WEST AFRICA HOLY SPIRIT CONFERENCE OPENS
LEGON-ACCRA, GHANA-1988
THE KINGDOMS OF THE WORLD AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS
CHRIST
THE DIVINE MANDATE: TRANSFORMING WORLD KINGDOMS INTO
CHRIST’S KINGDOM

SYNOPSIS
The redeemed are commissioned to quell the world’s rebellion and transform its
kingdoms into the Kingdom of God.

PREAMBLE
The coming of Jesus Christ is to bring peace unto the world and goodwill towards men,
to establish a new human society in which peace, righteousness and justice would
prevail, where men would live in harmony with one another, in the knowledge and fear of
the Living God, and total submission unto Him.
During this conference, we have found out that the need for such a new society is not so
much because sin and weakness abounded in human society and nature as because
whole structure of human society is a structure of rebellion. Rebellion against God, His
Word and hence Jesus Christ.
Humanity is tainted with sin, as a result of the devil’s and man’s rebellion against God.
Thus, humanity and nature need to be redeemed from sin and the effects thereof. This
Christ has come to do by the offering of His blood for the atonement of sin and reconciled
with God the Creator by His Holy Spirit which He imparts unto every man who believes in
the word of God and His Testimony, Jesus also has established a new species of human
beings delivered from the power of sin and rebellion who shall form the basis and hope
of the new society. Through them, that is redeemed He hopes to reign and rule the world
As we found out yesterday, the new society cannot emerge until rebellion by the devil and
man is quelled and totally and wholly wiped out of the human system and nature.
Scriptures reveal that, a time comes when the devil and his host of followers – men and
spirits, demons and all workers of iniquity, that is, all who reject God, His word and Jesus
Christ will be separated from the redeemed and turned unto a new community of their
own in hell where also they will face the wrath of God, their Creator whom they have
rebelled against.
The mission of the church in this connection as we have seen is not only to call all men
unto repentance and be reconciled with God, but also in the name and power of Jesus
Christ, to quell the rebellion in human affairs, deliver men and creation from the bondage
of rebellion, and destroy evil and the works of the devil. That is to say, the church has
been sent out with the word of reconciliation and in the authority and power of Jesus
Christ with the assistance of the Holy Spirit to bring all reality under God and His Christ.
As we found out last night, the preaching of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God involve
therefore not only evangelism but the declaration of peace and deliverance and God’s
reign and rule to all powers, at all gates of hell or rebellion.
REBELLION
God has a vision and sent out Christ and the church on a mission to gather all things in
Christ unto Him (Eph. 1: 10-11). This we found out involves much of spiritual warfare.
It is no wonder Elder Peter under the power of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost
declared, Acts 2: 34-36. Also, when resistance began to rise against the church’s work
Peter said in Acts 4: 24-31.
We can appreciate why this conference has been considering why and how the church
must stand up in the Word of God and Power of the Holy Spirit, to the tasks of the Great
Commission in human affairs, nature and creation as a whole.
THE REBELLION
Essentially, Satan and man have not only succeeded in establishing their own kingdoms
and systems for the governance of their affairs, and meeting their needs, spiritual,
political, economic, social and cultural. These kingdoms and systems they have
established are the fruit of their rebellion and indeed in direct affront of and opposition
to the reign and rule of God. It might be remembered in this connection that the devil
when tempting Jesus Christ in the wilderness before His ministry started, was bold to tell
Jesus Christ that all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory thereof belong to him. “All
these things will I give thee, he said, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.”
As we have learnt, the intention behind the whole exercise was not only to make Jesus to
commit unrighteousness but more important still to enlist Him into rebellion as the
devil’s kingdom. Jesus agrees that Satan is the prince or god of this world.
The crucial lesson we need to learn and understand here is that as the Bible clearly states
not only is all reality affected by rebellion, sin and the curse (Gen. 3) hence that all reality
need redemption, especially man and creation (Rom. 8: 19-23) but also that the
Kingdoms and systems of the world, created by fallen man and spirits are not acceptable
unto God, the Creator. Our political structures however peaceful and well-organised, our
economic systems, however effective in meeting the needs of man without any
injustices, our social structure however humane and peaceful, our culture however
glorious are subject to the wrath of God, like the city or Tower of Babel, in so far as they
are not created in the knowledge of God, in submission to Him and for His glory. We
suggest therefore that the church, the Christians should be very much aware of this in
their relationship and participation in the human culture, the political, economic, social
and cultural systems and practices of man.
