Revelation Themes and Eschatological Applications

The Rebels Prayer

Transcript: AI Transcript

Professor: John Weaver

Subject: New Testament Studies

Genre: Sermon

Dictation Name:

Date: 2012-03-07

Synopsis: John Weaver examines the petition 'Thy kingdom come' from the Lord's Prayer, explaining it as a personal, practical, providential, and political prayer. He argues that praying for God's kingdom involves seeking Christ's reign in every area of life, the conversion of the elect, and the defeat of all opposition to God's law. The message is framed as a 'rebel's prayer' because those who submit to Christ's authority are often labeled rebels by the world, yet true rebellion is against God's lawful rule.

[John Weaver] The title of the message today is the rebel's prayer. Matthew 6 and Luke 11. Matthew 6 and Luke 11. Notice if you would Matthew chapter 6 and verse 10. Matthew 6 verse 10. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Now if you look in Luke 11 and verse 2, and he said unto them, when you pray, say, Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done as in heaven, so in earth. Years ago I preached a brief series on this prayer, And naturally, this passage is referred to most often as the Lord's Prayer or the Disciples' Prayer. This prayer could also be called the Kingdom's or the Kingdom Prayer. But it could also be called the Rebel's Prayer, which I will explain a little later. Actually, this is not the Lord's Prayer. Our Lord's Prayer is recorded in John 17. This is where the Lord is teaching His disciples to pray.

[John Weaver] He not only teaches them in thoughts, but in words as well. For instance, in Matthew 6 and verse 9, He states, After this manner, therefore pray ye. And since we're in Luke 11, if you look in verse 2, And He said unto them, When you pray, say. So obviously, He's giving us words that we are to say. You must understand that words have meanings. and it is the meanings of the word that is most important. You may repeat these words without understanding their meaning and receive little encouragement and little help and little understanding. However, when you understand the meaning of the words and the implications of the words, then there's a vast, great benefit that is derived therefrom. So there are major implications of each of these petitions each of these adorations.

[John Weaver] I'm not going to be dealing with all of these petitions, but I am going to try to single out just one, and that is the petition, Thy Kingdom Come. In order to single out that petition, I'm going to have to make some cursory remarks concerning some of the petitions, adorations that surround that one particular petition. But notice if you would, in verse 2 of Luke 11, And he said to them, when you pray, say, our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. So notice he begins by saying that when we begin to pray, we are to address the one true and the living God as our Father.

[John Weaver] Now, the term father emphasizes not only a relationship, but it should also emphasize our devotion to him as well, because the term father reveals an intimate, loving, gracious fellowship that we enjoy as we pray and as we worship before Him. Let me give you a quote from Arthur W. Pink, and I want you to listen as he speaks about this phrase, Our Father. He said, These words, Our Father, not only signify the office that God sustains to us by virtue of the everlasting covenant, but they also clearly imply our obligation They teach us both how we ought to dispose ourselves toward God when we pray to Him, and the conduct that is becoming to us by virtue of this relationship.

[John Weaver] As His children, we must honor Him even more than our human parents, be in subjection to Him, delight in Him, and strive in all things to please Him. Again, the phrase, our Father, not only teaches us our personal interest in God himself, who by grace is our father, but it also instructs us as our interest in our fellow Christians, who in Christ are our brethren. It is not merely my father to whom we pray, but to our father. We must express our love to our brethren by praying for them.

[John Weaver] We're to be as much concerned about their needs as we are over our own. how much is included in these two words, our Father. Just stop and think, our Father. Because obviously the implication is if He is my Father, there are other children there as well, and we should be remembering their needs as well. So He is our Father by election, by regeneration, by conversion, and by faith. Moreover, He is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In John 20 and verse 17, Jesus Christ said to Mary, Touch me not, for I am not yet ascended unto my Father. But go to my brethren and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father and your Father, and to my God and to your God. So God the Father is also known as the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is why in Ephesians 1 and verse 3 we read this, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

[John Weaver] So when we understand then that God the Father is the God and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, it gives us some other implications. And the fact is this, that we have been adopted into the family of God. that our God is indeed the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which means then that He is not only our Lord, our Savior, our Redeemer, He is also our elder brother, and therefore we have an inheritance in Him. So, our Lord said, when you pray, you say, our Father which art in heaven. When you use the expression, which art in heaven, That indicates the sovereignty, the majesty, the greatness, and the glory of God. We know and we understand that God is omnipresent. That means that He is everywhere at once in the totality of His being.

[John Weaver] Psalm 139 makes that exceedingly clear. Let me explain it again like this. It's not that part of God is in China and part is in America Part is in Russia, part is in Mongolia, and you take all these parts and put them together and you have one God. No, no, no, that's not it. That's heresy. The omnipresence of God means that God is everywhere at once in the totality of His being. There is no place in which God is not.

[John Weaver] Do you remember when Solomon dedicated the temple? In 1 Kings 8 and verse 27, he said this, But will God indeed dwell on earth? Behold, the heaven of heavens cannot contain him, much less this house that I have built it." So obviously God is omnipresent. So when he says our Father who art in heaven, we're talking about the greatness, the majesty, and the superiority of God. And the very fact when we say our Father which art in heaven indicates That is the place where His majesty and His glory are preeminently manifested. In Isaiah 66 and verse 1, and we're going to look at a lot of scriptures just momentarily, but in Isaiah 66 and verse 1 He said, Thus saith the Lord, Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool. So if heaven is His throne, that's where His majesty and His glory are particularly and peculiarly manifested. So just stop and think, our Father who art in heaven, the realization of this truth should fill us with the deepest awe and reverence because our Father who's in heaven, that means He is sovereign, He's in absolute and total control of everything.

[John Weaver] Psalm 115 in verse 3 says this, But our God is in the heavens. He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased. So He is not only, listen now, He is not only the sovereign God of heaven and earth, He is also our Father. Can you imagine for one moment the implications of knowing and understanding a relationship that you have with the Divine Being who not only happens to be your Father, but happens to have absolute and total control over everything.

[John Weaver] That surely ought to encourage you to pray. That surely ought to encourage you to carry every problem and every burden to Him. because he is divinely sovereign. So he said, our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. When we say, hallowed be thy name, we're asking that God, who is the most holy and most glorious, might enable us not only to acknowledge his holiness and his honor, but to make us and to enable us to be in a position to continue to hallow and honor his name. Thomas Manton, an old Puritan, said it like this, talking about hallowed be thy name. He said, in this petition, the glory of God is both desired and promised on our part.

[John Weaver] For every prayer is both an expression of a desire and also an explicit vow of our solemn obligation that we take upon ourselves to prosecute what we ask. Now let me just stop there. Listen to what he just said. For every prayer is both an expression of a desire and also an implicit vow or solemn obligation that we take upon ourselves to prosecute what we ask. So if we're saying, Hallowed be thy name, we're expressing not only a desire for God to be honored and glorified We are expressing also a solemn obligation that we're going to take on our part to make sure that we honor and glorify his name. Matten goes on and he says, prayer is a preaching to ourselves in God's hearing. We speak to God to warn ourselves, not for his information, but for our edification.

[John Weaver] And that certainly is true. And so our primary duty in prayer basically then is to disregard ourselves, and to give God the preeminence in our thoughts, desires, and supplication. So this petition, our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, necessarily comes first. Why? Because the glory of God is the end of all things. All other requests in this prayer are subordinate to this one. We're to sanctify and we're to honor God's name above everything in our lives.

[John Weaver] That's why in Matthew 6 and verse 33, He said, What? But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and then all these other things shall be added unto you.

[John Weaver] Now, the message today is not dealing with the Lord's Prayer in general, but specifically this petition, Thy Kingdom Come. When we pray, Thy Kingdom Come, There are several very obvious implications. And the first one is simple. God does have a kingdom. Thy kingdom come. The second obvious implication is, we want that kingdom to come in its fullness. Now, again, I'm not going to be going into a detailed exposition of the kingdom of God. Well, let me just tell you three things about the Kingdom of God very quickly. First of all, we can say it like this. Listen carefully. The Kingdom has come. The Kingdom is here. And the Kingdom is coming. What? The Kingdom has come. The Kingdom is here. And the Kingdom is coming. Well, how can we say the kingdom has come? Well, we can say the kingdom has come because the King of Kings, the Lord Jesus Christ, has come. And what did our Lord say in Matthew 11, or Matthew 12 it is, in verse 28? He said to the scribes and the Pharisees, But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

[John Weaver] So the kingdom of God was here when Christ was here. He said the kingdom of God is come unto you. Look in your Bibles, if you would, to the book of Colossians chapter 1 to show you not only that the kingdom of God has come, but it is here. Look what he says in the book of Colossians chapter 1 at verses 12 and 13. Colossians chapter 1, look if you would please at verse 12.

[John Weaver] giving thanks unto the Father, who hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light, who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us, where? Where did He translate us to? Into the kingdom of His dear Son. So the kingdom has come, because Christ has come. The kingdom is here, because we are now in the kingdom. And the kingdom is still coming. That is, it is going to come in its fullness and fruition. And the Bible tells us in Revelation 11 in verse 15, the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever. So, when we're talking about the kingdom, when we're talking about the kingdom, we know that the kingdom has come, the kingdom is here, And the kingdom is coming. Now, so, we're going to be looking then particularly at this one simple petition. Thy kingdom come.

[John Weaver] So I want you to go back to Luke chapter 11 if you would please. Luke chapter 11. And look if you would again please at verse 2. Luke 11 verse 2. And He said unto them, when you pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come. Thy kingdom come. Have you ever really, genuinely thought of the implications of this petition? Thy kingdom come. I want to give you four things very quickly this morning. The first three are very interconnected. Actually, all four are interconnected, but you may not see the impact of the fourth one until I get to it. But first of all, let me point out, it is a personal petition. It is a personal petition. So our Lord is teaching us to pray. And Luke 11 and verse 2, After He teaches us to say, our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, He gives us this petition, thy kingdom come. So it is a personal petition. It is personal in the sense that you are asking for the kingdom of God to come in its fullness, and at the same time, you are asking that you might be submissive and obedient in that kingdom yourself.

[John Weaver] Why in the world would you seek for the kingdom of God to come if you did not want to be a part of it and participate in it. You're asking in this petition Christ to reign everywhere and that would certainly include your heart, your soul, your life. When you say, Thy kingdom come, you are acknowledging that Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords and God of gods, and that He deserves to be honored and worshipped. So very obviously this petition, Thy kingdom come, is a personal petition. I want you to look in your Bibles, hold in Luke 11, but go in your Bibles to 1 Chronicles chapter 29, 1 Chronicles 29, and look if you would please at verse 11. I want you to see what King Asa, Said first Chronicles 29 and verse 11. This is a summation of the kingdom of God. First Chronicles 29 verse 11. Look at what he said.

[John Weaver] Dino Lord is the greatness and the power and the glory of the victory of the majesty for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is dying. Thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and Thou art exalted as head above all." When we say, Thy kingdom come, that is exactly what we're saying. We're saying that God is the greatest, His power, His majesty, His glory, His victory, that He is king of all of the earth. So, Thy kingdom come is a personal petition, and what you're asking is that Jesus Christ, would be exalted in your life, in every area, in every sphere. You are acknowledging him as your king, your sovereign, your head, your guide, and your Lord. No one would pray this petition if they did not personally desire the kingdom of God on earth.

[John Weaver] Now, I want to show you that what Asa said in 1 Chronicles 29, What our Lord taught us to pray in Matthew 6 and in Luke 11 is the same as what the prophets prophesied. For instance, turn in your Bibles to Isaiah chapter 11 and look if you would please at verse 9. Isaiah 11 and verse 9. We're talking about praying, thy kingdom come. It's a personal petition. In Isaiah 11 in verse 9, look what God says. Here is what we're referring to. God says, they shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. As the waters cover the sea. How much of the sea is covered by water? All of it. So when we pray, Thy Kingdom come, what are we asking? We're asking for God's Kingdom to extend totally and completely and absolutely in every area, in every corner, in every sphere of life. If you would, look in your Bibles to the little book of Habakkuk.

[John Weaver] Habakkuk chapter 2. And verse 14, one of the minor prophets, Habakkuk chapter 2, at verse 14. Right before the little book of Zephaniah, right after the little book of Nahum, you will find Habakkuk. Habakkuk chapter 2, and look in verse 14. For he says it like this, For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.

[John Weaver] So when we are taught to pray, Thy kingdom come, it's a personal petition. We are personally seeking God's glory, grace, majesty, superiority, sovereignty over every area and over every sphere of our life and the lives of the others and of the world. We're asking for the time appointed for the fullness of the Lord's kingdom to arrive. So it's only a personal petition. Secondly, it is a practical petition. You remember he said in Luke 11 in verse two, when you pray, say our father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come. So you are practically, Petitioning the Father then, not only to prepare your heart, but the hearts of others as well. You're asking Jesus Christ to go forth as conqueror.

[John Weaver] John Calvin said it like this, He is said to reign among men when they voluntarily devote and submit themselves to be governed by Him, placing their flesh under the yoke and renouncing their desires. Such is the corruption of the nature that all of our affections are so many soldiers of Satan who oppose the justice of God and consequently obstruct or disturb his reign. By this prayer we ask that he may remove all hindrances and bring all men under his dominion and may lead them to meditate on the heavenly life." So this is done partly by preaching of the Word of God and partly by the secret power of the Holy Spirit. It's God's will to govern men by His word, by His voice, but the Holy Spirit must make that word effectual. If the Holy Spirit does not apply the word of God, then no one really hears. It's kind of like Augustine, who said it like this, I heard the gospel all of my life, and then one day I heard it.

[John Weaver] That's the way it is. If God does not make it effectual. I remember years ago, I had a preacher come to our church in Jessup, and he preached all week long on the doctrine of election. It was a wonderful, wonderful week. And I never will forget one of our men who had been so faithful, came to me, he said, Pastor, this is so great, this is so wonderful, but I have one question.

[John Weaver] He said, Why haven't you been preaching this?" And I said, Brother, I have one question for you. He said, What is it? I said, Why have you not been listening? Well, I had been preaching it. He just had not heard it. But then that week he heard it. The Kingdom of God is opposed to all disorder and confusion. Do you not remember the passage where it says that God is not the author of confusion? How much confusion exists in this world? Just in civil government. How much confusion exists in the churches? How much confusion exists in the homes and in the families? How much confusion exists in our own individual lives?

[John Weaver] You think of all the vain thoughts, wrong desires, impure motives, bad attitudes, wicked dispositions, pride, arrogance, unforgiveness, bitterness, resentment, disobedience that remain in each one of us. That creates nothing but confusion in our lives. Do we want those sins conquered? Do we want those sins defeated? Do we want our sins controlled? Do we want the totality of our lives to be brought in conformity to the Word of God and in submission to Jesus Christ?

[John Weaver] Well, we need to learn to pray this prayer because it's a very practical petition. Thy kingdom come. Your kingdom come in my life. God is not the author of confusion. 1 Corinthians 14 verse 33. So, let me put it to you very plainly. Where confusion exists, so to sin, strife, and wickedness. Look in your Bibles to the book of James, James chapter 3, and notice verse 16. Hebrews, James, James chapter 3, and notice if you would please, verse 16. Look what he says. James 3, verse 16. envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. Where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

[John Weaver] You can knock her down, folks. Wherever there's envying, wherever there's strife, wherever there's confusion, there's every evil work. So when we pray then, thy kingdom come, We're asking that Christ conquer us. Reign over us. Subdue us. Submit us. Surrender us. Control us in every aspect of our lives.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to turn to the book of Philippians chapter 3. Because I believe the Apostle Paul understood this. And I think this is exactly, partly what he had in mind when he prayed this prayer. Look in the book of Philippians. Chapter 3, beginning there in verse 12. Philippians 3, verse 12. I don't suppose any of us could ever come close to the depth of knowledge and spirituality of the Apostle Paul.

