Kingdom Conflict

Hebrews11:32-35

“And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again.”

As I read the above portion of Scripture from the chapter of faith, I see action, conflict and miracles. As I look over the mission fields I am involved with and over the world that we live in today, there is ever-increasing conflict. Over the past thirty years the kingdom of God has experienced unprecedented growth, and we are beginning to feel the backlash of the enemy. Our response to this backlash and increased opposition is critical to the future of what God is going to do. We can pull back, become politically correct or engage the enemy.

Our natural tendency of self-preservation oftentimes causes us to avoid conflict, go with the flow, and maintain silence. We can become deceived into thinking that through compromise or peaceful coexistence we can somehow preserve ourselves and draw people into the kingdom. However, as you read and meditate on the portion above, we see that true faith produces confrontation and conflict resulting in the supernatural demonstration of God’s power. It is that demonstration of power that destroys the power of the enemy, delivers us, and draws others into the kingdom.

Jesus put it this way in Matthew 11:12-13, “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force.” John the Baptist came to prepare the way of the Lord. Jesus came to usher in a new kingdom. When you usher in a new kingdom, the result is kingdom conflict. The two kingdoms cannot coexist, nor can they run parallel to one another, for they are complete opposites. There is no compromise, and as the day of the Lord approaches, the clash and conflict will increase.

“The kingdom of heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force.” We cannot run away from conflict. It is not time to pull back. It is not time to be silent. It is time to rise up in faith and take on the enemy. When we do, God’s power will be revealed, and we will subdue kingdoms, work righteousness, obtain promises, be made strong, become valiant in battle and receive back the dead. “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” (Revelations 3:21)

May God grant you the wisdom, grace, and strength to stand up for truth and righteousness in an ever-darkening world.

Andy