As Barnes explains this reigning is eternal not temporal. The usage of the 1Peter verse is equally disturbing. Yes we are called to proclaim the excellencies of He who saved us but this means the proclamation of the Gospel. If anything it should reinforce the Lord-servant relationship not the "I'm going to reign with Christ" self-glorifying partnership. None of this should lead anyone to conclude that we should learn to have authority in prayer and to exercise governmental intercession.
"Having authority over darkness and despair is in your spiritual DNA. You were made to have life more abundantly, through Jesus, living in victory over those things that seek to steal, kill, and destroy you (John 10:10). Satan will do everything he can to hinder your assignment, and it is up to you to recognize his plan and overcome the works of the enemy - not just saying that you are an overcomer, but living a life that is spilling over with the evidence of the authority and power you carry." -- Dutch Sheets
Ahh; the spiritual DNA scriptures which do not exist anywhere in the Bible. Sheets is not even trying to hide how unbiblical he is at this point. With each Scripture he tries to use it seems the Holy Spirit is exposing more and more. Read John 10:1-21 and ask yourself who is the thief that Christ is teaching about? What does the context reveal? Because it sure is not Satan. No beloved. Irony of ironies, the thief Christ is warning us about is Dutch Sheets! Jesus is drawing a very clear distinction between Himself as the Good Shepherd and a hireling. A thief. The abundant life is not some partnership reign with Jesus over this temporal earth beloved. It is the blessed assurance of knowing we have overcome this earth through Him. Don't let thieves like Dutch Sheets rob you of the glorious truth of the cross. Mercifully, Sheets concludes:
As you dive into the idea of authority over that which seeks to rule you, be challenged -- take some time to examine your private world -- your thoughts, your actions, your words. Decide if these things reflect the nature of your identity as a son or daughter of the King. As you move in this personal level of authority, you will be amazed to see how much He blesses your authority over your extended world -- your home, your job, your finances. And, as is the ultimate goal, you will begin to partner with Him on a level you perhaps never dreamed possible, exercising influence and authority in your universal world. It's important to know that not only does He want you to partner with Him; He needs your partnership to accomplish His purposes on the earth." -- Dutch Sheets
A sure tell-tale sign that you are listening to a false doctrine is when you apply it to other countries it no longer makes sense. Our faith is not constrained to this country beloved. Our brothers and sisters martyred in third world countries or hiding in the underground in others are the church too. Does this nonsense about understanding your position as son or daughter of the King so you can move in personal authority leading to blessings in your home, job and finances make a drop of sense in Iraq? What about China? No. This is the heresy of the New Apostolic Reformation, which only makes sense when you worship America instead of God. Perhaps nothing sums up the arrogance of this false partnering heresy than Sheets' own words in conclusion here. If you really think that God NEEDS your partnership to accomplish His purposes here on earth than you have already usurped His throne. There is nothing new about that. There is nothing apostolic about it and there is nothing reformed about it.
Reverend Anthony Wade -- April 29, 2017
