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"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." Matt.6:9-10
Introduction
The last year has seen some great shakings in many realms. In the material world, the tsunami in Southeast Asia killed 220,000 people within five minutes and left 2.1 million others homeless in 12 countries. Almost 40,000 people are still unaccounted for. This great disaster actually caused the planet to shake on its axis. There were also devastating earthquakes in Pakistan which killed nearly 90,000 people. In America, the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season witnessed a record 26 storms, such as “Katrina,” causing devastation beyond comprehension to New Orleans, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. Jesus said that there would be such disturbances, which He called “birth pangs” preceding His return and the manifestation of the Kingdom of God.
On Earth As It Is In Heaven
God's Kingdom exists wherever His will is established. And it is His will that the Kingdom would be recognized “…on earth as it is in heaven.” Therefore we should not be surprised to see birth pangs, or shakings, in two realms: not only in time but also in timelessness! The Lord says in Heb. 12:26, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heavens." Along with the physical shaking in the nations, there is also a shaking in the “heavens!”
Jesus also stressed in Matt 24:29 that during the time of the end "the powers of the heavens will be shaken." The shaking of these powers denotes the removing of demonic influence and rule over the affairs of men. The demons are referred to as the "dethroned powers that rule and occupy a throne to which they have no right"! (Col. 2:15, "Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.")
Every demonic stronghold that delays the advance of the kingdom of God on earth is ultimately going to be confronted by the power and authority of heaven, and this authority has been invested in the church! Eph. 3: 10-12 (NIV), "...[God’s] intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to His eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Demonic Authorities Dethroned
In America, there is already a serious breech in the stronghold ruling homosexuality. Last year, at the very time they scheduled their celebrations of self-indulgence, two major hurricanes roared into the host cities of New Orleans and Key West, Florida. I also believe it will not be long before serious restrictions will be placed upon abortion. This is the same spirit of Moloch (child sacrifice) that Solomon erected a place of worship for on the Mount of Olives, and incurred God’s wrath and the loss of the kingdom (1 Kings 11:7).
The 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals recently ruled that “the First Amendment does not demand a wall of separation between Church and State.” The words "separation of church and state" do not appear in the U.S. Constitution, though according to polls, a majority of Americans have been misled to believe that they do. But now the truth is beginning to shine through! Another deceiving heavenly power is being dismantled!
 Active Christianity
Calvary placed the establishment of the Kingdom and enforcement of Christ's victory into the hands of the Church. This entire Church age is for the purpose of training for reigning those who will reign with Him in the ages to come. Training means exercise - if it’s easy, it’s not exercise! We are now in a season when passive Christianity and passive Christians will not find a part in God’s plans for today! We must actively pursue the expression of God’s will for this time, His Kingdom!
God is calling us to actively overcome the strongholds that have been exalting themselves against the knowledge of God. The battle is for the minds and hearts of the people. If the Kingdom of God is truly within us, as we are assured in Luke 17:21, then the kingdom, as defined by Rom. 14:17, "... righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit," must be established in our minds and hearts first before it will be evident “on earth as it is in heaven!” The Church’s primary role is to enforce a victory that Jesus has already won! The Church wields the balance of power in world affairs. God will do nothing without her, and He does nothing without prayer! Prayer brings to pass the will of God on the earth.
Victory Assured
Finally, let us remember that, even while things on earth and in heaven are being shaken, we have received a kingdom that will never be moved! "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire." (Heb. 12:28-29)
God has an unshakable kingdom to which He calls us. It is the place where Jesus rules as King, and every knee in heaven and on earth shall bow and confess Jesus as Lord! John 14:1-3, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."
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