Within the secular world order there are two kingdoms, concurrent in their present operation but totally different in nature and destiny.
The secular world is neutral. Here men work, eat, and play. Here the necessary activities of existence take place. None can escape this realm.
But spiritual forces work within the secular world and are not neutral. These form two totally diverse kingdoms. Satan captains one and administers it by his agents; the Son of God captains the other and administers it by his Spirit.
Until a man recognizes this difference between these two kingdoms and allows Christ to take charge of his life, there is only chaos, not peace, for him. Men and nations search futilely for the solution to their problems, not admitting that the only solution is Christ. The confusion of today’s world is the confusion of persons who have never accepted the one solution of life (and death): Jesus Christ and his atoning and reconciling work on the Cross.
I recently read of a symposium involving students from three universities. The observations of these young people were pitiful. The only convictions they shared were negative: they were against their parents, against the idea of moral or spiritual disciplines, and against the Church as such. They appeared ignorant of the meaning of life and displayed an agnostic irreverence for God and all things sacred.
An extreme illustration? Hardly. This new generation reflects the hypocrisy, sinfulness, and ignorance of parents who too often have sought material success or pleasure as the ultimate in life and given little thought to their own relationship to God. No man can be neutral to truth; he either accepts it or opposes it.
The kingdoms of God and Satan are not imaginary. God has revealed what they are and also their end. Man must face up to the situation and find out just where he stands.
A simple illustration may help to clarify our thinking. Recently I was on a plane about to depart from a large national airport. While the stewardess was checking the passengers’ tickets, she discovered that one who was ticketed for Buffalo was seated there on that plane—headed for Atlanta. No amount of arguing could have changed the fact that the passenger intended to go one way but was really going in the opposite direction.
Every person in this world is a member of Satan’s kingdom until he becomes a member of God’s kingdom. Philosophical arguments cannot change the situation. But we can thank God who has shown the difference between them and made clear the fact that anyone willing to change need not remain in the domain of Satan.
Satan’s kingdom is counterfeit. It is part of the dying world order. He incites his victims to follow the dictates of natural desire. He knows that the wages paid by sin is death—spiritual death and eternal separation from God. That is Satan’s desire for every man.
God’s kingdom, which is spiritual, consists of those who have changed their citizenship through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “You must be born again,” and made it clear that rebirth is a work of God by which one is translated from the kingdom of death to the kingdom of life.
The two kingdoms will always differ. Satan’s kingdom is one of spiritual darkness, frustration, and hopelessness. God’s kingdom is one of light, joy, and hope. Although its citizens are not spared the vicissitudes of life, they have grace to rise above them.
The Apostle Paul speaks of the grace and peace that come from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, “who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age …” (Gal. 1:4, RSV).
Deliverance from Satan’s kingdom is made by Christ, and life in God’s eternal kingdom is lived with Christ. Without his atoning death and resurrection, there could be no change. Through them, the way to freedom is open to “whosoever will.”
Men are members of either one kingdom or the other and are destined to go either to heaven or to hell. Jesus used these terms, not to frighten people, but to impress upon them the consequence of this choice. Paul states it in these terms: “For many … live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their God is the belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our commonwealth is in heaven, and from it we await a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will change our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power which enables him even to subject all things to himself” (Phil. 3:18–21).
Indication of the diametrically opposed kingdoms is seen in life’s contrasts: in the opposites of good and evil, of right and wrong, of hope and hopelessness, of peace and turmoil, of joy and sorrow, of meaning and meaninglessness in life.
Transition from one kingdom to the other is at the very heart of the gospel message. This change is supernatural, a work of the Spirit of God. The rule of the one who is the epitome of evil and hatred is exchanged for that of the One who acts righteously and in love, and whose concern is for our eternal welfare.
One’s warfare does not end when he accepts Christ. In fact, up to that time things are often ominously quiet; but the moment one receives Christ as Saviour and Lord, the true war begins. This is war with the “unseen power that controls this dark world, and spiritual agents from the very headquarters of evil” (Eph. 6:12, Phillips). But the protective armor and the sword of the Spirit are given, and victory is assured.
To fail to recognize the existence of spiritual warfare, of the two kingdoms, is to play directly into the hands of the enemy. But to recognize the situation for what it really is and take a stand on the side of God and his kingdom assures one of ultimate victory.
We live in a supposedly enlightened age; but until we recognize the role of Satan, until we make a decision for Christ and accept God’s plan and will for us, we are living in spiritual darkness.
The evidence is everywhere for us to see. The reasons are clearly stated in the Word of God. The doctrines of man’s need and hope are all part of the gospel message. If we continue in ignorance or reject God’s plan for deliverance, we have no one to blame but ourselves.
Man’s conflict began when he disobeyed God. The final outcome of the conflict was determined at Calvary.
Of which kingdom are you a citizen?