[John Weaver] We always hold him up on a pedestal. But yet he says very clearly in Philippians 3, notice verse 12, Not as though I had already attained, Either were already perfect. Paul said, I hadn't arrived. I'm not perfect. But I follow after. If that I may apprehend, for that which I am also apprehended of Christ Jesus, brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended or attained. 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. Now what did the Apostle Paul say? Forgetting those things which are behind. How many of us can go back and undo things that we did in our previous years? Not one. We can't.

[John Weaver] But by God's grace, we can repent and then go forward. You can't do anything else. That's what the Apostle Paul says. He can't go back and unlive what he lived or undo what he did. But he can repent and he can go forward. And that's exactly what he's saying. So when we're praying this petition, Thy Kingdom Come, it's not only a personal petition, it's a very practical petition because Paul desired to have his life totally conquered by Jesus Christ. He said, I press toward the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Thirdly, this petition, Thy Kingdom Come, is a providential petition.

[John Weaver] Let me explain what I mean by that. Our Lord is teaching us to pray, and this petition is Thy Kingdom Come. I've pointed out it's a personal petition, it's a practical petition, Now it's a providential petition. By that, when we pray thy kingdom come, we understand that the kingdom is brought into fullness and fruition by God's grace, power, and mercy, and in His time. We may long for it. We may want it. We may work for it. We may pray for it. We may seek it. We may desire it, but the truth is, it is only going to come in its fullness in the time that He ordained. But in this petition, we are praying for the success of the gospel. Thy kingdom come. We're praying for the conversion of God's elect. We're praying that Christ would indeed save his people.

[John Weaver] Matthew Henry said it like this. Let thy kingdom come. Let the gospel be preached to all and embraced by all. Let it be brought to subscribe to the record God has given in his word concerning his son and to embrace him as their savior and sovereign. Let the bounds of the gospel church be enlarged. The kingdom of the world be made Christ's kingdom and all men become subjects to it and live as becomes their character.

[John Weaver] I want you to turn in your Bibles to the book of 2 Timothy and let me show you something. 2 Timothy chapter 2 and let me ask a leading question. Have you ever thought about all the things that the Apostle Paul went through and suffered, why he went through and suffered them. You remember he gives there in 2 Corinthians how that he was beaten with rods, received 40 lashes a number of times, died in day in the deep, suffered all of these things. Why? 2 Timothy chapter 2 verse 10, he says this, Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with the eternal glory. You see, Paul understood that our Lord has the people. And he said, I'm going to endure all of these things. I will keep going. that I may reach them." So this petition, Thy Kingdom Come, teaches us to pray for, to witness, and to seek, and to reach all those for whom our Lord is a sacrifice and a substitute.

[John Weaver] We know that Christ has a sheep. He has His sheep. What did He say in John 10 and verse 14? Let me just quote it. He said, I am the good shepherd, I know my sheep, and am not of mine. In John 10 in verse 27 he says this, My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. You cannot deny the fact that God does indeed have a sheep. He has His sheep wherever they are, whoever they are. One of the things that I know is this, When I preach and teach, I know not everyone is going to be saved, but I know some are. I know that not everybody is going to be blessed, but I know that some are. Because He has His sheep, and they hear His voice, and they follow Him. When we pray, Thy Kingdom come, We're asking Christ to gather his sheep from all the nations, wherever they are scattered, and bring them safely into his fold. There's a passage in John 11 in verse 52, where the high priest prophesied that Christ should die, not for that nation only, but also that he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.

[John Weaver] Moreover, God the Father has declared that the gathering together of all things in Christ is an aspect of His eternal purpose. In Ephesians 1 in verse 10, the Bible says this, that in the dispensation of the fullness of times, He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth, even in Him. Let me tell you something, folks.

[John Weaver] I can say this unequivocally. I can say this dogmatically. In God's ordained time, Everything will work perfectly according to God's eternal purpose. All of His sheep, all of His people will be gathered in. I don't know when that would be. I would love to see it in my time. I may not. I have no idea, but I know it's going to come to pass. So what I have to do is this. I have to keep praying, Thy Kingdom come. So, it's a personal petition. It's a practical petition. It is a providential petition. And lastly, it is a political petition. Now, how in the world can I say that? How can I say the petition, Thy Kingdom Come, is a political petition?

[John Weaver] Because you have been taught and you've heard all of your life, politics and religions do not mix. Two things you never talk about, politics and religion. And if you talk about them, you just simply don't mix them because they don't mix. Well, who said they don't mix? When people say that you cannot mix politics and religions, they do not understand the concept of the kingdom of God, nor do they understand the concept of politics.

[John Weaver] First, let me point out that all government is religious. All government is religious. It may be the Christian religion or it may be a pagan religion, but it's still religious. All law is religious. It may be the Christian law or it may be a pagan law, but it is still religious because behind every law is a determination of good and evil, right and wrong. And it is someone's religion that determines good and evil, right and wrong. Each of those concepts is guided by an understanding of religion. It is impossible to have government without religion. It is impossible to have law without religion. It is not a question of whether or not you will have government or law without religion. The question is, whose religion will it be? Will it be God's? religion or will it be man's religion?

[John Weaver] You've got to understand that even if someone says, well, I'm an atheist. Therefore, my law is not religious. That's hogwash. You know what atheism is? Theism means God. Put an A on it. Atheism, no God. And so when you say my religion is atheism or I don't have religion, I'm an atheist, what you're saying is I'm a secularist humanist with a religious secularist humanist worldview. It's still religious. Because you don't believe in the living God, you have established yourself as God. It's man's religion. It's autonomy. You cannot have government and you cannot have law without religion. Period.

[John Weaver] Secondly, let me cover the word politics. It's from the Greek word, which literally means of a citizen, politikos, of a citizen. Well, you say, what's that got to do with thy kingdom come? Well, I want you to look in your Bibles. First of all, to the book of Acts chapter 21 and verse 39, the apostle Paul, was going to address the people who were trying to kill him. Look at Acts chapter 21 and verse 39. Acts 21 verse 39. Paul is speaking to the centurion who rescued him before he gives his testimony in chapter 22. And Paul says this in verse 39, but Paul said, I'm a man, which I'm a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city. And I beseech thee suffer me to speak unto the people. Now he said, I'm a citizen of no mean city. The word citizen is Politas. So Paul said, I'm a citizen of no mean city. In other words, I'm a citizen of a very great city. You say, what's that got to do with thy kingdom come?

[John Weaver] Well, look in your Bibles to the book of Philippians chapter 3. Philippians chapter 3. Notice if you would please in verse 20. Okay?

[John Weaver] Paul said this, Philippians 3 and verse 20, For our conversation is in heaven, from whence also we look for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Now the word conversation is a very interesting word. It is in the Greek word polytouma. Ah, polytouma, polyteikos. The word actually refers, now listen, here's what the Greek word actually refers to. The administration of civil affairs of a commonwealth. the constitution of a commonwealth, a form of government and the laws by which it is administered, a state, a commonwealth, a commonwealth of citizens. Paul could have literally said in verse 20, for our citizenship is in heaven. From whence also we look for our savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. We have a citizenship We have a political view, a worldview, a Christian view that is biblical and scriptural.

[John Weaver] Yes, politics and religion do mix. Because if you are a citizen of heaven, you have a political view, a political understanding, a biblical law of a Christian worldview, and you express it. So when I pray thy kingdom come, it is a political petition. Let me try to explain it like this. I'm a southerner and a citizen of the state of Georgia. Those of you who know me understand this.

[John Weaver] I do not care one thing for any game that has a ball in it. Period. I don't care if football, baseball, I just don't care for it. But I'll tell you one thing. Although I care nothing for a game with a ball in it, if I hear that Georgia is playing Kentucky, I automatically want Georgia to win. You know why? I'm a citizen of Georgia. I don't want Auburn to win.

[John Weaver] No, I didn't use that, Doc. But now, for instance, if I hear Kentucky is playing New York, I want Kentucky to win. Why? I'm a southerner. If I hear America is playing Russia, I want America to win. Why? I'm an American. Do you see what I'm trying to say? If I want Georgia to win, although I don't care anything about ball. If I want the South to win, although I don't care anything about ball. If I want America to win, although I don't care anything about ball. Don't you understand that as a Christian, I automatically want King Jesus to win. I want His kingdom. I want His will. I want His word. In other words, when you stop and think the kingdoms of sin and Satan and man, are all opposed and contrary to the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. All of those other kingdoms are darkness and disorder and confusion and consternation. Jesus Christ has the kingdom of light and truth. And so when I pray, Thy kingdom come, it is a political petition, it is a political prayer that the kingdom of Jesus Christ would be advanced and that the kingdom of sin, Satan and man, would be destroyed and that Jesus Christ would rule and reign supreme.

[John Weaver] Yes, that's a political statement. The Westminster Shorter Catechism puts it like this, listen carefully. In the second petition we pray that Satan's kingdom may be destroyed and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced, ourselves and others brought into it and be kept in it and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened." So when we pray, Thy kingdom come, we're asking, Lord, hasten the day that you defeat Satan and his host and let them be completely and totally vanquished. Let Thy people be done with sinning forever.

[John Weaver] Let Christ see the travail of His soul and be satisfied and let King Jesus triumph over everything. Oh yes! It is a political petition. The petition is an expression of a prayer that God may reign everywhere, that His laws may be obeyed, and especially that the gospel of Christ would be advanced everywhere, till the world shall be filled with the glory and the fullness of God as the waters cover the sea. Thy kingdom come is a prayer and a petition for the defeat of Christ's enemies. It is a prayer for the overthrow, defeat, and spoil of all of those who oppose Him and hate Him.

[John Weaver] David recorded a conversation between the father and his son in Psalm 110 in verse 1. Let me just read it. And the Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool." Did you know that that verse is repeated several times in the New Testament? One of which is Matthew 22 verse 44, And the Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand till I make thine enemies thy footstool. In Hebrews 10 and verse 13, the Bible says that Christ sat down on the right hand of God from henceforth expecting till His enemies be made His footstool. In other words, our Lord shall subdue all of His enemies.

[John Weaver] Do you not remember that passage? In Philippians 2, 10 through 11, where the Bible says that in the name of Jesus, every knee should bow of things in heaven, of things in earth, and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Oh yes, He will conquer and His enemies will fall. If you will turn very quickly in your Bibles to the book of Psalms, Look at Psalm 2. Psalm 2.

[John Weaver] And notice if you would, beginning there with verse 8. Psalm 2, verse 8. Look what our Lord says to His Son. Psalm 2, verse 8. God the Father says to God the Son. In fact, let's read verse 7. I will declare the decree the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. In other words, I have established thee, I have set up thy kingdom. Look what the Father says to the Son, verse 8, Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron, thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessels. Now look what God says to the kings of the earth. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings. Be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry and you perish from the way when His wrath is kindled but a little.

[John Weaver] Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him. So when we pray this petition, thy kingdom come. We're asking that the earth may become obedient to the will of God and be in subjection to Jesus Christ. We're asking that God the Father will subdue all the wicked, all the reprobate, all the ungodly. He would bring down those that oppose King Jesus. Wow! When we pray, Thy kingdom come, we're declaring We're acknowledging that we hate and regret whatever we perceive to be contrary to the will of God, and we long for its utter destruction, not only that He may rule all of our affections, but we may yield ourselves to Him without reserve, but with all cheerfulness and gladness. And we learn to pray with David in Psalm 7 and verse 9, Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish thou the just.

[John Weaver] I want you to turn in your Bibles to Isaiah 9. I can quote it, but I want you to see it. Look at Isaiah 9 at verses 6 and 7. You know this passage. Isaiah 9. Look at verse 6. I love it. For unto us a child was born, Unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end.

[John Weaver] Upon the throne of David and upon his kingdom to order and to establish it with judgment and justice from henceforth forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. What will God the Father do? He will establish His Son, Jesus Christ, and of the increase of His government, there shall be no end.

[John Weaver] Now, I titled this message, The Rebel's Prayer, for a reason. The truth of the matter is this. As God's people, we are not rebels. In reality, the rebels are those who oppose our Lord Jesus Christ and His Kingdom. However, down through history, all of those who have ever resisted tyranny and despotism through the ages have been labeled rebels. George Washington was a rebel. Thomas Jefferson was a rebel. even in the war of northern aggression, the southern people were called Rebs or rebels.

[John Weaver] It was not the South who was in rebellion to the law, it was the North that was in rebellion to the law. If you resist the new world order or fight against tyranny, you are not only called a rebel, you are now labeled a terrorist. Isn't it amazing? that only those who seek to stand for what is right and true and biblical and constitutional are now called rebels and terrorists? We must remember that rebellion can only be to lawful authority. Are you listening? If there is no lawful authority, there is no rebellion. It is only resistance.

[John Weaver] If I came by and say, I just pass a law that everyone has to turn in their weapons by tomorrow at two o'clock, and if you don't do it, you're rebellious. What? And you don't turn them in? Are you a rebel? No. Because I have no authority to ask you to turn in your weapons. Neither does the federal government, neither does the state government. And if you resisted, you would not be rebellious. You would just be resisting evil and tyranny and wickedness. Rebellion can only be to lawful authority. So if there is no lawful authority, there is no rebellion.

[John Weaver] The truth of the matter is this, folks. The true rebels are those who are in rebellion to Jesus Christ and His law. Those who want to be submissive to Christ are not rebels. although they're listed as rebels. I want to read something to you. The impetus of this message came from a friend of mine, Dr. Brooke Stockton. Now, I don't know if what Dr. Stockton wrote was original with him, or he just sent it around, I don't know. But since it came from him, I'm going to give him credit. But here is the one brief paragraph that really got me to thinking about this message. Here's what he wrote.

[John Weaver] Our precious Lord taught us to pray, thy kingdom come. It is part of the Lord's prayer, a.k.a. the disciple's prayer. Positively, it is a plea that all men and all man's institutions would surrender to be ruled by God's law. Negatively, It is a coup d'etat against ungodless authorities and de facto officials. This is the rebels' prayer, a revolutionaries' cry against the immorality of this age and the promotion of wickedness by men in rebellion against their creator. The prayer is God's permission to resist evil, to take the high road and to swim against the stream. It allows men to shout, no king but King Jesus. It is permission to adopt the motto, one nation under God and one absolute law. It is a prayer against the belief that man is God, that government is God, that man's laws or their constitutions are absolute. It is a prayer against the status quo where ambitious men seek to advance the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life. It is a prayer against abortion, oppression, homosexuality, pornography, and greed.

[John Weaver] It is a prayer against secularism, atheism, humanism, socialism, Marxism, and every other ism wherein secularists seek to build a city where man is the measure of all things. It is a prayer against rulers and rebellion against the Lord and His anointed, against governments who seek to enslave and control men through coercion, intimidation, and fear. It is a prayer against governments hostile to the maxim that the Bible is the source of all law. It is a prayer against governments that break their own laws. It is a prayer against unjust laws and legislators who do mischief through law by creating a system of man-made statutes and codes that enslave their citizenry. who seek to create a new world order through law, who promote alien laws and undermine the Ten Commandments and the virtues they advance, faithfulness, justice, and mercy. It is a prayer against those who defraud others, against rulers that steal from their people through the color of law, against unlawful taxation, the transfer of power from the family to the state. If you are angry at the godless politicians, this prayer and this petition is for you.

