Two Kingdoms
Scripture teaches us that before we were formed in our mother's womb God knew us (Jer. 1:5, Eph. 1:4-5). God even knows the number of hairs on our head (Luke 12:7). He created us in love. From the very beginning of time, God desired for us to be healthy: spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Again, the order is important, as hereinafter revealed.
God created Adam and Eve in perfect health, in His own likeness and image (Gen. 1:26); He gave them dominion over all the earth (Gen. 1:28). Sickness and disease did not exist in the Garden of Eden. From the very beginning of His creation, man was not created to be sick or to die. Thus, we know that God's perfect will is for us to be in spiritual and physical health. In addition, from scripture, the attributes of the Kingdom of God versus those of the Kingdom of Darkness are made evident.
God created Adam and Eve in perfect health, in His own likeness and image (Gen. 1:26); He gave them dominion over all the earth (Gen. 1:28). Sickness and disease did not exist in the Garden of Eden. From the very beginning of His creation, man was not created to be sick or to die. Thus, we know that God's perfect will is for us to be in spiritual and physical health. In addition, from scripture, the attributes of the Kingdom of God versus those of the Kingdom of Darkness are made evident.
The Kingdom of God:
God's kingdom is one of love, acceptance, and forgiveness. He offers us mercy and grace. He is the God of all hope. He is our peace. He will never leave us nor forsake us. He is our deliverer (Rom. 11:26, Mat. 6:13, who has destroyed the "works of darkness" (ungodlines).
The Kingdom of Darkness:
Satan came, bringing disobedience, rebellion, sin, sickness, separation, pain, and torment. He is known as "the prince of this world" (John 12:31, 14:30, 16:11). We know that Satan's kingdom is one where there is no love, no joy, no peace, no acceptance, and no forgiveness; his purposes are to steal, kill, and destroy (based on John 10:10 and other verses). In the Kingdom of Darkness, there is only rejection, disillusionment, destruction, deceit, division, and despair.
We know that before man inhabited the earth Lucifer was expelled from heaven to the earth. On earth Satan continued his rebellion against God by tempting man to disobey God. Man sinned and became alienated from His creator. Man then became vulnerable to Satan and the supernatural beings under Satan's control, known as fallen angels, demons or evil spirits. Satan has a plan for your life, to steal, to kill, and to destroy. (John 10:10) He first wants to keep us from believing in God and Jesus, if he fails in this, then he wants to keep us from knowing Jesus Christ personally, and if that fails, he wants to keep us from serving Jesus Christ effectively.
The Kingdom of God and the kingdom of evil are engaged in fierce conflict one against the other for the souls, spirits, and bodies of men and women on earth. But God, not willing to allow His creation to come under the influence of darkness, prepared a way of escape (Salvation) for mankind and sent His own Son, Jesus to earth to show us the way. It is through the message of Jesus, His death on the cross, and His resurrection that allows us (Christ Followers) the authority and power to overcome darkness and set the oppressed free.
The Kingdom of God and the kingdom of evil are engaged in fierce conflict one against the other for the souls, spirits, and bodies of men and women on earth. But God, not willing to allow His creation to come under the influence of darkness, prepared a way of escape (Salvation) for mankind and sent His own Son, Jesus to earth to show us the way. It is through the message of Jesus, His death on the cross, and His resurrection that allows us (Christ Followers) the authority and power to overcome darkness and set the oppressed free.