Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not from here.” John 18:36.
Today your LORD (יהוה) God (אלהים) says:
The end is more important than the beginning. That is why I speak the end from the beginning. The whole is important, but the end is what matters. If you end well, it is to your and My glory and puts you in the eternal glory.
I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do. Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. John 17:4-5.
When you partake of the body and blood of My Son you are partaking of glory. That is why He told you that whoever eats His flesh and drinks His blood has eternal life in them.
I am the King of Glory, so My Kingdom is a Kingdom of Glory.
Lift up your heads, O gates, and be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in! Who is the King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O gates, and lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in! Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory. Psalm 24:7-10.
What is glory? Glory is the exercise of power in love. It produces goodness. It brings the imperfect to the perfect and causes all evil to cease. Evil cannot exist in the Glory; in the presence of Glory all evil must cease and flee. That is why nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Revelation 21:27. Those who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Those who have placed themselves under My jurisdiction.
We have come to the place in our communion journey from death to life, from sin and darkness to righteousness and light, from evil to good, where, early in the morning the chief priests with the elders and scribes and the whole Sanhedrin, immediately held a consultation; and binding Jesus, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pilate, the Roman governor. They led Jesus like a lamb to the slaughter, they had never allowed Him to lead them.
They brought Jesus to the Praetorium, the official residence of the Roman governor, who was Pontius Pilate at that time, in the palace built by Herod, the father of the one before whom Jesus would also be sent by Pilate, but they themselves did not enter into the Praetorium so that they would not be defiled. You recall from what Peter told the Roman centurion, Cornelius, that it was unlawful for a Jew to associate with an unbelieving foreigner or to visit his home. But the Jewish authorities handing over Jesus were not operating under the Law, that is under wisdom from on High, but earthly, demonic wisdom.
Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural (in Greek, psuchikos (ψυχικός): unspiritual, originating only in the human soul, of the worldly mind, fleshly, carnal), demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder (in Greek, akatastasia (ἀκαταστασία): instability, disturbance, upheaval, revolution, almost anarchy) and every evil thing. James 3:13-16.
Since they would not enter the Judgement Hall in the palace, Pilate went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” They answered and said to him, “If this man were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him to you.” So Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves, and judge Him according to your law.” The Jews said to him, “We are not permitted to put anyone to death.” They wanted to deceive the people, removing their guilt, as if Jesus was put to death by the Romans. They wanted Him put to death publicly on display for all to see. This fulfilled the word of Jesus which He spoke earlier to His disciples signifying by what kind of death He was about to die.
When Jesus was about to go up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and on the way He said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death, and will hand Him over to the Gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify Him, and on the third day He will be raised up.” Matthew 20:17-19.
Thinking again, applying the wisdom of this world, the chief priests, elders, and scribes realized that for Pilate to judge Jesus guilty of a crime punishable by death it had to be akin to treason since Jesus had done no criminal actions deserving of capital punishment, so they lied, using the words they had tried to trick Jesus into saying but He had refused to do so, they began to accuse Jesus, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is the Messiah, a King.” Luke 23:2.
Do you remember when they tried to get Jesus to say this? It was after He spoke the parable about the tenants in the vineyard killing the son of the owner of the vineyard, Luke 20:9-18.
The scribes and the chief priests tried to lay hands on Him that very hour, and they feared the people; for they understood that He spoke this parable against them. So they watched Him, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, in order that they might catch Him in some statement, so that they could deliver Him to the rule and the authority of the governor. They questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, we know that You speak and teach correctly, and You are not partial to any, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But He detected their trickery and said to them, “Show Me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were unable to catch Him in a saying in the presence of the people; and being amazed at His answer, they became silent. Luke 20:19-26.
Their delivering Jesus to Pilate was not a spur of the moment decision. It was premeditated and calculated. They were acting as children of the devil, just as Jesus had accused them.
They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you are Abraham’s children, do the deeds of Abraham. But as it is, you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God; this Abraham did not do. You are doing the deeds of your father.” They said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father: God.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word. You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me. Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God.” John 8:39-47.
But if the devil had seen what was really going on in the betrayal of Jesus, if he had understood the agony in the Garden of Gethsemane was not of fleshly origin, he would NEVER have crucified the LORD OF GLORY.
Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 1 Corinthians 2:6-8.
And here again you see the differentiation between wisdom from on high and the wisdom of the flesh. Divine love and human love. Kingdom living and living of the world. You cannot serve two masters. The chief priests and elders tried to serve two masters but they handed their hearts over to the wrong one and crucified the Lord of Glory.
Therefore, Pilate entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus, and Jesus, through whom everything that was made was made, stood before Pilate and humbled Himself to go on trial before unbelievers.
