No (Competing) Kings
- 13 hours ago
- 7 min read
“In the days of those kings, the God of the heavens will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, and this kingdom will not be left to another people. It will crush all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, but will itself endure forever.” (Daniel 2:44)
“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled…” (Luke 14:11a)
Daniel’s interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Daniel 2 is one of my favorite sections of scripture. It is mind-blowing and sets the tone for the rest of the book.
The theme, revealed to King Nebuchadnezzar and interpreted by Daniel, is simple. Human dominion on earth, exemplified by a series of major empires, is temporary. Human dominion, as it functions today, will end. There is coming a day when the Lord will put the unleashed and rebellious reign of humanity back under His complete dominion once again, as it was “in the beginning” (Genesis 1-2).
Since the Fall, humanity has exercised God’s gift of dominion over His earthly creation independently of our Creator-King. Since Genesis 3, the King’s vice-regents have sought continually to depose the King and set up their own kingdoms.
Well, that’s gonna stop!
The independent, unleashed, and rebellious thing, that is.
Jesus is Lord over heaven and earth. He, by virtue of His divine nature and His human obedience per His Father’s plan, will restore the earth and humanity to their original state. When Jesus came to accomplish that plan, He wasn’t about politics, power, or position. He was all about saving His Father’s beloved, undeserving, children; His brothers and sisters throughout the entire scope of humanity.
He did it.
It is finished.
And yet, we await the finale of restoration, that moment when there is only one supreme King on earth with all others bowing in submission and devotion to Him.
For now, we are in the interim, the battle of kingly wills against the One Will. Sadly, we see it even within our King’s kingdom. Men and women who raise their heads high like kings, in the willful pursuit of dominion and all that comes with it—provision, power, pleasure. Or as one famous preacher referred to it, the “gold, the glitter, and the gals.”
I’m shocked by how the floodgates of justice have been wrenched open recently, exposing the sins and abuses perpetrated by nationally and internationally acclaimed leaders in the Spirit-filled movement. It’s shocking and embarrassing.
Close to the Spirit, first to the flame.
John the Baptist told us, under the Spirit’s inspiration, that Jesus would baptize people with the Holy Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:11). In other words, Jesus will immerse His people into the Holy Spirit (infusing their entire being) and the fires of purification.
But is that all? I believe there’s a corollary to this promise. With the Holy Spirit’s nearness, He also brings judgment upon those who seek to play with the fire of God’s holiness. (I am so convicted as I write this. Pray for me.)
I’m saddened by how much hidden sexual sin, spiritual abuse, and fraud have been perpetrated in the Body of Christ that is now being revealed. There are those leaders who stand convicted and sentenced, and those who are under investigation. I won’t name names, but you can find the dirty laundry hung out to dry through established, non-sensational ministries like Mike Winger’s BibleThinker (https://biblethinker.org/our-media/). Caveat: I do not endorse Mike Winger’s theology in its entirety, and I haven’t thoroughly explored some aspects of his ministry. I’m simply pointing out his work regarding the abuses and cover-up culture being exposed in the Christian community today.
Long-hidden sins of former and current leaders within the Pentecostal, Charismatic, Spirit-filled, and NAR (New Apostolic Reformation) communities are erupting. It’s almost like a fire roaring through a forest’s accumulated and long-neglected undergrowth, burning out the dry waste that’s been inhibiting future growth and vitality. Uncultivated undergrowth tamps down and stifles a forest’s natural growth process. Only fire can remove the decay, cleanse the forest floor, and set the stage for a resurgence of life the way God designed it.
Likewise, these “dead” leaders have tamped down natural growth in the Body in order to consolidate power, position, and influence. They’ve lived like kings. They relish privilege and publicity, wallow in pleasure, and accumulate pretty things, like jets, vast estates, and material goods. Many of these wannabe kings are discovering the truth of God’s promise, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled” (Luke 14:11a).
