Ⅲ
The work of the church is to bring in the kingdom of God; the church bears the responsibility of bringing the kingdom of God to the earth (Matt. 6:10; 12:22-29; Rev. 11:15; 12:10):
Ａ
The church was brought into being for the purpose of bringing in the kingdom (Matt. 16:18-19; 18:17-18; Rev. 1:6, 9; 11:15):
１
The church's responsibility is to perpetuate Christ's victory and to bring in God's kingdom (12:10; 11:15).
２
The work of the church on earth is to bring in the kingdom of God; all the work of the church is governed by the principle of the kingdom of God.
３
The church is responsible for bringing heaven's will down to earth and for carrying it out on earth (Matt. 6:10; 7:21; 12:50).
Ｂ
The church, which comes into being under the rule of heaven, by reason of her submission to the heavenly rule, deals with God's enemy (16:19; Eph. 6:10-18):
１
In order for the kingdom of the heavens to be established, there is the need of spiritual fighting (Matt. 12:22-29).
２
The responsibility of the church is to continue the warfare that Christ fought on earth; the church must continue the victorious work that Christ has carried out against Satan (Heb. 2:14; 1 John 3:8b; Col. 2:15; Psa. 149:5-9).
Morning Nourishment
Rev. 11:15 ...The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever.12:10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, Now has come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ, for the accuser of our brothers has been cast down, who accuses them before our God day and night.
The work of the church on earth is to bring in the kingdom of God. All the work of the church is governed by the principle of the kingdom of God. The saving of souls is under this principle, and so is the casting out of demons and all other works as well. Everything should be under the principle of God's kingdom. Why should we win souls? For the sake of the kingdom of God—not just because man needs salvation. We must stand on the position of the kingdom of God whenever we work, and we must apply the kingdom of God to deal with the power of Satan. (CWWN, vol. 34, “The Glorious Church,” p. 63)
Today's Reading
The Lord wants us to pray, “Our Father who is in the heavens, Your name be sanctified; Your kingdom come; Your will be done, as in heaven, so also on earth” (Matt. 6:9-10). If the coming of the kingdom of God was automatic, the Lord would never have taught us to pray in this way. But since the Lord asked us to pray in this way, He simply showed us that this is the work of the church. Yes, the church should preach the gospel, but much more, the church should pray to bring in the kingdom of God. Some people think that whether or not we pray, the kingdom of God will come automatically. But if we know God, we will never say this. The principle of God's work is to wait for His people to move. Then He will move.God needs man to cooperate with Him in His work. When God's people move, He will also move.
Even the birth of the Lord Jesus was the result of the cooperation of some of God's people with Him. In Jerusalem there were some who were continually looking for the consolation of Israel. This is why the Lord was born. Although the purpose of God is to bring in His kingdom, His part alone is not sufficient. He needs the church to work with Him. Through prayer, the church must release the power of the kingdom of God upon the earth. When the Lord comes, the kingdom of the world will become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ (Rev. 11:15).
Since the work of the church is to stand for God and not give any ground to Satan, what manner of living should we have to accomplish this task? All our sins and unrighteousness must be dealt with, our consecration to God must be thorough, our soul-life must be put to death, and our natural man must be abandoned. The ability of the flesh is absolutely useless in spiritual warfare. “I” cannot resist Satan. “I” must go! Whenever “I” goes out, the Lord Jesus will come in. Whenever “I” enters, there is failure. Whenever the Lord comes in, there is victory. Satan recognizes only one person—the Lord Jesus. We cannot resist Satan. The fiery darts of Satan can penetrate our flesh, but, praise God, we can put on Christ who has won the victory. (CWWN, vol. 34, “The Glorious Church,” pp. 63-64)
The cross of Christ produced the church, and the church brings in the kingdom. Hence, the church stands between the cross and the kingdom. The present age is the time for the church to practically realize the victory of Christ. The Head has overcome; now the Body must also overcome. The Lord destroyed the devil on the cross and produced the church with resurrection life. Today God is establishing His kingdom on earth through His church. The church must continue the victorious work that Christ has carried out against Satan. It is responsible for bringing heaven's will down to earth and for carrying it out on earth. (CWWN, vol. 44, “God's Eternal Plan,” p. 778)
Further Reading: CWWN, vol. 34, “The Glorious Church,” ch. 3; CWWN, vol. 44, “God's Eternal Plan,” chs. 94-95