Kingdom Disciples

The Book of Revelation uses “war” and related terms to illustrate Satan’s attacks against the followers of the “ Lamb .” The Book shows little, if any, interest in conventional or nuclear warfare between nation-states. Instead, the “ Dragon ” strives mightily to annihilate the saints before his allotted time expires. To do so, he employs deception, compromise, and on occasion, outright persecution. The target of his hostility is the Assembly of Jesus Christ.

Our natural tendency is to avoid conflict. Understandably, we prefer our daily lives to be characterized by peace, acceptance, and prosperity, a life devoid of difficulties and afflictions. Moreover, the New Testament does promise believers peace now and everlasting life later. Nevertheless, it also exhorts the Assembly of God to expect afflictions and even persecution in this life on account of its light and testimony in a sin-darkened world.

Satan attacks the Lamb by persecuting his followers, the saints who have the Testimony of Jesus . The Book of Revelation provides a graphic picture of the cosmic battle raging between Jesus and the Devil, the “ Slain Lamb ” and the “ Great Red Dragon .” The stakes are high. The battlefield is the Church, the “ assemblies ” of Jesus Christ. Satan has no hope of victory if he fails to destroy the Church, and he knows this; therefore, his resources are focused on accomplishing that goal.

The promise of the Spirit is vital to the redemption of humanity and the Covenant of God with His people, the Assembly of Jesus Christ . The New Testament links the “ Promise of the Spirit ” to the “ Blessings of Abraham ,” the promise that God would bless the nations through the Great Patriarch.  The Spirit is the gift believers receive “ through the hearing of faith .” It is part of the  Covenant Promises  given to Abraham, and the Apostle Peter connected this gift to the “ blessings ” for the nations during his sermon on the Day of Pentecost.

Paul’s Letter to the Galatians is his response to a controversy in the churches of that region. The issue was the status of Gentile believers. Must they conform to Jewish practices and submit to the regulation of the Mosaic Law, especially circumcision? At the heart of his response was his contention that “ in Christ ” the old distinctions between “ Jew ” and “ Gentile ” no longer apply, the covenant promises have found their fulfillment in Jesus, the “ seed of Abraham .”

The  Gospel of John  presents Jesus as the place where the glory of God is seen, the Greater and Final Tabernacle in which His presence resides. With the advent of Jesus, the worship of men desired by the Father no longer is limited to dedicated buildings or geographic locations. From now on, worship takes place “ in the spirit and truth .” Men and women experience the majesty of God and behold His nature in the “ face of Jesus Christ .”