Summer 1996
The Keys of the Kingdom
Wade E Taylor

"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:
but this one thing I do, FORGETTING those things
which are behind, and REACHING FORTH unto those
things which are before, I press toward the mark
for the prize of the high calling of God in
Christ Jesus" Phil 3:13-14.

Paul is expressing two diverse attitudes which affect his spiritual walk with the Lord. The first is "forgetting," and the second, "reaching forth." Each of these are of tremendous importance to those desiring to spiritually go further.

Paul said he has forgotten "those things which are behind." This includes his standing over the cloaks of those who stoned Stephen. Also, there was much in Paul's life that might be counted as being of great value, which he also set aside, "Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the Church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless" Phil 3:5-6.

Rather, he is "reaching forth." That is, there was something specific that Paul had in mind - "I press toward the mark for the prize ..." Phil 3:14. There is something to be gained which is of far greater value than those things he has given up.

Paul sees a "present reality" that is attainable. Some might say this is "Heaven." This that Paul is seeing certainly includes heaven, but it is much more than that. There was before him (and us), that which is available to us as a present spiritual possession.

There is another goal which some Christians express; they have a certain amount of motivation through which they reflect a Christian life and witness to salvation. Beyond this, their hope is heaven. As these, we can be content to rest in our "judicial" position in Christ, in all that was fully accomplished in our behalf on the cross, and seek no further change. Or, we can become a futurist, and look toward all that will take place when the Lord returns, and again seek no further spiritual growth.

But there is something more. The Lord is raising up those who see a present reality of spiritual purpose and function. It is true that we are saved to demonstrate our salvation, and we are to look for His return, but there is far more. There is a present purpose for each of us who know the Lord, and have unconditionally submitted our lives to Him.

It is this present reality that Paul sought to be resurrected into, that he might press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

"If by any means I might attain unto the
resurrection of the dead" Phil 3:11.

Paul is not expressing a concern about his salvation, but rather, he is seeking a present out-resurrection from among the living dead, into something far better. He is seeking to be lifted into the present expression and work of the Kingdom.

"The eyes of your understanding being
enlightened; that ye may know what is
the hope of His calling" Eph 1:18a.

There is an experiential "knowing" this hope of His calling, wherein it becomes a part of our present spiritual experience.

There are three groups of Christians listed in Scripture that relate to our present spiritual experience. We can be found within one of these.

"And unto the angel of the Church in Sardis,
write ... I know thy works, that thou hast
a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be
watchful, and strengthen the things which
remain" Rev 3:1-2a.

These are satisfied and resting in the completed work which was accomplished for them by Jesus upon the cross, but they have not submitted their lives to the power of redemption, and are still spiritual babies.

Jesus said, "The Kingdom is at hand." We are to rejoice in the finished work of Calvary, but there is something more, a present attainment which is yet to be accomplished. But all too many Christians are satisfied to rest in positional truth, or in a future hope.

There is a second group.

"Because thou sayest ..." Rev 3:17a.

There is a vast difference between saying, and possessing. When Jesus ministered, men marvelled and said,

"Never man spake like this man" John 7:46

"For he taught them as one having authority,
and not as the scribes" Matt 7:29.

Jesus had this authority because the "Word had become flesh" through His life experience.

Some time ago, I was asked, "Do you remember when you prayed for my wife?" He then told me that his wife had chronic back pain, and had been to the best specialist in the country, but had not received help.

He said, "You prayed for her, and she has never had a back problem since." Some time before, I had received a profound healing of my back, and therefore had a confidence in this area of healing. Thus, there was an authority through experience which I could not have otherwise had.

"Because thou sayest, I am rich and increased with
goods, and have need of nothing" Rev 3:17a.

These had been exposed to much privilege in ministry and provision, but had remained satisfied and were seeking nothing further.

Those in the first group were satisfied with their salvation and the fact they were going to heaven. The second group rejoiced in all that had been provided for them, but they were not appropriating these into their experience.

The Lord is raising up a people for a present purpose and function. The enemy is not concerned with those who are satisfied with their judicial position, or those who are waiting for something in the future.

Once we become active in a present resurrection, we become a threat to the kingdom of darkness. There is a third group of whom this is true.

"And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia
write ... behold, I have set before thee an
open door, and no man can shut it: for thou
hast a little strength, and hast kept my
word ... I will make them of the synagogue
of Satan ... to come and worship before thy
feet, and to know that I have loved
thee" Rev 3:7-9.

This speaks of a present experience in which we enter a cooperative relationship with the Lord, and a victory is won over the enemy.

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but
against principalities, against powers, against
the rulers of the darkness of this world, against
spiritual wickedness in high places" Eph 6:12.

This wrestling is a present spiritual function.

"In whom ye also are builded together for an
habitation of God through the Spirit ... and
to make all men see what is the fellowship of
the mystery ... to the intent that now unto
the principalities and powers in heavenly
places might be known by the Church the
manifold wisdom of God" Eph 2:22,3:9-10.

There is a two-fold present purpose for those who are redeemed. To witness to all men the inexpressible joy of fellowship with Him, and to wrestle, or displace the enemy.

Thus, there is a present warfare, in which we are to displace Satan and the powers of darkness in the heavenlies with the present expression of the Kingdom operative within us; righteousness, peace, and joy.

When the Church arises into a present overcoming experience and becomes seated with Christ, far above all principality and power, there will come a present day witness of the Lord in power and authority, of which this world has little dreamed.

The Lord is knocking on the door. To those who hear and respond, He is saying,

"After this I looked, and, behold, a door
was opened in heaven: and the first voice
which I heard was as it were of a trumpet
talking with me; which said, Come up hither,
and I will shew thee things which must be
hereafter. And immediately I was in the
spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in
heaven, and One sat on the throne" Rev 4:1-2.

Paul saw this, and sought an out-resurrection into this realm of spiritual life and experience.