May I seize this opportunity to comment briefly about the current debates about African
religion and culture. The problem we face is not whether African religion and culture are
really meeting our spiritual, physical and social needs, nor for that matter whether we
should debunk European or foreign ideas and culture altogether (no one should come
here wearing a suit or shirt or shoes designed and made outside Africa, or communicate
in English, French or the Radio or eat with a spoon or plate of foreign origins). The
question we Christian should decide for ourselves is whether (1) there is God, (2) the
Revelation and Commandments of God in the christen Bible are true and the only way of
salvation and redemption; and therefore (3) whether Jesus Christ can and does stand
regarding His Claims, His Deity, His Power of Redemption and Judgement, Authority and
Power in this world and the world to come. We have agreed on this matter among others
in this conference that the church herself does not appear to be happy of the Lordship of
Jesus Christ in the church, much more in the world, that there are strong and growing
voices and structures in the church of disbelief of the WORD of GOD, the Bible as
adequate and sufficient revelator of God and His will by which to measure all reality.
Let us be warned of these voices, whatever their source, spirit or man, “Christian” or nonChristian, African or foreign. We are called to stand up and defend the faith against the
no doubt very strong voices.
This brings me to the Kingdom of God, a spiritual and hence social realm where God
reigns and rules supreme, where all reality submit to His sovereignty. God is determined
to bring this about at the end of the age, where all things shall be destroyed in judgment
and a new heaven and earth created for habitation by the redeemed resurrected or
transformed in glory after Jesus Christ in the fullness of the new spiritual nature whereas
angels, they neither marry nor die. Without dabbling too much as eschatology, let us
simply refer to Rev. 11 and suggest a prayerful study to see the times of fulfillment of
verse 15. “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying,
The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and
he shall reign for ever and ever.” It seems to me that the ministry of the Two witnesses
and the times following are events that will happen on this plane. That is to say, God has
a vision of total conquest or at least a time of His Glory on earth where some sections of
humanity at least, nations and peoples will accept His Word and Reign completely and
organise their affairs in total submission to Him and in accordance with His word.
Other nations unwilling to submit to the authority of God will be angry and set themselves
against the people of God. The wrath of God will be kindled. Destruction will follow before
the day of resurrection.
But whether we accept this course of human or not, one thing is certain God has set the
church as light and salt in the world. The redeemed has a mission not only to evangelize
but also bring social transformation in accordance with the Revealed will of God in the
scriptures under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. When the church or Christians accept
the fullness of the mission as kings, priests and prophets in society, as missionaries in
every gate and territory, human society will change accordingly, there will be
constructive engagement or encounter with every aspect of the people’s life. The land
will become the Lords removed from Satanic and man control, unto God, the people
will become married unto God as His people and His glory will appear. Is. 62: 3-5, 12.
“Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the
hand of thy God. Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any
more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for
the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married. For as a young man marrieth
a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so
shall thy God rejoice over thee.”
Verse 12: “And they shall call them, the holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and
thou shalt be called, sought out, A city not forsaken.”
That is why we have been asked to go through the gates, cast a highway, raise a standard
to our peoples and tell the church, Behold, Thy Salvation Cometh…. His Reward Is with
Him.
Finally beloved, let us remember that the coming of Jesus Christ is to do this…. To
Establish His Messiah Kingdom…… Isaiah 11 and Matthew chapters 5, 6, & 7. His
Government upon His shoulder. We as the people of God, and citizens of our respective
nations need to consider the challenges of the Gospel and the Spirit of The Lord, social
responsibility, as salt and light of social transformation, indeed of leadership in society.
Is. 9: 6-7
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his
shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The
everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace
there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and
to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of
the Lord of hosts will perform this.”
It is God’s honouring desire to bring this about. Who will let Him? Who will He send? Who
will go? The world situation of darkness and shadow of death, of diverse problems,
spiritual, physical and social, of the violence and wickedness, of wars and rumours of
wars. The problems of nation building, the harsh economic realities in Africa in
harnessing natural resources and in international relations of drought, famine and
refuges, are issues of demanding both study, prayer and action by the church. The social
problems are tasks of religion, of the word of Reconciliation and Liberation, Political and
Cultural issues are issues of Divine Light and Faith. Righteousness must exalt the
nations of Africa. Can the church respond to the cries of the leaders and people alike for
Divine Providence as Hand of God, a social institution as citizens. The concern of the
church Peace, Righteousness, Justice and Progress, Peace and Progress not Prosperity
and Power. Divine Guidance in humility in heart and spirit.