The Lamb’s Kingdom

This past weekend I was asked to speak on the subject, “The influence by the Holy Spirit for Kingdom dominion.” It just so happened I was reading Revelation 12 in my morning devotions when the invitation came.  And I could think of no better text on how the Kingdom of Christ expands in our world than these verses:

“Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down…And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.” (Rev. 12:10-11)

Chapter 12 is all about Jesus’ becoming King as He ascended to the throne of God and The Satan was expelled from heaven. Knowing his time is short he goes after The Woman, which represents God’s children. And His precious children filled with Christ in them have the power not just to resist the enemy of our souls but to conquer him.

Here in South Africa as well as in the US elections were held to put people in power. Millions of dollars were spent, countless hours of political ads bombarded media platforms, behind the scenes deals were made to gain control and to advance a political platform. With the results some are angry and fearful while others are elated and hopeful.

The good news is the elections are over and Christ is still and always will be King! And how His Kingdom grows is polar opposite to how the Kingdom of his world grows. Christ’s Kingdom grows through His followers who have by faith are bathed in the perfect Blood of the Lamb.

Christ’s death on the cross is where His Kingdom is birthed. He became the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. His blood brought complete forgiveness to all who believe and opened up hearts to receive the gift of the Father’s love which has made us sons’s and daughters of the Eternal King.

If you read through Revelation you will find that Jesus is called “The Lion of the tribe of Judah” only once. But He is called the “Lamb” 27 times. Chew on that for a bit. Yes, He is royalty, as represented in the Lion. But His Kingdom grows by way of the Lamb.  The ultimate act of service, the cross, destroyed the power of The Satan and brought life now and forever to those who have tasted the blood.

If you read Revelation 19:11-21 you see Jesus riding on a white horse with His robe dipped in blood and called “The Word of God” which is pictured by the sword in His mouth and this sword overcomes the nations. Right behind Him are His beloved followers, covered in white robes of His righteousness rushing into a spiritual battle field.

It is Jesus’s own blood that His robe is covered with not the blood of the nations He is riding to. It is the Word, and the power of the Gospel preached and lived out, what changes the nations. The Spirit of Christ which fills His children advances the Kingdom through the love of Christ. As believers we are called to serve, even if that means giving up one’s life for the sake of the Kingdom moving.  Kingdom people desiring be like Jesus, forgive as Jesus did, and pray the Father’s blessings over their enemies.

This is how the Lamb’s Kingdom takes over the world.  Not with weapons of war or power politics but with those who taste and live out of the blood of the Lamb in their every day lives. May the Holy Spirit fill you today so that you can ride out with the Lamb to bring His love to a lost and loveless world.