The Seven Mountains Mandate or Dominionism?

[PatrickTate]

There are many scriptures about "praying always" or "continually."

The only feasible way to do that is to understand that the Spirit of Christ is within us, with every thought, word and deed.

As far as prayers and goals, if we think things through to their logical conclusion, there is only 1 viable prayer. I think Jesus nailed it already, in the Lord's Prayer...Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done.

IF we really believe that prayer, then everything that has ever happened and that ever will happen is in fact within God's Own Will for it to happen. Believing otherwise merely makes God out to be some powerless potentate sitting on his cloud somewhere waiting for us to figure it out. Not really a credible form of God, imho

I think that you are absolutely correct!

I plead guilty to being lukewarm and somewhat backslidden, as were the issues in the Laodicean Era of the Bride of Messiah Yeshua - Jesus, the Church and also were there even in the Apostolic or Ephesian Era.

If the Holy Spirit is given to me in a greater measure then surely I will become less lukewarm and less backslidden?

If I improve and manifest more of the Holy Spirit then people around me will benefit and I will pray for them a lot more and do so more effectively.

Former Atheist Howard Storm who had a near death experience was shown how important it is that we allow the Holy Spirit to speak through us and work through us.

Howard Storm's Near-Death Experience - Near-Death Experiences and the Afterlife

Near-Death Experiences and the Afterlife profiles Howard Storm's Near-Death Experience . Did you enjoy reading this post, we have more!

near-death.com

5. The Future of the U.S. and the World​

....

They explained to me that their concern was for all the people of the world. They weren’t interested in one group getting ahead of other groups. They want every person to consider every other person greater than their own flesh. They want everyone to love everyone else, completely; more, even, than they love themselves. If someone, someplace else in the world hurts, then we should hurt, we should feel their pain. And we should help them. Our planet has evolved to the point, for the first time in our history, that we have the power to do that. We are globally linked. And we could become one people.

The people that they gave the privilege of leading the world into a better age, blew it. That was us, in the United States.

When I spoke with them about the future, and this might sound like a cop-out on my part, they made clear to me that we have free will.

If we change the way we are, then we can change the future which they showed me. They showed me a view of the future, at the time of my experience, based upon how we in the United States were behaving at that time. It was a future in which a massive worldwide depression would occur. If we were to change our behavior, however, then the future would be different.

Asking them how it would be possible to change the course of many people, I observed that it was difficult, if not impossible, to change anything on Earth. I expressed the opinion that it was a hopeless task to try.

My friends explained, quite clearly, that all it takes to make a change was one person. One person, trying, and then because of that, another person changing for the better. They said that the only way to change the world was to begin with one person. One will become two, which will become three, and so on. That’s the only way to affect a major change.

I inquired as to where the world would be going in an optimistic future one where some of the changes they desired were to take place.

The image of the future that they gave me then, and it was their image, not one that I created, surprised me. My image had previously been sort of like Star Wars, where everything was space age, plastics, and technology.

The future that they showed me was almost no technology at all. What everybody, absolutely everybody, in this euphoric future spent most of their time doing was raising children. The chief concern of people was children, and everybody considered children to be the most precious commodity in the world.

 

[BelieveItOarKnot]

I think that you are absolutely correct!

I plead guilty to being lukewarm and somewhat backslidden, as were the issues in the Laodicean Era of the Bride of Messiah Yeshua - Jesus, the Church and also were there even in the Apostolic or Ephesian Era.

If the Holy Spirit is given to me in a greater measure then surely I will become less lukewarm and less backslidden?

If I improve and manifest more of the Holy Spirit then people around me will benefit and I will pray for them a lot more and do so more effectively.

Former Atheist Howard Storm who had a near death experience was shown how important it is that we allow the Holy Spirit to speak through us and work through us.

Again, I would use caution when following the advice of anyone to "make yourself into Jesus." That's really not the Gospel. We can't "make me" any better than we really are. We are not the same as Jesus. We're sinners. We're not God. That's kind of the whole point of coming to grips with God, meaning we're not God.

God can make us anything He want's but it's not going to be an exact replica of God who has always existed. To believe that is simply delusional. There is a line drawn between The Creator and the creation. These are simply not the same.

Most of us start out our believing lives worshiping our own imaginations of what or who God is and what God might or might not do. Fact is, we can't possibly imagine. God is well beyond our petty imaginations.

