor or viceroy. A governor was an official appointed by the King to represent the sovereign in a colony. The King delegates authority to the governor so that he may function as his representative in the colony. Donald Markwell in his book Constitutions and Headship of the State puts it this way,

“The argument is occasionally put that a vice-regal representative is in fact the head of state, or a de facto head of state, because he or she exercises the substantive powers of the head of state. However, he or she does not hold the highest constitutional office, as this is held by the Sovereign. Moreover, executive power is expressly or impliedly vested in the Sovereign and made exercisable by the vice-regal representative. Oaths of allegiance tend to be made to the Sovereign, rather than a vice regal representative. Finally, a vice-regal representative is just that – a representative of another person who holds a higher status.”[12]

The term viceroy is a derivative of the Latin prefix vice- meaning “in place of” and French roy meaning King with a Latin equivalent rex (King).[13] Therefore, a viceroy is one who rules in place of a king. The only way to rule in place of a King is being far removed from a crown and generally that is a territory called a colony. A royal governor “was the presence of the absent king in the colony.”[14] The other term commonly used for viceroy is viceregal and it carries the same meaning with viceroy.

The Romans used the term governor to describe officials appointed by the Sovereign as chief administrators of the colony. A Roman governor was also referred to as a proprietor, rector, rectorate, prefect, tetrarch or proconsul. The term prefect is derived from the Latin praefectus meaning an appointed official placed in charge of a territory in the consuls’ absence from Rome.[15] The Latin praeficere literally means to “put in command” or “to put in charge.”[16]

In the Kingdom of God, the Holy Spirit is Governor. We are vice-governors in the Kingdom of God co-ruling and co-creating with the Holy Spirit. Dr Munroe posits,

“We see therefore that the Creator-King’s intent was to rule the seen world from the unseen world. He desired to rule the visible world through the spirit of man. And the Holy Spirit, as Governor of the human spirit, was humanity’s bridge to the home kingdom; he was the direct channel of communication between the spirit of man and the government of heaven. It was the presence of the Holy Spirit within human beings that gave them authority and ability to have dominion over their environment.” [17]

When Adam fell, he was excommunicated from the Kingdom of heaven because he had committed the sin of high treason punishable by death. When Adam sinned and disobeyed God, he declared independence from the Sovereign (Heaven). God had no choice but recall the heavenly governor (The Holy Spirit). The presence of the Holy Spirit the governor in Eden was proof of the presence of the kingdom of heaven. Once the Holy Spirit left the Kingdom heaven vacated the earth and the kingdom of Satan filled the void. That is why whenever we cast out demons by the figure of God it is proof of the presence of the Kingdom of God because a stronger governor has come to displace the Devil. Therefore, the Day of Pentecost was crucial because it was the announcement of the return of the Governor into the earth. Jesus sent the Governor to infill his sons and daughters.  The presence of the Holy Spirit in the earth is proof of the arrival and presence of the Kingdom of God in the earth. The apostles were prohibited by the King to represent him in the earth without the governor. We see Jesus in the book of Acts instructing the apostles to tarry in Jerusalem waiting for the return of the Governor. They were going to be ambassadors of the Kingdom in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the uttermost parts of the earth after the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Listen to the words of Jesus:

And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Acts 1:4-8)

The Kingdom of God is not natural but spiritual and apostle Paul understood it very well. He writes, “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” (Romans 14:17)

AN EDUCATION SYSTEM

Education was necessary in order to disseminate kingdom culture into every colony. The Crown developed the curriculum that was distributed throughout its colonies. In the Kingdom of God the Holy Spirit is the teacher and the Word of God is the sum total of the curriculum. The Holy Spirit also works through the fivefold ministry (Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher) for the edification and equipping of the kingdom citizens. The teaching ministry is an integral ministry in the Kingdom. Apostle Paul admonished Timothy his spiritual son to study the Word of God to prove himself a workmanship that needed not to be ashamed. In the Kingdom of God people perish because of lack of knowledge. This is why the scripture declare, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” (Hosea 4:6 KJV) In the Kingdom the Holy Spirit is also known as the Spirit of Knowledge, Wisdom and Understanding.

