Why Intercede for a Culture Against the Inevitable Night?

The prospect of inevitable nightfall in society and the discouragement the idea produces raises an opposite question:

“Why keep interceding for daytime in our nation if we know it’s ultimately going to be nighttime anyway for the whole world before the Kingdom of Light finally takes over?”

From a limited logical perspective it makes no sense to keep praying for our light to dominate a culture if the Spirit has said all cultures are essentially dark, will never become light and will all finally pass away in darkness before being replaced by the true eternal Kingdom of Light. This opposite logic to “dominionist” thinking is manifest in spiritual wilderness and other Christian ghetto-minded apathy—the kind that leads believers to avoid engaging society and hoard their light under the bushel of closed escapist communities.

Well, if we had no other answer for defending why we should keep prophetically interceding over society with our light, it would be enough to simply reply, “Because the Lord said so, dummy! Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Do we need to satisfy our logic before we will obey the Lord?

But rejoice, there is a more satisfying answer. It starts by exposing an error in our logic. Asking why we should desire to illumine a society that will never become light is like the sun asking itself, “Look, those planets out there will never become suns, so why should I shine on them?”

This shows us that the answer to why we should intercede for society is not really about society. Of course society will never become the kingdom of God! But the purpose for interceding for dominance of our light in it doesn’t center on what is to become of society, but what is to become of us and our kingdom. Let’s see how this works:

          - Kingdom Recruitment

The first reason we intercede for light dominance in society is because God uses our light and its positive effects to bring forth new eternal recruits out of society into our kingdom. Our reflective light on an irredeemable culture yet services eternal ends. Jesus made this clear in John 12:36: “While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light."

Wanting our light to dominate society is not about “making society godlier” per se. That’s a byproduct, but not our calling. Our real purpose is to foster conditions favorable toward the goal of harvesting eternal life in people who are nonetheless called out from society. [PS: if you don’t understand that evangelism is about calling a targeted people out from their society, not about “converting society,” you won’t get to first base here. “I pray not for the world, but for those whom you have given me out of the world.” Again, sub in the word “America” for “world,” and you will understand the true heart of God pertaining to America. Now, where were we…]

Think about it. Isn’t it far better for people to be won to the Lord under the favorable conditions of societal daytime than under the unfavorable oppressive conditions of societal nighttime? (Anybody I know would prefer to work the day shift over the graveyard shift!)

That’s why Paul urges prayer for government leaders. It’s so we can minister unmolested in society (I Tim. 2:2). Peaceful ministry (not “peace” per se) was Paul’s objective in prayer. Since we have to “bring a sword” to the world, we want to do it the most surgical way possible. Peaceful ministry is the most effective ministry (Jms. 3:17-18). Paul preferred ministry in a society under the daylight of God’s peace rather than one dominated by darkness expressed through persecution all the time. (Wilderness folk please note: Paul didn’t feel guilty about praying for something other than a combative relationship with the world around him!)

          - Rulership Training

The second reason we want to intercede for light dominance is because prophetic intercession over society exercises our capacity for eternal rulership against the time when our eternal kingdom appears.

As intercessors, we are in a “ruler-in-training” apprenticeship for the future. When our glorified kingdom finally manifests, all rule will be exercised through the power of prophetic intercession.

But our ability to govern then will be based on the ability we develop now through practicing prophetic intercession on fallen society. Yeshua will be looking at your prophetic intercessory track record! He will weigh your effectiveness at bringing His light to reflection in the society of your generation, and based on what He sees, He will assign your governmental rank accordingly.

          - Building Kingdom Revelation

The third reason we intercede for light dominance is because it’s our part in a multi-generational plan over an entire age to bring forth the final eternal manifestation of our eternal kingdom.

Through intercessory exercise over the society of its times, each generation is bringing forth a new layer of kingdom revelation necessary to usher the fully glorified kingdom into manifest reality. The capstone layer will see the translation of our people into immortal glory. But anybody who shirks his intercessory duty to bring further kingdom light to bear against his fallen society is hindering the manifestation of the final eternal kingdom.

 

[ Part V ]

Chris Anderson
New Meadow Neck, RI

First Love Ministry
- a ministry of Anglemar Fellowship
http://www.firstloveministry.org

11/08

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