Before we can understand the divine order that God is bringing now, we must first understand His divine order in us.
Many chapters in this book do not deal directly with the concept of divine order. Yet, they are integral in moving into the order that God is presently establishing. We must have a thorough understanding that God is not building on past foundations. The one foundation, Jesus Christ, is being laid afresh in a higher realm. While we have just begun to explore this new realm of the kingdom of God, we can be confident that greater and greater light will shine upon us as we move forward.
This book is filled with references to the old and new natures. The theme of the Adamic and divine natures is interwoven throughout this book. While the phrase, divine order, has not been used in some chapters, it is only through the new nature in Christ that we can see and understand the new order that God is opening. It is the same with the teaching on soul and spirit. Understanding the distinction between soul and spirit effectively moves us into a practical application of the divine nature in our lives. The divine order that God is revealing now is contingent upon abiding in the realm where it can be seen and experienced. Divine order begins first in us. This is why many chapters in this book emphasize the distinction between soul and spirit. We cannot hear this message of divine order from where we have walked in the past. We must move into new levels in God in order for His divine order to become practical. Our greatest joy awaits us in Zion, which is the realm in which His order frees us, not suppresses us.
The church age manifestation of divine order has not required much from believers. It has only required a passive acknowledgment of perceived authority. The divine order of the kingdom as it's being revealed now is much more challenging. This is because it takes an inner work within each believer to walk in it. It's not enough to say, "I submit." There must be a transformation in us that enables us to see Christ's body and actively participate. This gives us a deeper understanding of "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." The day of spirit that is opening is one of aggressive faith, not passive acceptance. Passivity belongs to the realm of religion. Aggressiveness belongs to the kingdom of God. "From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force." It is an entirely new paradigm unfolding. We are leaving behind the church age and moving into a new day of the kingdom of God.