[John Weaver] Thy kingdom come. Because when His Kingdom comes, all of that will vanish.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to turn to 2 Thessalonians chapter 1. 2 Thessalonians chapter 1. I want to show you the implication of thy kingdom come. Okay? 2 Thessalonians chapter 1. If you are really, genuinely and truly tired of the corruption, fraud, tyranny, despotism, abuse of authority, then you need to learn to pray daily, yea, even hourly, this petition, thy kingdom come. You say, what good will that do? Well, let me just show you. 2 Thessalonians chapter 1, beginning with verse 7.

[John Weaver] And you who are troubled, rest with us. For the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He shall come to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired in all them that believe, because our testimony among you was believed in that day. One day, every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father, every enemy of the kingdom shall be cast out, and God shall reign supremely, sovereignly, and absolutely, and by His grace and by His mercy, we will be subjects in that eternal kingdom. is on the throne, and our Lord taught us to pray, our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come. And when it comes, all of man's kingdoms will vanish and disappear, and Jesus Christ alone will be magnified in that day.

[John Weaver] Father, in thy name we bow to thee. We ask you for your mercy, for your grace, for your strength. And we ask you, Lord, to teach us to understand the implications of thy kingdom come. Help us to seek it, to pray for it, to long for it, to desire it. And Lord, to live as we're in it now, in obedience to thee in every area of our life. In thy name we pray. Amen. Amen.

The Rebel's Prayer

John Weaver | YouTube

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	YouTube
Media ID	q0MY08lrOXY
Subject	New Testament Studies
Course	Revelation Themes and Eschatological Applications
Genre	Sermon
Date	2012-03-07
Dictation Name
Book	Book 141: Revelation Themes and Eschatological Applications — Chapter 9
Source Timed Segments	65

Formatted Transcript

Introduction: The Lord's Prayer as the Rebel's Prayer

Weaver introduces the Lord's Prayer from Matthew 6 and Luke 11, noting it could be called the Kingdom Prayer or the Rebel's Prayer. He emphasizes that Jesus taught specific words with deep meanings.

The title of the message today is "The Rebel's Prayer." Matthew 6 and Luke 11. Matthew 6 and Luke 11. Notice, if you would, Matthew chapter 6 and verse 10. Matthew 6 verse 10:

Scripture Reading — Matthew 6:10

"Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." Now, if you look in Luke 11 and verse 2: "And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done,

as in heaven, so in earth." Years ago I preached a brief series on this prayer, and naturally, this passage is referred to most often as the Lord's Prayer or the Disciples' Prayer. This prayer could also be called the Kingdom's Prayer or the Kingdom Prayer. But it could also be called the Rebel's Prayer, which I will explain a little later. Actually, this is not the Lord's Prayer. Our Lord's Prayer is recorded in John 17. This is where the Lord is teaching His disciples to pray.

He not only teaches them in thoughts, but in words as well. For instance, in Matthew 6 and verse 9, He states,

Scripture Reading — Matthew 6:9

"After this manner therefore pray ye."

And since we're in Luke 11, if you look in verse 2, "And he said unto them, When ye pray, say..." So obviously, He's giving us words that we are to say. You must understand that words have meanings, and it is the meanings of the words that are most important. You may repeat these words without understanding their meaning and receive little encouragement and little help and little understanding. However, when you understand the meaning of the words and the implications of the words, then there's a vast, great benefit that is derived therefrom. So there are major implications of each of these petitions, each of these adorations.

Addressing God as 'Our Father'

The term 'Father' signifies an intimate relationship and devotion, implying obligations to honor God and love fellow believers. It also points to adoption and inheritance through Christ.

I'm not going to be dealing with all of these petitions, but I am going to try to single out just one, and that is the petition, "Thy kingdom come." In order to single out that petition, I'm going to have to make some cursory remarks concerning some of the petitions and adorations that surround that one particular petition. But notice, if you would, in verse 2 of Luke 11: "And he said to them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name." So notice He begins by saying that when we begin to pray, we are to address the one true and the living God as our Father. Now, the term "Father" emphasizes not only a relationship, but it should also emphasize our devotion to Him as well, because the term "Father" reveals an intimate, loving, gracious fellowship that we enjoy as we pray and as we worship before Him. Let me give you a quote from Arthur W. Pink, and I want you to listen as he speaks about this phrase, "Our Father." He said, "These words, 'Our Father,' not only signify the office that God sustains to us by virtue of the everlasting covenant, but they also clearly imply our obligation. They teach us both how we ought to dispose ourselves toward God when we pray to Him, and the conduct that is becoming to us by virtue of this relationship."

"As His children, we must honor Him even more than our human parents, be in subjection to Him, delight in Him, and strive in all things to please Him. Again, the phrase 'Our Father' not only teaches us our personal interest in God Himself, who by grace is our Father, but it also instructs us as to our interest in our fellow Christians, who in Christ are our brethren. It is not merely 'my Father' to whom we pray, but 'our Father.' We must express our love to our brethren by praying for them." How much is included in these two words, "Our Father"? Just stop and think: "Our Father." Because obviously the implication is, if He is my Father, there are other children there as well, and we should be remembering their needs as well. So He is our Father by election, by regeneration, by conversion, and by faith. Moreover, He is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In John 20 and verse 17, Jesus Christ said to Mary,

Scripture Reading — John 20:17

"Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God."

So God the Father is also known as the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is why in Ephesians 1 and verse 3 we read this: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus."

So when we understand then that God the Father is the God and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, it gives us some other implications. And the fact is this: that we have been adopted into the family of God, that our God is indeed the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which means then that He is not only our Lord, our Savior, our Redeemer, He is also our elder brother, and therefore we have an inheritance in Him. So, our Lord said, "When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven." When you use the expression "which art in heaven," that indicates the sovereignty, the majesty, the greatness, and the glory of God. We know and we understand that God is omnipresent. That means that He is everywhere at once in the totality of His being.

The Majesty of 'Which Art in Heaven'

This phrase highlights God's sovereignty, omnipresence, and supreme majesty, encouraging awe and confidence in prayer because He controls everything.

Psalm 139 makes that exceedingly clear. Let me explain it again like this: It's not that part of God is in China and part is in America, part is in Russia, part is in Mongolia, and you take all these parts and put them together and you have one God. No, no, no, that's not it. That's heresy. The omnipresence of God means that God is everywhere at once in the totality of His being. There is no place in which God is not. Do you remember when Solomon dedicated the temple? In 1 Kings 8 and verse 27, he said this:

Scripture Reading — 1 Kings 8:27

"But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have built?"

So obviously God is omnipresent. So when He says "Our Father which art in heaven," we're talking about the greatness, the majesty, and the superiority of God. And the very fact when we say "Our Father which art in heaven" indicates that is the place where His majesty and His glory are preeminently manifested. In Isaiah 66 and verse 1—and we're going to look at a lot of scriptures just momentarily—but in Isaiah 66 and verse 1 He said, "Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool." So if heaven is His throne, that's where His majesty and His glory are particularly and peculiarly manifested. So just stop and think: "Our Father which art in heaven." The realization of this truth should fill us with the deepest awe and reverence, because our Father who's in heaven—that means He is sovereign, He's in absolute and total control of everything.

Psalm 115 in verse 3 says this:

Scripture Reading — Psalm 115:3

"But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased."

So He is not only—listen now—He is not only the sovereign God of heaven and earth, He is also our Father. Can you imagine for one moment the implications of knowing and understanding a relationship that you have with the Divine Being who not only happens to be your Father, but happens to have absolute and total control over everything? That surely ought to encourage you to pray. That surely ought to encourage you to carry every problem and every burden to Him, because He is divinely sovereign. So He said, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name." When we say, "Hallowed be thy name," we're asking that God, who is the most holy and most glorious, might enable us not only to acknowledge His holiness and His honor, but to make us and to enable us to be in a position to continue to hallow and honor His name. Thomas Manton, an old Puritan, said it like this, talking about "Hallowed be thy name." He said, "In this petition, the glory of God is both desired and promised on our part."

Hallowed Be Thy Name: A Vow of Honor

Praying 'Hallowed be thy name' is both a desire for God's glory and a personal obligation to honor Him. Prayer preaches to ourselves and prioritizes God's preeminence.

"For every prayer is both an expression of a desire and also an explicit vow of our solemn obligation that we take upon ourselves to prosecute what we ask." Now let me just stop there. Listen to what he just said: "For every prayer is both an expression of a desire and also an implicit vow or solemn obligation that we take upon ourselves to prosecute what we ask." So if we're saying, "Hallowed be thy name," we're expressing not only a desire for God to be honored and glorified, we are expressing also a solemn obligation that we're going to take on our part to make sure that we honor and glorify His name. Manton goes on and he says, "Prayer is a preaching to ourselves in God's hearing. We speak to God to warn ourselves, not for His information, but for our edification."

And that certainly is true. And so our primary duty in prayer basically then is to disregard ourselves and to give God the preeminence in our thoughts, desires, and supplication. So this petition, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name," necessarily comes first. Why? Because the glory of God is the end of all things. All other requests in this prayer are subordinate to this one. We're to sanctify and we're to honor God's name above everything in our lives.

That's why in Matthew 6 and verse 33, He said,

Scripture Reading — Matthew 6:33

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

The Kingdom Has Come, Is Here, and Is Coming

Weaver explains the kingdom of God in three tenses: it came with Christ, believers are translated into it now, and it will come in fullness when Christ returns.

Now, the message today is not dealing with the Lord's Prayer in general, but specifically this petition: "Thy kingdom come." When we pray, "Thy kingdom come," there are several very obvious implications. And the first one is simple: God does have a kingdom. "Thy kingdom come." The second obvious implication is, we want that kingdom to come in its fullness. Now, again, I'm not going to be going into a detailed exposition of the kingdom of God. Well, let me just tell you three things about the kingdom of God very quickly. First of all, we can say it like this—listen carefully: The kingdom has come. The kingdom is here. And the kingdom is coming. What? The kingdom has come. The kingdom is here. And the kingdom is coming. Well, how can we say the kingdom has come? Well, we can say the kingdom has come because the King of kings, the Lord Jesus Christ, has come. And what did our Lord say in Matthew 12, in verse 28? He said to the scribes and the Pharisees, "But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you."

So the kingdom of God was here when Christ was here. He said, "The kingdom of God is come unto you." Look in your Bibles, if you would, to the book of Colossians chapter 1 to show you not only that the kingdom of God has come, but it is here. Look what he says in the book of Colossians chapter 1 at verses 12 and 13. Colossians chapter 1, look if you would please at verse 12.

Scripture Reading — Colossians 1:12-13

"Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us"

—where? Where did He translate us to?—

Scripture Reading — Colossians 1:12-13

"into the kingdom of his dear Son."

So the kingdom has come, because Christ has come. The kingdom is here, because we are now in the kingdom. And the kingdom is still coming. That is, it is going to come in its fullness and fruition. And the Bible tells us in Revelation 11 in verse 15, "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever." So, when we're talking about the kingdom, we know that the kingdom has come, the kingdom is here, and the kingdom is coming. Now, so, we're going to be looking then particularly at this one simple petition: "Thy kingdom come."

A Personal Petition: Submitting to Christ's Reign

Praying 'Thy kingdom come' is personal, asking for Christ to reign in one's own heart and life, acknowledging Him as King over all.

So I want you to go back to Luke chapter 11 if you would please. Luke chapter 11. And look if you would again please at verse 2. Luke 11 verse 2: "And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come." "Thy kingdom come." Have you ever really, genuinely thought of the implications of this petition? "Thy kingdom come." I want to give you four things very quickly this morning. The first three are very interconnected. Actually, all four are interconnected, but you may not see the impact of the fourth one until I get to it. But first of all, let me point out: it is a personal petition. It is a personal petition. So our Lord is teaching us to pray. And in Luke 11 and verse 2, after He teaches us to say, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name," He gives us this petition, "Thy kingdom come." So it is a personal petition. It is personal in the sense that you are asking for the kingdom of God to come in its fullness, and at the same time, you are asking that you might be submissive and obedient in that kingdom yourself.

Why in the world would you seek for the kingdom of God to come if you did not want to be a part of it and participate in it? You're asking in this petition Christ to reign everywhere, and that would certainly include your heart, your soul, your life. When you say, "Thy kingdom come," you are acknowledging that Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords and God of gods, and that He deserves to be honored and worshipped. So very obviously this petition, "Thy kingdom come," is a personal petition. I want you to look in your Bibles—hold in Luke 11—but go in your Bibles to 1 Chronicles chapter 29. 1 Chronicles 29, and look if you would please at verse 11. I want you to see what King David said. 1 Chronicles 29 and verse 11. This is a summation of the kingdom of God. 1 Chronicles 29 verse 11. Look at what he said.

"Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all." When we say, "Thy kingdom come," that is exactly what we're saying. We're saying that God is the greatest—His power, His majesty, His glory, His victory—that He is king of all of the earth. So, "Thy kingdom come" is a personal petition, and what you're asking is that Jesus Christ would be exalted in your life, in every area, in every sphere. You are acknowledging Him as your king, your sovereign, your head, your guide, and your Lord. No one would pray this petition if they did not personally desire the kingdom of God on earth.

Now, I want to show you that what David said in 1 Chronicles 29, what our Lord taught us to pray in Matthew 6 and in Luke 11, is the same as what the prophets prophesied. For instance, turn in your Bibles to Isaiah chapter 11 and look if you would please at verse 9. Isaiah 11 and verse 9. We're talking about praying, "Thy kingdom come." It's a personal petition. In Isaiah 11 in verse 9, look what God says. Here is what we're referring to. God says, "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

Scripture Reading — Isaiah 11:9

" As the waters cover the sea. How much of the sea is covered by water? All of it. So when we pray, "

Thy kingdom come," what are we asking? We're asking for God's kingdom to extend totally and completely and absolutely in every area, in every corner, in every sphere of life. If you would, look in your Bibles to the little book of Habakkuk.

A Practical Petition: Conquering Sin and Confusion

This petition is practical, seeking God to subdue sin, confusion, and evil in our lives, and to bring all things into conformity to His Word.

Habakkuk chapter 2, and verse 14. One of the minor prophets, Habakkuk chapter 2, at verse 14. Right before the little book of Zephaniah, right after the little book of Nahum, you will find Habakkuk. Habakkuk chapter 2, and look in verse 14. For he says it like this:

Scripture Reading — Habakkuk 2:14

"For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea."

So when we are taught to pray, "Thy kingdom come," it's a personal petition. We are personally seeking God's glory, grace, majesty, superiority, sovereignty over every area and over every sphere of our life and the lives of the others and of the world. We're asking for the time appointed for the fullness of the Lord's kingdom to arrive. So it's not only a personal petition. Secondly, it is a practical petition. You remember He said in Luke 11 in verse 2, "When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come." So you are practically petitioning the Father then, not only to prepare your heart, but the hearts of others as well. You're asking Jesus Christ to go forth as conqueror.

John Calvin said it like this: "He is said to reign among men when they voluntarily devote and submit themselves to be governed by Him, placing their flesh under the yoke and renouncing their desires. Such is the corruption of the nature that all of our affections are so many soldiers of Satan who oppose the justice of God and consequently obstruct or disturb his reign. By this prayer we ask that he may remove all hindrances and bring all men under his dominion and may lead them to meditate on the heavenly life." So this is done partly by preaching of the Word of God and partly by the secret power of the Holy Spirit. It's God's will to govern men by His word, by His voice, but the Holy Spirit must make that word effectual. If the Holy Spirit does not apply the word of God, then no one really hears. It's kind of like Augustine, who said it like this: "I heard the gospel all of my life, and then one day I heard it."

