In Matthew 21:43, Jesus said, “God’s Kingdom is going to be taken away from you and given to a nation that will produce the goods.” (Kingdom New Testament).
What are “the goods” of the Kingdom, and where can we find them?
Jesus said, “If I’m casting out demons because I’m in league with God’s Spirit—well, then, God’s kingdom has arrived on your doorstep!” Matthew 12:28 KNT
Jesus equates casting out demons as a definitive character of God’s Kingdom. We can know that God’s authority is in operation on the earth when demons obey commands in His name. Which, consequently, is the name of Jesus. The cardinal effect of the Kingdom of God is the eviction of evil spirits from God’s people and God’s earth.
“The Kingdom of God” is not a spiritual city up in the clouds but a dominion over the entire creation. The Kingdom of God is Heaven’s reign over the earth. Jesus’ mission was to reclaim God’s sovereignty over the planet, exercised through God’s people. The power to cast out demons is a direct result of the prayer Jesus taught us to pray:
“Our Father who art in Heaven,
Hallowed by Thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
They will be done on earth
As it is in Heaven.” (Matthew 6:9-10)
The first object of a conquering army is to depose the old leadership. Therefore, casting out demons is not a sideline of Christianity but object number one in the Kingdom.
When the Apostle Peter preached the Gospel in Acts chapter 4, He first explained how he had healed a crippled man: “this man stands before you fit and well because of the name of the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth.” (Acts 4:10). Healing and casting our demons, throughout the Gospels, are often synonymous. Peter said that this crippled man was healed “because of the name of Jesus” and that “there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 NASB. “Salvation,” “rescue,” and “deliverance” can be used interchangeably here. Peter refers to the transfer of power and authority from the Kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of Light. Under the rule of Satan, this poor man was crippled. After Peter brought this crippled man under the Lordship of Jesus, he received deliverance from the demon of affliction. The message of salvation is the message of deliverance from demons.
You may say, “Well, I have done that. I’ve been ‘saved.’ I can’t have demons anymore.” Yet, we still pray our Lord’s Prayer, even though God’s Kingdom has already come. Why? Because the power of the Kingdom is only in operation through faith. Whenever we retreat into unbelief, we open doors for the enemy to rule our lives. Unless you have perfect faith, you will need to continue to pray the Lord’s Prayer and receive deliverance from time to time.
Atheism and agnosticism are not benign or neutral philosophical positions.
Atheism and agnosticism are only nice sounding words for entry-level Satanism because Jesus said, “The one who is not with Me is against Me; and the one who does not gather with Me scatters.” (Matthew 12:30.) Atheism and agnosticism are resolute declarations of unbelief. In his letter to the Romans, the Apostle Paul declared that “everything that is not of faith is sin.” (Romans 14:23).
All unbelief is a retreat into the rule of Satan, the kingdom of darkness.
When the Church bears the fruit of unbelief: fear, anger, malice, slander, jealousy, lust, deception, pride, etc., we are not living according to our confession. The rule of God’s Kingdom will only emerge where there is faith and obedience. If the Devil has gotten into the camp, it will be evident. But faith and obedience will evict him once again.
The Apostle Paul said that the Kingdom of God is “righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17). If you lack these qualities in certain areas of your life, it means God’s rule and reign is not activated, and you need deliverance. You cannot fake the fruit of the spirit. If the Kingdom of God has been taken from you and given to someone else, there is only one thing to do; imitate the person who is bearing the fruit of the Spirit. Follow their pattern of faith and be restored to Your inheritance in Jesus. Repent of your unbelief and be delivered.
God does not reject you nor consider you second-rate. Jesus said, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.”
Luke 12:32. If God took the Kingdom from you, you need only to repent and He will gladly return it to you.