And rightfully so.

Even all the NDE stories, the entire sum of them, will never come close to even remotely describing the Wonders of God. And a lot of them will even say so. Word's just can't describe....because God is beyond all of that.

I am content to let my mind wander, endlessly, about that subject. But the minute I try to pin God down, I lose.

It's like a lot of professional chess players are now saying about playing chess with AI. None of them can actually win against the AI competitor. The best they can do is to learn new and untested, even unseen before strategies to use against other non AI human competitors, but the AI competitor is beyond winning against at this point. And the game is likely to remain that way, with a permanent line between the AI and the human. That's kind of how God is.

There's a Divine Message there, with AI. We're not even as good as a computer. The best we can do is to share in a bit of the pie.

 

[DavidS]

However did you get that from my post? I didn't even mention the authority of Jesus. I thought this thread was about something called the Seven Mountains Mandate, which says that Christians have the mandate to assume authority over seven named aspects of life, such as governments, education and families. To avoid any further confusion on thos point, I assure you that I fully believe in the authority of Jesus Christ, Who is King of kings and Lord of lords.

Dominion should not be interpreted as domination. It is really stewardship over creation and (in Genesis 1) was given to all human beings, not just to an elect.

 

[David Lamb]

Dominion should not be interpreted as domination. It is really stewardship over creation and (in Genesis 1) was given to all human beings, not just to an elect.

I agree with that.

 

[DavidS]

I think that you are absolutely correct!

I plead guilty to being lukewarm and somewhat backslidden, as were the issues in the Laodicean Era of the Bride of Messiah Yeshua - Jesus, the Church and also were there even in the Apostolic or Ephesian Era.

If the Holy Spirit is given to me in a greater measure then surely I will become less lukewarm and less backslidden?

If I improve and manifest more of the Holy Spirit then people around me will benefit and I will pray for them a lot more and do so more effectively.

Former Atheist Howard Storm who had a near death experience was shown how important it is that we allow the Holy Spirit to speak through us and work through us.

Howard Storm's Near-Death Experience - Near-Death Experiences and the Afterlife

Near-Death Experiences and the Afterlife profiles Howard Storm's Near-Death Experience . Did you enjoy reading this post, we have more!

near-death.com

The Holy Spirit speaks and works through us because we are members of the corporate body of Christ. In Matt. 18:19 Jesus tells us that when even as few as two or three Christians, gathered together, agree on what to pray for, that prayer will be answered. In the following verse, Jesus explains why - because whenever Christians (even if just two or three in number) gather together in the name of Jesus, Jesus himself will be present. I interpret this to imply that the presence of Jesus (indwelling each Christian through the Holy Spirit) will guide their thoughts into conformity with the will of the Father. This is no superficial agreement (not an agreement for the sake of agreeing) but an agreement following an inward conviction (itself brought about by the Holy Spirit) as to what the will of God on the matter being prayed for really is.
This is broadly how Quaker meetings for church business work. Quakers call these "worship meetings for business" to indicate that their members gather in an attitude of worship which includes listening prayer with special attention to the discernment of God's will on practical matters concerning the church community. When a possible word from God is received, all members of the meeting hold it before God and if all members of the meeting become convicted that it is truly God's will, the matter in question is accepted. If there is no consensus agreement, the matter is prayed about until further clarification is received through the Holy Spirit.
In my opinion (and I feel led to this opinion by God) similar meetings of silent listening prayer and discernment held by Christians in business firms, political gatherings and so forth for all the seven spheres would result in the true hearing of God's will for both prayer and practical conduct of the different spheres. Just as the prophets spoke to kings and other leaders in Old Testament Israel, so these groups would speak to those with authority within the different spheres. Indeed, because the meetings would not "speak" until Holy-Spirit-agreement was reached, we could truly say that Jesus himself would be speaking through the meetings.
I suggest that those who are able, might promote such meetings in the spheres within which they are associated.

 

[Dan Perez]

Again, I would use caution when following the advice of anyone to "make yourself into Jesus." That's really not the Gospel. We can't "make me" any better than we really are. We are not the same as Jesus. We're sinners. We're not God. That's kind of the whole point of coming to grips with God, meaning we're not God.

God can make us anything He want's but it's not going to be an exact replica of God who has always existed. To believe that is simply delusional. There is a line drawn between The Creator and the creation. These are simply not the same.

