Part 2.1 - .. Most High Rules Over All
The Most High Rules Over All God’s Universal Kingdom
Since God is the Creator, the entire universe lies under His Sovereign control and rule. In other words, it is His Kingdom-the Kingdom of God. The Greek word for kingdom is basileia, which means "reign," "rule" or "sovereignty, royal power, dominion." Thus, kingdom refers to the rule or reign over a realm. God’s realm is His entire creation. God alone rules and reigns over His creation. There is no one higher than God and no one who rules beyond God. He is the Sovereign. For You, LORD, are most high above all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods (Psalms 97:9NKJ). All power and dominion belong to God alone. God rules over all and absolutely nothing happens in His creation apart from His Sovereign rule. There is no place in this vast universe that is outside of His realm. He sees all that is going on in His universe and He is Sovereign over all that is going on. Most importantly, He is working all things in His universe according to His Divine purpose and plan. All things are worked after the counsel of His will (Ephesians 1:11). For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him {be} the glory forever. Amen (Romans 11:36).
David declared: The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His sovereignty (kingdom) rules over all (Psalms 103:19). A throne is the seat of authority. It is the place from which the rule comes forth. In the Hebrew language, throne conveys the thought of a canopy or a covering, implying protection. Thus, from the throne comes the rule over a realm and it is this rule that provides protection to the realm over which it presides.
God alone is the One who rules over the universe in which our earth is located. It is His throne, His realm, His Kingdom; and His throne is the canopy or protection over His entire realm. In other words, all rule comes from His throne which is in heaven.
Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty; for all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and You are exalted as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. (1 Chronicles 29:11-12NKJ)
"O LORD, the God of our fathers, art Thou not God in the heavens? And art Thou not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Thy hand so that no one can stand against Thee." (2 Chronicles 20:6)
We must be clear that in God’s creation there really is only one kingdom. So that we maintain a clear perspective, let us call it God’s Universal Kingdom. This is not an attempt to introduce another term, one that is not in the Bible, but rather it is an attempt to define what the Kingdom of God is in its purest, highest sense. Technically, the phrase the Kingdom of God generally is used throughout Scripture in a more restrictive manner, referring to this earth and not the entire universe. This is taken up in the next chapter. However, as we begin to look at this whole matter of the Word of the Kingdom and the Reign of the Heavens, we need to start at the highest, most inclusive place we can. The highest place is represented by the Universal Kingdom of God.
Within God’s Universal Kingdom, there most likely are kingdoms ruled by rulers (angels) appointed by God. These are kingdoms within God’s Universal Kingdom, which could be called provinces or places of dominion. It is very similar to what we see in countries throughout the world. Most countries are divided in some manner, whether the division is called a province, state, region or some other designation. In each division, there are authorities who report to higher authorities in the country. God’s Universal Kingdom most likely is divided in a similar fashion, and the earth is within one of these divisions or provinces. Actually, God the Son is the one who created all authority so it only makes sense that what we see on earth today, although it has been corrupted by Satan and by the fall of man, is in some measure a reflection of God’s creative genius. Speaking of the Son, the Word tells us: For by Him all things were created, {both} in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things have been created by Him and for Him (Colossians 1:16).
Now, all of this might seem to be very obvious because God is God. Who is higher than God? Who is beyond God? No one is, for God alone is the beginning and end of all things. He is the Eternal of all things!
He is the God of this universe in which earth is suspended and He is the God of the history of the universe. Nothing happens apart from our God. He is supreme and He is central in His universe. It is His Kingdom that rules over all, for the Most High rules and His rule is absolute.
Once we are clear on these basic but essential facts, it is instructive for us to have a further understanding of how God rules, at least to the degree of understanding that we are given in His Word. Who can fathom the mind of God? At best we only see in part. How great are Thy works, O LORD! Thy thoughts are very deep (Psalms 92:5). In All Places Of His Dominion
Sometimes we might wonder if the planet on which we live is the only place in God’s vast universe that has created beings in residence. If earth is the only inhabited place, then the extent of God’s actual rule is restricted to one minuscule planet floating in an immensely huge universe. Earth is so small that it does not even measure up to one speck of dust. Is earth all there is? Probably not.
