Kingdom Established
Descriptive scripture Esther 1:2-12
Prescriptive scripture: Psalms 2:2, 4, 10-11(also Matthew 6:25-33 - seek first His Kingdom Declaration - God’s Kingdom is established and He is the One that establishes.
Kingdom Call to Action: Seek first His Kingdom
The book [of Esther] has been challenged by some. One of the main points in the dispute is the remarkable fact that neither the word God nor God’s name Yahweh is found in the book. And it is no mistake that in these days, in these last days, God is present. We may live in a world where culturally God is not seen or heard, He may not be popular or celebrated but not only He is present, He is seated on the throne.
Notes - scriptures with descriptions of the Kingdom of God:
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. Matthew 11:12 NKJV
For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. 1 Corinthians 4:20
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17
Esther 1: 2-12
2in those days when King Ahasuerus (Xerxes) sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the citadel, 3that in the third year of his reign he made a feast for all his officials and servants—the powers of Persia and Media, the nobles, and the princes of the provinces being before him— 4when he showed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the splendor of his excellent majesty for many days, one hundred and eighty days in all. - (Note:There is no mistaking that Ahasuerus is king. )
5And when these days were completed, the king made a feast lasting seven days for all the people who were present in Shushan the citadel, from great to small, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace.
6There were white and blue linen curtains fastened with cords of fine linen and purple on silver rods and marble pillars;
and the couches were of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of alabaster, turquoise, and white and black marble.
7And they served drinks in golden vessels, each vessel being different from the other, with royal wine in abundance, according to the generosity of the king.
8In accordance with the law, the drinking was not compulsory; for so the king had ordered all the officers of his household, that they should do according to each man’s pleasure.
Summary of feast:
Lasted seven days
For all people great and small
Held in the court of the king’s palace
There where white and blue linen curtains with cords of fine linen and purple on silver rods and marble pillars
Couches of gold and silver
Mosaic pavement of alabaster (mineral, has been used to carve statues), turquoise, and white/black marble
Drinks served in golden cups that were all one of a king (unique)
Abundance of royal wine
Each man could do as he pleased
Xerxes sought to exalt and establish himself before men and before God.
The definition for the word established - set up (an organization, system, or set of rules) on a firm or permanent basis.
Point 1: Man seeks to establish himself with legacy, wealth, and power but only God has a kingdom that is eternal.
Psalm 2:2, 4, 10-11
The kings of the earth set themselves,
And the rulers take counsel together,
Against the Lord and against His Anointed…
He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;
The Lord shall hold them in derision (contemptuous ridicule or mockery).
Now therefore, be wise, O kings;
Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear,
And rejoice with trembling.
This message is for all of us. We are all blessed with gifts, talents, intelligence that can lead us into fame or wealth, legacy, and power. We are called to fear the Lord, we are called to reverence Him. He is a good Father who has great plans for us and those good things are added when we seek first His Kingdom!
Scripture continued:
9Queen Vashti also made a feast for the women in the royal palace which belonged to King Ahasuerus.
10On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus, 11to bring Queen Vashti before the king, wearing her royal crown, in order to show her beauty to the people and the officials, for she was beautiful to behold. 12But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command brought by his eunuchs; therefore the king was furious, and his anger burned within him.
Key Point:
There are some no’s that (create) have opened doors.
Vashti was meant to be the cherry on top, the grand finale, and the mic drop
Point 2: God is watching and working.
He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; He shall…distress them in His deep displeasure: Yet I have set my King On My holy hill of Zion.
While the Bible does not say that God touched Vashti’s heart, it is clear that her no shifted the direction of the Kingdom entirely. Not only was she disciplined, she was dethroned. The kingdom went from being in a time of rejoicing, celebration, feasting to a time of transition and preparation for a new Queen to ascend the throne, a Queenselected by the King of kings.
In the natural, it says Vashti was dethroned -in order to ensure that the noble ladies of the kingdom would not become disrespectful towards their husbands a royal decree was made, “Vashti shall come no more before King Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal position to one who is better than she. When the king’s decree which he will make is proclaimed throughout all his empire, all wives will honor their husbands, great and small.”…And the reply pleased the king.
Esther 1:19-21
Point 3: The spirit realm is real:
Natural vs Spiritual
This is an area that I am prayerfully growing in.
The spirit realm is real. I’ve heard it said and I believe that our daily realities are a direct reflection of what is in the spirit realm.
While Ahasuerus believed that he was highly exalted, that his throne was established, that he was well respected and could establish decrees that could banish people from his presence and exalt others, little did he know that he was ruling a little k kingdom on the earth and he had stepped into the season when the Kingdom of heaven would come.
If you have prayed, as Jesus taught us to pray, Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven and yet everything on earth seems like the kingdoms of this world are prospering and progressing, everyone else is prospering and progressing, Esther 1 reminds us that God is not only always at work but His Kingdom IS established. There are many men and women believing that they are here to establish their kingdom, their legacy but it’s only partnership with the King of kings that establishes us. Anything outside of that is partnership with the kingdom of darkness.
There is no God like our God
There is no one who can write you off, throw you away, break up with you, curse you, abandon or reject you
When you belong to God, you belong to the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