That's the way it is. If God does not make it effectual... I remember years ago, I had a preacher come to our church in Jessup, and he preached all week long on the doctrine of election. It was a wonderful, wonderful week. And I never will forget one of our men who had been so faithful came to me, he said, "Pastor, this is so great, this is so wonderful, but I have one question." He said, "Why haven't you been preaching this?" And I said, "Brother, I have one question for you." He said, "What is it?" I said, "Why have you not been listening?" Well, I had been preaching it. He just had not heard it. But then that week he heard it. The kingdom of God is opposed to all disorder and confusion. Do you not remember the passage where it says that God is not the author of confusion? How much confusion exists in this world? Just in civil government. How much confusion exists in the churches? How much confusion exists in the homes and in the families? How much confusion exists in our own individual lives?

You think of all the vain thoughts, wrong desires, impure motives, bad attitudes, wicked dispositions, pride, arrogance, unforgiveness, bitterness, resentment, disobedience that remain in each one of us. That creates nothing but confusion in our lives. Do we want those sins conquered? Do we want those sins defeated? Do we want our sins controlled? Do we want the totality of our lives to be brought in conformity to the Word of God and in submission to Jesus Christ? Well, we need to learn to pray this prayer because it's a very practical petition. "Thy kingdom come.

Scripture Reading — 1 Corinthians 14:33

" Your kingdom come in my life. God is not the author of confusion. 1 Corinthians 14 verse 33. So, let me put it to you very plainly: Where confusion exists, so do sin, strife, and wickedness. Look in your Bibles to the book of James, James chapter 3, and notice verse 16. Hebrews, James—James chapter 3, and notice if you would please, verse 16. Look what he says. James 3, verse 16: "

For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work."

Scripture Reading — James 3:16

You can mark it down, folks. Wherever there's envying, wherever there's strife, wherever there's confusion, there's every evil work. So when we pray then, "Thy kingdom come," we're asking that Christ conquer us, reign over us, subdue us, submit us, surrender us, control us in every aspect of our lives. Now, I want you to turn to the book of Philippians chapter 3, because I believe the Apostle Paul understood this. And I think this is exactly, partly what he had in mind when he prayed this prayer. Look in the book of Philippians, chapter 3, beginning there in verse 12. Philippians 3, verse 12. I don't suppose any of us could ever come close to the depth of knowledge and spirituality of the Apostle Paul.

We always hold him up on a pedestal. But yet he says very clearly in Philippians 3, notice verse 12:

Scripture Reading — Philippians 3:12-14

"Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect."

Paul said,

Scripture Reading — Philippians 3:12-14

"I hadn't arrived. I'm not perfect. But I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 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."

Now what did the Apostle Paul say?

Scripture Reading — Philippians 3:12-14

"Forgetting those things which are behind."

How many of us can go back and undo things that we did in our previous years? Not one. We can't.

But by God's grace, we can repent and then go forward. You can't do anything else. That's what the Apostle Paul says. He can't go back and unlive what he lived or undo what he did. But he can repent and he can go forward. And that's exactly what he's saying. So when we're praying this petition, "Thy kingdom come," it's not only a personal petition, it's a very practical petition because Paul desired to have his life totally conquered by Jesus Christ. He said, "I press toward the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Thirdly, this petition, "Thy kingdom come," is a providential petition.

A Providential Petition: Gathering the Elect

It is providential, praying for the success of the gospel, the conversion of God's elect, and the gathering of Christ's sheep in God's ordained time.

Let me explain what I mean by that. Our Lord is teaching us to pray, and this petition is "Thy kingdom come." I've pointed out it's a personal petition, it's a practical petition. Now it's a providential petition. By that, when we pray "Thy kingdom come," we understand that the kingdom is brought into fullness and fruition by God's grace, power, and mercy, and in His time. We may long for it. We may want it. We may work for it. We may pray for it. We may seek it. We may desire it, but the truth is, it is only going to come in its fullness in the time that He ordained. But in this petition, we are praying for the success of the gospel. "Thy kingdom come." We're praying for the conversion of God's elect. We're praying that Christ would indeed save His people.

Matthew Henry said it like this: "Let thy kingdom come. Let the gospel be preached to all and embraced by all. Let it be brought to subscribe to the record God has given in his word concerning his Son and to embrace him as their Savior and Sovereign. Let the bounds of the gospel church be enlarged, the kingdom of the world be made Christ's kingdom, and all men become subjects to it and live as becomes their character." I want you to turn in your Bibles to the book of 2 Timothy and let me show you something. 2 Timothy chapter 2 and let me ask a leading question. Have you ever thought about all the things that the Apostle Paul went through and suffered, why he went through and suffered them? You remember he gives there in 2 Corinthians how that he was beaten with rods, received 40 lashes a number of times, was in the deep, suffered all of these things. Why? 2 Timothy chapter 2 verse 10, he says this: "Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." You see, Paul understood that our Lord has a people. And he said, "I'm going to endure all of these things. I will keep going, that I may reach them." So this petition, "Thy kingdom come," teaches us to pray for, to witness, and to seek, and to reach all those for whom our Lord is a sacrifice and a substitute.

We know that Christ has a sheep. He has His sheep. What did He say in John 10 and verse 14? Let me just quote it. He said, "I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine." In John 10 in verse 27 he says this: "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." You cannot deny the fact that God does indeed have a sheep. He has His sheep wherever they are, whoever they are. One of the things that I know is this: When I preach and teach, I know not everyone is going to be saved, but I know some are. I know that not everybody is going to be blessed, but I know that some are. Because He has His sheep, and they hear His voice, and they follow Him. When we pray, "Thy kingdom come," we're asking Christ to gather His sheep from all the nations, wherever they are scattered, and bring them safely into His fold. There's a passage in John 11 in verse 52, where the high priest prophesied that Christ should die, not for that nation only, but also that he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.

Moreover, God the Father has declared that the gathering together of all things in Christ is an aspect of His eternal purpose. In Ephesians 1 in verse 10, the Bible says this: "That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him." Let me tell you something, folks. I can say this unequivocally. I can say this dogmatically. In God's ordained time, everything will work perfectly according to God's eternal purpose. All of His sheep, all of His people will be gathered in. I don't know when that will be. I would love to see it in my time. I may not. I have no idea, but I know it's going to come to pass. So what I have to do is this: I have to keep praying, "Thy kingdom come." So, it's a personal petition. It's a practical petition. It is a providential petition. And lastly, it is a political petition. Now, how in the world can I say that? How can I say the petition, "Thy kingdom come," is a political petition?

A Political Petition: Advancing Christ's Government

Weaver argues the petition is political because all government is religious, and believers have a heavenly citizenship that opposes ungodly rule. It prays for Christ's law to prevail.

I can say this unequivocally. I can say this dogmatically. In God's ordained time, everything will work perfectly according to God's eternal purpose. All of His sheep, all of His people will be gathered in. I don't know when that will be. I would love to see it in my time. I may not. I have no idea, but I know it's going to come to pass. So what I have to do is this: I have to keep praying, "Thy kingdom come." So, it's a personal petition. It's a practical petition. It is a providential petition. And lastly, it is a political petition. Now, how in the world can I say that? How can I say the petition, "Thy kingdom come," is a political petition?

Because you have been taught and you've heard all of your life, politics and religion do not mix. Two things you never talk about: politics and religion. And if you talk about them, you just simply don't mix them because they don't mix. Well, who said they don't mix? When people say that you cannot mix politics and religion, they do not understand the concept of the kingdom of God, nor do they understand the concept of politics. First, let me point out that all government is religious. All government is religious. It may be the Christian religion or it may be a pagan religion, but it's still religious. All law is religious. It may be the Christian law or it may be a pagan law, but it is still religious because behind every law is a determination of good and evil, right and wrong. And it is someone's religion that determines good and evil, right and wrong. Each of those concepts is guided by an understanding of religion. It is impossible to have government without religion. It is impossible to have law without religion. It is not a question of whether or not you will have government or law without religion. The question is, whose religion will it be? Will it be God's religion or will it be man's religion?

You've got to understand that even if someone says, "Well, I'm an atheist. Therefore, my law is not religious." That's hogwash. You know what atheism is? Theism means God. Put an "A" on it. Atheism: no God. And so when you say my religion is atheism or I don't have religion, I'm an atheist, what you're saying is I'm a secularist humanist with a religious secularist humanist worldview. It's still religious. Because you don't believe in the living God, you have established yourself as God. It's man's religion. It's autonomy. You cannot have government and you cannot have law without religion. Period.

Secondly, let me cover the word "politics." It's from the Greek word which literally means "of a citizen"—politikos, of a citizen. Well, you say, what's that got to do with "Thy kingdom come"? Well, I want you to look in your Bibles, first of all, to the book of Acts chapter 21 and verse 39. The Apostle Paul was going to address the people who were trying to kill him. Look at Acts chapter 21 and verse 39. Acts 21 verse 39. Paul is speaking to the centurion who rescued him before he gives his testimony in chapter 22. And Paul says this in verse 39: "But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people." Now he said, "I'm a citizen of no mean city." The word "citizen" is polites. So Paul said, "I'm a citizen of no mean city." In other words, I'm a citizen of a very great city. You say, what's that got to do with "Thy kingdom come"?

Well, look in your Bibles to the book of Philippians chapter 3. Philippians chapter 3. Notice if you would please in verse 20. Okay?

Paul said this, Philippians 3 and verse 20: "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ." Now the word "conversation" is a very interesting word. It is the Greek word politeuma. Ah, politeuma, politikos. The word actually refers—now listen—here's what the Greek word actually refers to: the administration of civil affairs of a commonwealth, the constitution of a commonwealth, a form of government and the laws by which it is administered, a state, a commonwealth, a commonwealth of citizens. Paul could have literally said in verse 20, "For our citizenship is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ." We have a citizenship. We have a political view, a worldview, a Christian view that is biblical and scriptural. Yes, politics and religion do mix. Because if you are a citizen of heaven, you have a political view, a political understanding, a biblical law of a Christian worldview, and you express it. So when I pray "Thy kingdom come," it is a political petition. Let me try to explain it like this. I'm a southerner and a citizen of the state of Georgia. Those of you who know me understand this.

I do not care one thing for any game that has a ball in it. Period. I don't care if football, baseball—I just don't care for it. But I'll tell you one thing: although I care nothing for a game with a ball in it, if I hear that Georgia is playing Kentucky, I automatically want Georgia to win. You know why? I'm a citizen of Georgia. I don't want Auburn to win.

No, I didn't use that, Doc. But now, for instance, if I hear Kentucky is playing New York, I want Kentucky to win. Why? I'm a southerner. If I hear America is playing Russia, I want America to win. Why? I'm an American. Do you see what I'm trying to say? If I want Georgia to win, although I don't care anything about ball; if I want the South to win, although I don't care anything about ball; if I want America to win, although I don't care anything about ball—don't you understand that as a Christian, I automatically want King Jesus to win? I want His kingdom. I want His will. I want His word. In other words, when you stop and think, the kingdoms of sin and Satan and man are all opposed and contrary to the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. All of those other kingdoms are darkness and disorder and confusion and consternation. Jesus Christ has the kingdom of light and truth. And so when I pray, "Thy kingdom come," it is a political petition, it is a political prayer that the kingdom of Jesus Christ would be advanced and that the kingdom of sin, Satan, and man would be destroyed and that Jesus Christ would rule and reign supreme.

The Rebel's Prayer Against Tyranny

Those who pray this are labeled rebels by the world, but true rebellion is against God. The prayer is a cry against all forms of wickedness and man's autonomous rule.

Yes, that's a political statement. The Westminster Shorter Catechism puts it like this—listen carefully: "In the second petition we pray that Satan's kingdom may be destroyed, and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced, ourselves and others brought into it and kept in it, and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened." So when we pray, "Thy kingdom come," we're asking, "Lord, hasten the day that you defeat Satan and his host and let them be completely and totally vanquished. Let Thy people be done with sinning forever." "Let Christ see the travail of His soul and be satisfied, and let King Jesus triumph over everything." Oh yes! It is a political petition. The petition is an expression of a prayer that God may reign everywhere, that His laws may be obeyed, and especially that the gospel of Christ would be advanced everywhere, till the world shall be filled with the glory and the fullness of God as the waters cover the sea. "Thy kingdom come" is a prayer and a petition for the defeat of Christ's enemies. It is a prayer for the overthrow, defeat, and spoil of all of those who oppose Him and hate Him.

David recorded a conversation between the Father and His Son in Psalm 110 in verse 1. Let me just read it: "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." Did you know that that verse is repeated several times in the New Testament? One of which is Matthew 22 verse 44: "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool." In Hebrews 10 and verse 13, the Bible says that Christ sat down on the right hand of God, "from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool." In other words, our Lord shall subdue all of His enemies. Do you not remember that passage in Philippians 2, 10 through 11, where the Bible says that "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father"? Oh yes, He will conquer and His enemies will fall. If you will turn very quickly in your Bibles to the book of Psalms, look at Psalm 2. Psalm 2.

And notice if you would, beginning there with verse 8. Psalm 2, verse 8. Look what our Lord says to His Son. Psalm 2, verse 8. God the Father says to God the Son. In fact, let's read verse 7: "I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee." In other words, I have established thee, I have set up thy kingdom. Look what the Father says to the Son, verse 8: "Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel." Now look what God says to the kings of the earth: "Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little."

"Blessed are all they that put their trust in him." So when we pray this petition, "Thy kingdom come," we're asking that the earth may become obedient to the will of God and be in subjection to Jesus Christ. We're asking that God the Father will subdue all the wicked, all the reprobate, all the ungodly. He would bring down those that oppose King Jesus. Wow! When we pray, "Thy kingdom come," we're declaring, we're acknowledging that we hate and regret whatever we perceive to be contrary to the will of God, and we long for its utter destruction, not only that He may rule all of our affections, but we may yield ourselves to Him without reserve, but with all cheerfulness and gladness. And we learn to pray with David in Psalm 7 and verse 9: "Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just."

I want you to turn in your Bibles to Isaiah 9. I can quote it, but I want you to see it. Look at Isaiah 9 at verses 6 and 7. You know this passage. Isaiah 9. Look at verse 6. I love it. "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 for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this." What will God the Father do? He will establish His Son, Jesus Christ, and of the increase of His government, there shall be no end. Now, I titled this message "The Rebel's Prayer" for a reason. The truth of the matter is this: As God's people, we are not rebels. In reality, the rebels are those who oppose our Lord Jesus Christ and His kingdom. However, down through history, all of those who have ever resisted tyranny and despotism through the ages have been labeled rebels. George Washington was a rebel. Thomas Jefferson was a rebel. Even in the War of Northern Aggression, the Southern people were called Rebs or rebels.

It was not the South who was in rebellion to the law; it was the North that was in rebellion to the law. If you resist the new world order or fight against tyranny, you are not only called a rebel, you are now labeled a terrorist. Isn't it amazing that only those who seek to stand for what is right and true and biblical and constitutional are now called rebels and terrorists? We must remember that rebellion can only be to lawful authority. Are you listening? If there is no lawful authority, there is no rebellion. It is only resistance.

If I came by and said, "I just passed a law that everyone has to turn in their weapons by tomorrow at two o'clock, and if you don't do it, you're rebellious." What? And you don't turn them in? Are you a rebel? No. Because I have no authority to ask you to turn in your weapons. Neither does the federal government, neither does the state government. And if you resisted, you would not be rebellious. You would just be resisting evil and tyranny and wickedness. Rebellion can only be to lawful authority. So if there is no lawful authority, there is no rebellion.