David declared: "Bless the Lord, all His works, in all places of His dominion" (Psalms 103:22NKJ). Considering the dimensions of the universe, God must have countless places of His dominion. Although man has long studied the universe and through recent advances in technology has scanned the vastness of the universe, he still does not know the full dimensions of God’s creation. Consider what we do know-Our earth is located in a galaxy with a medium-size star as our sun. Within our galaxy are estimated to be two hundred billion other stars. It is one hundred light years across our galaxy. Our galaxy is only one of billions of other galaxies in the universe. The nearest galaxy to ours is estimated to be up to two and one-half million light years away. Thus, the size of the universe is beyond man’s comprehension. We just can not fathom the dimensions of what God has created.
How many places of His dominion are there? We do not know and we are not told. We have not been given much information beyond our own earth; therefore, we should not speculate over what we have not been given. In fact, it is essential to understand that the Bible focuses almost exclusively on what God has been doing and continues to do in reference to the earth on which we live. The Bible does not deal with anything beyond our earth except in a very limited way. Further, God’s interest is focused entirely on one object on earth and that is His created being, man. The earth is man’s domain and all that God does in relation to this earth has to do with His work with man, the object of His love.
However, one of the oldest books of the Bible, Job, does give an indication that there are other inhabited places of His dominion in the universe.
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. And the LORD said to Satan, "From where do you come?" So Satan answered the LORD and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it." (Job 1:6-7NKJ)
God’s question to Satan, "From where do you come?" implies that the sons of God came from various places in the universe. We are not told from where the other sons came, but we are told that Satan came from walking the earth. From God’s question, "Have you considered My servant Job?" we know that Satan was observing man. What were the other sons of God doing that they had to report to God? We are not told, but if they were like Satan, they too were observing. But for what purpose? What were they charged to do that they had to appear before the throne of God? The answer may lie in the reason they are called sons of God.
God Rules Through Sons Who are sons of God and what does a son mean to God? Throughout the Scriptures, being a son of God always refers to one who is in a position to rule in God’s Kingdom, whether an angel or a man. Angels, created beings, are sons of God (Genesis 6:2; Genesis 6:4; Job 38:7). Adam was a son of God (Luke 3:38) who was created in the image of God to have dominion over the earth. If he had not fallen in sin, all of his race would have become sons of God in ruling over this earth. However, because of the fall, all of mankind born of Adam’s fallen race are not sons of God. Israel as a nation was brought forth as a special creation, a first-born son of God (Exodus 4:22) to be the head of all the nations through which God would rule as a theocracy (Deuteronomy 28:1; Deuteronomy 28:13). In the age to come, faithful Christians who walk by the Spirit in this age and walk worthy of the God who calls them into His own Kingdom and Glory (1 Thessalonians 2:12) will be placed (adopted) as sons (Galatians 4:5) in the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ (Revelation 11:15). Finally, and most important, God’s Son will take the scepter of the Kingdom of Heaven and rule over this earth for 1,000 years. In that day, God will bring many sons to glory to rule with His Son (Hebrews 2:10). So being a son of God must refer to one who has been given the right to rule in God’s Kingdom. The account of Job reveals an essential principle of God’s rule-He rules through sons, whether angels or men. Through Job, we are given a glimpse of the manner in which God rules over His Kingdom through His angels. There came another day when the sons of God had to appear before the throne of God, apparently to report on their activities in their assigned places in God’s Universal Kingdom.
Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD. And the LORD said to Satan, "From where do you come?" So Satan answered the LORD and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it." (Job 2:1-2NKJ)
They all appeared at the mount of the congregation [meeting place (Isaiah 14:13)]. Evidently, God summoned His ruling angels before His throne that is on the farthest sides of the north (Isaiah 14:13). Since the earth is the subject matter of the Bible, we must assume that the farthest sides (the uttermost parts) of the north must be north of the planet earth, probably outside the area of all other galaxies. God held counsels with His angels who were ruling in various parts of His universe-the places of His dominion. At these counsels, Satan presented himself, having come from the earth, the place of his ruling.