God’s fire is now sweeping across the forest floor, burning that which has covered the debris, along with the debris itself. When the fire of judgment has passed, it will leave a nutrient-rich environment from which God’s word and the disciples who embrace it will emerge. Rather than being overshadowed and dominated by their spiritual “covering,” they will finally bask in the sunlight of God’s blessing and will spring up with new life.
This whole situation grieves me because the vast majority of honest, hard-working, and godly pastors are doing the best they can without the prosperity that the Prosperity Preachers crow about. They are the unknowns of heaven’s renown. Don’t be concerned, pastors. Those who humble themselves will be exalted (Luke 14:11b). That said, there are still those in small ministries who strive for a mini-kingdom of their own and perpetrate the same offenses, albeit on a micro-scale. This word is for them, too.
And please don’t think I’m giving liberal mainline Christian denominations a pass. They, too, have their sins of commission and omission that skew and twist God’s word into their personal theological, political, and perverted shape. Don’t worry. The Judge will adjudicate them when their time comes. What we see happening today is what Paul wrote to Pastor Timothy about. “Some people’s sins are obvious, preceding them to judgment, but the sins of others surface later” (1 Timothy 5:24).
I’m convinced that we’re in a moment when God is cleaning house. It’s fascinating to me that it seems to coincide with the apparent approach of the official End Time of the Last Days. “For the time has come for judgment to begin with God’s household, and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:17).
Jesus is returning to judge sin, yes. But He’s also returning to reestablish justice on the earth. “Like your name, God, so your praise reaches to the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with justice” (Psalm 48:10, italics author), and “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations … He will not break a bruised reed, and he will not put out a smoldering wick, until he has led justice to victory” (Matthew 12:18, 20).
Part of Jesus’ justice is to right wrongs, i.e., judge those leaders whose selfishness has driven them to exalt themselves to positions of power and influence, living like kings over their personal domains.
With this in mind, I want to share something I believe the Lord revealed to me a few weeks ago as I was pondering the downfall of so many “wannabe kings” in the Christian world. I submit it for your prayerful evaluation. If you disagree, that’s fine. If you agree or can confirm this, I would appreciate it. Please email me at highbeamministry@gmail.com
No Kings!
As the End approaches, and the stakes increase, I’m taking down those who chose position, but I haven’t chosen them. They are those who have a great drive for dominion and talents to draw others to themselves, and have created their personal kingdom, but not My kingdom. I am deposing these false kings.
Isaiah 22:15-25 (especially vss. 19-23) “I will remove you from your office; you will be ousted from your position. 20 “On that day I will call for my servant, Eliakim son of Hilkiah. 21 I will clothe him with your robe and tie your sash around him. I will hand your authority over to him, and he will be like a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. 22 I will place the key of the house of David on his shoulder; what he opens, no one can close; what he closes, no one can open. 23 I will drive him, like a peg, into a firm place. He will be a throne of honor for his father’s family.”
Why am I doing this? I’m narrowing the field of choices (“of kings at the End” – my words for clarification). The choice will come down to one king or the other King, because only two kingdoms are competing. I will clarify people’s allegiance.”
I expect to see this deposition of kings and leaders spread beyond spiritually based kingdoms to politically based kingdoms as they are heaved and shaken to show which are aligned with the Lord and which aren’t. Remember, Jesus comes to judge not just individuals, but nations (Matthew 25:31-33).
Those that are not aligned with God will be part of the statue of Daniel 2, the feet, which will be smashed and blown away when King Jesus returns to establish His reign and His justice globally.
There will only be one King.
As one preacher said, “When the sword of the Lord swings in judgment, it’s best to keep your head low.”
If you are interested in learning more about the Book of Daniel, I’ve created an online course. It ties into the theme of God’s Sovereignty and the plan of restoration as revealed to Daniel. There are fourteen online lessons, along with complete notes ($25, such a deal!) To register, go to https://courses.highbeamministryteachings.com/courses/the-book-of-daniel
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Shining the Light of God’s Truth on the Road Ahead
Pastor Jay Christianson
The Truth Barista, Frothy Thoughts