The truth of the matter is this, folks. The true rebels are those who are in rebellion to Jesus Christ and His law. Those who want to be submissive to Christ are not rebels, although they're listed as rebels. I want to read something to you. The impetus of this message came from a friend of mine, Dr. Brooke Stockton. Now, I don't know if what Dr. Stockton wrote was original with him, or he just sent it around—I don't know. But since it came from him, I'm going to give him credit. But here is the one brief paragraph that really got me to thinking about this message. Here's what he wrote.

"Our precious Lord taught us to pray, 'Thy kingdom come.' It is part of the Lord's Prayer, a.k.a. the Disciple's Prayer. Positively, it is a plea that all men and all man's institutions would surrender to be ruled by God's law. Negatively, it is a coup d'état against ungodly authorities and de facto officials. This is the rebels' prayer, a revolutionaries' cry against the immorality of this age and the promotion of wickedness by men in rebellion against their Creator. The prayer is God's permission to resist evil, to take the high road and to swim against the stream. It allows men to shout, 'No king but King Jesus.' It is permission to adopt the motto, 'One nation under God and one absolute law.' It is a prayer against the belief that man is God, that government is God, that man's laws or their constitutions are absolute. It is a prayer against the status quo where ambitious men seek to advance the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life. It is a prayer against abortion, oppression, homosexuality, pornography, and greed."

"It is a prayer against secularism, atheism, humanism, socialism, Marxism, and every other ism wherein secularists seek to build a city where man is the measure of all things. It is a prayer against rulers in rebellion against the Lord and His anointed, against governments who seek to enslave and control men through coercion, intimidation, and fear. It is a prayer against governments hostile to the maxim that the Bible is the source of all law. It is a prayer against governments that break their own laws. It is a prayer against unjust laws and legislators who do mischief through law by creating a system of man-made statutes and codes that enslave their citizenry, who seek to create a new world order through law, who promote alien laws and undermine the Ten Commandments and the virtues they advance: faithfulness, justice, and mercy. It is a prayer against those who defraud others, against rulers that steal from their people through the color of law, against unlawful taxation, the transfer of power from the family to the state. If you are angry at the godless politicians, this prayer and this petition is for you."

"Thy kingdom come." Because when His kingdom comes, all of that will vanish.

Conclusion: The Ultimate Victory of Christ

Weaver closes with 2 Thessalonians 1, showing that when Christ returns, He will take vengeance on the disobedient and be glorified in His saints, fulfilling the prayer.

Now, I want you to turn to 2 Thessalonians chapter 1. 2 Thessalonians chapter 1. I want to show you the implication of "Thy kingdom come." Okay? 2 Thessalonians chapter 1. If you are really, genuinely and truly tired of the corruption, fraud, tyranny, despotism, abuse of authority, then you need to learn to pray daily, yea, even hourly, this petition: "Thy kingdom come." You say, "What good will that do?" Well, let me just show you. 2 Thessalonians chapter 1, beginning with verse 7. "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day." One day, every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Every enemy of the kingdom shall be cast out, and God shall reign supremely, sovereignly, and absolutely, and by His grace and by His mercy, we will be subjects in that eternal kingdom. He is on the throne, and our Lord taught us to pray, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come." And when it comes, all of man's kingdoms will vanish and disappear, and Jesus Christ alone will be magnified in that day.

Father, in Thy name we bow to Thee. We ask You for Your mercy, for Your grace, for Your strength. And we ask You, Lord, to teach us to understand the implications of "Thy kingdom come." Help us to seek it, to pray for it, to long for it, to desire it. And Lord, to live as we're in it now, in obedience to Thee in every area of our life. In Thy name we pray. Amen. Amen.

Study Guide

Major Themes

The Meaning and Implications of 'Thy Kingdom Come'

Summary: The petition is a comprehensive request for God's rule to be established personally, practically, providentially, and politically.

Evidence: Weaver states: 'So when we're talking about the kingdom, we know that the kingdom has come, the kingdom is here, and the kingdom is coming. Now, so, we're going to be looking then particularly at this one simple petition: "Thy kingdom come."'

The Sovereignty and Fatherhood of God

Summary: God is both a loving Father and the sovereign King, which should inspire awe, confidence, and submission in prayer.

Evidence: Weaver says: 'Can you imagine for one moment the implications of knowing and understanding a relationship that you have with the Divine Being who not only happens to be your Father, but happens to have absolute and total control over everything?'

The Necessity of Personal Submission to Christ's Reign

Summary: Praying for the kingdom requires a personal commitment to obey Christ in every area of life.

Evidence: Weaver explains: 'Why in the world would you seek for the kingdom of God to come if you did not want to be a part of it and participate in it? You're asking in this petition Christ to reign everywhere, and that would certainly include your heart, your soul, your life.'

The Kingdom as a Political Reality

Summary: All government is inherently religious, and Christians must pray and work for Christ's law to govern society, opposing ungodly authorities.

Evidence: Weaver argues: 'All government is religious. All law is religious. ... It is not a question of whether or not you will have government or law without religion. The question is, whose religion will it be?'

The Defeat of Christ's Enemies

Summary: The petition is a prayer for the overthrow of all who oppose Christ, including sin, Satan, and human rebels, culminating in final judgment.

Evidence: Weaver cites Psalm 2 and 2 Thessalonians 1: 'One day, every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Every enemy of the kingdom shall be cast out.'

The Believer as a 'Rebel' Against Worldly Authority

Summary: Those who submit to Christ are often labeled rebels, but true rebellion is against God's lawful authority; resisting tyranny is not rebellion.

Evidence: Weaver states: 'The true rebels are those who are in rebellion to Jesus Christ and His law. Those who want to be submissive to Christ are not rebels, although they're listed as rebels.'

Key Arguments

The Lord's Prayer is a model with deep meaning

Summary: Jesus gave specific words to pray, and understanding their meaning is essential for spiritual benefit.

Evidence: Weaver says: 'You must understand that words have meanings, and it is the meanings of the words that are most important. You may repeat these words without understanding their meaning and receive little encouragement... However, when you understand the meaning... then there's a vast, great benefit.'

Prayer includes a vow to pursue what we ask

Summary: When we pray 'Hallowed be thy name,' we commit ourselves to honor God, making prayer a self-preaching act.

Evidence: Weaver quotes Thomas Manton: 'For every prayer is both an expression of a desire and also an implicit vow or solemn obligation that we take upon ourselves to prosecute what we ask.'

The kingdom is present and future

Summary: The kingdom came with Christ, believers are in it now, and it will be fully realized at His return.

Evidence: Weaver explains: 'The kingdom has come. The kingdom is here. And the kingdom is coming.' He cites Colossians 1:13 for the present aspect.

Praying 'Thy kingdom come' is inherently political

Summary: Because all law is based on religion, praying for God's kingdom means opposing man-centered governments and laws.

Evidence: Weaver states: 'It is impossible to have government without religion. It is impossible to have law without religion. ... The question is, whose religion will it be?'

Christians have a heavenly citizenship that shapes earthly politics

Summary: Philippians 3:20 uses politeuma, indicating a political commonwealth; believers should desire Christ's rule in all spheres.

Evidence: Weaver explains the Greek word: 'The word actually refers to... the administration of civil affairs of a commonwealth... Paul could have literally said... "For our citizenship is in heaven."'

The prayer is a cry against all forms of wickedness and tyranny

Summary: It opposes abortion, homosexuality, secularism, unjust laws, and any government that rebels against God.

Evidence: Weaver reads from Dr. Brooke Stockton: 'It is a prayer against abortion, oppression, homosexuality, pornography, and greed... against rulers in rebellion against the Lord and His anointed.'

Scripture References

Matthew 6:10

Context: Introduction of the petition 'Thy kingdom come' as the focus of the message.

Luke 11:2

Context: Parallel passage where Jesus teaches the disciples to pray 'Thy kingdom come.'

John 17

Context: Weaver clarifies that the true Lord's Prayer is Christ's high priestly prayer, not the model prayer.

Matthew 6:9

Context: Jesus instructs 'After this manner therefore pray ye,' indicating specific words to use.

John 20:17

Context: Jesus calls God 'my Father, and your Father,' showing shared Fatherhood and brotherhood with Christ.

Ephesians 1:3

Context: God is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with spiritual blessings.

Psalm 139

Context: Demonstrates God's omnipresence, that He is everywhere in His totality.

1 Kings 8:27

Context: Solomon's dedication of the temple acknowledges heaven cannot contain God.

Isaiah 66:1

Context: Heaven is God's throne and earth His footstool, showing His majesty.

Psalm 115:3

Context: God is in the heavens and does whatever He pleases, affirming His sovereignty.

Matthew 6:33

Context: Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all else will be added.

Matthew 12:28

Context: Jesus says if He casts out demons by the Spirit, the kingdom has come upon them.

Colossians 1:12-13

Context: Believers have been translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son.

Revelation 11:15

Context: The kingdoms of this world become Christ's, and He shall reign forever.

1 Chronicles 29:11

Context: David's praise: 'Thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.'

Isaiah 11:9

Context: The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.

Habakkuk 2:14

Context: The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD.

1 Corinthians 14:33

Context: God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.

James 3:16

Context: Where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

Philippians 3:12-14

Context: Paul presses toward the mark, forgetting the past, seeking to be fully conquered by Christ.

Historical References

Arthur W. Pink

Context: Quoted on the meaning of 'Our Father,' emphasizing obligation and conduct befitting God's children.

Thomas Manton (Puritan)

Context: Quoted on 'Hallowed be thy name' as both a desire and a vow, and that prayer preaches to ourselves.

Augustine

Context: Referenced for his statement: 'I heard the gospel all of my life, and then one day I heard it,' illustrating the Spirit's work.

John Calvin

Context: Quoted on Christ reigning when men voluntarily submit, and the need for the Spirit to make the Word effectual.

Matthew Henry

Context: Quoted on 'Thy kingdom come' as a prayer for the gospel to be preached and embraced, and the church enlarged.

Westminster Shorter Catechism

Context: Quoted on the second petition: that Satan's kingdom be destroyed, the kingdom of grace advanced, and the kingdom of glory hastened.

George Washington and Thomas Jefferson

Context: Mentioned as historical figures labeled rebels for resisting tyranny.

War of Northern Aggression (Civil War)

Context: Southern people were called 'Rebs' or rebels, though Weaver argues the North was in rebellion to the law.

Dr. Brooke Stockton

Context: A friend whose writing provided the impetus for the message, describing the prayer as a coup d'état against ungodly authorities.

Important Quotes

These words, 'Our Father,' not only signify the office that God sustains to us by virtue of the everlasting covenant, but they also clearly imply our obligation. They teach us both how we ought to dispose ourselves toward God when we pray to Him, and the conduct that is becoming to us by virtue of this relationship.

Significance: Arthur W. Pink's quote emphasizes that addressing God as Father carries duties of honor and obedience, not just privilege.

For every prayer is both an expression of a desire and also an implicit vow or solemn obligation that we take upon ourselves to prosecute what we ask.

Significance: Thomas Manton's insight that prayer commits us to actively pursue what we request, making 'Hallowed be thy name' a personal vow.

Prayer is a preaching to ourselves in God's hearing. We speak to God to warn ourselves, not for His information, but for our edification.

Significance: Manton's view that prayer primarily edifies the pray-er, reinforcing the self-instructive nature of the Lord's Prayer.

He is said to reign among men when they voluntarily devote and submit themselves to be governed by Him, placing their flesh under the yoke and renouncing their desires.

Significance: John Calvin's definition of Christ's reign as voluntary submission, highlighting the personal aspect of the kingdom.

I heard the gospel all of my life, and then one day I heard it.

Significance: Augustine's statement illustrates the necessity of the Holy Spirit's effectual call for true hearing.

It is impossible to have government without religion. It is impossible to have law without religion. It is not a question of whether or not you will have government or law without religion. The question is, whose religion will it be?

Significance: Weaver's foundational argument that all law is religious, making the kingdom prayer inherently political.

Our precious Lord taught us to pray, 'Thy kingdom come.' It is part of the Lord's Prayer, a.k.a. the Disciple's Prayer. Positively, it is a plea that all men and all man's institutions would surrender to be ruled by God's law. Negatively, it is a coup d'état against ungodly authorities and de facto officials.

Significance: Dr. Brooke Stockton's summary that frames the petition as both a positive plea for God's law and a revolutionary act against ungodly rule.

The true rebels are those who are in rebellion to Jesus Christ and His law. Those who want to be submissive to Christ are not rebels, although they're listed as rebels.

Significance: Weaver's redefinition of rebellion: true rebellion is against God, not against tyrannical human authorities.

Discussion Questions

What does it mean to pray 'Our Father' in terms of our relationship with God and with other believers?

Context: Weaver emphasizes the intimacy and obligations of calling God 'Father,' including love for fellow Christians.

How does understanding God's sovereignty ('which art in heaven') affect the way we pray and handle problems?

Context: Weaver argues that God's absolute control should encourage us to bring every burden to Him.

In what ways is the petition 'Thy kingdom come' a personal commitment to submit every area of life to Christ?

Context: Weaver says praying this means asking Christ to reign in our hearts, not just in the world.

Why does Weaver call this a 'practical petition,' and how does it relate to overcoming sin and confusion in our lives?

Context: He connects the prayer to conquering vain thoughts, wrong desires, and the confusion that comes from sin.

How should the truth that God has a definite elect people influence our prayers and evangelism?

Context: Weaver cites 2 Timothy 2:10 and John 10 to show Paul endured all things for the elect's sake.

Do you agree that all government and law are inherently religious? How does this shape a Christian's political involvement?

Context: Weaver argues that behind every law is a determination of good and evil based on someone's religion.

What does it mean to have a heavenly citizenship (Philippians 3:20) and how should it affect our view of earthly politics?

Context: Weaver explains the Greek word politeuma and says Christians should desire Christ's rule in all spheres.

How can praying 'Thy kingdom come' be a form of resistance against ungodly authorities and cultural evils?

Context: Weaver reads Stockton's description of the prayer as a coup d'état and a cry against specific sins.

Applications

Pray with understanding and personal commitment

Summary: When praying the Lord's Prayer, meditate on the meaning of each phrase and consciously commit to honor God's name and seek His kingdom in your own life.

Evidence: Weaver says: 'You must understand that words have meanings... when you understand the meaning of the words and the implications of the words, then there's a vast, great benefit.'

Submit every area of life to Christ's reign

Summary: Make 'Thy kingdom come' a daily prayer for Christ to conquer specific sins, attitudes, and areas of disobedience in your heart.

Evidence: Weaver asks: 'Do we want those sins conquered? Do we want those sins defeated? ... We need to learn to pray this prayer because it's a very practical petition.'

Pray for the conversion of the elect and the spread of the gospel

Summary: Use this petition to intercede for the salvation of God's people worldwide and for the success of gospel preaching.

Evidence: Weaver states: 'In this petition, we are praying for the success of the gospel. "Thy kingdom come." We're praying for the conversion of God's elect.'

Adopt a biblical political worldview

Summary: Recognize that all laws reflect someone's religion, and actively desire and work for Christ's law to shape civil government.

Evidence: Weaver argues: 'It is not a question of whether or not you will have government or law without religion. The question is, whose religion will it be?'

Resist ungodly authorities and laws as an act of faithfulness

Summary: Understand that opposing tyranny and man-made laws that contradict God's law is not rebellion but obedience to Christ.

