KINGDOM BASICS 1 - KINGDOM SYSTEMS

by Terry Somerville

A Kingdom is a System
Every kingdom is a system, not a "thing".  It is a system with various interworking non physical parts.    The "thing" we see is really the effect of kingdoms on  people, cities and nations, but not the kingdom itself. For example, we may see a person called "king", but "king-ness" is something unseen, yet it easily controls large groups of people! Until we understand that kingdoms are systems we will not grasp how kingdoms work,  Principalities, authority, power and dominion are all parts of a kingdom system.  They are meaningless without being together, like a manager without a company.  I will explain them later.

There Are Many Kinds of Kingdoms
The bible teaches there are many kingdoms. There are spiritual kingdoms such as the Kingdom of God, and kingdom of darkness which developed out of rebellion in the heavenlies. Earthly kingdoms are man made. There may be literal kings ruling over people, but any organized system of people can become a kingdom. Often God initiates them and man builds them. Sometimes they fall away and even become demonized. Sometimes kingdom are demonic from the beginning, like Hitler's SS. Only the Kingdom of God is perfect and eternal.  
Kingdom "Persons Without Bodies"  Are At War With Us
As I mentioned before, even man made kingdoms are not physical. They are systems with power to rule those who are subject to them.   For example, you can't see a policemans authority, only how it effects him and others. We cannot point to the authority as some physical thing, but we respect it and know when it is there.  Men and spirits operate all kinds of Kingdoms, but we can't actually see the kingdom or system, only the men (or demons, or angels) in them and what they do.    Now , two important facts.  

1. In the bible it says we war against these "persons without bodies" (Eph.6:12 living bible) They fight the Kingdom of God

2. Institutions and corporations on earth are also persons without bodies. A company is treated as a person before the law! Man's Kingdom will also war against the Kingdom of God and His people.


PARTS OF A KINGDOM SYSTEM  

Principalities - First Ones.
 Principality is the word is "arche" from which we get word like "archangel" or "architect".  It is not necessarily demonic, but denotes a "first one" in a kingdom system. Principalities rule in kingdoms. Like a prince. For instance, a mayor or city council is a principality.  So is a business manager, or any leader of an organized system.  Satan was an "archangel" and still is a principality, ruling the rebellious angels.

Authority - The Legal Right
 In greek the word for authority is exousia.  Authority is what gives one the right to act within a kingdom system.  Every Kingdom must have authority to exist and operate.  For instance, a city council receive it's authority from a charter of incorporation,  which is granted by the province, state  or nation.  Satan derives his authority from  mans rebellion, and usurps mans authority ,delegated by the Lord, to steward the earth.    In the Kingdom of God, His word is forever fixed in the heavens. The name of Jesus is above every other name or authority.  This means there are higher and lower authorities. More on this another time.

Power - Force
Power comes from the greek word dunamis, where we get the word "dynamite" . It is the force of kingdoms to rule. Again, a city will have police and bylaw officers to "enforce" the law. Without this power the city may as well not exist.  It is important to understand the difference between power and authority when it comes to ministry.  We have been given "authority over all the power of the enemy", but sometimes we need more power. A policeman has authority (the right to) act because of the law. He has power in the form of a gun. When he stops a car it is because the driver respects his authority, not the  power to stop the car physically.    In the Kingdom of darkness, Satan has power as well. He primarily uses deception, sickness, sin and death to spread his kingdom.   In the Kingdom of heaven, God uses His love, redemption, the power of the Holy Spirit in His people as well as angels to spread His kingdom.  

Dominion - Jurisdiction
Every kingdom has a jurisdiction, or realm, that it operates in. I live in "The Dominion of Canada"  Kingdoms have no effect outside their dominion.  My city, Campbell River, has no authority in the next town.  Satans has jurisdiction in the fallen kingdoms of this world, and over fallen man. He has no claim on a Christian unless the Christian walks in darkness.(ie: walks in the enemies jurisdiction)  God has sovereignty over all, but has given power and authority to Christians to advance His kingdom in the earth!  We are ambassadors, and the Kingdom goes where we go (because our bodies are His temple)

 
Col 1:13  who delivered us out of the power (authority - exousia) of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love;

Luk 10:19  Behold, I have given you authority (exousia) to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power (dunamis) of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you.

Mat 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.  Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons: freely ye received, freely give.