Introduction 

In his video talk (among others) about The Characteristics of Kingdom Ambassadors, Dr. Myles Munroe shared various ways of how the Roman Empire was like God’s Kingdom. He said that the “fullness of time” Paul wrote about in Ephesians 1:10 was the period of history when the Romans ruled their empire. Dr. Myles said the Romans had the first empire with a colonial structure like God’s Kingdom.

Conquest of a Rebellious Territory

The Romans had conquered Palestine and Judea, holding sway over the Jewish people. The Jews expected a deliverer, the Messiah – God’s Anointed One – to come and throw out the Roman oppressors and bring back the Jewish kingdom. After rejecting the One God did send, even handing Him over for death on a Roman cross, the Jews rose up in rebellion against Rome in 70 A.D. The Romans besieged Jerusalem, destroyed the Temple, and scattered the Jews among the rest of their colonies.

The conquering general led back to the imperial city, not only his army, but also a host of captives as slave gifts for the people. The general, his army, and the slaves paraded through the streets of Rome in the general’s triumph.

In the same way, God sent His Son into the rebellious world He had created. Jesus conquered His enemies and took back the keys of authority over the Earth. Then He returned home to His eternal city. 

This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” (Ephesians 4:8)

Colonies, Ecclesias, and Apostles

The Romans imposed their own version of peace throughout the lands they conquered. They set up colonies where the citizens lived and worked to make those lands like Rome. If the emperor were to visit, he would feel like he was in Rome.

These Roman citizens came from all walks of life and were led politically by an apostle, a chosen representative of the emperor himself. These citizens made up an ecclesia, the Greek concept of a body of citizens called out to make political decisions for their city. The Romans turned the ecclesia into a gathering of citizens sent to make up the colony.

According to Dr. Myles, the emperor had his own ecclesia. Members of the Senate were not elected by the citizens but were chosen by the emperor to be his advisors.

In the same way, Jesus told His students He would construct His own ecclesia. (Matthew 16:13-19) These students would be His chosen apostles (Luke 6:13) – the political leaders of the colonies of Heaven on Earth. They would be given the symbols of authority over the lands He would conquer (Matt 16:19). Heaven’s citizens from all walks of life would rule as His ecclesia on the Earth He had reconquered. They would bring the peace of Heaven into the Earth through service and self-surrender – Heaven’s way of bringing peace.

Questions 

Have you surrendered to Jesus, King of Heaven and Earth? Are you a citizen of Heaven in this conquered land?

Are you aware of your rights and authority as a Kingdom citizen?