A SYSTEM OF TAXATION

Every kingdom has a taxation system, a type of levy imposed upon citizens by the government. The purpose of taxes is to raise revenue for government in order to fund its expenditure revenues. Taxation is compulsory for every kingdom citizen and most governments levy a flat percentage rate of taxation on personal income. In the Kingdom of heaven tithing is our taxation system. What God only requires in 10 percent of all our income. The church becomes the representative of the Kingdom government in the earth responsible for collecting Kingdom tax. God does not need tithing to fund his coffers. Tithing is a sign that the Kingdom is first in your finances.  God requires tithing as proof that His Kingdom is priority in your life.

CODE OF BEHAVIOR/CODE OF CONDUCT/CODE OF ETHICS/PROTOCOL

Every kingdom has acceptable or recommended behavior. In order for an individual to be regarded as good and responsible citizen they must abide by a set of rules and regulations. In the Kingdom of God we are supposed to live according to the will of the King. The will of the King is recorded in his constitution. God the King commands us to love Him and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. We are supposed to walk in the righteousness of the King’s Son Jesus Christ. The King also expects his citizens to walk in Holiness for the King is holy.

HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

In the Kingdom of God healing is the health care system set in place by God. The King died on the cross to defeat the evil of sickness and disease. It is the King’s good pleasure to extend healing and wholeness to His citizens. The Holy Spirit distributes the gifts of Healings in the body of Christ to administer healing. The church is the hospital of the Kingdom of God. God uses ministers of the Word as healing agents. Christ was beaten with thirty nine stripes on his back for the healing of every category of illness. Consider carefully the word of the King of the Kingdom regarding healing,

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5 KJV)

But unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings; and ye shall go forth and grow up as calves from the stall. (Malachi 4:2 KJV)

And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee. (Exodus 15:26 KJV)

Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered? (Jeremiah 8:22 KJV)

 

Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. James 5:14-15 KJV)

 

The healing ministry is the evidence of the existence of the Kingdom of heaven. Consider the word of Jesus the King, “And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.” (Luke 10:9 KJV)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


[3] George Burton Adams, “The Descendants of the Curia Regis” in The American Review, Volume 13, Issue1, Pages 11-15, https://doi.org/10.1086/ahr/13.1.11 Accessed 25 August 2020

[4] Myles Munroe, Rediscovering the Kingdom: Ancient Hope For Our 21st Century World (Shippensburg, PA: Destiny Image, 2004), 65.

[5] Hugh Evander Willis, “A Definition of Law” in Virginia Law Review Vol.12, No.3 (Jan. 1926), 203. https://doi:10.2307/1065717 JSTOR 1065717 Accessed 25 August 2020.

[6] Edward B Taylor, Primitive Culture: Researches into The Development of Mythology, Philosophy, Religion, Art, and Custom (London: Routledge/Thoemmes, 1994), 1.

[7] Culture, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/culture Accessed 25 August 2020.

[8] Marcus Tullius Cicero Ciceron aand Jean Bouhier, Tusculanes (in French). Nismes: J.Gaude, 273

[9] Kathryn Sorrells, Intercultural Communication: Globalization and Social Justice (Los Angeles: Sage, 2016), 5.

[10] Matthew S. Anderson, The Rise of Modern Diplomacy 1450-1919, 6.

[11] Will Kenton, “What Is an Economy? In Investopedia, https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/economy.asp accessed 27 August 2020.

[12] Donald Markwell, Constitutions and Headship of the State, 734.

[13] “Viceroy”, www.collinsdictionary.com Accessed 27 August 2020

[15] “Prefect”, www.britannica.com Accessed 27 August 2020

[16] “Praeficere”, www.latin-dictionary.net Accessed 27 August 2020

[17] Munroe, The Most Important Person on Earth, 52.

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