Copyright © 2013 by Tudor Bismark Ministries
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ISBN: 9781483524764
Introduction
What is a Kingdom
Every Kingdom Needs a Dream
Every Kingdom Needs a Pharaoh
Every Kingdom Needs an Interpreter
Every Kingdom Needs a Baker
Every Kingdom Needs a Butler
Every Kingdom Needs a Cup-Bearer
Every Kingdom Needs a Steward
Every Kingdom Needs Laborers
Every Kingdom Needs a Prison Warden
Every Kingdom Needs Advisers
Every Kingdom Needs Garment Makers
Every Kingdom Needs Protectors
Conclusion: The Greatest Kingdom
Since its creation, the world has been ruled by the rise and fall of kingdoms. Some of these kingdoms established governmental systems that have lasted centuries; even today, our world still has the remnants of these systems.
History records men like Alfred the Great, King of Wessex, who so improved his kingdom’s legal and military systems that the British monarchy is the best known monarchy in the modern world. The current monarchy still preserves the same traditions, systems and symbolism of previous monarchs. We remember Napoleon Bonaparte—the French general, whose legal reform has been a major influence in many civil law jurisdictions world-wide today. We also cannot ignore the influence of the Kingdom of Rome which undoubtedly was one of the greatest influences on civilization and the structure of governments.
The Bible also records significant kings and kingdoms. The first form of systematic government or kingdom recorded in the Bible occurred when, Cain, the brother of Abel, “began to build a city and named it after his son Enoch.” (Genesis 4:17). The word “city” in this Scripture, in the original Hebrew, means a place guarded by waking or a watch. This tells us that the city of Enoch had a formalized military system of ranks and watches. Then the Bible tells of Nimrod, son of Cush, who built a great kingdom, centered around the Babylonian cities of Babylon, Uruk, Akkad, and Kalneh. The Bible goes on to say, “Nimrod then went north to Assyria and built Nineveh, Rehoboth-ir, and Calah, along with Resen, which was located between Nineveh and the great city of Calah” (Genesis 10:10). The ruins of Calah today can be found in modern day Iraq, southeast Mosul. This kingdom was built so strategically with great military force and wealth that evidence of its great wealth has been found over the last 100 years; archeologists have unearthed gold, sculptures and artifacts worth millions of dollars from this ancient city. This kingdom was not broke!
The Bible gives the account of various kingdoms that have reigned in the earth, from the kingdoms of Edom to the Davidic kingdom to the kingdom of Babylon. The point is that all the aforementioned kingdoms from the Bible and records of history are powerful and dominant entities that significantly impacted society, both past and present. These kingdoms influenced how and where people lived, ate, fought, worked, prayed, and generally dictated the lifestyle of millions of people; and their imprint on modern society is clearly apparent in all of these areas today.
Why do some kingdoms last centuries and some only last a few years?
What made these kingdoms great? Why do some kingdoms last centuries and some only last a few years? How is it that the British monarchy exists today, while the Roman Empire died a slow death on the slopes of Rome thousands of years ago? What is the ingredient for a successful kingdom? Kingdoms are similar to cakes in one regard. For instance, every cake needs different ingredients to make it a great cake. If one ingredient is missing, the cake is not so great. Every kingdom, like a cake, needs special ingredients to make it great. If one ingredient is missing, the kingdom will not be successful. .
In today’s society, when we think of the word kingdom, we think of majestic castles, beautiful princesses and dashing young princes. Many of us were born in a democracy, not a kingdom, so we are naturally challenged in our understanding of kingdom structure and operations. In a world where we elect our leaders democratically, the kingdom concept is alien to us.
A kingdom reflects the characteristics of its king.
By definition a kingdom is a state or government having a king or queen as its head. A kingdom is the king’s domain. It is the territory in which he has governing influence, in which his will, his purpose and intent are law and are binding. This produces a citizenry of people who express his culture and reflect his nature. A kingdom reflects the characteristics of its king.