Most of us start out our believing lives worshiping our own imaginations of what or who God is and what God might or might not do. Fact is, we can't possibly imagine. God is well beyond our petty imaginations.

And rightfully so.

Even all the NDE stories, the entire sum of them, will never come close to even remotely describing the Wonders of God. And a lot of them will even say so. Word's just can't describe....because God is beyond all of that.

I am content to let my mind wander, endlessly, about that subject. But the minute I try to pin God down, I lose.

It's like a lot of professional chess players are now saying about playing chess with AI. None of them can actually win against the AI competitor. The best they can do is to learn new and untested, even unseen before strategies to use against other non AI human competitors, but the AI competitor is beyond winning against at this point. And the game is likely to remain that way, with a permanent line between the AI and the human. That's kind of how God is.

There's a Divine Message there, with AI. We're not even as good as a computer. The best we can do is to share in a bit of the pie.

And you mention the Gospel , and will you explain what the. Gospel is. found and what it means ??

dan p

 

[BelieveItOarKnot]

And you mention the Gospel , and will you explain what the. Gospel is. found and what it means ??

dan p

Matt. 4:4, Luke 4:4, Deut. 8:3

 

[Dan Perez]

Matt. 4:4, Luke 4:4, Deut. 8:3

And there is. the "

# 1 There the Gospel of Matthew

# 2 The Gospel of. Mark

# 3. Gospel of Luke

# 4 Gospel of. John

# 5. God's Gospel in Rom 1:1

# 6 The. Everlasting Gospel in the Revelation

# 7 GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD

# 8 THE GOSPEL OF YOUR SALVATION Eph 1:13

# Some say that they are BORN AGAIN , in. John 3:3 and 4

dan p

 

[David Lamb]

And there is. the "

# 1 There the Gospel of Matthew

# 2 The Gospel of. Mark

# 3. Gospel of Luke

# 4 Gospel of. John

# 5. God's Gospel in Rom 1:1

# 6 The. Everlasting Gospel in the Revelation

# 7 GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD

# 8 THE GOSPEL OF YOUR SALVATION Eph 1:13

dan p

Are you suggesting that those are 8 separate, different gospels?

 

[ViaCrucis]

I'm struggling to understand how the thread title, poll, and OP fit together.

Do I believe that our prayers are meaningful and God can use our prayers or help shape us through our prayers? Sure. Prayer isn't just wishful thinking; but neither is prayer magic.

But that has nothing to do Dominionism/Seven Mountains stuff. Which I consider to not only be bad theology and false teaching, but deeply troubling and spiritually dangerous doctrine that leads us radically afar from Christ. What does it profit a man to gain the whole world but forfeit his soul?

-CryptoLutheran

 

[ViaCrucis]

Our words have great power....
that is one of the first things that near death experiencer Kevin Zadai was told by Jesus.

There's no reason to believe Mr. Zadai was told anything by Jesus.

Jesus never taught us that that our words have power. Instead He taught us that we should use our words to build others up, to bless and not curse. To bless is not to have power, but to bend ourselves in love to desire the good of someone--even the one who curses us, or would shame us, it means loving even our enemies; those that wish us harm. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn and offer the other as well. If someone wishes evil on you, do not respond with the same attitude and disposition, but rather be merciful even as our Father is merciful who sends His rain on the just and unjust alike, who is gracious and kind to the thankless and the wicked.

I can't change the hairs on my head through the words I speak. But I do have the choice to say something in love, or to say something in hate. To say something in anger, or to say something in kindness. To say something that tears down, or say something that encourages. With my words I can say something knowledgeable and which builds wisdom, or I can say something foolish; my words can be used to teach truth, or to perpetuate falsehood. With my words I can call someone "brother" or I can call someone "raka". I can rebuke error, I can teach truth, I can praise God, I can bless my fellow human beings made in God's image, or I can sin. But my words can't add a dollar to my bank account, add a hair to my balding head, or make me stop sneezing when allergy season hits.

With words Dr. Martin Luther King Jr inspired millions toward seeking racial and social justice.
With words Adolf Hitler poisoned the mind of millions to hate Jews, Communists, Socialists, Trade Unionists, Roma, homosexuals, and the disabled.

With words my pastor proclaims, in sermon, the beautiful and soothing Word of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and proclaims my sins are forgiven in the Sacrament of Holy Absolution in Christ's Holy Name.
With words the heretics of old drove men away from Christ and preached false gospels that ruined lives and tore hope away from those in need of hope.

