
Isaiah was speaking of the King to come and His government. Notice, there is nothing mentioned about an religion. This child, who is Jesus the Christ, has become our deliverer, and is the Messiah to all who have their faith in Him. The writer Matthew quoted these verses in describing the Lord's ministry while He was on earth. “In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali, beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River, in Galilee where so many Gentiles live, the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined.
Remember, in order for one to be a king, he first must have land or territory. The territory of Zebulun and Naphtali represent the northern kingdom as a whole. These were also the territory where the Lord Jesus grew up and often ministered. This is why they would see a great light. The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.
The writer and apostle John also referred to the Lord Jesus as the Light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. Keep this in mind, the King also referred to Himself as "the light of this world". Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” You will never find anywhere in the Lord God's Constitution, that His Son, Jesus the Christ, came in any way to establish another religion. He came to restore what the world had lost--the Kingdom of God. This is why He made this command a priority: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. NKJV
The ambassador Paul stayed focused on the Kingdom government. In his final farewell speech, he made it clear that he had completed his purpose and assignment here on this earth for the Kingdom. But when we landed at Miletus, he sent a message to the elders of the church at Ephesus, asking them to come and meet him.
When they arrived he declared, “You know that from the day I set foot in the province of Asia until now I have done the Lord’s work humbly and with many tears. I have endured the trials that came to me from the plots of the Jews. I never shrank back from telling you what you needed to hear, either publicly or in your homes. I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.
And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.
And now I know that none of you to whom I have preached the Kingdom will ever see me again."
Religion and religious people are a divided group that have more than one allegiance. The Kingdom of God and all of its citizens are of one mindset. Remember what the King stated while He was here on earth. He knew their thoughts, so he said, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A family splintered by feuding will fall apart. You say I am empowered by Satan. But if Satan is divided and fighting against himself, how can his kingdom survive? And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said. But if I am casting out demons by the power of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you."
Everything that the Lord Jesus did was of His government, not a religion. He represents His Kingdom and while we are here, we who are born again and part of His Kingdom, should do the same.
Remember, your greatest asset is your faith int he King and His Word.
Isaiah 9:1-7 Matthew 4:15-16 Isaiah 9:2 John 1:9 John 8:12
Matthew 6:33-34 Acts 20:17-25 Luke 11:17-20 all NLT except where noted
W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
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