[We receive another glimpse of the council in one of the Psalms. For who in the skies is comparable to the LORD? Who among the sons of the mighty is like the LORD, a God greatly feared in the council of the holy ones, and awesome above all those who are around Him? (Psalms 89:6-7). The sons of the mighty and the holy ones are references to the angels.]
Thus, Satan is not alone in his place of ruling in God’s universe. Other sons of God probably rule in other places in this vast expanse of God’s creation. We are not told anything about the ruling of these other sons of God, but we are given a clear indication that our earth is not the only place of habitation in God’s Universal Kingdom. The earth is only one of probably countless places of His dominion, which are ruled by anointed angels appointed by God to rule under His sovereignty. However, to our knowledge, Satan and his angels stand alone as the only rebels amongst God’s ruling angels.
[In Ezekiel 28:14, we discover a probable reference to Satan before he fell in sin. He is called "the anointed cherub who covers." Since the word throne has the meaning of "a covering," this might imply that this anointed cherub had a throne in God’s Kingdom. In the Old Testament, all the kings were anointed to serve in this capacity. Thus, rulers can be seen as anointed ones. In the case of the ruling angels, we could call them messianic (anointed) angels. Of course, the Lord Jesus is the Christ, the Anointed One, the Messiah.]
Satan, the ruler of this world, the god of this age, is a ruler within God’s Kingdom, placed in that position by God; and he rules at the discretion of God and for the purpose of God. Satan is not outside the realm of God’s Universal Kingdom, nor is he merely some lost angel who is out to make trouble for God and man. He is a ruling angel and that makes his actions all the more serious in God’s Kingdom. Although Satan is the adversary of God and of man, he continues to rule because God has allowed him to rule even to this day as God works out His eternal purpose and plan. Today, Satan is a disqualified ruler who rules over a fallen, defeated kingdom which is in ruin and chaos. He has a throne from which he rules over his domain of darkness (Revelation 2:13; Revelation 13:2). When Satan rebelled, one-third of the angels under his charge also rebelled with him (Revelation 12:4); therefore, his kingdom cannot operate as God intended it. Praise God, Satan will be dethroned very soon by the rightful heir of this earth, God’s Son, who will come and restore order to this earth.
Because God allows Satan to continue to rule does not mean that God approves of evil or that evil (darkness) is in God. Never! God is light and in Him is no darkness. However, God’s ways are higher than man’s ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). God operates by unchangeable principles in ruling His universe. As already stated, God uses Satan to bring about His purpose and plan. One example is Paul the apostle who was given abundant revelations from God. To keep Paul from exalting himself and creating a "ministry" centered on himself, God sent a messenger (an angel) of Satan to buffet Paul all his life (2 Corinthians 12:7). Paul asked for the messenger to be taken out of the way, but the Lord answered, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power (My power) is perfected in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). Thus, God used Satan to keep Paul from relying on himself. In Job’s life, we also see the same principle at work. In both cases, it is important to note that Satan was limited in what he could do and could not do. In Job’s case, God first told Satan he could not touch Job’s body, and then He gave him permission to touch his body but not to kill him (Job 1:12; Job 2:6). In the end, God received the glory from Job’s life. "I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear. But now my eye sees Thee; therefore I retract, and I repent in dust and ashes" (Job 42:5-6).
We must keep a proper perspective. Satan cannot work outside the will of God and not everything done on earth is from Satan’s hand. Let us not look for Satan under every rock, but let us be wise and alert.