But Dr. King couldn't magically end racism. Hitler couldn't magically exterminate everyone he hated. My pastor can't save me. And heretics can't change the truth of the Gospel.

Words are words, it's how we use them that matters. St. James tells us that from the same tongue comes blessing and cursing, with it we praise God our Father, and with it we disparage human beings made in God's Image. Such is the untamed wild beast that is the tongue--no power, but words do matter. I can use a hammer to build a house, or I can use a hammer to injure someone; but a hammer is just a hammer.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[ViaCrucis]

And there is. the "

# 1 There the Gospel of Matthew

# 2 The Gospel of. Mark

# 3. Gospel of Luke

# 4 Gospel of. John

Which are Accounts of the singular Gospel of Jesus Christ--His life, death, and resurrection and what God has done through Him, the Good News of God's reign through His Messiah in which He has put death to death, and lifted up the lowly, brought freedom to the captives.

That is why the full titles of these books are The Gospel according to Matthew, the Gospel according to Mark, etc.

# 5. God's Gospel in Rom 1:1

# 6 The. Everlasting Gospel in the Revelation

# 7 GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD

# 8 THE GOSPEL OF YOUR SALVATION Eph 1:13

dan p

Which are all the same Gospel. The one and singular Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, born of the Virgin, who lived, taught, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified dead and buried, who rose on the third day, and who ascended into the heavens and is seated at the right hand of the Father from whence He will come again to judge the living and the dead--His kingdom shall never end. This is the Good News of God's Kingdom, the reign of God through His Messiah, where the least is greatest.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Dan Perez]

Are you suggesting that those are 8 separate, different gospels?

And should know a basic. meaning of what gospel means , Good Tiding or GOOD NEWS

and Paul,s good news was the Body of Christ as today we are saved by Grace , ONLY , and many believe

that you are saved by Keeping the Law

And some say that they are saved by Water Baptism

Some by being Born Again , John 3 :3

Some are saved by the New Covenant

What say you ??

dan p

 

[David Lamb]

And should know a basic. meaning of what gospel means , Good Tiding or GOOD NEWS

and Paul,s good news was the Body of Christ as today we are saved by Grace , ONLY , and many believe

that you are saved by Keeping the Law

And some say that they are saved by Water Baptism

Some by being Born Again , John 3 :3

Some are saved by the New Covenant

What say you ??

dan p

Thanks. Yes I did know that "gospel" comes from old English words meaning "good news."

I agree that we are saved by grace. The law doesn't save - it shows us that we are sinners. Yes we must be born again to be saved, but as Ephesians 2 says, the new life we have is a result of God's grace.

 

[dms1972]

I don't know a lot about Dominionism or Seven Story Mandate. What images and language did Jesus use in his teaching and parables of the Kingdom : Salt and Light - Leaven in a batch of dough (Matthew 13)

I can think of christians in the arts and contemporary music who seek to be salt and light, eg. Michael W Smith, there are many others including lots session musicians. MWS had a crossover hit with Place in this World back in the 1990s. I am not sure the idea of converting society from the top down is what the Parable of the Leaven is about.

 

[ViaCrucis]

I don't know a lot about Dominionism or Seven Story Mandate. What images and language did Jesus use in his teaching and parables of the Kingdom : Salt and Light - Leaven in a batch of dough (Matthew 13)

I can think of christians in the arts and contemporary music who seek to be salt and light, eg. Michael W Smith, there are many others including lots session musicians. MWS had a crossover hit with Place in this World back in the 1990s. I am not sure the idea of converting society from the top down is what the Parable of the Leaven is about.

Everything in Jesus' teaching about the kingdom shows us that it is never top-down. It's not our job to build the kingdom; because the kingdom is already built--it is built in the bloody cross and empty tomb of Jesus, and He reigns at the right hand of the Father; the kingdom does not look like Caesar arrayed in purple, it looks like the Lamb of God slain before the foundation of the world. The kingdom does not look like the wealthy in their palaces of gold, it looks like lepers and prostitutes and tax collectors being told they are loved and forgiven and that they matter. The kingdom does not look like like someone standing tall and on top; it looks like a slave scrubbing floors.

The kingdom looks like a cross. The kingdom looks like a crown of thorns. The kingdom is where the greatest is the slave.