Evidence: Weaver says: 'Rebellion can only be to lawful authority. ... If there is no lawful authority, there is no rebellion. It is only resistance.'

Long for Christ's return and final victory

Summary: Let the promise of Christ's coming in judgment and glory fuel hope and perseverance amid a corrupt world.

Evidence: Weaver closes with 2 Thessalonians 1: 'One day, every knee shall bow... Every enemy of the kingdom shall be cast out.'

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T17:25:02Z

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T08:19:34Z

Clean Transcript

The Rebel's Prayer

Clean readable transcript. This view follows the Commentary.net cleaned segment text while preserving timestamps for audio follow-along.

The title of the message today is "The Rebel's Prayer." Matthew 6 and Luke 11. Matthew 6 and Luke 11. Notice, if you would, Matthew chapter 6 and verse 10. Matthew 6 verse 10: "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." Now, if you look in Luke 11 and verse 2: "And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth." Years ago I preached a brief series on this prayer, and naturally, this passage is referred to most often as the Lord's Prayer or the Disciples' Prayer. This prayer could also be called the Kingdom's Prayer or the Kingdom Prayer. But it could also be called the Rebel's Prayer, which I will explain a little later. Actually, this is not the Lord's Prayer. Our Lord's Prayer is recorded in John 17. This is where the Lord is teaching His disciples to pray.
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He not only teaches them in thoughts, but in words as well. For instance, in Matthew 6 and verse 9, He states, "After this manner therefore pray ye." And since we're in Luke 11, if you look in verse 2, "And he said unto them, When ye pray, say..." So obviously, He's giving us words that we are to say. You must understand that words have meanings, and it is the meanings of the words that are most important. You may repeat these words without understanding their meaning and receive little encouragement and little help and little understanding. However, when you understand the meaning of the words and the implications of the words, then there's a vast, great benefit that is derived therefrom. So there are major implications of each of these petitions, each of these adorations.
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I'm not going to be dealing with all of these petitions, but I am going to try to single out just one, and that is the petition, "Thy kingdom come." In order to single out that petition, I'm going to have to make some cursory remarks concerning some of the petitions and adorations that surround that one particular petition. But notice, if you would, in verse 2 of Luke 11: "And he said to them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name." So notice He begins by saying that when we begin to pray, we are to address the one true and the living God as our Father.
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Now, the term "Father" emphasizes not only a relationship, but it should also emphasize our devotion to Him as well, because the term "Father" reveals an intimate, loving, gracious fellowship that we enjoy as we pray and as we worship before Him. Let me give you a quote from Arthur W. Pink, and I want you to listen as he speaks about this phrase, "Our Father." He said, "These words, 'Our Father,' not only signify the office that God sustains to us by virtue of the everlasting covenant, but they also clearly imply our obligation. They teach us both how we ought to dispose ourselves toward God when we pray to Him, and the conduct that is becoming to us by virtue of this relationship."
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"As His children, we must honor Him even more than our human parents, be in subjection to Him, delight in Him, and strive in all things to please Him. Again, the phrase 'Our Father' not only teaches us our personal interest in God Himself, who by grace is our Father, but it also instructs us as to our interest in our fellow Christians, who in Christ are our brethren. It is not merely 'my Father' to whom we pray, but 'our Father.' We must express our love to our brethren by praying for them."
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How much is included in these two words, "Our Father"? Just stop and think: "Our Father." Because obviously the implication is, if He is my Father, there are other children there as well, and we should be remembering their needs as well. So He is our Father by election, by regeneration, by conversion, and by faith. Moreover, He is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In John 20 and verse 17, Jesus Christ said to Mary, "Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God." So God the Father is also known as the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is why in Ephesians 1 and verse 3 we read this: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus."
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So when we understand then that God the Father is the God and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, it gives us some other implications. And the fact is this: that we have been adopted into the family of God, that our God is indeed the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which means then that He is not only our Lord, our Savior, our Redeemer, He is also our elder brother, and therefore we have an inheritance in Him. So, our Lord said, "When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven." When you use the expression "which art in heaven," that indicates the sovereignty, the majesty, the greatness, and the glory of God. We know and we understand that God is omnipresent. That means that He is everywhere at once in the totality of His being.
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Psalm 139 makes that exceedingly clear. Let me explain it again like this: It's not that part of God is in China and part is in America, part is in Russia, part is in Mongolia, and you take all these parts and put them together and you have one God. No, no, no, that's not it. That's heresy. The omnipresence of God means that God is everywhere at once in the totality of His being. There is no place in which God is not.
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Do you remember when Solomon dedicated the temple? In 1 Kings 8 and verse 27, he said this: "But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have built?" So obviously God is omnipresent. So when He says "Our Father which art in heaven," we're talking about the greatness, the majesty, and the superiority of God. And the very fact when we say "Our Father which art in heaven" indicates that is the place where His majesty and His glory are preeminently manifested. In Isaiah 66 and verse 1—and we're going to look at a lot of scriptures just momentarily—but in Isaiah 66 and verse 1 He said, "Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool." So if heaven is His throne, that's where His majesty and His glory are particularly and peculiarly manifested. So just stop and think: "Our Father which art in heaven." The realization of this truth should fill us with the deepest awe and reverence, because our Father who's in heaven—that means He is sovereign, He's in absolute and total control of everything.
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Psalm 115 in verse 3 says this: "But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased." So He is not only—listen now—He is not only the sovereign God of heaven and earth, He is also our Father. Can you imagine for one moment the implications of knowing and understanding a relationship that you have with the Divine Being who not only happens to be your Father, but happens to have absolute and total control over everything?
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That surely ought to encourage you to pray. That surely ought to encourage you to carry every problem and every burden to Him, because He is divinely sovereign. So He said, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name." When we say, "Hallowed be thy name," we're asking that God, who is the most holy and most glorious, might enable us not only to acknowledge His holiness and His honor, but to make us and to enable us to be in a position to continue to hallow and honor His name. Thomas Manton, an old Puritan, said it like this, talking about "Hallowed be thy name." He said, "In this petition, the glory of God is both desired and promised on our part."
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"For every prayer is both an expression of a desire and also an explicit vow of our solemn obligation that we take upon ourselves to prosecute what we ask." Now let me just stop there. Listen to what he just said: "For every prayer is both an expression of a desire and also an implicit vow or solemn obligation that we take upon ourselves to prosecute what we ask." So if we're saying, "Hallowed be thy name," we're expressing not only a desire for God to be honored and glorified, we are expressing also a solemn obligation that we're going to take on our part to make sure that we honor and glorify His name. Manton goes on and he says, "Prayer is a preaching to ourselves in God's hearing. We speak to God to warn ourselves, not for His information, but for our edification."
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And that certainly is true. And so our primary duty in prayer basically then is to disregard ourselves and to give God the preeminence in our thoughts, desires, and supplication. So this petition, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name," necessarily comes first. Why? Because the glory of God is the end of all things. All other requests in this prayer are subordinate to this one. We're to sanctify and we're to honor God's name above everything in our lives.
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That's why in Matthew 6 and verse 33, He said, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
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Now, the message today is not dealing with the Lord's Prayer in general, but specifically this petition: "Thy kingdom come." When we pray, "Thy kingdom come," there are several very obvious implications. And the first one is simple: God does have a kingdom. "Thy kingdom come." The second obvious implication is, we want that kingdom to come in its fullness. Now, again, I'm not going to be going into a detailed exposition of the kingdom of God. Well, let me just tell you three things about the kingdom of God very quickly. First of all, we can say it like this—listen carefully: The kingdom has come. The kingdom is here. And the kingdom is coming. What? The kingdom has come. The kingdom is here. And the kingdom is coming. Well, how can we say the kingdom has come? Well, we can say the kingdom has come because the King of kings, the Lord Jesus Christ, has come. And what did our Lord say in Matthew 12, in verse 28? He said to the scribes and the Pharisees, "But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you."
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So the kingdom of God was here when Christ was here. He said, "The kingdom of God is come unto you." Look in your Bibles, if you would, to the book of Colossians chapter 1 to show you not only that the kingdom of God has come, but it is here. Look what he says in the book of Colossians chapter 1 at verses 12 and 13. Colossians chapter 1, look if you would please at verse 12.
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"Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us"—where? Where did He translate us to?—"into the kingdom of his dear Son." So the kingdom has come, because Christ has come. The kingdom is here, because we are now in the kingdom. And the kingdom is still coming. That is, it is going to come in its fullness and fruition. And the Bible tells us in Revelation 11 in verse 15, "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever." So, when we're talking about the kingdom, we know that the kingdom has come, the kingdom is here, and the kingdom is coming. Now, so, we're going to be looking then particularly at this one simple petition: "Thy kingdom come."
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So I want you to go back to Luke chapter 11 if you would please. Luke chapter 11. And look if you would again please at verse 2. Luke 11 verse 2: "And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come." "Thy kingdom come." Have you ever really, genuinely thought of the implications of this petition? "Thy kingdom come." I want to give you four things very quickly this morning. The first three are very interconnected. Actually, all four are interconnected, but you may not see the impact of the fourth one until I get to it. But first of all, let me point out: it is a personal petition. It is a personal petition. So our Lord is teaching us to pray. And in Luke 11 and verse 2, after He teaches us to say, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name," He gives us this petition, "Thy kingdom come." So it is a personal petition. It is personal in the sense that you are asking for the kingdom of God to come in its fullness, and at the same time, you are asking that you might be submissive and obedient in that kingdom yourself.
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Why in the world would you seek for the kingdom of God to come if you did not want to be a part of it and participate in it? You're asking in this petition Christ to reign everywhere, and that would certainly include your heart, your soul, your life. When you say, "Thy kingdom come," you are acknowledging that Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords and God of gods, and that He deserves to be honored and worshipped. So very obviously this petition, "Thy kingdom come," is a personal petition. I want you to look in your Bibles—hold in Luke 11—but go in your Bibles to 1 Chronicles chapter 29. 1 Chronicles 29, and look if you would please at verse 11. I want you to see what King David said. 1 Chronicles 29 and verse 11. This is a summation of the kingdom of God. 1 Chronicles 29 verse 11. Look at what he said.
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"Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all." When we say, "Thy kingdom come," that is exactly what we're saying. We're saying that God is the greatest—His power, His majesty, His glory, His victory—that He is king of all of the earth. So, "Thy kingdom come" is a personal petition, and what you're asking is that Jesus Christ would be exalted in your life, in every area, in every sphere. You are acknowledging Him as your king, your sovereign, your head, your guide, and your Lord. No one would pray this petition if they did not personally desire the kingdom of God on earth.
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Now, I want to show you that what David said in 1 Chronicles 29, what our Lord taught us to pray in Matthew 6 and in Luke 11, is the same as what the prophets prophesied. For instance, turn in your Bibles to Isaiah chapter 11 and look if you would please at verse 9. Isaiah 11 and verse 9. We're talking about praying, "Thy kingdom come." It's a personal petition. In Isaiah 11 in verse 9, look what God says. Here is what we're referring to. God says, "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea." As the waters cover the sea. How much of the sea is covered by water? All of it. So when we pray, "Thy kingdom come," what are we asking? We're asking for God's kingdom to extend totally and completely and absolutely in every area, in every corner, in every sphere of life. If you would, look in your Bibles to the little book of Habakkuk.
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Habakkuk chapter 2, and verse 14. One of the minor prophets, Habakkuk chapter 2, at verse 14. Right before the little book of Zephaniah, right after the little book of Nahum, you will find Habakkuk. Habakkuk chapter 2, and look in verse 14. For he says it like this: "For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea."
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So when we are taught to pray, "Thy kingdom come," it's a personal petition. We are personally seeking God's glory, grace, majesty, superiority, sovereignty over every area and over every sphere of our life and the lives of the others and of the world. We're asking for the time appointed for the fullness of the Lord's kingdom to arrive. So it's not only a personal petition. Secondly, it is a practical petition. You remember He said in Luke 11 in verse 2, "When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come." So you are practically petitioning the Father then, not only to prepare your heart, but the hearts of others as well. You're asking Jesus Christ to go forth as conqueror.
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John Calvin said it like this: "He is said to reign among men when they voluntarily devote and submit themselves to be governed by Him, placing their flesh under the yoke and renouncing their desires. Such is the corruption of the nature that all of our affections are so many soldiers of Satan who oppose the justice of God and consequently obstruct or disturb his reign. By this prayer we ask that he may remove all hindrances and bring all men under his dominion and may lead them to meditate on the heavenly life." So this is done partly by preaching of the Word of God and partly by the secret power of the Holy Spirit. It's God's will to govern men by His word, by His voice, but the Holy Spirit must make that word effectual. If the Holy Spirit does not apply the word of God, then no one really hears. It's kind of like Augustine, who said it like this: "I heard the gospel all of my life, and then one day I heard it."
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That's the way it is. If God does not make it effectual... I remember years ago, I had a preacher come to our church in Jessup, and he preached all week long on the doctrine of election. It was a wonderful, wonderful week. And I never will forget one of our men who had been so faithful came to me, he said, "Pastor, this is so great, this is so wonderful, but I have one question."
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He said, "Why haven't you been preaching this?" And I said, "Brother, I have one question for you." He said, "What is it?" I said, "Why have you not been listening?" Well, I had been preaching it. He just had not heard it. But then that week he heard it. The kingdom of God is opposed to all disorder and confusion. Do you not remember the passage where it says that God is not the author of confusion? How much confusion exists in this world? Just in civil government. How much confusion exists in the churches? How much confusion exists in the homes and in the families? How much confusion exists in our own individual lives?
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You think of all the vain thoughts, wrong desires, impure motives, bad attitudes, wicked dispositions, pride, arrogance, unforgiveness, bitterness, resentment, disobedience that remain in each one of us. That creates nothing but confusion in our lives. Do we want those sins conquered? Do we want those sins defeated? Do we want our sins controlled? Do we want the totality of our lives to be brought in conformity to the Word of God and in submission to Jesus Christ?
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Well, we need to learn to pray this prayer because it's a very practical petition. "Thy kingdom come." Your kingdom come in my life. God is not the author of confusion. 1 Corinthians 14 verse 33. So, let me put it to you very plainly: Where confusion exists, so do sin, strife, and wickedness. Look in your Bibles to the book of James, James chapter 3, and notice verse 16. Hebrews, James—James chapter 3, and notice if you would please, verse 16. Look what he says. James 3, verse 16: "For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work."
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You can mark it down, folks. Wherever there's envying, wherever there's strife, wherever there's confusion, there's every evil work. So when we pray then, "Thy kingdom come," we're asking that Christ conquer us, reign over us, subdue us, submit us, surrender us, control us in every aspect of our lives.
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Now, I want you to turn to the book of Philippians chapter 3, because I believe the Apostle Paul understood this. And I think this is exactly, partly what he had in mind when he prayed this prayer. Look in the book of Philippians, chapter 3, beginning there in verse 12. Philippians 3, verse 12. I don't suppose any of us could ever come close to the depth of knowledge and spirituality of the Apostle Paul.
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We always hold him up on a pedestal. But yet he says very clearly in Philippians 3, notice verse 12: "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect." Paul said, "I hadn't arrived. I'm not perfect. But I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 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." Now what did the Apostle Paul say? "Forgetting those things which are behind." How many of us can go back and undo things that we did in our previous years? Not one. We can't.
