2022: The Year of The Power of the Gospel of the Kingdom

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2021 was another tough year for many as globally things are still challenging. It has taken great faith for many to persevere and hold unto faith in challenging situations. For many believers and indeed for churches around the world, it has been backs to the wall stuff and some churches have even closed. Therefore, by the leading of the Spirit, this word has to be challenging and examining  for believers, as we must all be stirred up to have any hope of being the light and solution in this difficult time. So there are important questions believers should ask in the midst of all the chaos, shakings and challenges. A key question is this: Where is the influence of the church and the power of God being demonstrated through His people at this great time of need?

When scripture is studied closely and we also see the nature of God from Genesis to Revelation, we will see the pattern of God using His people to be a light and solution to the world – especially in difficult times – aka Joseph, Moses, Daniel and Esther. With that in mind, should this “backs to the wall” existence for the church and God’s people remain the same? While we are not offered a bed of roses and an easy life through Christ – He does offer us victory through it all and we are supposed to be salt and light no matter what. However, the church as a whole could not truly claim to be one that is “overcoming the world” and bringing significant solutions at this time.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 16:18 “I will build My church and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it.” Despite this profound promise from Jesus, if you look around the church globally, it would appear like the church is being defeated in many ways and certainly not prevailing over darkness. While there will always be pockets of success around the world that we can point to for the church, is this limited level of fruit and victory meant to be sustained? Are there many nations in the world that have been truly discipled, that we can confidently say they reflect Jesus? When we are honest about this, we will realize that the church has not fulfilled the mandate from Jesus to “Go and make disciples of all nations” – Matthew 28:19.

While these are sobering thoughts, they are necessary to make us realize how the church is falling short and how we desperately need Jesus and His power to bring the necessary changes and solutions. Truly the Body of Christ has come to one of the most significant cross-roads since it was birthed in Acts 2. We have some tough questions to answer as we enter this New Year. Will we continue at the same level of defeat as the enemy continues to prevail and limit our impact in our respective nations? Will society continue to dismiss the church as irrelevant and without an influential voice or significant solutions to todays problems? Or will we finally see the church fulfil the Isaiah 60 mandate to “Arise and Shine in the midst of darkness”.

The current global situation is similar to the time of Joseph, where there was a global famine and hardship for the world. Joseph was raised and specially prepared to be the Godly solution in that time of global chaos. Indeed, many have stated that a global famine is already here due to the financial impact of the pandemic and it is hard to argue against that. We need not fear as God has prepared His modern day Joseph’s and Esther’s to be a solution and to rise and shine in the midst of darkness. In this historic moment, we too need to see with the eyes of faith that “We Have been called to the Kingdom for such a time as this.” – Esther 4:14

So how do we respond in this gross darkness and global chaos? Do we run to the battle like David ran to defeat Goliath or do we magnify the giants of our day, with fearful perceptions and consequently forfeit our Promised Land like the 10 Spies and whole nation of Israel did? Every believer has that choice to make and God is checking and weighing the hearts of people to see who is ready and willing. This scripture illustrates how God knows those who have a heart for the Kingdom battle. Judges 7:3 “The Lord said all who are fearful can leave the battle at the mountain – 22,000 went home.” God has always given us a choice ever since the Garden of Eden.

Sadly some people are choosing to stay home spiritually, rather than rise up to be and do what God has called them to in this hour. 22,000 were removed from the army of Israel purely because of fear, so we can be sure God is watching our hearts right now to see who will be bold and courageous in this astonishing moment in history. As the saying goes “Great Rewards, require Great Risk.” Like the time of Joseph, God always has answers and solutions and He brings them through people. He is looking for those ready to rise up and demonstrate His Kingdom wisdom and power in this great moment of history.

God is looking for history makers and these are not just the David’s or Joseph’s. All of us are called to be part of God’s End-Time plans no matter how big or small a role we think we have. The prayer warrior who intercedes in secret is just as important as the Pastor who preaches on a Sunday or Christian Politician who stands for righteousness. We are all important parts of the Body of Christ. For every battle fought in history it was not just those who flew fighter jets, drove tanks or fought on the front lines that were part of the victory. Those who sit and plan logistics, supplies and catering all had a part to play. How many wars would have been won if no one was assigned to the supposed small task of providing food and water? So no matter how we see ourselves, the key is to realize we all have a part to play and receive His grace to fulfil that role and purpose.

