Study Guide
DOMINION NOW IS A FALSE DOCTRINE
1,446 words, about 7 min read
The scriptures admonish us to try every spirit to see whether it be of God (1 John 4:1).
We have entered a dispensation where the Lord is restoring government and order to the Body of Christ. As in the days of the early Church, there are many voices that claim to be that of God’s apostles and prophets, those to whom the revelation of the mystery of Christ is given first. As commanded by the Master, I am listening to the voices of what has come to be known as a “prophetic word.” The word that is coming out of the mouths of prophets must be judged as to whether it is in line with the proper perspective of God’s purpose in the earth. However, only those who are spiritually interactive with the Father can judge such things, for some of these so-called prophetic words are delivered with a slant.
These “words” that are supposedly coming from God are subtly pointing the Church towards a ‘dominion-ship now’ doctrine. This doctrine claims to make all the Saints of God wealthy and in control of the goings on in this world. It is being cleverly disguised and cloaked inside a call to righteousness. Therefore, we see some clergymen doing a balancing act to make material wealth an essential part and evidence of the glory of God in the earth. The want for things, recognition and power over people is so strong, that these ministers must find a way to bring some balance or profitableness to the Word that is now pouring into the Body. Their response to the “Be Ye Perfect” message is a good example of my meaning here. Once they hear this word, they have to acknowledge that it has TRUTH that cannot be refuted. But the message demands sinlessness and self-denial.
To embrace such a word completely would threaten the empires these men have built. Furthermore, a simple rejection of these truths is not feasible because too many of the saints have been exposed to these truths. Thank God for the internet. The solution to this dilemma is to add the dominion now doctrine to the perfection message and repackage it as a new prophetic word. In other words, the inference is, because the saints of God are brought to perfection they are now qualified to receive the riches of this world. Beloved, don’t allow yourself to be deceived by these falsehoods. A doctrine that comes from God is universal. God is not a respecter of persons. Though God will allow some in the Church to acquire wealth, it is certain everyone in the Body of Christ is not going to be rich. The poor will always be among us, even as there were poor saints in Jerusalem and other cities Paul raised offerings for. If this doctrine were true, it would be even as salvation. All who find it, receive the same Spirit, and must maintain the same righteousness to inherit the Kingdom of God. The truth remains the same. Jesus said to take no thought for your life (St. Matt. 6:25). Our meat is to do the will of our Father (St.John 4:34).
Though it is really upsetting to see how erroneous perspectives of scripture and the utterances from many prophets are outside the boundaries of what the Bible teaches. I can recall being right there myself. I think most of us who minister the gospel have at some point preached things that we had to be corrected on. But when correction comes, those who truly reverence God will hear and submit without controversy. His sheep will hear His voice and another they will not follow. Yes, we erred along the way. The truth is that many of our errors were due to a cloudy vision of the Word caused by walking after the flesh.
It is impossible to walk in the flesh and discern that which can only be understood by the Spirit. We had good intentions, but we were still wrong in our perception of God and godliness. But one day that innate desire to please the Father was allowed to dominate our being. It was like being born again; we were hungry and thirsty for truth. Oh, when it came we gladly received it and repented for the errors we taught in the Body! Sad to say, there are many today who turn a deaf ear to the truth, even that which they know to be true. There is only one explanation for this. Many of the true prophets of God have become infected by the ability of the mighty dollar. They have become diseased with lust and greed. Their hearts are no longer pure and they cannot clearly see the Kingdom of God. The bottom line is they have been seduced by the love of money and the pleasures of this world. Prophets who believe the wealth of this world to be evidence of the glory of God, tend to think everyone wants the same things they want. In fact, they are partially blind and cannot clearly see the wisdom and counsel of God, as they attempt to prophesy to other members of the Body.
One such example is the bringing forth of a prophetic word in the lives of those who are quite comfortable in their lifestyles, due to their economic situation. Many business people are grasping the purpose of God for their lives. All they want to do is down size so as to have more time to devote to serving the Lord. Many have the call of spiritual government in them and they are burning with the desire to come out of the workings of business to pursue their calling. But then they receive a word that says God is going to multiply their business and increase them financially so that they may become financiers of the ministry. This all sounds good, but is it truly the will of God for those who want nothing more than to sanctify themselves for servitude without the distraction of managing a striving business? This is not to say that this word is not real for some who are called to the ministry of helps. But I am cautioning the Body to be careful that Satan does not use ministers to prophesy things that rekindle a lust for the things of this world. Prayer is being offered in this vein as well. In essence, the saints are instructed to take dominion over Satan and take back all the things he has stolen from them. Of course, the things Satan took were mostly materialistic; although some are claiming husbands, wives and promotions.
Nevertheless, the focus of the Sons in prayer has become a joke to God and the angelic host. The mockery we have made not only of prayer, but also of our very existence, is unreal. Where does it appear in scripture that the Church is spoken of as being the head of all things? In the millennium is when and where we will rule and reign with Christ. That is when the saints of God will inherit the earth. This present Church began in persecution and will end in the same. We are as sheep among wolves in this world. For us to have dominion now would eliminate any suffering. But it is after we have suffered in this life that we will reign with Him in the next.
If the doctrine of “Dominion Now” is true, then why did the apostles and the members of the early Church fail to accomplish dominion? Consider their testimonies.