Good News from a Far Country: the Kingdom Invasion of the Mind

Copyright © 2013 William Kell.

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Scripture references, unless otherwise indicated, are from the New King James Version of the Bible. Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked RSV are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyrighted © 1946, 1952, 1971 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and used by permission. All rights reserved.

Quotations marked AMP are from the Amplified Bible.

Old Testament copyright © 1965, 1987 by the Zondervan Corporation. The Amplified New Testament copyright ©1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Quotations marked KJV are from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.

ISBN: 978-1-4497-8154-5 (e)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-8153-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-8152-1 (hc)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013900230

WestBow Press rev. date: 1/29/2013

Contents

Illustrations

Preface

Introduction: The Invasion

Chapter One: Appointment with Adversity—God Loves Sausage

Chapter Two: Sowing and Reaping—The Greatest Secret Ever Told

Chapter Three: Agreement—The Cradle of Creation

Chapter Four: Amazing Grace—From Merit to Undeserved Favor

Chapter Five: Identity—Who Am I?

Chapter Six: Faith Comes, Believes, Speaks, and Acts

Chapter Seven: The Power of Words—Blessing and Curse

Chapter Eight: The Throne—A Man Under Authority

Closing Words

About the Author

Works Consulted

Footnotes

Dedicated to my Beloved Family

Back Row: Jesse, Elizabeth, Knox, Cassie, Emma Jeanne, Blake, Drew, Danielle

Front Row: Felipe, Sebastian, Isabella,

Dr. Kell, Janet, Kitsie, Christian

Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.

—Jesus Christ (Luke 12:32)

Illustrations

For years, my wife Janet and I taught the Word of God to children in inner-city Richmond. We taught through puppetry and pictures. Over the years, Janet created teaching pictures. These pictures are dispersed throughout this book. The pictures are simple and straightforward—no hidden messages. They are included for your enjoyment and edification.

Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed – in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet(1 Corinthians15:51-52). The English word moment is the word atomos in Greek. It is the smallest indivisible unit of time, from which we get the word atom. In the smallest amount of time, we will be supernaturally changed to be like the Lord. "Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is" (1 John 3:2). This is the goal of the Christian life—to be like Him.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek (Romans 1:16). For the first time, Paul shared the gospel with the faith community in Rome, the most powerful city on earth. As he considered the might of Rome, he was not ashamed of this gospel. It was and is powerful to transform.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). In this book, we will focus on your new identity in Christ. Identity and destiny are inextricably tied together. Jesus was not confused about His identity or destiny. As you begin to walk in your true identity, the vision for your destiny will become crystal clear.

Preface

To my beloved family,

Life is naturally divided into four seasons. Birth to age twenty is the spring of life—full of promise, adventure, and exploration. Twenty to forty is the summer of life—a time to bear children and discover your God-ordained assignment. Forty to sixty is the fall of life—a time when Father matures us to look and act like the Son. There is much testing during those years. Sixty to eighty is the winter of life—a time to pass on the treasures of wisdom and knowledge to the next generation. I believe the winter of life is a precious span for nurturing those dearest to us. Family is central. We are finished with the drive to be successful in this world. Our aim is no longer to please men but to please the Father and fellowship with Him.

I have a book in my heart. It is a collection of transforming thoughts. It is what I know of God’s kingdom and how it works. These are not my thoughts. They come from the far country, where Father lives. I have very few quotes from Bible scholars. My source book is God’s Word. I often add comments. These are my reflections, observations, and opinions. I pray the Spirit will use that which is of God, and may the rest be quickly forgotten.

In the winter of my life, I write this to my children, Drew and Danielle, Felipe and Kitsie, Jesse and Elizabeth, Blake and Cassie, and to my grandchildren, Sebastian, Isabella, Christian, Knox, and Emma Jeanne. I know that Father’s hand is on each of you. I know that you and your children will be blessed for a thousand generations or until Jesus returns. (Deuteronomy 7:9) This comes by way of promise. (Psalm 102:28, 112:1-3) I know that Father has only good for each of you. You are very special and dear to your mother and me. You are on loan as God’s precious possessions on earth. Perhaps someday, one of your children or grandchildren will rummage around in an attic and discover this book. Perhaps he or she will be touched by the thoughts collected here.