THE RETURN OF THE LORD – BRINGING BALANCE FOR BELIEVERS

Part of what we are called to do is to help believers understand the times we are living in. In this particular time, there is some clamour about the return of the Lord, so it is important to address this in order to help believers remain focused on Kingdom priorities for this season. It is at the point with some that they are ready to set dates, which believers should know is completely unbiblical. It is true that we are in the Last Days, that is clear when we look at the signs that have been fulfilled and the current state of the world. However, it is important to have balance, as some are beginning to have the mentality that it is imminent. The problem with this thinking is it leads believers to ineffective escapism mentalities and behaviours. People become obsessed with escaping, instead of with Jesus, their calling and the Gospel.

Believers often quote the signs in Matthew 24. However, they often miss what Jesus said after He describes several of the well known ones. Matthew 24:6 “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.” Jesus tells us that despite all these signs, the end is not yet. They are like birth pains and more initial signs rather than evidence of His imminent return, which is how most have seen these signs. In addition, there is one huge sign that must be fulfilled first, that many overlook, that will take years to see fulfilled in the earth: “This Gospel of the Kingdom must be preached as a witness to all nations THEN the End will come” – Matthew 24:14. The church has not effectively done this on a global scale. Please note that this scripture does not say “Gospel of Salvation”, this has been preached throughout the earth. It is well established now that there are very few regions in the world that have not been reached by the Gospel. However, there is a huge difference between that and the “Gospel of the Kingdom”. Jesus tells us clearly that there is a sequence of events – “THEN the End will come.” That’s AFTER the Gospel of the Kingdom has been preached worldwide which has not happened on a global scale.

Also it is important to remember what Jesus said in Matthew 13:39 “The Harvest is the End of the Age”. There is a global harvest still to come in and mighty revival of souls entering the kingdom. This has not happened yet either, so the Lord’s return is not here yet. The Lord is patient and kind and does not want billions to go to Hell and plus His word is clear about this, so it is key we align our thinking with His word and purposes for this time we are in. When we do that, this is when we can flow with the Holy Spirit’s purpose for our lives and not be distracted.

Believers may not be hiding in a physical cave till the Lord returns – however, the Lord revealed many believers are hiding in the cave of their own minds and wrong perspectives. This is just as damaging and has the same effect of rendering believers ineffective. If a professed believer sits in a cave and does not preach the Gospel or seek God for their purpose, it has the same affect as a believer who remains in society but due to wrong mind-sets they also do not preach the Gospel, know their purpose or make any significant impact for the kingdom. Therefore, it is vital believers prepare themselves to rise up and be a witness in our time, whatever is happening in the world.

In the time of the birthing of the church, this is what the world would say when believers were present: Acts 17:6 “These men who have turned the world upside down have now come here!” That is the level of impact and influence we are supposed to have – literally turning the world and its systems upside down. Instead, the world is currently turning the church upside down with compromise and sin, which is leading to a form of godliness without the power. If the likes of Moses and Elijah were alive today, would it be possible for the world to ignore them and not notice the mighty power of God in them. If the Lord was to return now, most of the world would not even notice our departure. That is the harsh and shocking reality we all have to digest, if we ever want to be stirred enough to make a difference.

There will be a significant number of nations around the world that will reflect Jesus, as the Gospel of the Kingdom takes effect and believers turn nations “upside down”. The alternative is to believe Jesus gave us an empty or impossible command to disciple nations that will not be fulfilled before He returns. Until we hear such Acts 17:6 statements and nations are transformed around the world, the church has not fulfilled the mandate to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom and the End will not come. That is just basic scripture interpretation and does not require deep revelation or prophecy, as Jesus made the sequence of events crystal clear, so we either believe Jesus or we hold unto flawed End-Time theology.

Many have taken their eye of the ball due to what is happening in the world today. Therefore, many do not want to hear this truth as it puts the responsibility back on us and the church to rise up. Instead people look for teachings to confirm the “escapism” mentality and behaviour that many have adopted over the past few years. Before any believer thinks about escaping, first answer the simple question – do you know the purpose God created you for? Many are seeking a quick exit when they do not even know why God put them here in the first place. The bible is very clear that those believers will receive no reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ, but will be saved. So before we seek to exit the earth in a hurry, especially because we do not like the state of the world – let us first focus on occupying in our purpose like Jesus told us. This will cause us to be the light and the salt that brings God’s presence and solutions to earth and improve things in the time we have left.