All forms of Dominionism and Triumphalism fundamentally deny the kingdom of God.
What does the Apostle say? When he spoke of having a thorn in his flesh, the Lord said to him, "My grace is sufficient for you, My strength is made present in weakness."

It is in suffering and weakness and smallness, not glory, that God shows Himself. Those who pursue glory will find a house built on a foundation of sand, and treasure that is rust and moth-food. Instead, "Store up treasures in heaven" Desire godliness, desire holiness, desire humility, and smallness.

Recall the Prophet Elijah who did not find God in the whirlwind, or in the earthquake, or in the blazing fire--but in the small insignificant whisper.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[bèlla]

I don’t support dominionism or the mandate as its presented. But I see parallels with other groups who’ve employed the same for their own purposes. Nevertheless, there are elements one can utilize as a framework of sorts for related activities in one’s vocation as instruments of light or influence. And while we’re tasked to be beacons for the world the scope of our assignment and endowment of gifts will differ. That’s the principle I’ve adopted for my walk.

It isn’t heavy handed or dependent on questionable teachings. It’s simply the recognition of the places the Lord enabled me to make an impact and where they align categorically so to speak. The bulk of my gifts fall within the arenas of commerce, leadership and communication. As a result, I’m continually seeking ways to develop my skills and pursue opportunities within that sphere which may have a limited presence of believers or many working behind the scenes. The goal is anointed work which demonstrates kingdom principles in its makeup and function.

I view the ideal trilaterally. Both in the familial, marketplace and community and see my position as more of an ambassador than not. That’s why I don’t seek a role within christian organizations. I’m best suited in other settings. There’s the obvious within those parameters that references interests and the like. My work is centered in the media and arts and those are the areas where I’ve invested the bulk of my energy. On a service level that would entail engagement with a board, committee or fundraising initiative for the entity in question. And there’s a comparable degree of patronage. That’s what business does ideally. It pours into the community for its betterment.

Where I differ from most is how it looks. Just because I’m a believer doesn’t mean the bulk of my resources should go to christian organizations nor is that my mission. There’s specific things I want to support that aren’t a reflection of felt needs per se. But they’re equally important in our society and well aligned with my passions. Taking that from the singular and making it a familial task that everyone champions is our aim and legacy.

In respect to dominion, I view it in its truest context. An area of responsibility where I’ve been given authority to execute those qualities for the Lord. Rulership in that capacity doesn’t necessitate command nor are the whole beholden beyond their will. If they wish to listen and heed what comes forth that’s fine. But I won’t twist their arms or browbeat them. I’m a big proponent of example. The best way to make a difference is by exemplifying His principles not talking others to death.

As for the mountains from a categoric perspective, I think it’s worthwhile to form alliances with people from other sectors. You get a different vantage point and greater insight on the world. While I have no attraction to politicians for instance, I’m not opposed to building connections with individuals in that sphere and that holds true for the rest. I have no interest in perpetuating a christian bubble or limiting my associations to believers alone. I’m needed elsewhere and I know it.

Theology notwithstanding, the people most attracted to this ideology are your movers and shakers and I don’t use the term as a derogative. There’s definite personalities that would find it appealing which isn’t the result of ego. They’re more outgoing, adept at networking, great communicators and driven. You’re likely to draw type-a christians who are very goal oriented. If you listen to them talk you’ll see those traits.

But I’m less inclined to argue the merits (or lack thereof) of the principle and more likely to question its application. Beginning with the obvious. Where do you fall amongst the groups and how are you affecting change in that area/s? It isn’t uncommon to apply the wrong approach for the right reasons. If God is in the midst you’ll figure it out.

~bella

 

[DavidS]

I have no real doubt that Loren Cunningham and Bill Bright did indeed receive a genuine message from God. The essence of the message was that to influence Society for Christ, that influence must come through those segments of Society which have the greatest role in determining the attitudes and beliefs of Society. The segments or “spheres of influence” were named as family, religion, education, business, government, media, entertainment/arts.

The so-called “seven mountains mandate” which followed from this has, I fear, distorted the message somewhat in that it has been married together with dominionist ideas as well as right-wing political ideologies.

I would like to humbly suggest an alternative approach that (I believe) stays closer to the original Cunningham-Bright revelation in so far as it looks more to Christian influence rather than a “Christian takeover” as advocated by the more radical dominionist version. Through the influence of Christians – in fact, of Christ working through Christians – God will in His own good time bring about the rule of Christ in this world.

