The Holy Spirit often inspired the apostles to speak of or write about Jesus Christ as ‘King’ and His ‘Kingdom.’ The Spirit also inspired the apostles to write that Christ’s disciples were ‘joint heirs’ with Christ and would ‘reign’ with Him as ‘kings and priests.’

However .. look around you. What do you see in your community? Your region? Your country? The world? Does it look like Christians are ruling and reigning with Christ as kings and priests? No, it doesn’t appear that way at all. In fact, Christians are finding themselves on the receiving end of hatred and persecution across the world – just as Jesus said would happen. So, how can the Spirit say we are ‘joint heirs’ and will reign as kings and priests when the world wants to destroy us?

The Call to Suffer

Christians are not above their Master. Jesus came from Heaven to earth to ‘suffer’ and so will we –

A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household! Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. Matthew 10:24 – 26

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:16-18

It’s important that Christians understand this principle. We will suffer with Christ and we will be glorified with Christ. When Jesus began His earthly ministry of ‘suffering,’ He met face-to-face with the devil showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and said – ‘All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me’ (Matthew 4:8-9). Jesus did not tell the devil that the kingdoms of the world were not his to give. Instead, Jesus replied – ‘Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve’ (Matthew 4:10).

The fact is that the devil is the ‘god of this age’ who has blinded the minds of those who are perishing (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). The God of Heaven gave this world to the devil for a short time, with certain limitations in what he can do (similar to what we read in the Book of Job). The Apostle Paul also referred to this as the ‘present evil age’ (Galatians 1:4). Jesus suffered and died to give Himself for our sins ‘that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.’

Paul left Titus on Crete to ‘set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city’ (Titus 1:5). What did Paul want Titus to tell the Christians on Crete?

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Titus 2:11-13

We live during a time of great spiritual suffering. It’s been that way for thousands of years. The people of God have been suffering since the devil deceived Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). Jesus was as ‘Man of Sorrows’ who was ‘despised and rejected by men.’ He was ‘acquainted with grief’ (Isaiah 53:3). Christians for the last two thousand years are also people of sorrows, despised and rejected by men. We are also acquainted with grief. We are hated and persecuted because the world hated and persecuted our Lord (John 15:18-20; 17:14). We should not expect to be treated differently than our Master.

So, how should we think about these sufferings?

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. Romans 8:18-25

We are waiting for day when we will be saved from the sufferings of this world. So, as God’s people living in this present age, what does He want us to do? How can we ‘train to reign’ in our current condition?

The Call to Subdue

‘fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over…’ Genesis 1:28

It’s been awhile since I’ve mentioned the importance of ‘subduing,’ so let me remind us of this important truth. The Hebrew word translated ‘subdue’ is כָּבַשׁ (kabash). It means to ‘bring into bondage, bring into subjection.’ Why did God mention ‘subduing’ the earth before having ‘dominion’ (rule, reign) over it? Because God knew His people would need to do that. How did God know that? Because God declared ‘the end from the beginning’ (Isaiah 46:10). God knew from Eternity what would happen in the Garden. He knows what’s happening in your life right now and what will happen. He knows better than you do what you need to fight the spiritual battles you face now and will face in the future.

That’s why the Holy Spirit inspired the apostles to write about how to ‘subdue’ our spiritual enemies –

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Ephesians 6:11-13

 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.’ Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:6-8

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:8-11

According to discussions I’ve had with Christians through the years, along with extensive national polling, it’s sadly apparent that most people who identify as Christians don’t understand what I just explained above. They don’t understand suffering. They don’t understand the origins or purposes of evil. Thus, they are not involved in spiritual warfare. They are living a cultural religiosity rather than the reality of the battles raging around us in the spiritual realms.

Given that fact, what hope do Christians have? What did the Holy Spirit inspire the apostles to teach that helps us understand what will one day save us from this evil age?

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. Philippians 3:20-21

As I quoted earlier from Paul’s letter to Titus, we are ‘looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.’ What we’re doing now is learning to ‘subdue,’ which is vital to ‘having dominion.’

Free eBooks

You can download the first 13 chapters of this series here.

You can download chapters 14 – 24 of this series here.

You can download chapters 25 – 30 of this series here.

You can download chapters 31 – 39 of this series here.

You can download chapters 40 – 48 of this series here.

Next Time

Our hope is always Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit has made that abundantly clear in the Scriptures He inspired the apostles to write. In the next part of our special series, ‘Train to Reign,’ we will see how God brings everything together to restore ‘righteousness’ in our world.

“Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

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