The Two Kingdoms
Each operation in the Kingdom of God has it's satanic substitute and counterfeit in the kingdom of Darkness. For each realm of the Spirit of God, there is a corresponding realm of demon activity. The chart, will illustrate this truth. Turn and study this chart and it's scriptures, then return to this page and read the remainder of the explanation.
Our chart study is to show how that in each stage of development of the Christian, from a Babe in Christ, to a mature Son, there is a similar realm in the kingdom of Darkness. There is an opposite force operating, trying to draw aside the child of God. To the unspiritual eye, this realm of darkness is sometimes hard to distinguish from God's true Kingdom. God has given the Christian a "witness of the Spirit" that he might know the voice of God. Jesus said: "Another they will not follow," and "My sheep hear my voice."
The motivating power of operation in God's Kingdom is the power of LOVE and FAITH; and the opposite of these are HATE and FEAR, the operating forces in Satan's kingdom. Now just because a person, or even a minister manifests Hate, Bitterness, Jealousy, Malice, Resentment, or any other form of hatred does not mean that they are unsaved or demon possessed, or in the kingdom of Darkness. It just means that they are allowing themselves to be motivated by the forces of darkness. 2 Timothy 1:7 says: "God hath not given us the spirit of fear." So when a minister uses fear to keep his people in bondage, no matter how necessary it may seem, he is yielding to the powers of darkness.
Two Cities
Just as there is a True Church in God's Kingdom, known as the Virgin Bride, the Holy City, New Jerusalem, there is also a False church in the kingdom of Darkness, known as the old Harlot, that wicked city of idolatry, Mystery Babylon. While the one operates under the power of the Spirit of God, bringing forth Life, and out of which the Overcomer Manchild will come, the satanic opposite or counterfeit operates under human wisdom through satanic influence. Both are made up of people, without which neither could be effective. Many precious people are unwittingly locked up behind the prison walls of that great city of Babylon, and the call of God goes forth to "come out of her, my people." That old Harlot, which is a system of religion so popular with man, is so decked out in beautiful garments (self-righteousness and good works), that the people are furious and horrified if a prophet of God raises his voice against her. They cannot see her faults, and her deadly danger to the souls of men. No Christian can come to Perfection, be filled with the fulness of God, and become on spirit with Christ while joined to that old system.
Babes and Teenagers
There are several steps from Babes to mature Sons of God, and each realm has it's counterpart of substitute in satan's kingdom. Of those who believe in Jesus Christ and call themselves Christians, the largest number by far would come under the heading of "Babes." Carnal, divided, not able to eat the Meat of the word. Yet saved by the grace and mercy of God. They are not Babes because of just having been recently saved. Time has nothing to do with it. Hebrews 5:12 says that Babes are those who have had nothing more than just spiritual "milk," and are not able to eat the "meat" of the Word. 1 Corinthians 3:1-2 tells us that they are Babes because they are divided, carnal (natural minded), full of strife. As far as their spiritual development is concerned, there is not too much good you can say about them. But as babes, they are alive.
The opposite of this in satan's kingdom are those who are sinners only because they have rejected Christ as Saviour, and are devoid of salvation faith. Nothing much you can say bad about them. These "moral sinners" are usually good people in the natural, pay their debts, solid citizens, patriotic, civic leaders, etc., etc. They may even attend some church (usually a dead carnal church), hold some office in the church, or even teach Sunday school. They might even go to seminary and take up a career as a "man of the cloth" and stand behind the pulpit. But they are dead in sins and trespasses, do not know the cleansing power of the Blood of Jesus, and are fastened solid in satan's kingdom. Only the Cross will bridge the gap between death and life. Their good works and good intentions will never translate them from the power of darkness to the Kingdom of Christ.
