APOSTOLIC EXILES: Two Kingdoms
The Kingdom Of Heaven
Matthew 4:8–10 (ESV) Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “ ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’ ”
The concept of a Kingdom is foreign, even almost anti-American. We rebelled against a tyrannical king. The colonists in America felt that they were being taxed by the British government without having a say in that government. Several key factors contributed to this perception:
No Representation in Parliament: The American colonies did not have direct representation in the British Parliament. Decisions about taxes and other policies affecting the colonies were being made in London without the input of the colonists.
Opposition to Taxation: Colonists argued that since they had no representatives in Parliament, it was unjust for the British government to impose taxes on them. Phrases like "No taxation without representation" became rallying cries for those who felt their rights were being violated.
Tax Acts and Policies: Specific acts, such as the Stamp Act (1765) and the Townshend Acts (1767), imposed taxes on various goods and activities in the colonies. These acts were met with resistance and protests from the colonists.
Writs of Assistance: The British government issued Writs of Assistance, which allowed officials to search private property for smuggled goods without a specific warrant. This was seen as a violation of colonial privacy and fueled resentment.
Perception of Economic Exploitation: Many colonists believed that the economic policies of the British government were designed to benefit England at the expense of the colonies. Trade restrictions and mercantilist policies were viewed as exploitative.
America Is A KINGDOM, One Of The Many “Kingdoms Of This World”
Matthew 4:8–10 (ESV) Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “ ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’ ”
There Are Only Two Kingdoms: The Kingdom Of Heaven, and The Kingdoms Of This World
The Kingdom Of Heaven: Established Eternally, Extended to Earth
Genesis 1:1 (ESV) In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 14:22 (ESV) …the LORD, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth,
Exodus 19:5 (ESV) … all the earth is mine;
1 Corinthians 10:26 (ESV) For “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.”
Something Unknown Brought Chaos To Earth
Genesis 1:1–2 (ESV) In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth WAS without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
hayah - to fall out or come to pass
Matthew 1:18 (KJV) …she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Luke 10:17–18 (ESV) The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
Earth Was Reformed With A Kingdom Presence
Genesis 1:3-2:3
Light
Expanse Separating Earth Called Heaven or Sky
Waters gathered from land - seed/vegetation
Established seasons (time) using sun, moon, stars. planets
Fish, birds
Animals/Man
Rest (Peace) - as opposed to what was going on previously and elsewhere on the earth.
Genesis 1:26 (ESV) Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over… every … thing …on the earth.”
Genesis 2:8 (ESV) And the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed.
Genesis 1:28 (ESV) “Be fruitful and multiply and fill (replenish) the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over … every living thing that moves on the earth.” (not just Eden)
ADAM Was Heaven’s Apostle To Earth: representative, messenger, ambassador, colonizer, king by proxy
Another King Entered The Garden
Genesis 3:1 (ESV) Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”
Genesis 3:4 (ESV) But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.
2 Corinthians 11:3 (ESV) …the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning…
Revelation 12:9 - the deceiver of the whole world
Revelation 20:3 - the deceiver of the nations
Genesis 3:6 (ESV) So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.
Adam Went From Apostle To Exile
Genesis 3:17 (ESV) And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of _____________, cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life;
Genesis 3:23–24 (ESV) therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.
EXILE - the state of being absent from one's native country or kingdom, typically for political or punitive reasons
Jesus Was Exiled To Become His/Our Apostle
Genesis 3:21 (ESV) And the LORD God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.
Philippians 2:5–11 (ESV) Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.