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But by God's grace, we can repent and then go forward. You can't do anything else. That's what the Apostle Paul says. He can't go back and unlive what he lived or undo what he did. But he can repent and he can go forward. And that's exactly what he's saying. So when we're praying this petition, "Thy kingdom come," it's not only a personal petition, it's a very practical petition because Paul desired to have his life totally conquered by Jesus Christ. He said, "I press toward the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Thirdly, this petition, "Thy kingdom come," is a providential petition.
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Let me explain what I mean by that. Our Lord is teaching us to pray, and this petition is "Thy kingdom come." I've pointed out it's a personal petition, it's a practical petition. Now it's a providential petition. By that, when we pray "Thy kingdom come," we understand that the kingdom is brought into fullness and fruition by God's grace, power, and mercy, and in His time. We may long for it. We may want it. We may work for it. We may pray for it. We may seek it. We may desire it, but the truth is, it is only going to come in its fullness in the time that He ordained. But in this petition, we are praying for the success of the gospel. "Thy kingdom come." We're praying for the conversion of God's elect. We're praying that Christ would indeed save His people.
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Matthew Henry said it like this: "Let thy kingdom come. Let the gospel be preached to all and embraced by all. Let it be brought to subscribe to the record God has given in his word concerning his Son and to embrace him as their Savior and Sovereign. Let the bounds of the gospel church be enlarged, the kingdom of the world be made Christ's kingdom, and all men become subjects to it and live as becomes their character."
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I want you to turn in your Bibles to the book of 2 Timothy and let me show you something. 2 Timothy chapter 2 and let me ask a leading question. Have you ever thought about all the things that the Apostle Paul went through and suffered, why he went through and suffered them? You remember he gives there in 2 Corinthians how that he was beaten with rods, received 40 lashes a number of times, was in the deep, suffered all of these things. Why? 2 Timothy chapter 2 verse 10, he says this: "Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." You see, Paul understood that our Lord has a people. And he said, "I'm going to endure all of these things. I will keep going, that I may reach them." So this petition, "Thy kingdom come," teaches us to pray for, to witness, and to seek, and to reach all those for whom our Lord is a sacrifice and a substitute.
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We know that Christ has a sheep. He has His sheep. What did He say in John 10 and verse 14? Let me just quote it. He said, "I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine." In John 10 in verse 27 he says this: "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." You cannot deny the fact that God does indeed have a sheep. He has His sheep wherever they are, whoever they are. One of the things that I know is this: When I preach and teach, I know not everyone is going to be saved, but I know some are. I know that not everybody is going to be blessed, but I know that some are. Because He has His sheep, and they hear His voice, and they follow Him. When we pray, "Thy kingdom come," we're asking Christ to gather His sheep from all the nations, wherever they are scattered, and bring them safely into His fold. There's a passage in John 11 in verse 52, where the high priest prophesied that Christ should die, not for that nation only, but also that he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
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Moreover, God the Father has declared that the gathering together of all things in Christ is an aspect of His eternal purpose. In Ephesians 1 in verse 10, the Bible says this: "That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him." Let me tell you something, folks.
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I can say this unequivocally. I can say this dogmatically. In God's ordained time, everything will work perfectly according to God's eternal purpose. All of His sheep, all of His people will be gathered in. I don't know when that will be. I would love to see it in my time. I may not. I have no idea, but I know it's going to come to pass. So what I have to do is this: I have to keep praying, "Thy kingdom come." So, it's a personal petition. It's a practical petition. It is a providential petition. And lastly, it is a political petition. Now, how in the world can I say that? How can I say the petition, "Thy kingdom come," is a political petition?
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Because you have been taught and you've heard all of your life, politics and religion do not mix. Two things you never talk about: politics and religion. And if you talk about them, you just simply don't mix them because they don't mix. Well, who said they don't mix? When people say that you cannot mix politics and religion, they do not understand the concept of the kingdom of God, nor do they understand the concept of politics.
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First, let me point out that all government is religious. All government is religious. It may be the Christian religion or it may be a pagan religion, but it's still religious. All law is religious. It may be the Christian law or it may be a pagan law, but it is still religious because behind every law is a determination of good and evil, right and wrong. And it is someone's religion that determines good and evil, right and wrong. Each of those concepts is guided by an understanding of religion. It is impossible to have government without religion. It is impossible to have law without religion. It is not a question of whether or not you will have government or law without religion. The question is, whose religion will it be? Will it be God's religion or will it be man's religion?
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You've got to understand that even if someone says, "Well, I'm an atheist. Therefore, my law is not religious." That's hogwash. You know what atheism is? Theism means God. Put an "A" on it. Atheism: no God. And so when you say my religion is atheism or I don't have religion, I'm an atheist, what you're saying is I'm a secularist humanist with a religious secularist humanist worldview. It's still religious. Because you don't believe in the living God, you have established yourself as God. It's man's religion. It's autonomy. You cannot have government and you cannot have law without religion. Period.
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Secondly, let me cover the word "politics." It's from the Greek word which literally means "of a citizen"—politikos, of a citizen. Well, you say, what's that got to do with "Thy kingdom come"? Well, I want you to look in your Bibles, first of all, to the book of Acts chapter 21 and verse 39. The Apostle Paul was going to address the people who were trying to kill him. Look at Acts chapter 21 and verse 39. Acts 21 verse 39. Paul is speaking to the centurion who rescued him before he gives his testimony in chapter 22. And Paul says this in verse 39: "But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people." Now he said, "I'm a citizen of no mean city." The word "citizen" is polites. So Paul said, "I'm a citizen of no mean city." In other words, I'm a citizen of a very great city. You say, what's that got to do with "Thy kingdom come"?
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Well, look in your Bibles to the book of Philippians chapter 3. Philippians chapter 3. Notice if you would please in verse 20. Okay?
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Paul said this, Philippians 3 and verse 20: "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ." Now the word "conversation" is a very interesting word. It is the Greek word politeuma. Ah, politeuma, politikos. The word actually refers—now listen—here's what the Greek word actually refers to: the administration of civil affairs of a commonwealth, the constitution of a commonwealth, a form of government and the laws by which it is administered, a state, a commonwealth, a commonwealth of citizens. Paul could have literally said in verse 20, "For our citizenship is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ." We have a citizenship. We have a political view, a worldview, a Christian view that is biblical and scriptural.
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Yes, politics and religion do mix. Because if you are a citizen of heaven, you have a political view, a political understanding, a biblical law of a Christian worldview, and you express it. So when I pray "Thy kingdom come," it is a political petition. Let me try to explain it like this. I'm a southerner and a citizen of the state of Georgia. Those of you who know me understand this.
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I do not care one thing for any game that has a ball in it. Period. I don't care if football, baseball—I just don't care for it. But I'll tell you one thing: although I care nothing for a game with a ball in it, if I hear that Georgia is playing Kentucky, I automatically want Georgia to win. You know why? I'm a citizen of Georgia. I don't want Auburn to win.
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No, I didn't use that, Doc. But now, for instance, if I hear Kentucky is playing New York, I want Kentucky to win. Why? I'm a southerner. If I hear America is playing Russia, I want America to win. Why? I'm an American. Do you see what I'm trying to say? If I want Georgia to win, although I don't care anything about ball; if I want the South to win, although I don't care anything about ball; if I want America to win, although I don't care anything about ball—don't you understand that as a Christian, I automatically want King Jesus to win? I want His kingdom. I want His will. I want His word. In other words, when you stop and think, the kingdoms of sin and Satan and man are all opposed and contrary to the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. All of those other kingdoms are darkness and disorder and confusion and consternation. Jesus Christ has the kingdom of light and truth. And so when I pray, "Thy kingdom come," it is a political petition, it is a political prayer that the kingdom of Jesus Christ would be advanced and that the kingdom of sin, Satan, and man would be destroyed and that Jesus Christ would rule and reign supreme.
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Yes, that's a political statement. The Westminster Shorter Catechism puts it like this—listen carefully: "In the second petition we pray that Satan's kingdom may be destroyed, and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced, ourselves and others brought into it and kept in it, and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened." So when we pray, "Thy kingdom come," we're asking, "Lord, hasten the day that you defeat Satan and his host and let them be completely and totally vanquished. Let Thy people be done with sinning forever."
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"Let Christ see the travail of His soul and be satisfied, and let King Jesus triumph over everything." Oh yes! It is a political petition. The petition is an expression of a prayer that God may reign everywhere, that His laws may be obeyed, and especially that the gospel of Christ would be advanced everywhere, till the world shall be filled with the glory and the fullness of God as the waters cover the sea. "Thy kingdom come" is a prayer and a petition for the defeat of Christ's enemies. It is a prayer for the overthrow, defeat, and spoil of all of those who oppose Him and hate Him.
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David recorded a conversation between the Father and His Son in Psalm 110 in verse 1. Let me just read it: "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." Did you know that that verse is repeated several times in the New Testament? One of which is Matthew 22 verse 44: "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool." In Hebrews 10 and verse 13, the Bible says that Christ sat down on the right hand of God, "from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool." In other words, our Lord shall subdue all of His enemies.
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Do you not remember that passage in Philippians 2, 10 through 11, where the Bible says that "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father"? Oh yes, He will conquer and His enemies will fall. If you will turn very quickly in your Bibles to the book of Psalms, look at Psalm 2. Psalm 2.
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And notice if you would, beginning there with verse 8. Psalm 2, verse 8. Look what our Lord says to His Son. Psalm 2, verse 8. God the Father says to God the Son. In fact, let's read verse 7: "I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee." In other words, I have established thee, I have set up thy kingdom. Look what the Father says to the Son, verse 8: "Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel." Now look what God says to the kings of the earth: "Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little."
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"Blessed are all they that put their trust in him." So when we pray this petition, "Thy kingdom come," we're asking that the earth may become obedient to the will of God and be in subjection to Jesus Christ. We're asking that God the Father will subdue all the wicked, all the reprobate, all the ungodly. He would bring down those that oppose King Jesus. Wow! When we pray, "Thy kingdom come," we're declaring, we're acknowledging that we hate and regret whatever we perceive to be contrary to the will of God, and we long for its utter destruction, not only that He may rule all of our affections, but we may yield ourselves to Him without reserve, but with all cheerfulness and gladness. And we learn to pray with David in Psalm 7 and verse 9: "Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just."
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I want you to turn in your Bibles to Isaiah 9. I can quote it, but I want you to see it. Look at Isaiah 9 at verses 6 and 7. You know this passage. Isaiah 9. Look at verse 6. I love it. "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."
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"Upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this." What will God the Father do? He will establish His Son, Jesus Christ, and of the increase of His government, there shall be no end.
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Now, I titled this message "The Rebel's Prayer" for a reason. The truth of the matter is this: As God's people, we are not rebels. In reality, the rebels are those who oppose our Lord Jesus Christ and His kingdom. However, down through history, all of those who have ever resisted tyranny and despotism through the ages have been labeled rebels. George Washington was a rebel. Thomas Jefferson was a rebel. Even in the War of Northern Aggression, the Southern people were called Rebs or rebels.
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It was not the South who was in rebellion to the law; it was the North that was in rebellion to the law. If you resist the new world order or fight against tyranny, you are not only called a rebel, you are now labeled a terrorist. Isn't it amazing that only those who seek to stand for what is right and true and biblical and constitutional are now called rebels and terrorists? We must remember that rebellion can only be to lawful authority. Are you listening? If there is no lawful authority, there is no rebellion. It is only resistance.
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If I came by and said, "I just passed a law that everyone has to turn in their weapons by tomorrow at two o'clock, and if you don't do it, you're rebellious." What? And you don't turn them in? Are you a rebel? No. Because I have no authority to ask you to turn in your weapons. Neither does the federal government, neither does the state government. And if you resisted, you would not be rebellious. You would just be resisting evil and tyranny and wickedness. Rebellion can only be to lawful authority. So if there is no lawful authority, there is no rebellion.
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The truth of the matter is this, folks. The true rebels are those who are in rebellion to Jesus Christ and His law. Those who want to be submissive to Christ are not rebels, although they're listed as rebels. I want to read something to you. The impetus of this message came from a friend of mine, Dr. Brooke Stockton. Now, I don't know if what Dr. Stockton wrote was original with him, or he just sent it around—I don't know. But since it came from him, I'm going to give him credit. But here is the one brief paragraph that really got me to thinking about this message. Here's what he wrote.
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"Our precious Lord taught us to pray, 'Thy kingdom come.' It is part of the Lord's Prayer, a.k.a. the Disciple's Prayer. Positively, it is a plea that all men and all man's institutions would surrender to be ruled by God's law. Negatively, it is a coup d'état against ungodly authorities and de facto officials. This is the rebels' prayer, a revolutionaries' cry against the immorality of this age and the promotion of wickedness by men in rebellion against their Creator. The prayer is God's permission to resist evil, to take the high road and to swim against the stream. It allows men to shout, 'No king but King Jesus.' It is permission to adopt the motto, 'One nation under God and one absolute law.' It is a prayer against the belief that man is God, that government is God, that man's laws or their constitutions are absolute. It is a prayer against the status quo where ambitious men seek to advance the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life. It is a prayer against abortion, oppression, homosexuality, pornography, and greed."
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"It is a prayer against secularism, atheism, humanism, socialism, Marxism, and every other ism wherein secularists seek to build a city where man is the measure of all things. It is a prayer against rulers in rebellion against the Lord and His anointed, against governments who seek to enslave and control men through coercion, intimidation, and fear. It is a prayer against governments hostile to the maxim that the Bible is the source of all law. It is a prayer against governments that break their own laws. It is a prayer against unjust laws and legislators who do mischief through law by creating a system of man-made statutes and codes that enslave their citizenry, who seek to create a new world order through law, who promote alien laws and undermine the Ten Commandments and the virtues they advance: faithfulness, justice, and mercy. It is a prayer against those who defraud others, against rulers that steal from their people through the color of law, against unlawful taxation, the transfer of power from the family to the state. If you are angry at the godless politicians, this prayer and this petition is for you."
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"Thy kingdom come." Because when His kingdom comes, all of that will vanish.
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Now, I want you to turn to 2 Thessalonians chapter 1. 2 Thessalonians chapter 1. I want to show you the implication of "Thy kingdom come." Okay? 2 Thessalonians chapter 1. If you are really, genuinely and truly tired of the corruption, fraud, tyranny, despotism, abuse of authority, then you need to learn to pray daily, yea, even hourly, this petition: "Thy kingdom come." You say, "What good will that do?" Well, let me just show you. 2 Thessalonians chapter 1, beginning with verse 7.
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"And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day." One day, every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Every enemy of the kingdom shall be cast out, and God shall reign supremely, sovereignly, and absolutely, and by His grace and by His mercy, we will be subjects in that eternal kingdom. He is on the throne, and our Lord taught us to pray, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come." And when it comes, all of man's kingdoms will vanish and disappear, and Jesus Christ alone will be magnified in that day.
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Father, in Thy name we bow to Thee. We ask You for Your mercy, for Your grace, for Your strength. And we ask You, Lord, to teach us to understand the implications of "Thy kingdom come." Help us to seek it, to pray for it, to long for it, to desire it. And Lord, to live as we're in it now, in obedience to Thee in every area of our life. In Thy name we pray. Amen. Amen.
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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-05T17:25:02Z

The Rebel's Prayer

John Weaver | Freedom Ministries

John Weaver examines the petition 'Thy kingdom come' from the Lord's Prayer, explaining it as a personal, practical, providential, and political prayer. He argues that praying for God's kingdom involves seeking Christ's reign in every area of life, the conversion of the elect, and the defeat of all opposition to God's law. The message is framed as a 'rebel's prayer' because those who submit to Christ's authority are often labeled rebels by the world, yet true rebellion is against God's lawful rule.