It seems that God has set a principle that an incumbent ruler remains ruling until another ruler is brought forth to replace the incumbent. This can be seen in type through the story of King Saul and King David (1 Samuel 10:1; 1 Samuel 16:1; 1 Samuel 16:12-14; 1 Samuel 24:6; 1 Samuel 24:8; 1 Samuel 24:20; 1 Samuel 31:5-6; 2 Samuel 5:1-5). Both men were anointed kings at the same time, but David could not take the scepter of the kingdom until Saul was dead. Likewise, God’s Son will not take the scepter of the Kingdom of Heaven until Satan has been cast down and bound in the abyss for 1,000 years. A second principle is that the ruler continues to have access to the throne of God. As revealed in the book of Job, Satan, although disqualified to rule, appeared with other messianic (ruling) angels as an apparent equal amongst them. Even today, he continues to appear before the throne of God as the accuser of the brethren, day and night. Thank God, the day is coming when Satan will no longer have access to the throne and he will be cast down from his heavenly rule forever, never to accuse the brethren again (Revelation 12:10). The Heavens Do Rule And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule. (Daniel 4:26ASV)
God has another principle in ruling over His places of dominion-The heavens do rule. In other words, the rule over any place in God’s universe comes from the heavenly realm associated with that place of dominion. The heavens rule over God’s provinces such as earth. This is vital to our understanding of the spiritual battle Christians find themselves in today and to our understanding of the destiny of all Christians who overcome and are found worthy to be placed as rulers in the Kingdom of the Son in the coming age. The destiny of the many sons who will be brought to glory (Hebrews 2:10) is to rule over this earth in the heavenly places for 1,000 years. Another way of stating this destiny is that they will come into the Reign of the Heavens. Thus, the spiritual warfare in which Christians find themselves engaged is over who will rule over this earth-man, or Satan and his fallen angels. Because of Calvary, we know the conclusion of this warfare. Jesus Christ has secured the right to reign over this earth. His victory over sin and death has regained the right for man to rule as God intended when He first created man. The order of God’s rule in His universe flows from His throne in heaven (God’s sovereignty) and progresses to ruling angels placed over provinces or kingdoms (places of His dominion) in His Universal Kingdom. Within God’s Kingdom there seems to be a hierarchy of command amongst the angels. For example, when that day comes for Satan to be cast out of the heavenly places, it is recorded that Michael and his angels will battle and defeat Satan (the dragon) and his angels (Revelation 12:7). In the case of the earth, one of many provinces in God’s Kingdom, angels ruling over the earth have counterparts on the earth in man’s government. In other words, angels ruling from the heavenly places over this earth have some form of rule or authority (perhaps influence) over man’s rulers on earth. These ruling angels are under the charge of Satan who rules over this earth. The whole world (the world system and its government) lies in the power of the evil one (1 John 5:19). Today, the battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual {forces} of wickedness in the heavenly {places} (Ephesians 6:12). This is best seen in the story of Daniel as he mourned for three weeks after he had received a latter day message (whose appointed time was long) that would not be fulfilled for nearly 2,500 years from Daniel’s time. As Daniel’s mourning reached three full weeks, an angel appeared to him whose appearance left him frail and with no strength. As he was in a deep sleep with his face to the ground, Daniel was touched by the angel who spoke to him.
Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel; for from the first day that thou didst set thy heart to understand, and to humble thyself before thy God, thy words were heard: and I am come for thy words’ sake. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days; but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me: and I remained there with the kings of Persia. (Daniel 10:12-13ASV) In the book of Daniel, the prophetic Scriptures give us a glimpse into the heavenly realm or rule over this earth. A prince of the kingdom of Persia along with the kings of Persia (angels ruling over the kingdom of Persia) fought against Michael, a chief prince. The angel speaking to Daniel then spoke of another ruler who was about to come.
Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I am come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I go forth, lo, the prince of Greece shall come. But I will tell thee that which is inscribed in the writing of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me against these, but Michael your prince. (Daniel 10:20-21ASV)
There was a prince (ruling angel) of Greece. So in these few verses we discover that for all kingdoms (human government) on earth, there seems to be counterparts in the heavenly places that rule over these earthly governments. There are chief princes (Michael), princes and kings amongst the angels, and they are assigned places of ruling.
Obviously, we do not see these heavenly rulers and they do not appear on earth to direct men. The heavenly realm is a spiritual realm. However, in the unseen, spiritual realm (not seen by man) they are directing (influencing) the affairs of government upon the earth. Warning: This does not mean that we should worship angels, that we should seek after angels or that we can command angels. Man was made for a while a little lower than the angels (Hebrews 2:7), that is, lower in position and rank in God’s Kingdom. This will change when Jesus, who is crowned with glory and honor, takes the scepter of the Kingdom of Heaven, ascends the throne to rule over this earth with the many sons who will come to glory (Hebrews 2:6-10). Whoever is seated on the throne(s) in the heavenly places associated with this earth rules. Today, the angels rule; but in the day that is coming, the Kingdom Age, man will rule with Christ. The world or age to come will not be subject to angels but to man (Hebrews 2:5). The Most High Rules In The Kingdom Of Men
Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. (Romans 13:1)
Another principle that is essential to our understanding of God’s Kingdom and His sovereignty is that God alone sets all rulers in place, both heavenly and earthly. One compelling proof is seen when our Lord was in the custody of Pilate who sought to release Him.
