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Kingdom advancement was accomplished by the Master by proclaiming the Word, and demonstrating kingdom power through miracles. When two of John's disciples came and asked Jesus "Are you the coming one; or do we look for another?" (Luke 7:20 ), Jesus answered,
Luke 7:22 "...Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them."
That was how the Sent One brought the kingdom of heaven among men. He operated in every gift of the Holy Spirit. When we turn to His commissioning of His sent ones in Mark 16, we see that He gifts kingdom people as He was gifted, and sends them gift-wrapped into the world to declare, teach and demonstrate the kingdom power.
He commanded the preaching of the gospel (Mark 16:15 ). As He did, so He would have His sent ones do.
By proclaiming the Word, the sent ones are bringing about repentance, even a change of heart in the kingdom of God. They are also gifted to demonstrate kingdom power.
In connection with His commission He promised "signs will follow those who believe" (Mark 16:17 ). These signs are the supernatural credentials of the sent ones, and kingdom demonstrations of power. "Those that believe" indicates something of the scope and reach of the signs. These signs are not limited to the early apostles or the early church, but are promised to all who believe. As long as "Go" is in force in His people, they will be supernaturally gifted by Him.
Casting out demons demonstrates the King's power over the realm of Satan and his evil spirits. Believers are gifted through a Holy Spirit baptism with "the discerning of spirits". This enables them to see the presence or activities of the spirit world, and power to discriminate between the operation of the blessed Holy Spirit and that of evil spirits. When the gift of discerning of spirits operates alongside the "gift of faith", evil spirits are cast out in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 12:9-10 ).
Speaking with new tongues demonstrates the King's power over all the faculties of the human being: body, soul, mind and spirit. Speaking in tongues as inspired by the Holy Spirit is of great value.
Speaking in new tongues is a sign to the unbeliever (1 Corinthians
14:22 ). This gift enables a believer to speak supernaturally to God
(1 Corinthians 14:2 ). It is a blessed means of spiritual edification (1 Corinthians
14:4 ). It enables believers to pray with their spirit, so greatly assisting
them in their contact with God, and in their praying, both for themselves and for others
(1 Corinthians 14:14, 15 ). When accompanied by the gift of interpretation, it is a means of
edification, exhortation and comfort to the church (1 Corinthians 14:3-5 ).
Taking up serpents demonstrates the King's power over the realm of animate things which are not human. The Lord had in mind the accidental picking up of poisonous reptiles. An apt illustration of the fulfillment of this promise is found in the experience of Paul as recorded in Acts 28.
I visited the home of a missionary to find he and his family were away. It was their custom to release their German shepherd dogs into the grounds when they were absent, to protect their home and belongings. Not aware of this I got out of the car, and was immediately attacked. I stood still and used the name of Jesus in a command. The dogs obeyed and sat still. I believe this was another form of "taking up serpents" in the carrying out of the Lord's work.
This, without suffering any ill effects would demonstrate the King's power over the elements of the inanimate realm. Again, this refers to accidentally or unknowingly coming into such a situation. We have heard of missionaries being given poison in their food in order to get rid of them. The poison had no effect, resulting in the poisoner getting saved. W.F.P. Burton had such an experience in Zaire, when it was still known as Congo.
This demonstrates the king's power over all physical sickness. Sent ones are gifted supernaturally to demonstrate the power of the kingdom and glorify the King.