VI.  Introduction to Spiritual Nationality

A person becomes a citizen of a physical nation in two ways. He or she has a physical birth into that nation. Or, the person is adopted through the authority of that nation and obedience to requirements to enter that nation.

Similarly, a person becomes a citizen of a spiritual nation in two ways. He or she has a spiritual birth into that nation. And the person is adopted through the Authority of that nation and obedience to His requirements to enter that nation.

The citizen of a physical nation may live in his or nation as a traitor. Too, the citizen may refuse to abide by the nation's customs, to learn its language, or to have any sense of gratitude for its benefits.

Likewise, the citizen of a spiritual nation may live within its borders as a traitor. He or she may refuse to abide by its customs, to learn its language, or to have any sense of gratitude for its benefits.

We will not discuss here whether a person can lose his spiritual citizenship. But, no doubt, a person can live in a spiritual country as a traitor. And this person may refuse to abide by its customs, learn its language, or have any sense of gratitude for its benefits. Such a person, though, should seriously question whether he or she was actually born into and adopted into this spiritual nation.

According to what spiritual country a person was born into and remains, so the person should behave--whether to righteousness or to unrighteousness.

One of the immediate responsibilities of either spiritual nation is enlistment in its army. If not AWOL, the person will be a part of the local army and fulfill its obligations.

Two spiritual nations can exist within one home. But they cannot do so peaceably. A family divided is a family at war. Jesus said that it would be thus. He said that because of Him, families would divide into two distinct peoples.

This can sadly become the state of a Christian home. This happens when the leaders of that unit (the parents) are unwilling to bring the lesser ranking under discipline. This may be because they are battling their Commander's disciplines, themselves.

If confused because some verses below are specifically to Israel, Visit "The Old Testament and How It Applies" The point is the principle.

 

 

A.  The Kingdom Of Darkness

John 8:44a (the family or kingdom of darkness)

Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do

Ephesians 2:2-3 (the prince's kingdom of disobedience)

Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Matthew 12:26 (Satan's kingdom)

And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?

Ephesians 6:12 (rulers of the dark kingdom)

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Revelation 16:10a (kingdom of the beast)

And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain...

Matthew 12:30 (no neutral kingdom)

He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

Matthew 10:35 (division into kingdoms--war)

For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

 

B. The Kingdom Of Light

Deuteronomy 7:6 (holy people)

For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.

1 Peter 2:9-10 (holy nation; a separated people for God)

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light; which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Exodus 19:6a (priestly kingdom)

And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests.

Ephesians 2:19 (citizens of a kingdom)

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.

Matthew 13:43a (the Father's kingdom)

Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. (See Luke 12:32; and 1 Cor. 15:24.)

Matthew 16:19 (kingdom of heaven)

And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (See Matthew 18:1-3.)

Matthew 6:33 (kingdom of God)

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Luke 17:21; Acts 14:22b; 1 Thes. 2:12; and Matthew 21:43; Hebrews 12:28; James 2:5.)

John 18:36a (Jesus' kingdom)

Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. (See Matthew 13:41; Luke 1:33; 22:29-30.)

Colossians 1:13 (kingdom of the Son)

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: (See 2 Peter 1:11; Rev. 1:9.)

 

 

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