Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,

 “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has forcefully advanced, and the strong take it by force.” Matthew 11:12 (MEV)

“The Law and the Prophets were preached until John. Since then the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.”   Luke 16:16 (MEV)

“God’s Law and the Prophets climaxed in John; Now it’s all kingdom of God — the glad news and compelling invitation to every man and woman.” Luke 16:16 (MSG)

Not knowing that from before the beginning (John 1:1-14), the mystery of God’s plan for the salvation of mankind involved the sacrifice of His only begotten Son (Hebrews 8:1-12 & 9:11-26 & 10:5-10), the status quo (i.e., high priest, Sadducees, Pharisees, Sanhedrin) thought the kingdom movement would be quelled when Jesus the Anointed One and His Anointing was crucified. However, even before The Passion, the Lord Jesus first commissioned the Apostles as laborers or workers of the harvest, particularly for the lost within Israel (Matthew 10:6-8 & 9:35-38). And again, upon the Resurrection and prior to the Ascension, the Lord Jesus first commissioned the Apostles who were imbued or endowed with power by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-39). Even now, all reborn by the blood of Jesus have received the promised gift of the Holy Spirit and that very same power of God (Galatians 3:14; John 14:17,26; Acts 1:8) to go into all the earth and preach the Good News/Gospel to the whole human race (Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-18; Luke 24:36-49; John 20:19-23). That is to say, not just for the original branch which is Israel; for all who believe and receive Christ Jesus as Savior and Lord are grafted in (Romans 10:9-13 & 11:5-25) because the mystery of Abba Father’s plan revealed in Christ Jesus included the fact that He was sent for all nations/nationalities (John 10:16 & 11:52). Even now, those reconciled unto God the Father are of the Kingdom of God; we are kingdom citizens whose purpose is to do the always good will of GOD Who is LOVE. The Lord Jesus said, “Then you see how every student well-trained in God’s kingdom is like the owner of a general store who can put his hands on anything you need, old or new, exactly when you need it.”  Matthew 13:52 (MSG) It remains the same in this latter rain as with the former rain, that no matter how many, be they titled and/or of the cloth, untitled and/or of the lay who allow for the work of the wicked one in speaking contrary to God’s Word, the Gospel won’t be stopped; for that which GOD speaks accomplishes everything for which it is sent, never to return void (Isaiah 55:11 & 45:23). Such is the effectiveness of His mighty power by the Holy Spirit through us who yield as willing vessels; such is the Hand of the Sovereign Lord God Almighty – Creator of Heaven and earth, our Abba Father by the finished work of Jesus the Anointed One and His Anointing.

Speak the promise . . . Harriet