By Pastor Alex Ruelo
In the Bible, Matthew 6 contains the Lord’s prayer to the Father. Jesus prayed and said God’s Kingdom is coming. But if you look closely, nothing in the prayer says that man will go to heaven. So He must probably mean that heaven should be brought down here on earth. Do you think that is possible? Your life on earth should not be hell, as some people experience it.
Followers of Jesus should be experiencing heaven here o earth. Genesis 1:26-30 says, “Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.” Then God said, “Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food. And I have given every green plant as food for all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, and the small animals that scurry along the ground—everything that has life.” And that is what happened.” The original commission of God was for man to enjoy the earth. Before He created everything, He already provided Jesus. But He also wanted man to take advantage of all His creation because He made all of it perfectly. That was the original plan. All authority was given to Jesus in these verses. If authority was given, then that means someone gave it. If someone gave authority away, he lost that authority. Luke 4:5-6 says, “Then the devil took him up and revealed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. “I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them,” the devil said, “because they are mine to give to anyone I please.” Satan said he will give Jesus authority that has been given to him if He bows at his feet. Who gave satan the authority? To answer this question, you need to go back to the original commission in Genesis.
In the book of Ezekiel, it said satan wanted to be like God. There was a war in heaven and the fallen angels were thrown to earth. In Genesis, god gave the authority was given to man. The problem was, man gave the authority to satan. When God created the world, God told man not to eat the fruit of the tree of good and evil and the tree of life. When man disobeyed God and listened to satan, they transferred their loyalty to the latter. That is why satan told Jesus that the authority was given to him and he can, in fact, give it to Jesus. Man supposedly has authority over the earth. But man gave it to satan. Because of that, God had to become man. When Jesus was crucified on the cross, He did not only pay for man’s sins. He got the authority back.
Why did God throw satan down to earth with man? Why could He not have thrown him to Mars or to the sun so he can be burned there? In Genesis 1, the earth has probably existed for billions of years. And satan has been on earth ever since. And the earth was void,; there was nothing in it. But one day, God said “let there be light!” The earth was not created for both man and satan, and the latter to torment the former. The world was created for man to finally defeat satan. In Genesis 3:14-15 says, “Then the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all animals, domestic and wild. You will crawl on your belly, groveling in the dust as long as you live. And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.” When God created the world little by little, everything in it, including man, it was a set-up to punish satan. The authority was given to man to rule this world.
Fulfill the Great Commission. Matthew 28: 18-19 says, “Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” The first commission was destroyed. But 2000 years ago, Jesus, the Son of God, came down to earth to reclaim it. He said all authority was given to Him. And He gave all authority to man. Therefore, you have the authority to trample on satan. You have the authority to command the devil to get out. Christians should not be afraid of satan. Fulfill the great commission. God is telling you to disciple all nations. You are a full time worker of Christ.
Leave a legacy for the next generation. 2 Timothy 2:1-2 says, “Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.” Pass on the good things that you learn. Do not waste time.
Do not escape the world; enjoy the victory. Revelation 11:15 says, “Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices shouting in heaven: “The world has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever.” The world is now God’s kingdom, according to the prophesy. The original plan did not come to pass. It is not that God made a mistake. He created everything but He does not make decisions for you. Therefore, heaven should really be experienced on earth. Try to experience heaven here on earth. The authority is with you and the enemy should not win. You should not have to ask people where they think they will go when they die. Because when they experience heaven and victory, they will choose God. John 16:33 says “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” You will have troubles but you are supposed to experience the victory too. Take heart. Jesus has overcome the world.
You are called to overcome everything. Philippians 4:11-13 says, “Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Many people can live without food. But can you live when you have plenty? Many people will struggle with that. Some people live with everything, and when it is taken away from them, they also cannot live their life properly. You should be able to live in both worlds.
Serve and encourage the whole community. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 says, “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.” You are all full time workers of God’s kingdom. Get involved in your community.
God is already involved in the darkest places in the world. Psalms 139:7-12 says, “I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night— but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you.”
God is everywhere. In the best of times and in the worst of times. The kingdom is always expanding into new areas of influence in the world. It will do so even if you are not present. But He wants you to be involved in it. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 says, “But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” When God created man in His image and likeness and satan saw it, he was trying to get it for himself because his dream is to be like God.
Satan has no authority over you anymore. God’s power extends over the entire universe. Work and move for His kingdom. Matthew 5:14-16 says, “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” You are called by God to make disciples and be a light for the world. Be the authority God made you to be. The kingdom is already here.
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