My suggestion (and I truly believe that God has guided me to this) is the formation of prayer groups specifically to pray for the transformation of society through the spheres of influence. But it is important that these groups are not only for petitionary prayer but primarily for listening prayer. That is to say, instead of coming to God with prayers for what we think should be happening in society, we first of all listen to what He wants us to pray for. (“Listening prayer” is not only listening for an inner voice. God sometimes does speak through an inner voice, but He may also speak through a thought, an insight, a Bible verse coming into memory, a sense of burden to pray for someone or something or to carry out a specific action etc. “Listening” is simply being sensitive and open to any means that God may use to reveal His will.)

In brief, a group of Christians meet together in the Name of Jesus (i.e. meeting as members of His corporate body aware that Jesus is the Head of this body) to, first of all, wait in collective silence for about fifteen or twenty minutes in God’s presence. During this time of silence, each member waits for any sense of a burden to pray for a particular sphere of influence and, maybe, some particular aspect of one of the spheres. At the end of this quiet period, members of the group share any prayer burden or, perhaps, some practical action that they feel called to fulfil. If the leadings were really from God, either each member of the group will have received the same message or they will feel an inward conviction that this is truly God’s will. Alternatively, the message may need to be slightly corrected before agreement is reached. When agreement is reached, the group holds a time of petitionary prayer (in silence or spoken as they feel led) always asking for guidance from the Holy Spirit.

In addition to these group meetings, which are not tied to a specific sphere of societal influence, Christians within the different spheres are also encouraged to form similar meetings relating to their own spheres. For instance, Christians within a particular business are encouraged to pray in small groups for that business. Proposals made by management are held before God in listening prayer. Is some proposal according to God’s will? Does God reveal an alternative to the proposal etc.? Similarly, Christians in government are encouraged to hold proposals made by the government before God. The same questions apply here as well. And so forth with the other spheres.

Eventually, it is hoped that Christians within business management and within government and church leadership will join these groups. If those at the top (so to speak) of each sphere listens to the voice of God before decisions are made and policies put forward, Christ will truly rule in these spheres and society will go a long way toward a deep spiritual reformation.

 

[Daniel Martinovich]

Here is a chapter of Prophecy about the New Jerusalem (God's people of faith) suffering during the time of the four gentile empires prophesied about in Daniel and Revelation. Then arising to be a dominate influnce in the world. Daniel told us when this would happen. When the Roman Empire ends which happened in 1453 AD. The thing that is bringing this dominion of influnce to pass was the Bible (illegally) starting to make its way into the hands of the general public right when that fourth empire ended. God foreknew this which is why there is so much end time prophecy about the Roman Empire.​

​

In Galatians 4 the Apostle declares: 21 Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? 22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a female slave, the other by a free woman. 23 But he who was of the female slave was born after the flesh; but he of the free woman was by promise. 24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which engenders to bondage, which is Hagar. 25 For this Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. 26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. 27 For it is written, Rejoice, you barren that bore not; break forth and cry, you that travail not: for the desolate has many more children than she which has an husband. 28 Now we, brothers, as Isaac was, are the children of promise, 29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. 30 Nevertheless what said the scripture? Cast out the female slave and her son: for the son of the female slave shall not be heir with the son of the free woman. 31 So then, brothers, we are not children of the female slave, but of the free. In this teaching the Apostle is clearly saying that the rituals and rites of the Mosaic law called the first covenant are symbolized by Hagar and the birth of Ishmael. He calls the mother of the children of the first covenant the physical city of Jerusalem. In the context of the entire chapter he is comparing the purely physical descendant's of Abraham to the people of faith, be they Jew or Gentile. This article, Symbolism in Genesis Regarding the First and Second Covenant goes into this very deeply. The point of this is that he is quoting from one of the old Testament prophecies about the New Jerusalem to teach this; Isaiah 54. The article will go through it verse by verse to show the amazing accuracy of it as a prophecy. ​

(AKJV) Isaiah 54:1 Sing, O barren, you that did not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, you that did not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, said the LORD.
This is the verse Paul quotes. The way he is interpreting it is that the Mosaic Law and the physical city of Jerusalem were the married wife that bore many children. The people of faith though, few and for most of the history of ancient Israel persecuted and murdered by the faithless; these are the children of the desolate woman. However with the coming of the messiah the children of the desolate woman, in this case the children of the Jerusalem from above, the New Jerusalem, would bear more children than the earthly city would. The rest of the prophecy in Isaiah 54 will say more of this. ​