It is not a time to passively watch the news and comment on world events, only to tick off more end time signs, while there is a dying world going to Hell. This is a time to rise up in prayer and action, to seek the Lord for our active roles as part of His powerful End-Time army that will bring in an unprecedented harvest of souls. That is what Occupying Till He comes looks like and many are not doing that and are rather being distracted. Our eyes must be on the Great Commission, not the Great Escape – which many believers are becoming overly focussed on at this time. If our focus is on such things, we will be like those described in the Parable of the Talents who took their one talent and hid it. These are those who did not focus on “Occupying Till He Comes” and did nothing with what God gave them and rather focused on the exit door instead of souls and using our talents for Him. Jesus sternly rebuked that servant. May none of us be found like that – distracted and unprofitable servants and readjust our focus as required.

A GENERATION WITHOUT THE POWER & PRESENCE OF GOD

Scripture tells us that a generation will arise in the Last Days that would be without the power and real presence of God. They will only have the form or appearance of godliness. This cannot be describing unbelievers as they do not have a form of godliness with the option of power. This is talking about a Last Days generation of so called “believers” who will claim to be godly, but it is only an appearance and has no evidence of the power of God. 2 Timothy 3:5 “They will have a form of godliness but deny the power. Turn away from these people.”

By the lifestyle, wrong beliefs and lack of spiritual hunger of this group of people, they only appear godly. They may go to church, call themselves Christians and even read the bible – but in the eyes of the Lord it is only a form of godliness. They have no real relationship with God and no power evident as they have denied it. Scripture even tells us to turn away from them, which is serious and because they will impact us with their unbelief, religion and refusal to embrace God’s power. The Sons of Sceva attempted to demonstrate the power of God to deliver a demon possessed man, but could not as they had no relationship with God – Acts 19:14. They had the form of godliness, but no power as this must come from a genuine relationship with God. A genuine relationship with God will be one that believes the word of God that the power of God is necessary. Mark 7:13 “You make the word of God ineffective through your traditions. And you do many things like this.” Jesus said this to the religious people of His time. Today there are many within Christendom that hold unto traditions and religious practices and consequently reject the power of God.

The power of God is absolutely necessary to reach this generation. If we think that the world is not drawn to signs and wonders and demonstrations of power, then we have missed much of what is happening in our generation. This is a generation that seeks the supernatural – whether good or bad. More and more demonic films, horror programmes, videos, games and practices are out there because there is a huge demand for it. Even believers are so hungry for the supernatural they will expose themselves to darkness just to experience it. Believers consult mediums, horoscopes, fortune tellers and all sorts of demonic things because we are all born with the desire for the supernatural as we are spirits made in the image of God. So if any believer thinks we will reach this generation with only talking and words, that is not only unbiblical but will fail completely. Scripture tells us plainly: 1 Corinthians 4:20 “The Kingdom of God is not about talking but about the power.” The time of only talking for the church has come to an end, for those who want to truly reach this generation.

We have a generation of people today who have never experienced the real presence of God or the power of God, this is both believers and unbelievers. So as described earlier, they end up being drawn to the demonic side of the supernatural. This sad situation has happened before; Judges 2:10 “After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the LORD or remember the mighty things He had done for Israel.” We have a generation now who are similar to this group described in Judges who have forgotten the mighty God of power we serve. This has to be our cry now: Habakkuk 3:2 “I have heard all about You, LORD. I am filled with awe by Your amazing works. In this time of our deep need, help us again as You did in years gone by. And in your anger, remember your mercy.”

THE NECESSITY FOR THE CHURCH TO RISE IN THE POWER OF GOD

So what is the solution? The Gospel of the Kingdom is the solution for the world. Matthew 24:14 “This Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony and witness to all nations, and then the end will come.” It is now time for the Gospel of the Kingdom to be proclaimed everywhere by believers. This is different from the Gospel of Salvation which only focuses on salvation of the soul. The Gospel of the Kingdom is much broader than that. It includes the command from Jesus to “Go and make disciples of nations” – not just individuals. This is done by seeking to see God’s Presence, Christ’s character and Kingdom principles established in every sphere of society.

Crucially it also focuses on the demonstration of the power of God – with signs and wonders following the preaching of the Gospel. This is the focus of this word and if we do not think this is important it is key to look at what the disciples prayed: Acts 4:30 “Lord stretch out Your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the Name of Your Holy Servant Jesus”. The disciples prayed for signs and wonders and boldness to help them preach effectively – if they needed that – can any believer today claim to be in a stronger position than them and therefore not need this? Surely that is the definition of pride.