So if you have law courts dealing with matters of this life, do you appoint them as judges who are of no account in the church? I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not among you one wise man who will be able to decide between his brethren, but brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers? Actually, then, it is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits with one another. 1 Corinthians 6:4-7.
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11.
The first question Pilate asked Jesus was, “Are You the King of the Jews?” Matthew 27:11; Mark 15:2; Luke 23:3, John 18:33. Jesus answered, “Are you saying this on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?” Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered You to me; what have You done?”
And here began a very significant revelation for each of you about the Kingdom. Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world (in Greek, kosmos (κόσμος): order, the world, worldly affairs; the inhabitants of the world). If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants (in Greek, hypērétēs (ὑπηρέτης): a servant, an attendant, an officer, a minister, it is from “hypo,” meaning “under,” and “ēressō,” meaning “to row,” properly, a rower (a crewman on a boat), an “under-rower” who mans the oars executing official orders, i.e. operating under direct (specific) orders) would be fighting so that I would not be betrayed and delivered over into the hands of the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not from here (i.e., of this realm).” Therefore, Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” John 18:36-38.
My Kingdom is not from here, meaning originating in the flesh. It was not there in the world in which Pilate was standing. Why? Sin and evil were present. There is no Kingdom of Glory reigning where sin and evil are present and reigning in the hearts of those before Me. When Adam and Eve sinned and did evil before Me, the glory left them and they were naked. All flesh, no spirit.
Jesus had told the Pharisees that the Kingdom of God is within you. But it is not of this world or of the worldly minded, it is of the wisdom that comes from on High. It is of the spirit.
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:17-18.
And I have made Jesus wisdom unto you. And that wisdom does not degrade yourself and others but brings righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.
But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:30-31.
Wisdom from above is first of all pure. The glory is pure. It permits no admixture or taint of evil. Truth has no lie in it. Truth is pure and My Word is truth. My Word is pure. It is My Word that sanctifies you and makes you pure.
I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. John 17:15-19.
My Word is wisdom. All wisdom comes from Me and I give it generously and from My lips come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6, James 1:5.
So how can you keep yourself pure once I have purified you by the blood of Jesus? The answer is short and simple, but it is a whole lifestyle of Kingdom living and Kingdom giving.
How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your Word. Psalm 119:9.
And how do you do that?
Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You. Psalm 119:11.
It is as Jesus told you, it is the abiding life, you are made clean and fruitful by My Word when you continue, abide, and remain in My Words and My Words continue, abide, and remain in you. If you love Me, you will keep My Words, and if you do, My Son and I will come and make our abode within you by My Holy Spirit. John 14:23. The Kingdom of God within you, being accessed by the One Spirit. It has pleased Me to give you, the flock of My Son, the good Shepherd, the Kingdom.
This is your life and length of days. The chief priests, elders, scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees, and whoever sided with them against Me and My Messiah from Jew or Gentile, did not know Me. But if they had renewed their minds in My Word they would have understood the Scriptures and My power and they would not have died in their sins. They would have been saved and come to know the truth that would have set them free from jealousy, strife, fear of losing earthly authority, self-ambition, and they could have lived in the glory of My Kingdom, which is a Kingdom for all generations. Though disguised by the world, the flesh, and the devil, self-ambition, that is, putting your interests above others to the detriment of others, is really self-destruction, as the life of Judas exemplifies. If you seek only yourself, you bring yourself to ruin, but if you bring your selfish self to naught for Me you discover who you are. No need for you to have an identity crisis. See yourself as My beloved in Christ. Identify yourself with Him in glory. Holy, pure, blameless, beyond reproach—loved, forgiven, blessed, favored—planned from eternity, wanted, and gifted for your assignment in the Kingdom of Glory to be with Me, loved and cared for forever.
My Son came to bring the Kingdom, but they rejected My Kingdom for the kingdom of the world, the kingdom of darkness, and delayed the coming of My Kingdom to the earth.
Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:14-15.
Remember when Pilate asked the people, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” John 19:15.
And after they had Jesus crucified, as Daniel had prophesied, about seventy years thereafter, Caesar’s army came and destroyed the temple and Jerusalem, killed many, and exiled all the people. They found out what kind of king Caesar was to them, but they had committed themselves to him. I could not protect them. They, like runaway chicks, had rejected My protection and refused to stay under My covering wings. I am the LORD of Hosts.
Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory. Psalm 24:10.
On enemy territory, living in sin and evil, I cannot protect you for the Kingdom is not there. Selah. Where are you standing? Remember the end is more important than the beginning. Learn from Judas and life like Jesus. He was perfect during His whole time on earth and as He is so are you in this world. Are you ready to live pure?
This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Joshua 1:8.
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:1-2.
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:1-3.
I love you. I am the King of Glory. You are the temple of the Holy Spirit. And in His temple everything says, “Glory!” Psalm 29:9. What are you saying?