Opposing Kingdoms

We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. (1 John 4:6)

In the body of believers the only ones that truly hear, or rather understand, and accept the Word of God coming through mere men are those who have the Spirit of God. Many of today's Christians are exactly like the Jews of Yeshua's time – they physically hear, but can't recognize, understand or accept the Word. Have today's called out ones become so like the Jews of old – steeped in religious but unbiblical beliefs, traditions, teachings and intellect – that the church is dull of hearing to the revealed Word for today?

In each move of God there is a counter-offensive by the enemy of our soul. Today, the Lord is bringing deeper and yet more simplified "for life" revelations of His Word. He is bringing truth and preparing His remnant for kingdom life in the perilous times of tribulation ahead. And yet, while the truths of the kingdom are being revealed to those who have ears to hear, the religious landscape abounds with false doctrines which align the people of God with the kingdom of Satan and not the kingdom of God. The scriptures say; Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (1 Tim 4:1). Furthermore, as these teachers of the "doctrines of devils" spin their webs, there are many unsuspecting believers who will be swayed by these seducing spirits; For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. (Mark 13:22)

As we walk in the shadow of these great and awesome end times, the body must be able to spiritually discern and test the spirits so that we might stand on the Word in faith. The emergence of prophetic teachers proposing new ways of spiritual ascension and reaching God, must be regarded in their alignment to the "way, the truth, and the light," – our Savior, Yeshua Ha'Mashiach. The scriptures say to "try" or test these spirits (thus, religious leaders espousing their doctrines) to know if they are of Christ or the spirit of error;

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.(1 John 4:1-5)

As I was praying early one morning, the Spirit of the Lord spoke to me and gave me nine points of difference between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Diabolos (Satan). I wondered at the significance of the Lord using the name "Diabolos" and the reason for only giving me nine points. Why such an odd number? I subsequently recognized that in the use of the Greek name "Diabolos," for Satan communicated a thought in of itself. Diabolos means slanderer. Thus, by using this term I believe that the Lord was trying to convey that the kingdom of God was slandered or maligned by Diabolos' opposite values.

Secondly, the number "9" has some interesting applications in the context of the received message. New Testament comparisons to the number nine are often paralleled with the giftings of the Holy Spirit and thus, fruitfulness. However in biblical numerical usage, nine conveys a very different meaning. Since it is the last of the digits, it connotes the "end" or conclusion of the matter. According to E. W. Bullinger's Number in Scripture, nine is, "THE NUMBER OF FINALITY OR JUDGMENT."1

Thus, as I believed when I received the nine comparisons contained in the following chart, the distinctions between our evidencing a particular action or belief will be the evidential proof between which kingdom we are observing or supporting. In other words, if we are hearing others teaching doctrines of Satan's kingdom, we can be certain and discern what we are hearing. Likewise, the believer should run to God, repent and ask forgiveness when he, himself manifests or evidences thoughts and actions that line up with the kingdom of Satan,

Everything – every thought, every action, every doctrine of Satan's kingdom is "anti" or against the kingdom of God. It is the anti-Christ spirit working in the world today. Following is one of the passages I was thinking upon that morning the Lord all but dictated the differences. Through its reading, it becomes pretty obvious why He calls the enemies' domain the kingdom of "I WILL."

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. (Isa 14:12-15) (Emphasis mine)

As you study the following contrasting kingdoms, notice that Lucifer "said in his heart." God looks upon our hearts' thoughts and intentions as well as the words we speak and the actions we take. Let us take note and become even more diligent not to support the enemies' domain in our daily walk.

Opposing Kingdoms

Kingdom          "I Will"

Character       Slight/Hate

Prince           Diablos/Satan

"I AM" (YHVH)

Faith/Love

Yeshua (Jesus)

1. Visulization From Within

2. Self Determined

3. Mantras, Chants, repeated words

4. Esoteric Understanding for self determination

5. Become gods (masters of all)

6. Improvement of self image

7. Love of Self

8. Words lead substance

9. Self created energy creates "matter"

Faith in measure From YHVH

As He saw his Father do

Without vain repetitions

Childlike humility - belief/trust led by the Holy Spirit.

Become sons of G_d - Christ's reflection

Image of G_d

Love of G_d

Words follow heart

Faith creates substance

While most of the differences between the two kingdoms seem obvious, there are practices creeping or even stampeding into Christian assemblies that require comment.

Visualizations from within

Under the guise of reaching a higher spiritual plane, new age thinking in the area of visions is rampant. In the kingdom of God or "I AM" visions come from outside the individual and from the Spirit of God. However, new age practitioners would have us "focus" or concentrate on visualizing a scene, situation or state of being. This is called "guided imagery" and is usually done to place the participant in a more calm/peaceable state to prepare them for the next phase of their ascension into the "higher planes of the spirit." Again, notice that the visualization comes from within the mind and is not from God.

The methods of contemplative prayer are identical to those used in Eastern religions. According to The New Age Movement and Biblical Worldview, chanting, mantras, body disciplines, guided imagery, self-realization and at-one-ment are all part of the New Age and Eastern religions' meditation practices."2

Mantras, chants, repeated words

A practice which is spreading throughout the Evangelical church is thinly veiled form of Eastern meditations renamed "contemplative prayer" or "centering prayer." In this form of prayer, practitioners focus on "emptying the mind" through chants, mantras or the repetition of singular words or phrases. Christian proponents suggest sacred words like God or Jesus. In this way it is presented as a way to focus on the Lord. However, the stated purpose is to enter an altered state of consciousness by ceasing to think or reflect upon the word itself, and "emptying" or "silencing" the mind.

In this accompanying theology of unity through man's elevation into higher spiritual realms, there is a basic belief that man is fundamentally good. After all, proponents say, "We have God and His righteousness in us." In contrast to this theology, the Word of God says:

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:8-10)

Additionally, Yeshua said:

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. (Mark 7:21, 22)


Practices of Eastern religion are being taught to God's children as a way to become "more" in the realm of the spirit and to come into a greater unity with the Spirit, and thus, all believers. However, when we are brought unto salvation we must accept Yeshua (Jesus), as our atoning sacrificial Lamb and make Him Lord of our life. Yeshua said that to be "greatest" (greater/more) in the kingdom of God, we are to:

  1. love Him as displayed by our obedience to His Word(s)3 and
  2. be "the servant of all."4

The Master didn't teach His disciples Eastern religious practices which are common to the occult and mystic religious practices of the world. He taught them not to mix the holy with the unholy. Let us not forget that we can not mix the cup (beliefs/teachings) of the Lord and the cup of devils.

Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. (1 Corinthians 10:21-22)


Yeshua said, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6) As we understand that the way of self is the way of the kingdom of "I Will" (Satan's kingdom), let us be careful to discern the blood and body of Christ and reject the doctrines of devils.

Randy Schroeder

Footnotes:

1For more information see: Number in Scripture, E. W. Bullinger Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, MI pages 235-242

2A Time of Departing: - How a Universal Spirituality is Changing the Face of Christianity , Ray Yungen, Lighthouse Trails Publishing (2002)

3John 14:23

4Mark 10:44

Chart References:

  1. Romans 12:3 ..., according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
  2.  John 8:28 ... I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
  3. Matthew 6:7 ... But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
  4. Matthew 18:4 ... Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Mark 10:15 ... Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
  5. 1 John 3:2 ... Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
  6. Eph 4:13 ... until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
  7. 1 John 5:2 ... By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
  8. Luke 8:15 ... But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
  9. Heb 11:1 ... Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.