Introduction: The Lord's Prayer as the Rebel's Prayer

Weaver introduces the Lord's Prayer from Matthew 6 and Luke 11, noting it could be called the Kingdom Prayer or the Rebel's Prayer. He emphasizes that Jesus taught specific words with deep meanings.

The title of the message today is "The Rebel's Prayer." Matthew 6 and Luke 11. Matthew 6 and Luke 11. Notice, if you would, Matthew chapter 6 and verse 10. Matthew 6 verse 10:

Scripture Reading — Matthew 6:10

"Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." Now, if you look in Luke 11 and verse 2: "And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done,

He not only teaches them in thoughts, but in words as well. For instance, in Matthew 6 and verse 9, He states,

Scripture Reading — Matthew 6:9

"After this manner therefore pray ye."

Addressing God as 'Our Father'

The term 'Father' signifies an intimate relationship and devotion, implying obligations to honor God and love fellow believers. It also points to adoption and inheritance through Christ.

Scripture Reading — John 20:17

"Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God."

The Majesty of 'Which Art in Heaven'

This phrase highlights God's sovereignty, omnipresence, and supreme majesty, encouraging awe and confidence in prayer because He controls everything.

Scripture Reading — 1 Kings 8:27

"But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have built?"

Psalm 115 in verse 3 says this:

Scripture Reading — Psalm 115:3

"But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased."

Hallowed Be Thy Name: A Vow of Honor

Praying 'Hallowed be thy name' is both a desire for God's glory and a personal obligation to honor Him. Prayer preaches to ourselves and prioritizes God's preeminence.

That's why in Matthew 6 and verse 33, He said,

Scripture Reading — Matthew 6:33

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

The Kingdom Has Come, Is Here, and Is Coming

Weaver explains the kingdom of God in three tenses: it came with Christ, believers are translated into it now, and it will come in fullness when Christ returns.

Scripture Reading — Colossians 1:12-13

"Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us"

—where? Where did He translate us to?—

Scripture Reading — Colossians 1:12-13

"into the kingdom of his dear Son."

A Personal Petition: Submitting to Christ's Reign

Praying 'Thy kingdom come' is personal, asking for Christ to reign in one's own heart and life, acknowledging Him as King over all.

Scripture Reading — Isaiah 11:9

" As the waters cover the sea. How much of the sea is covered by water? All of it. So when we pray, "

A Practical Petition: Conquering Sin and Confusion

This petition is practical, seeking God to subdue sin, confusion, and evil in our lives, and to bring all things into conformity to His Word.

Scripture Reading — Habakkuk 2:14

"For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea."

Scripture Reading — 1 Corinthians 14:33

" Your kingdom come in my life. God is not the author of confusion. 1 Corinthians 14 verse 33. So, let me put it to you very plainly: Where confusion exists, so do sin, strife, and wickedness. Look in your Bibles to the book of James, James chapter 3, and notice verse 16. Hebrews, James—James chapter 3, and notice if you would please, verse 16. Look what he says. James 3, verse 16: "

For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work."

Scripture Reading — James 3:16

You can mark it down, folks. Wherever there's envying, wherever there's strife, wherever there's confusion, there's every evil work. So when we pray then, "Thy kingdom come," we're asking that Christ conquer us, reign over us, subdue us, submit us, surrender us, control us in every aspect of our lives. Now, I want you to turn to the book of Philippians chapter 3, because I believe the Apostle Paul understood this. And I think this is exactly, partly what he had in mind when he prayed this prayer. Look in the book of Philippians, chapter 3, beginning there in verse 12. Philippians 3, verse 12. I don't suppose any of us could ever come close to the depth of knowledge and spirituality of the Apostle Paul.

We always hold him up on a pedestal. But yet he says very clearly in Philippians 3, notice verse 12:

Scripture Reading — Philippians 3:12-14

"Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect."

Paul said,

Scripture Reading — Philippians 3:12-14

"I hadn't arrived. I'm not perfect. But I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 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."

Now what did the Apostle Paul say?

Scripture Reading — Philippians 3:12-14

"Forgetting those things which are behind."

How many of us can go back and undo things that we did in our previous years? Not one. We can't.

A Providential Petition: Gathering the Elect

It is providential, praying for the success of the gospel, the conversion of God's elect, and the gathering of Christ's sheep in God's ordained time.

A Political Petition: Advancing Christ's Government

Weaver argues the petition is political because all government is religious, and believers have a heavenly citizenship that opposes ungodly rule. It prays for Christ's law to prevail.

Well, look in your Bibles to the book of Philippians chapter 3. Philippians chapter 3. Notice if you would please in verse 20. Okay?

The Rebel's Prayer Against Tyranny

Those who pray this are labeled rebels by the world, but true rebellion is against God. The prayer is a cry against all forms of wickedness and man's autonomous rule.

"Thy kingdom come." Because when His kingdom comes, all of that will vanish.

Conclusion: The Ultimate Victory of Christ

Weaver closes with 2 Thessalonians 1, showing that when Christ returns, He will take vengeance on the disobedient and be glorified in His saints, fulfilling the prayer.

The Rebel's Prayer

John Weaver | YouTube

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	YouTube
Media ID	q0MY08lrOXY
Subject	New Testament Studies
Course	Revelation Themes and Eschatological Applications
Genre	Sermon
Date	2012-03-07
Dictation Name
Book	Book 141: Revelation Themes and Eschatological Applications — Chapter 9
Source Timed Segments	65

Lecture Guide

Outline

Introduction: The Lord's Prayer as the Rebel's Prayer: Weaver introduces the Lord's Prayer from Matthew 6 and Luke 11, noting it could be called the Kingdom Prayer or the Rebel's Prayer. He emphasizes that Jesus taught specific words with deep meanings.
Addressing God as 'Our Father': The term 'Father' signifies an intimate relationship and devotion, implying obligations to honor God and love fellow believers. It also points to adoption and inheritance through Christ.
The Majesty of 'Which Art in Heaven': This phrase highlights God's sovereignty, omnipresence, and supreme majesty, encouraging awe and confidence in prayer because He controls everything.
Hallowed Be Thy Name: A Vow of Honor: Praying 'Hallowed be thy name' is both a desire for God's glory and a personal obligation to honor Him. Prayer preaches to ourselves and prioritizes God's preeminence.
The Kingdom Has Come, Is Here, and Is Coming: Weaver explains the kingdom of God in three tenses: it came with Christ, believers are translated into it now, and it will come in fullness when Christ returns.
A Personal Petition: Submitting to Christ's Reign: Praying 'Thy kingdom come' is personal, asking for Christ to reign in one's own heart and life, acknowledging Him as King over all.
A Practical Petition: Conquering Sin and Confusion: This petition is practical, seeking God to subdue sin, confusion, and evil in our lives, and to bring all things into conformity to His Word.
A Providential Petition: Gathering the Elect: It is providential, praying for the success of the gospel, the conversion of God's elect, and the gathering of Christ's sheep in God's ordained time.
A Political Petition: Advancing Christ's Government: Weaver argues the petition is political because all government is religious, and believers have a heavenly citizenship that opposes ungodly rule. It prays for Christ's law to prevail.
The Rebel's Prayer Against Tyranny: Those who pray this are labeled rebels by the world, but true rebellion is against God. The prayer is a cry against all forms of wickedness and man's autonomous rule.
Conclusion: The Ultimate Victory of Christ: Weaver closes with 2 Thessalonians 1, showing that when Christ returns, He will take vengeance on the disobedient and be glorified in His saints, fulfilling the prayer.

Major Themes

Key Arguments

The Lord's Prayer is a model with deep meaning

Jesus gave specific words to pray, and understanding their meaning is essential for spiritual benefit.

Weaver says: 'You must understand that words have meanings, and it is the meanings of the words that are most important. You may repeat these words without understanding their meaning and receive little encouragement... However, when you understand the meaning... then there's a vast, great benefit.'

Prayer includes a vow to pursue what we ask

When we pray 'Hallowed be thy name,' we commit ourselves to honor God, making prayer a self-preaching act.

Weaver quotes Thomas Manton: 'For every prayer is both an expression of a desire and also an implicit vow or solemn obligation that we take upon ourselves to prosecute what we ask.'

The kingdom is present and future

The kingdom came with Christ, believers are in it now, and it will be fully realized at His return.

Weaver explains: 'The kingdom has come. The kingdom is here. And the kingdom is coming.' He cites Colossians 1:13 for the present aspect.

Praying 'Thy kingdom come' is inherently political

Because all law is based on religion, praying for God's kingdom means opposing man-centered governments and laws.

Weaver states: 'It is impossible to have government without religion. It is impossible to have law without religion. ... The question is, whose religion will it be?'

Christians have a heavenly citizenship that shapes earthly politics

Philippians 3:20 uses politeuma, indicating a political commonwealth; believers should desire Christ's rule in all spheres.

Weaver explains the Greek word: 'The word actually refers to... the administration of civil affairs of a commonwealth... Paul could have literally said... "For our citizenship is in heaven."'

The prayer is a cry against all forms of wickedness and tyranny

It opposes abortion, homosexuality, secularism, unjust laws, and any government that rebels against God.

Weaver reads from Dr. Brooke Stockton: 'It is a prayer against abortion, oppression, homosexuality, pornography, and greed... against rulers in rebellion against the Lord and His anointed.'

Scripture References

Matthew 6:10: Introduction of the petition 'Thy kingdom come' as the focus of the message.
Luke 11:2: Parallel passage where Jesus teaches the disciples to pray 'Thy kingdom come.'
John 17: Weaver clarifies that the true Lord's Prayer is Christ's high priestly prayer, not the model prayer.
Matthew 6:9: Jesus instructs 'After this manner therefore pray ye,' indicating specific words to use.
John 20:17: Jesus calls God 'my Father, and your Father,' showing shared Fatherhood and brotherhood with Christ.
Ephesians 1:3: God is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with spiritual blessings.
Psalm 139: Demonstrates God's omnipresence, that He is everywhere in His totality.
1 Kings 8:27: Solomon's dedication of the temple acknowledges heaven cannot contain God.
Isaiah 66:1: Heaven is God's throne and earth His footstool, showing His majesty.
Psalm 115:3: God is in the heavens and does whatever He pleases, affirming His sovereignty.
Matthew 6:33: Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all else will be added.
Matthew 12:28: Jesus says if He casts out demons by the Spirit, the kingdom has come upon them.
Colossians 1:12-13: Believers have been translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son.
Revelation 11:15: The kingdoms of this world become Christ's, and He shall reign forever.
1 Chronicles 29:11: David's praise: 'Thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.'
Isaiah 11:9: The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.
Habakkuk 2:14: The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD.
1 Corinthians 14:33: God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.
James 3:16: Where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
Philippians 3:12-14: Paul presses toward the mark, forgetting the past, seeking to be fully conquered by Christ.

Historical References

Arthur W. Pink: Quoted on the meaning of 'Our Father,' emphasizing obligation and conduct befitting God's children.
Thomas Manton (Puritan): Quoted on 'Hallowed be thy name' as both a desire and a vow, and that prayer preaches to ourselves.
Augustine: Referenced for his statement: 'I heard the gospel all of my life, and then one day I heard it,' illustrating the Spirit's work.
John Calvin: Quoted on Christ reigning when men voluntarily submit, and the need for the Spirit to make the Word effectual.
Matthew Henry: Quoted on 'Thy kingdom come' as a prayer for the gospel to be preached and embraced, and the church enlarged.
Westminster Shorter Catechism: Quoted on the second petition: that Satan's kingdom be destroyed, the kingdom of grace advanced, and the kingdom of glory hastened.
George Washington and Thomas Jefferson: Mentioned as historical figures labeled rebels for resisting tyranny.
War of Northern Aggression (Civil War): Southern people were called 'Rebs' or rebels, though Weaver argues the North was in rebellion to the law.
Dr. Brooke Stockton: A friend whose writing provided the impetus for the message, describing the prayer as a coup d'état against ungodly authorities.

Important Quotes

These words, 'Our Father,' not only signify the office that God sustains to us by virtue of the everlasting covenant, but they also clearly imply our obligation. They teach us both how we ought to dispose ourselves toward God when we pray to Him, and the conduct that is becoming to us by virtue of this relationship.

Arthur W. Pink's quote emphasizes that addressing God as Father carries duties of honor and obedience, not just privilege.

For every prayer is both an expression of a desire and also an implicit vow or solemn obligation that we take upon ourselves to prosecute what we ask.

Thomas Manton's insight that prayer commits us to actively pursue what we request, making 'Hallowed be thy name' a personal vow.

Prayer is a preaching to ourselves in God's hearing. We speak to God to warn ourselves, not for His information, but for our edification.

Manton's view that prayer primarily edifies the pray-er, reinforcing the self-instructive nature of the Lord's Prayer.

He is said to reign among men when they voluntarily devote and submit themselves to be governed by Him, placing their flesh under the yoke and renouncing their desires.

John Calvin's definition of Christ's reign as voluntary submission, highlighting the personal aspect of the kingdom.

I heard the gospel all of my life, and then one day I heard it.

Augustine's statement illustrates the necessity of the Holy Spirit's effectual call for true hearing.

It is impossible to have government without religion. It is impossible to have law without religion. It is not a question of whether or not you will have government or law without religion. The question is, whose religion will it be?

Weaver's foundational argument that all law is religious, making the kingdom prayer inherently political.

Our precious Lord taught us to pray, 'Thy kingdom come.' It is part of the Lord's Prayer, a.k.a. the Disciple's Prayer. Positively, it is a plea that all men and all man's institutions would surrender to be ruled by God's law. Negatively, it is a coup d'état against ungodly authorities and de facto officials.

Dr. Brooke Stockton's summary that frames the petition as both a positive plea for God's law and a revolutionary act against ungodly rule.

The true rebels are those who are in rebellion to Jesus Christ and His law. Those who want to be submissive to Christ are not rebels, although they're listed as rebels.

Weaver's redefinition of rebellion: true rebellion is against God, not against tyrannical human authorities.

Discussion Questions

[Question]

What does it mean to pray 'Our Father' in terms of our relationship with God and with other believers?

[Context]

Weaver emphasizes the intimacy and obligations of calling God 'Father,' including love for fellow Christians.

[Question]

How does understanding God's sovereignty ('which art in heaven') affect the way we pray and handle problems?

[Context]

Weaver argues that God's absolute control should encourage us to bring every burden to Him.

[Question]

In what ways is the petition 'Thy kingdom come' a personal commitment to submit every area of life to Christ?

[Context]

Weaver says praying this means asking Christ to reign in our hearts, not just in the world.

[Question]

Why does Weaver call this a 'practical petition,' and how does it relate to overcoming sin and confusion in our lives?

[Context]

He connects the prayer to conquering vain thoughts, wrong desires, and the confusion that comes from sin.

[Question]

How should the truth that God has a definite elect people influence our prayers and evangelism?

[Context]

Weaver cites 2 Timothy 2:10 and John 10 to show Paul endured all things for the elect's sake.

[Question]

Do you agree that all government and law are inherently religious? How does this shape a Christian's political involvement?

[Context]

Weaver argues that behind every law is a determination of good and evil based on someone's religion.

[Question]

What does it mean to have a heavenly citizenship (Philippians 3:20) and how should it affect our view of earthly politics?

[Context]

Weaver explains the Greek word politeuma and says Christians should desire Christ's rule in all spheres.

[Question]

How can praying 'Thy kingdom come' be a form of resistance against ungodly authorities and cultural evils?

[Context]

Weaver reads Stockton's description of the prayer as a coup d'état and a cry against specific sins.

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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T08:19:34Z