God has been gracious and kind to us all. I am very thankful for your mother. She is the love of my life. As you know, she is also my best friend. She has brought much joy to us all and is a special gift from God.

I hope you will read this book now and again. We battle very strong enemies of the mind. We need to be reminded of who we are and Whose we are.

Therefore I intend to keep on reminding you of these things, though you know them already and are established in the truth that has come to you. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to refresh your memory, since I know that my death will come soon, as indeed our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things. (2 Peter 1:12–15 RSV)

I write this with a heart full of affection.

Dad

Introduction:

The Invasion

As cold water to a weary soul, so is good news from a far country (Proverbs 25:25). A long time ago, in a place far, far away, plans were conceived for an invasion of a rebel planet called earth. Jesus came from this place—a far country that is more real and certainly more glorious than earth. The far country is a timeless dimension that is the dwelling place of God and is a perfect reflection of His nature, government, and administrative principles. The Bible calls this place heaven. Those of us who were witnesses to this invasion will one day experience heaven’s timeless dimension, where there will be no more pain of separation, departures, sorrow, crying, or death. God Himself will wipe away every tear from our eyes.

God’s nature is known by the verbs is and am. God is light (1 John 1:5). God is love (1 John 4:7). I am holy (Leviticus 11:45). Nature reveals identity. Many mistakenly believe that God is a God of wrath. God has wrath. However, His nature is love. God corrects and disciplines His children by love. His wrath is reserved for those who reject His Son. The only unforgivable sin is rejecting the Son and His atoning death on the cross. (Mark 3:29)

God’s government or authority flows from His throne. Jesus came to establish the government of heaven on earth. After His victory at the cross and His resurrection from the dead, Jesus "came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore … ’" (Matthew 28:18). The church now carries the mantle of Christ’s authority.

God’s administrative principles are precepts or laws God uses to extend His kingdom in the earth. Examples of administrative principles are the law of agreement (Matthew 18:19), the law of use (Mark 4:24–25), the word of faith (Romans 10:8), etc. Understanding these administrative principles is crucial for successful kingdom living. We will explore these principles throughout this book.

Even though precise preparations were made through God’s chosen people and proclaimed by the prophets, heaven’s invasion and subjugation of earth began with the birth of Jesus. This invasion was a hostile (but love-inspired!) takeover by a foreign government—heaven’s kingdom. "Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man (Satan), fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace. But when a person stronger than he (Jesus) comes upon him and overcomes him, that person takes from him all his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoils" (Luke 11:20–22). The invasion would topple the god of this world and enthrone the rightful King.

The prophets foretold this forcible overthrow, For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder (Isaiah 9:6). Notice what this says. The child is born—the glorious Christmas story. The Son could only be given. The Son was never birthed. He lived eternally with the Father before all ages. The government of the far country was and is upon His shoulder. Heaven backs His every word. The shepherds who quaked at the revelation of this invasion had no idea of the magnitude of what was happening. The sign of the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes pointed to a Savior and King who came to inaugurate the government of heaven upon the earth.

The birth of a little baby among millions seems insignificant. However, great things are always birthed in insignificance as very small seeds. The second wave of the invasion—the return of our Lord—will be open and dramatic and complete the redemption of the planet, ushering in an everlasting government. The will of God—the driving force of the government of heaven—will prevail on earth. Eventually, there will only be one will on earth.

Below is your first power thought. These power thoughts are inserted throughout the book and are intended for life application. Doing what is instructed in the Word brings blessing. The practiced Word of God is powerful and effective.