The next realm of Christians (see chart) are like "teenagers." Full of life, want to be doing something, and so sure they know more than anyone else. Zealous of good works. A very commendable attitude, and fortunate is the church which has a good number of these folks. They are hungry for God (aren't teenagers always hungry?), and unless some modernist or sectarian preacher holds them back or fills them with fear for the true things of God, they will eventually go on into the deeper blessings of the Lord. They will grow, if you give them a chance, and they are fed the right diet. We see a great "charismatic revival" taking place now where thousands of eager Christians are finding that there is more for them in Christ, and they are growing right out of the dead churches that have held them back for so long. Dead traditional theological concepts and doctrines are having no more effect on those who have begun to taste of the power of the Holy Spirit.
The opposite of this realm are those who are "hungry for sin," lusting after the world and the thrills of sin and the flesh. They try everything and go everywhere to find the satisfaction their heart desires and cannot find. Many of these will also go on to a deeper realm in sin, to demon possession. For the life of sin is empty. There is no real satisfaction in it. The young people of America are prime examples of what I'm saying. Trying everything, narcotics, liquor, sex, perverted sex, the hippie life, atheism, riots, crime, and even murder. But nothing fills the void in their lives. The lust continues to drive them, but is never satisfied.
The Spirit Filled
Those who press on in God's kingdom are filled with the Holy Spirit through submission to Jesus Christ. The Spirit filled realm deals with those who walk and live in the Spirit. Being "filled" with the Spirit." (Ephesians 5:18). This is not just a one time Pentecostal experience. The Corinthian church had that. They spoke in tongues, and "came behind in no gift" (1 Corinthians 1:7), but they were also "babes" and "carnal" (1 Corinthians 3:1-3). Those who are one time filled with the Spirit, or "baptized in the Holy Ghost," should go on to practice the Presence of God in their daily lives. This is the Spirit filled realm. Letting the Spirit control our lives. To manifest Him in all our activities. A person who is walking in this realm of the Spirit radiates the very Presence of Christ. They are possessed by the Spirit of God. It is a realm of the supernatural. In fact, the supernatural becomes a way of life to these people. At one time the ranks of the Pentecostals populated this realm, but now so many of the Pentecostals have drifted back into the realm of Babes, carnal, full of strife and divisions, wrapped up in self-righteousness and with a natural form of religious worship. The Pentecostal experience has become a doctrine, learned in Bible school and taught in churches as their own private property. But thank God, there is still a Spirit filled realm, and there is still a people who walk with God in this realm.
The opposite of this is the realm of the demon possessed. When we think of this state, we mostly think of someone having a fit, or a crazy man going around killing everyone. But let me say carefully that all the demon possessed are not in prisons or mental institutions. Many sit in their regular pews in church, causing confusion and troubled in their own way, and seldom recognized for what they are. There are "religious demons" who possess people, and their form of expression is to dominate or rule in the church, or to continually stir trouble. There are also those who have been possessed by wicked spirits who crave various expressions. There are demons of murder that drive people into killing others for no reason at all. It is their means of expression. Other demons, or spirits, crave sex thrills. Those possessed by these spirits have a lustful spirit about them that drives them continually. There are alcohol demons that drive men to drink. The world says that a real alcoholic is "sick." And he is. He is possessed. He needs help from outside himself, he needs deliverance. There are homosexual and narcotic demons that, once allowed to possess a person, are almost impossible to shake off, unless that person is washed in the Blood of Jesus and possessed (filled) by the Spirit of God. A lying spirit will cause a person to tell a lie even when unnecessary. They become a "compulsive liar." Each demon or spirit desires expression according to it's nature. They are allowed to enter a person through submission to satan, by weakness or evil desires. Space does not allow us to say all that needs to be said about this realm of the enemy. Far too many people are trapped in this prison of darkness. God hasten the day when the Manchild shall rise up and bind the "strong man" and spoil his goods, tearing down his house.