Acts 10:38 “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power,” We know scripture says we are called to be like Jesus. How can we be like Jesus if we too are not filled with the Holy Spirit and power? If Jesus needed to be filled with the Holy Spirit and power, how can any believer think they do not need the same? This is why the power of God is absolutely essential for our Christian life. Not just to live holy and deepen our relationship with God, but to actually fulfil our calling and do the works of power God has called us to do.

We are coming into a season that we must demonstrate the power of God, as the faith of unbelievers must rest on the power of God, not our best debates or discussions. 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.” This generation will be won by seeing the demonstration of the power of the Spirit. This is the Gospel of the Kingdom – it is backed up by the demonstration of God’s power. Words alone have never been the complete Gospel and this generation will demonstrate this.

There is a place for apologetics, but without the power, lives are not permanently changed and signs are not given the space to confirm the truth of what we have been passionately claiming through hours of theological debates. Indeed, some who have went to Bible College have ended up backsliding and staunch atheists because without encountering the power and presence of God their faith does not endure. Why debate the reality of God for hours with colleagues when we can speak a word of knowledge and release the healing power of God that silences the naysayers and colleagues ask you how they can be saved.

DEMONSTRATING THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM – JESUS IS OUR EXAMPLE

God is going to display His power through His people like we have never seen before. Jesus promises us in John 14:12 “Greater works will you do.” These are the words of Jesus and therefore must come to pass. We are now entering the season of these greater works and demonstrations of power that the unbelieving world will not be able to deny and countless will flood into the kingdom of God.

Matthew 9:35 “And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom and demonstrating it by healing every disease and every affliction.” Jesus shows us the template for 2022 and this is the verse believers want to meditate on and prepare their hearts to follow. He both preached the Gospel and demonstrated it with powerful signs of healing and deliverance – that is the Gospel of the Kingdom in a nutshell. Jesus did not just talk about opening blind eyes – He opened them. He did not just talk about resurrection – He raised the dead. He did not just talk about delivering the captives – He cast out demons everywhere He went. He did not just talk about having authority over the weather and elements – He walked on water and calmed the storm. It is not enough to talk about it, we must be ready to demonstrate God’s power with the evidence of signs following. We must accept and embrace this if we want to be part of a mighty move of God in 2022.

God will not be contained within our paradigms, mindsets, expectations, church doctrines or religious limitations. God is about to show us He moves as He pleases and this will prove how little we actually know of God despite our best efforts. To help believers get an idea of what is ahead and the demonstration of Gods kingdom that will be seen in these next few years, here are some examples. The Lord may choose to turn malaria filled water in Africa to clean drinking water, make a donkey speak in the middle east, a child walk on water in China, a man empty a hospital in the UK, a tonne of gold appear in a whales belly, a teenager make a tornado disappear in US, a man travel from Australia to the US and back in same day without using standard transport and a woman resurrect someone in a different continent via a phonecall. These are just examples of the possible off the grid miracles, signs and wonders that could happen. Prepare your heart as people will claim it is “New Age” – it is not new age it is simply a New Era of demonstrating the Kingdom of God on earth.

When you begin to hear of such signs and wonders and numerous nations around the world being dramatically transformed to reflect Gods Kingdom, then get excited. Nations will change their very laws, build kingdom structures, change education systems, their media will openly discuss Christ, their crime rates and depravity will reduce. It will be a revival not just of the people but the systems and spheres of the nations. They will experience signs and wonders where the very weather patterns change as creation responds to the manifestation of the sons of God in that nation. If we think that is impossible then we have no idea about the magnitude of our God and the greater works that no eye has seen. A level of Gods glory has been reserved for this generation that is about to shock the world. It looks like the enemy has the upper hand with the current state of the world – but our God never let’s the devil triumph, so prepare yourself for the greatest display of Gods power we have ever seen that will make the parting of the Red Sea look normal! Psalm 110:3 “Your people will be willing in the Day of Your Power.” The Day of His Power has come – are you willing and ready?

IS THE POWER OF GOD EVIDENT IN AND THROUGH YOUR LIFE?

Mark 16:17-18 – ^“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My Name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Signs and wonders are meant to be part of our witness. Believers need to ask the question – are signs following my life as a witness? This is not to bring condemnation because the reality is only a small percentage walk like this. However, it should stir our hearts to seek God for why we are not seeing these signs that will point people to Jesus. When we ask the hard questions and seek God, He will empower us to be a powerful witness in this season.

