I am so often amazed at how it seems our God is the Supreme multi-tasker. He is continually doing many different things simultaneously in perfect harmony and efficiency all to produce His desires in those who say “yes” to His purposes. Lately, He has highlighted one of these tasks He desires to accomplish in me (and in you too), if we will choose to allow Him to complete His work.
One of the things that scripture reveals is that in Christ we are, and He is making us into, a kingdom of priests (1 Peter 2.9). We are to be both kings and priests under the leadership of The Great King, Jesus who is the Christ (The King of kings). So we see revealed, God’s desire for this people is to rule and reign here on the earth (Revelation 1.6; 5.10). But how does He accomplish this in us – what is the process He surely must take us through in order that we may be fit to rule and reign with him? These are the things I’ve been considering lately. Maybe some of these thoughts will be helpful and encourage you to not give up or turn around and retreat. His plans for you are good.
Jesus is, currently, the King of a Kingdom that will never end (Ps 145.13). Not only will this government of Jesus never end, it will never stop increasing. “Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end. (Isaiah 9.7) Throughout history a signature accessory of a king was his scepter. It represented the authority that the king possessed and with which he ruled over his kingdom. We are told that the scepter that the Lord rules His kingdom with is a scepter of justice (Psalm 45.6) Furthermore; this scepter is further elaborated with the imagery of being an iron scepter, a rod of iron (Psalm 2.9; Revelation 2.27, 12.5, 19.15).
I have been considering that the Lord’s iron scepter with which He rules the nations is actually those kingly priests who reign with him on the earth (Revelation 2.26, 27). But then how might this rod of iron be produced? I have looked a bit into this iron making process and I believe there is some helpful insights if we allow them to speak to us. Iron must be placed in a furnace – with an intense heat in order to make it malleable. One source of information I found said, “iron is more difficult to form into metal than copper or bronze, because it needs a much hotter fire and a more complicated process, but it is much more useful than copper or bronze as well.” In history, iron needed to be forged – it needed to be “worked”. A blacksmith worked iron – black metal. “Smith” actually comes from the word “smite” or “to strike” (to hit). The blacksmith would “smite” the black metal in order to fashion it into the instrument of his desire.
Recall that Israel was held in slavery in Egypt – then God delivered them and set them on a course heading into great promise – including overcoming and ruling nations and the land. God declares more than once in scripture that Egypt was an “iron furnace” for Israel (Deuteronomy 4.20; 1 Kings 8.51; Jeremiah 11.4). It seems this “furnace of affliction” was the Lord’s way of preparing – fashioning this people into an instrument of “rule”. Through Isaiah, the Lord says to Israel – (in my words) look, I’ve refined you, but not like silver; I put you through the furnace of affliction that I might choose you so that I could share my glory with you – with the goal that my name would not be polluted – I would be seen for who I AM through you. (Isaiah 48.10)(also see John 17.22)
This same furnace of affliction awaits those who desire to come into this place of ruling and reigning with Christ in His Kingdom. To be so united with Christ in this manner is a stunning & available promise. However, it requires a process of great intensity where the hot fires of the furnace of our afflictions burn off all of our self-reliance and the ways of the world so that we are an instrument freely wielded by Our Great King Jesus to rule the nations. If we will endure the hardships that come with this furnace then we will also reign with Him. (2 Timothy 2.3-12). His great rule of justice and peace will soon be seen on the earth. Jesus is the desire of ALL nations, He is what they long for – and I very much desire to see and participate in His perfect justice and perfect peace ruling the nations.
Courage & Strength,
Christopher Paul
http://anear2hear.wordpress.com
Wow! your insight into God’s word is amazing, Christopher Paul. When I have a moment I do plan to read it again and look up the scriptures you have referenced for us.
I am getting ready to head out to Brandenburg for the Women’s Conference this evening. So excited about what God is going to do in and through, Tammy Trent, Dina and the approx. 200 women who will be there. Cherish your prayers that this will be a life-altering experience for all of us, and that we will be even more equipped to go out and share Jesus.
Time is getting short and there is so much to do…JESUS IS COMING SOON!!!!