Pilate therefore said to Him, "You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?" Jesus answered, "You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me up to you has {the} greater sin." (John 19:10-11)
Further, Paul the apostle wrote to the Romans reminding them that there is no authority except from God. In other words, no individual in a place of governmental authority in the heavens or on the earth holds a ruling position apart from the sovereign will of God. This may be difficult for us to understand; but whether the ruler believes in God or does not believe, is righteous or unrighteous, is good or evil, is just or unjust, that ruler exists because of God. If this were not true, then God would not truly be the Sovereign of His Kingdom. In fact, as mentioned earlier, the Word tells us that all authority, visible or invisible, heavenly or earthly, is created by God’s Son. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things have been created by Him and for Him. (Colossians 1:16) This principle of God’s rule is most clearly demonstrated in the story of Nebuchadnezzar. In the book of Daniel, King Nebuchadnezzar was given dreams and Daniel was called upon to interpret them because in him was the Spirit of the Holy God (Daniel 4:8). At the conclusion of the second dream, it is declared that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men. The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones; to the intent that the living may know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the lowest of men. (Daniel 4:17ASV)
Through this dream, Nebuchadnezzar was warned to break off his sins by being righteous and his iniquities by showing mercy to the poor (Daniel 4:27). If he did not turn from his ways, his kingdom would be cut off from him for a season until he realized that the heavens do rule. Instead of heeding the warning, the king glorified himself, giving himself honor. When he exalted himself above God (denying God’s rule over his kingdom), his kingdom departed from him. Seven times passed over him until he knew that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men. [Seven is God’s number of perfection. It is the perfect completion of that which is in view. In this case, it was the completion of Nebuchadnezzar’s chastisement.] When Nebuchadnezzar returned to his senses, he declared: And at the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored him that liveth for ever; for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom from generation to generation; and all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? (Daniel 4:34-35ASV). With this historical record, we discover that God rules. Whether a ruler, one who is in authority, is good or bad, righteous or unrighteous, a believer in God or not, it is God who places that one in authority. Absolutely no one is in authority except from God. God has complete sovereignty over who rules and who does not. Why? Because God alone is working out His purpose and plan. All that God does in relation to this earth and man points to one goal, and that is the coming Kingdom of the Son of His love (Colossians 1:13).
Although this earth is ruled by a fallen angel who seeks to devour Christians who are destined to take the rulership over this earth, God today rules in the kingdoms of men. God rules and overrules when it comes to the kingdoms of this earth. God is Sovereign in the affairs of His Kingdom. If He were not the ultimate authority over this earth, then the rule of Satan would unleash every form of evil and wickedness. Praise God that our God continues to rule in the kingdoms of men in spite of a rebel ruler of this world. This should encourage our hearts because God will not and cannot fail in bringing to conclusion that which is His purpose and plan. His Son shall take the scepter of the Kingdom of Heaven and rule over this earth (Psalms 45:6; Hebrews 1:8).
Let us not forget that Jesus Christ has been given all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). On the cross He disarmed principalities and powers (Colossians 2:15). He is the head of all principality and power (Colossians 2:10). God raised His Son from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come (Ephesians 1:20-21). Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Php 2:9-11). Hallelujah! We don’t see His authority fully manifested over this earth at this time except in His Church (the Church He is building, not what is seen in the world today which many Christians as well as the world call the "church"). But praise God, the day is coming soon when He shall rule with a rod of iron. In that day He will sit upon His own throne (Revelation 3:21) and the Most High will rule in person, no longer hidden from man’s view. God’s King is coming! For the kingdom is the LORD’S, and He rules over the nations. (Psalms 22:28)