Mark 16:20 “Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed His word by the signs that accompanied it.” The Lord wants to confirm the words you speak and preach with signs to confirm and validate it. We should want to know that the power of God backs us as we follow His instruction to preach the Gospel and see tangible changes and salvation. We have to check our hearts over this. Those who are stirred up to say enough is enough and ask the hard questions like Elisha at the parting of the river in 2 Kings 2:14: “Where is the God of Elijah?” – then a miracle occurred. He was not satisfied and placed a demand by using his faith. Do we honestly think Elijah would spend hours and weeks debating God’s reality and power with the people of our day – or would he continue to supernaturally point people to God with undeniable signs and wonders?

The Lord is looking for willing warriors to advance His Kingdom with no fear of the modern day giants. The Lord is examining hearts as they read this. Scripture says He has some vessels for common use or honourable use. If you do not want to be of common use and to do great exploits and receive a great reward in Heaven – it is time to rise up and seek to move in the power of God. None of the heroes of the faith achieved great things without the power of God at work. Are you happy to continue to pray for people and see little change? Family members share their issues and we say “I’ll pray for you” but nothing significant changes and our family continue in unbelief. Or you walk past the sick in the streets, wishing you had the faith to pray for them. If most believers are honest, they will admit this is the sad reality for them.

Of course we should all be able to share some testimonies of answered prayers and also signs & wonders, but is it regular and changing families, towns and regions. When we remember the Woman at the Well, a few words of knowledge from Jesus and the entire region was saved. Power encounters lead to testimonies, that lead to multiple salvations, sometimes whole families or cities. John 4:29 “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could He possibly be the Messiah?” However, what many believers experience, is the frustration of long and fruitless debates with no change to the person. It is not a nice feeling and a very different outcome to the power encounter the Woman had with Jesus.

I hope these scenarios stir a holy anger and dissatisfaction within you. Only then can we humbly go before God and ask how can all this change, so that you see the reality of Gods power changing everything around you on a daily basis. We must become fed up with powerless Christianity. Those who are happy to continue with a form of godliness and deny the power will not be used mightily in this new season. If this word does not stir a reaction and instead we are indifferent or lukewarm, we will be bypassed when the Lord chooses the remnant to display His power. If we do not think God will bypass those who are unwilling, it is key to remind ourselves that Esther was told her and her family would perish if she did not rise up at the set time – Esther 4:14. So the Lord will absolutely bypass the majority if they say no and use a tiny remnant to fulfil His purposes, just look at Gideon’s army being reduced from 32,000 to 300!

God is watching heart responses and some will qualify to become greater works Christians by a correct response, while some there may be work to do and miss out. If you are satisfied with a relatively powerless Christianity where you pray nothing happens, when you speak nothing changes, you doubt when a miracle is needed, then the Lord will let you continue in this as you reap what you sow. But if you are one of those who have been stirred and challenged to the point you say “God enough is enough I cannot continue in this powerless lifestyle” then get ready for 2022 – God will answer that response by using you in power. You will know when you pray God will back it up, when a prayer request arrives you will be certain a glorious testimony awaits, when the sick come they are healed. Does that sound more like the Christianity you desire? Then seek God for it and settle for nothing less till it happens and you can be certain to soon see a new supernatural norm in your life!

This is the year of the Gospel of the Kingdom, where God’s people begin to rise and shine and be like the Joseph’s and David’s – unafraid of the giants or the complexity of the global challenges and shortages. The question is – will you be one of those who rise up in power? It’s time to decide – form of godliness or the power, spectator or participator, unbelief or faith, talk or power, common use or vessel of honor – YOU DECIDE…

Author: Thomas Harry

Thomas Harry is the Senior Leader of Mount Zion International Tabernacle in Scotland, UK. MZIT (Formerly Falkirk Full Gospel Church) is an Apostolic Hub and Kingdom Worship Centre with a heart to equip the saints for the works of the kingdom and it has a strong calling towards community transformation. Thomas has been born again for over 20 years and has a heart to see believers rise into destiny and see nations transformed.

In previous years Thomas had roles in Pastoral, Teaching and Evangelism in various churches before leading FFGC and now MZIT. He is a kingdom connector and believes in the importance of working in unity to see the Kingdom of God advanced in the earth. Thomas and other kingdom minded believers share more teachings via MZIT’s Prophetic Perspective Bi-Monthly Newsletter available at the ministry website Mount Zion International Tabernacle.

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