The Kingdom: Authority Before Territory (2)
- KenbrianPhos
- Mar 2
- 3 min read
Luke 24:49 (KJV)And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
This was the command the apostles received as Jesus prepared to ascend up on high. He was no longer going to be physically present with them anymore; He was getting them prepared for the task ahead.
There is something the Scripture teaches about waiting, about tarrying, about brooding, about saturation, and about persistence. And it is recurrently related to power.
Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)“...but they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength….”
Ezekiel speaks about the river that flowed from the East side of the temple:
Ezekiel 47:5 (KJV)“Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.”
Ecclesiastes 11:3 (KJV)“If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth….”
These randomly selected Scripture passages are in no way random in their relevance to our subject matter. There is a pattern, there is an obvious message each one passes; the stillness in the quiet is preparatory for an explosion of power. A power regenerative, re-animating, “devastating”, reclaiming territory.
Jesus' command to His disciples was no ordinary advice; it was imperative, I’d even say a warning. To be endued with power from on high was not a luxury; it was not a mark or a badge, it was a necessity. Hence, the command to tarry.
Acts 1:8 (KJV)“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
Now that is quite explicit!
The reason to tarry is made clear, the reason for the power is laid bare, and the consequence is evident in what an hundred and twenty individuals that bore witness to the day, were able to achieve.
This is a classic example: first authority, then territory.
They became unstoppable, the power accompanying them was undeniable, their message untamable, and the gospel unquenchable.
I call it the enemy’s worst nightmare!
He eliminated one, yet many more sprang up in His stead. The enemy’s territory was shrinking, and fast.
These were carriers of the Word of the King; they were carriers of power.
“…not by power nor by might, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord….”
That is no contradiction, for the Spirit is power, the Spirit is might, and much more. Not human power, not human might.
Thus it was said of the apostles:
“…these that have turned the world upside down are come hither also….”
An obvious exaggeration, but that in itself is explanatory; remember that it was said in reference to two men.
The Kingdom is wherever the authority of a King reaches; that authority is encapsulated in the Spirit. These men came with Him.
For this reason Jesus said, "…it is to your advantage that I depart…,” that advantage is the Spirit.
By the Spirit, territories are conquered. He is the authority: the authority that conquers these territories, which are as much land masses as they are human hearts.
If this reflection resonated with you, you might also appreciate these other pieces I’ve written:
Thank you for reading
© KenbrianPhos - Bringing the Light
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