Ministers of the Supernatural
"It is more blessed to give than to receive." And if it was glorious to receive the Holy Spirit, and to walk in the radiance of His Presence daily, how much more glorious to be able to minister that power and Life to others. God has provided a place in the Spirit where the members of the Body of Christ can minister the supernatural power of God. Paul told one church that he came to them "in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power." Hebrews tells us that the Lord confirmed the Word with "signs and wonders and divers miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost according to His own will." Paul spoke to the Galatians of those "that ministereth the Spirit to you." No natural man has it in his own power to work the miracles of God. But Jesus demonstrated this as a normal way of life for the son of God. Walking on water, drying up a fig tree, multiplying the loaves and fishes, cleansing the leper, healing the sick and raising the dead were samples of that which operated in His life and flowed from Him like a pure River of Life. We have just about delegated the healing power to big nationally known evangelists, and about forgotten the rest of the manifestations of the Spirit. But this supernatural realm of ministry is available to the Body of Christ, and to be manifested by the members in particular. Books could be, and have been, written about this realm of the Spirit. But we must go on to show you a higher place.
We will not get into satan's counterfeit of Mediums and Sorcerers, except to show that there is such a place. Having taught the subject of Cults and Spiritualism in a Bible School, I did much research on this subject. It is easy for me to get off on this and leave no space for anything else. There are scriptural references given on the chart, showing different ones who operated under the power of satan and did supernatural things. Fortune tellers, palm readers, Indian "advisors," as well as Spiritualist mediums all operated under a satanic anointing. These people have no power or authority of their own, except as they are anointed by Satan or visited by a "spirit control." This is not the "highest" (or should it be "lowest"?) order of the kingdom of Darkness. There is one more step to come to that "son of perdition" who shall reveal Anti-christ to the world.
Mature Sons
On God's side we see that there is a higher order than just to be used of God in supernatural gifts of the Spirit. The Sons of God, confirmed to the image of Jesus Christ, when fully matured and anointed, are those who have more than just an operation in the Gift realm. They have the "Spirit without measure" (John 3:34). They are able to use all His authority, operating "in His Name," because He has given them His Name. They are One Body of people who reveal Christ to the world in His fulness. They have come to the time of the "Adoption," or the "placing as full grown sons." God can trust them with all authority, sitting on His throne, because they operate only under the mind of Christ. The carnal mind has been removed. Not until the Overcomer has reached this realm will this world be delivered from the bondage of death. This is why all creation groans for the manifestation of the sons of God. (Romans 8). I'll say no more here, for many of our books and tracts deal with various phases of the Sonship realm.
The Adepts are those who are so "one with Satan" that they constitute One Body who are given all Satan's authority and reveals Anti-christ to the world. This will be the greatest operation of the kingdom of Darkness ever known. This is the "son of Satan." It is a company of people, just as God's "perfect man" or "Manchild" is a company. The world is quickly being prepared for the manifestation of this body. They have a powerful operation indeed, but thank God they are destroyed by the brightness of His coming, as He is revealed in His Sons. The mighty battle of the ages, fought in the heavenlies, with the chaos in the earth realm only reflecting that which is going on in the heavenlies. There have been only a handful of men who had this kind of satanic authority down through history, which goes far beyond the operation of a Spiritualist medium or sorcerer.
The Mark
The Lord Jesus Christ is King over the Kingdom of God. Those in the realm of sons will be Kings also, made in His image. The mark of His Kingdom is the Cross, or the Crucified Life. Dying out to self, laying aside all the self life for His sake. This is the mark of those who ascend into the hill of the Lord. The way of the Cross seems hard sometimes, and almost unfair in this modern world. But it leads home to the glory of God. If you want to wear the Crown, you must face the Cross.
The mark of the Beast, of course, is 666. Six is the number of man, and three being the number of completeness, this shows the completeness of man under sin. When you find a man who continually puffs up his flesh, making much of the human abilities and character, then you are seeing the mark of satan's kingdom. This is the mark, in fulness, the adepts will have.
Armies of demons do the work of Satan, and will stand ready to obey the Adepts when they come to power. The armies of Angels will work hand in hand with the sons, watching over them "lest they dash their foot against a stone." No accident, no sickness, no injury or harm can come to them. Death will have no power over them. God will manifest His power on this earth realm, to vindicate His Name. Praise God! This has only been an introduction to this study, but I trust that it will help you to see where you are dwelling in the Kingdom, and help you to see that there is a higher place in God for you. God bless you, and give you an honest heart to seek for His highest and best. "Press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14)."
Bill Britton The Two Kingdoms 