Power Thought

Jesus always walked and spoke in agreement with Father. "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner" (John 5:19). Heaven backed His words. When your will becomes aligned with His will, heaven will back your words as well. "And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, ‘As the LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word’ (1 Kings 17:1). For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says" (Mark 11:23).

* * *

When Jesus came to this planet, He came on assignment. He came to fulfill a divine mission. You are the expression of this mission to your generation. Jesus came to bring the government and the administrative principles of that government to the earth. So will you! Earth is to become a colony of heaven. The will of heaven will be replicated on earth. "Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven" (Matthew 6:10).

Jesus came to reinstate the original intent of the Father for a planet that was plummeting toward destruction under its own weight of rebellion. He came with a full understanding that this mission would require His death on a cross. As you become involved in this mission, you also must go the way of the cross. The kingdom of self must be diminished so that the kingdom of God might be released and increased. John the Baptist said, He must increase, but I must decrease (John 3:30). The apostle Paul said, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me" (Galatians 2:20). There can be no transmission of life from the far country apart from death.

However, when Jesus came, He brought refreshment and good news to a weary planet. So will you! His resurrection power was released. His advance cannot be stopped. His kingdom—His government—is a juggernaut. He will make all things new!

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me (Galatians 2:20). As you become involved in this mission, you also must go the way of the cross. The kingdom of self must be diminished so that the kingdom of God might be released and increased. This death to self can be painful. God will bring you through.

When Jesus arrived on planet earth, He came as an alien ambassador of the far country. Jesus is an extraterrestrial. Although this may sound strange, it is nonetheless the truth. Make no mistake about this. His advent was from beyond or outside the earth. It says in Hebrews 4:14 that he passed through the heavens. Our culture is fascinated by an invasion from a world beyond this world. This fascination is reflected by Hollywood in films like Encounters of a Third Kind, E.T., Independence Day, Armageddon, and War of the Worlds. Jesus was the first extraterrestrial—a God/man—a brand-new species. Through the new birth, we have been infected with His thinking and power. We are now the extraterrestrials—ambassadors of heaven! "Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:20).

As ambassadors, we represent the interests of heaven on earth. Learn from the instruction of our Lord: "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner" (John 5:19). The Son came to earth to implement the interests of heaven, not His own. We are to do likewise. A good ambassador has no opinions of his own. He represents the position of the government that appoints and places him.

Power Thought

Years ago, Janet and I visited a ministry center in North Carolina called Aqueduct. A precious brother by the name of Tommy Tyson headed the ministry. Tommy had been diagnosed with cancer. During the weekend, each attending couple took turns praying for Tommy’s recovery. When it came our time to pray, we entered a small prayer room. There were two chairs in the front of the room.

That morning, Tommy was at the hospital, preparing for surgery. As we began to pray, Janet and I both felt as if we were being transported to the throne room of heaven. We were about to learn a lesson in kingdom transmission. The two chairs became thrones. We both felt as if we were kings under the kingship of Jesus. This is, in fact, who we are. Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords. We felt as if we were to enforce the will of heaven on earth. We prayed for Tommy’s healing. Our prayers, together with the prayers of others, imposed the victory of the cross. At the hospital, Tommy requested one more X-ray before surgery. It came back negative. He was completely healed. We claim nothing in this; we were simply participants. We only know that God uses His children as alien ambassadors on earth to further His agenda.

* * *

… and He (Jesus) laid His hands on every one of them and healed them (Luke 4:40). Jesus does the same thing today through His body, the church. Sickness is an enemy. God expects us to impose the victory of the cross. As alien ambassadors, we are to enforce the agenda of heaven, which is the victory of the cross.

THE INVASION WILL SUCCEED

When God created, He created the visible and the invisible. "For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him (Colossians 1:16). The invisible is a higher order of reality—a domain beyond sight and sound. The enemy of our souls—Satan himself—operates from the dark side of the invisible. He is the leader of the present rebellion that Jesus came to crush. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8). There is only one will in heaven. Because of Satan’s rebellion, there are now countless,