2 Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of your habitations: spare not, lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes; 3 For you shall break forth on the right hand and on the left; and your descendants shall inherit the Nations, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited. A truly amazing prophecy exhorting the faithful with the promise that lay ahead. That the people of faith soon to be of all nations will grow and expand. So much so that it will be said the descendant of Abraham, the Messiah, through them will inherit the nations. That the fruit of this will be prosperous civilizations. (The desolate cities will be inhabited.) ​

4 Fear not; for you shall not be ashamed: neither be you confounded; for you shall not be put to shame: for you shall forget the shame of your youth, and shall not remember the reproach of your widowhood any more. 5 For your Maker is your husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and your Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called. 6 For the LORD has called you as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when you were refused, said your God. 7 For a small moment have I forsaken you; but with great mercies will I gather you. 8 In a little wrath I hid my face from you for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on you, said the LORD your Redeemer. 9 For this is as the waters of Noah to me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with you, nor rebuke you. 10 For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from you, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, said the LORD that has mercy on you. Here are more references to the bride of Christ. The shame and the reproach of her youth and being forsaken is a reference to the tribulations the believers in ancient Israel faced at the hands of the Gentiles because of the wickedness of the majority of its citizens and its leaders. Due to this they were not recipients of any of the earthly promises of God made to Abraham and in many other places in the scripture. It seemed as if they were forsaken by God and left to the whims of the wicked. It mattered not how they lived their lives before the Lord. They reaped whatever the despots who ran the world sowed. This certainly did not change in New Testament times and for many a century beyond that. Yet in the next verses we have a promise of a day when that would not be so. ​

11 O you afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay your stones with fair colors, and lay your foundations with sapphires. 12 And I will make your windows of agates, and your gates of carbuncles, and all your borders of pleasant stones. 13 And all your children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of your children. 14 In righteousness shall you be established: you shall be far from oppression; for you shall not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near you. 15 Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whoever shall gather together against you shall fall for your sake. 16 Behold, I have created the smith that blows the coals in the fire, and that brings forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy. 17 No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, said the LORD. The first few verses unmistakably use the same type of illustrations as the New Jerusalem in Revelation. Verse 14 clearly states that the way these children of the heavenly city will be established in the earth is because of righteousness. That the terror and the oppression their ancestors lived under and those peoples in the nations who do not know righteousness are subjugated to will not be their story, their testimony. Verse 15 points out that these promises will come to pass in a world where evil exists because the wicked seek to conquer the people of faith. It simply shows that unlike the ancient world where the wicked reigned in perpetuity. In this one with the Lords help, the righteous will come out on top. ​

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It must be pointed out that these specific promises of freedom from oppression. terror and fear itself. Promises that say it will not come near to you have been fulfilled in the lives of many generations of believers in North America and some nations in Northern Europe. These promises were directly fulfilled because very significant minorities and sometimes even small majorities of believers of the population of a nation; plus significant minorities of non believers in those nations adopted the righteousness of Biblical principle to guide their private and national affairs. All this came about when the Bible started to get into the hands of common men in their own languages starting right after the Roman empire fell in 1453 AD. The history of this also shows the path forward. Preaching the Gospel with power, and the putting of the Scripture in the hands of whoever wants them are the foundation. Understanding that those who are pioneers in this effort where the Gospel is relatively new typically face cruel persecutions. This history shows that national and international revivals are a necessity. It also shows that when the time is right based on the righteousness of the people through that Gospel that wars may be necessary. Certainly political ones but at times shooting wars. It is clear by looking at this history that limited and good government that administers justice by physical force is ordained by God and is to be established and maintained by righteous peoples; that this must be fought for and continuously watched over through faith in the promises of Gods Word. It also shows that the wicked will directly attack the righteousness of God, Gods saints and the scripture in an effort to make the people immoral and therefore easily to manipulate. This in their quest to rule over the nations. Jesus's parables about the Kingdom of God that was prophesied to fill the world goes over this process in very enlightening detail. The article about them is a must read for whoever really wants to understand the nature of the Government of God and his plans for the earth. Here is the Link: The Parables of the Government of God.​