◄ A Rightly Divided Heavens  ►

Heavenly and Earthly

How important it is for the believer to rightly divide the Word of truth. To rightly divide the gospel of God is to know how to live in Christ. To rightly divide the creations He made is to know who we are in Christ.  And there’s one area of division that many Christians have overlooked - Heavenly and earthly promises that link with heavenly and earthly dominions. Rulership in the heavens is one domain and rulership on the earth is another.

Created to Rule

God created Adam to rule the earth through the guidance of God in heaven: let us make man in Our image to have dominion over the works of our hands. Genesis 1:26 God created Adam to govern the earth through the guidance of the most-high God. Earthly man was to govern the earth through God’s heavenly sovereignty, for the Lord prepared His throne in the heavens; and His kingdom rules over all. Psalm 103:19

Usurped Governance

But Adam handed his reins of governance to a spiritual entity – a rebellious angel. That crooked serpent called the devil and Satan, usurped governance of the earth. The prince of the power of the air, the god of this age, rules with devastating results.

Times of the Gentiles

But God created Israel to circumnavigate Satan’s rule and teach the nations of God. They were to inherit an earthly kingdom as numerous as the sand on the sea-shore, and they were to inherit a heavenly kingdom, as many as the stars in the heavens. But that one nation that was chosen to be His witnesses also disobeyed the Lord their God. So God allowed the times of the Gentiles to demonstrate man’s inability to rule – from the time of Nebuchadnezzar God has permitted illegal dominion over the earth – the times of the gentiles.

Satanic Kingdom

God is allowing this satanic control of the heavens over the earth for the present time, until that time when He will set His Own Anointed upon His holy hill of Zion. God uses this satanic control of the heavens over the earth to forward His plans. God is permitting Satan to dominate the earthly rule through his satanic kingdom: that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will, and setteth over it the basest of men. Daniel 3:17 For the kingdom of God is an everlasting kingdom, and His dominion is from generation to generation. Daniel 4:3

Christ’s Kingdom

2000 years ago Christ came to set up His kingdom but was rejected and crucified. Christ must secure the heavenly kingdom before setting up His earthly rule. My kingdom is not of this world, He proclaimed– (this world system) If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm. John 18:36

Kingdom of Men

Christ must secure the heavenly kingdom before setting up His earthly rule, and so the heavenly rule was taken from Israel. We read in Matthew, Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. Matthew 21:43.. so that God’s promise to Abraham.. of Israel’s earthly rule, would be realised. Christ is soon to return and the usurper will be thrown into the bottomless pit – and the Most High continues to rule in the kingdom of men and giveth it to whomsoever He will. Daniel 4:32

Heavenly Sovereignty

When Adam forfeited his God-given dominion, God set a guard over the tree of life. God set a guard over the tree of life until man could resume his role as king – until His Man, (the Man Christ Jesus) would govern the earth through God’s heavenly sovereignty. And God implemented His glorious plan of redemption and man’s glorification.. a plan started in eternity past; a plan that is ongoing through eternity to come.

Transfer of Power

How important it is to understand this transfer of power in the Word of God. How important for the believer to rightly divide heavenly and earthly promises. How important for Christians to rightly divide heavenly and earthly sovereignty.

Submissive Obedience

Adam was to govern the earthly realm through God’s guidance in the heavenly realm. Later Israel was created to teach the nations the goodness of God. Israel was to demonstrate man living in submission to God – a son obedient to his Father. But Adam failed and Israel failed so God sent His anointed Son into the world. So God sent His Son to live and die in obedience to the Father as an example to man – an example of how man is to live in willing submissive obedience to the Father.

King of Kings

Christ will soon return to rule the earth as God intended – man in submission to God. This will be the time when the earth is filled with the glory of God; a time when the lion will lie down with the lamb; a time when Christ is set on God's holy hill of Zion as Lord of lords; a time when His people Israel will be the head of the nations and not the tail; a time when Satan is bound for a thousand years and Jesus Christ is King of kings.

Christ Will Rule

This will be a time when Christ will rule from his throne in the heavenly Jerusalem; a time when Christ will rule the earth from his throne in the earthly Jerusalem;  a time when the bride of Christ will rule and reign with Christ, with a rod of iron; a time when the earth is filled with the glory of God as the waters cover the sea. How important it is for the believer to rightly divide the Word of truth.