Every kingdom has a king and that king owns everything, including the people themselves. In a kingdom, the people are called citizens or subjects. Subjects are under the domain and rule of the king and serve at the king’s pleasure. Every subject has a job or purpose to fulfill, and that role is to benefit the king and kingdom as a whole.
In the introduction, I mentioned earthly kingdoms that have ruled and are ruling on earth. As human beings, we are also under the influence of spiritual kingdoms: the kingdom of darkness, ruled by Satan and his demons, and the Kingdom of Heaven, ruled by the Lord Jesus Christ. As Christians, we are subjects of the King of kings in the Kingdom of Heaven. Luke 11:2 says, “Our Father, who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy Name, Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” Christ wills that His Kingdom should come to us here on earth and, ultimately, that “kingdoms of this world should become the Kingdom of our Lord” (Revelation 11:15). Christ desires that the culture of heaven should be the culture of earth.
As subjects of the Kingdom of Heaven, we have roles and responsibilities to fulfill in His kingdom. In essence we are to preach the gospel and disciple all nations. Today, Christianity is one of the largest religions in the world largely because Christians have been good subjects of His Kingdom and fulfilled His desires. However, the Bible also describes us in Revelation 1:6 as “kings” and, according to 1 Peter 2:9, “we are a royal priesthood.” If you and I are kings, then it stands that we must have a kingdom; otherwise, what are we ruling? God has given us kingdoms/domains to reign over.
If you and I are kings, then we must have a kingdom
These kingdoms may be your family or your business, or your ministry. For example, as husband and father, I am king of my family. My adult boys might not agree—but I am king. My wife and children are my subjects in this kingdom; they reflect my characteristics and culture. God has given me my family as my domain. As founder and leader of Jabula, I am king over it too. God called me and placed me as the set man in this ministry. He has given me this domain. The congregants are my subjects; they reflect my characteristics and culture. As a business owner, your business is your kingdom; your employees are your subjects. They must reflect your characteristics and culture, or they will not continue to be a part of the business. It is a domain God has given you.
Many Christians are good subjects and citizens but are appalling kings. An appalling king will have an appalling kingdom. This book will teach you how to be a great king and, hence, have a great kingdom. I will explore with you twelve key ingredients that I believe every kingdom needs to be great. And as we begin talking about what every kingdom needs, remember you are a king, and you have a kingdom! Whether you believe it or not, this is a biblical fact, and the greatness of your kingdom is entirely up to you.
We are extracting our kingdom lessons from the Kingdom of Egypt during the time that Joseph, the son of Jacob, was second in rank in the kingdom after Pharaoh, king of Egypt. Through the lives of Pharaoh and Joseph, we learn important lessons about the functionality and protocol of kingdom living.
Genesis tells that Joseph was the eleventh of Jacob’s twelve sons and Rachel’s firstborn. Joseph was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, yet rose to become the most powerful man in Egypt next to Pharaoh. By all biblical and historical accounts, this particular Pharaoh was a successful king. His nation prospered under his rule. He was successful because he surrounded himself with skilled and successful people. He had cup-bearers, chief bakers, priests, and wise men who served at his pleasure. He recognized excellence and was quick to join himself to those who were highly skilled, so he added Joseph to his team. The fact is that highly skilled people solve problems. When you have problem solvers in your team, you will grow.
In a kingdom, a king needs his subjects, and the subjects need the king
Pharaoh needed the skills and wisdom of his subjects, and his subjects needed Pharaoh’s protection and covering. In a kingdom, a king needs his subjects, and the subjects need the king. That is why Jesus says, “…without me, you can do nothing. Abide in me, and I will abide in you” (John 15:4). When we are in Christ, and Christ is in us, our lives are extremely fruitful. Pharaoh understood this principle; so he attached himself to skilled individuals.
It is sad today to see leaders of churches and businesses fail to identify the gifts and talents in their ‘subjects’. In fact some leaders abuse their subjects by exploiting their service to the organization. I have seen many promising businesses die because leaders are more concerned about what their bank statements read than about the welfare of the subjects who make them that money. World markets are in trouble today because leaders demand profit-maximization at any cost—even at the expense of employees and surrounding communities.