The Ministry of the Seventy: A Blueprint for Sonship and Dominion

The Ministry of the Seventy: A Blueprint for Sonship and Dominion:

[Luk 10:1 KJV] 1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.

God’s plan from the beginning was to raise up a people of dominion: a people fashioned in His image, exercising dominion over all creation. This vision, initially depicted in Genesis 1:26-28, was reconstituted in Christ. It resonates powerfully in the ministry of the Seventy, as recounted in the Gospel of Luke. This ministry serves not just as a historical account, but as a prophetic blueprint for the Church today, revealing the path to realizing our full inheritance as sons of God.

Genesis 1:26-28 (KJV) And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over¹ the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing² that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he³ them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth⁴ upon the earth.

Deconstructing the Seventy: Principles of a Kingdom Ministry

Jesus, the ultimate expression of God’s image and dominion, sent out and commissioned the Seventy with specific instructions, each revealing a key facet of kingdom living:

• No retaliation: Like lambs amidst wolves, they were to embody a spirit of non-retaliation, mirroring the meekness of Christ Himself. This principle challenges the deeply ingrained human instinct for self-preservation and revenge, calling us to a higher standard. We are to overcome evil with good, responding to aggression with grace, and leaving vengeance to the Lord.

Isaiah 53:7 (KJV) He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before⁵ her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.⁶

1 Peter 2:23 (KJV) Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:⁷

Romans 12:17-21 (KJV) Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather⁸ give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals⁹ of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.¹⁰

• No reliance on worldly systems: They were to carry no purse, scrip, or shoes, signifying complete dependence on God’s provision and a radical detachment from the world’s systems of security and success. This principle challenges our tendency to trust in finances, possessions, or human connections. Instead, we are to place our full confidence in God, who is our provider, protector, and sustainer.

Matthew 6:25-34 (KJV) Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body¹¹ than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly¹² Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit¹³ unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even¹⁴ Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to¹⁵ morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat?¹⁶ or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.¹⁷ Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto¹⁸ the day is the evil thereof.

Psalm¹⁹ 91:1-16 (KJV) He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge,²⁰ even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.²¹

• A message of peace: They were to pronounce peace upon every house they entered, proclaiming the kingdom of God as a realm of peace and reconciliation. This principle highlights the transformative power of the Gospel to bring harmony to broken relationships, heal deep wounds, and establish a culture of peace in a world plagued by conflict.

Luke 10:5-6 (KJV) And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.²²

Romans 5:1 (KJV) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Ephesians 2:14-17 (KJV) For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments²³ contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;²⁴ And that he came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

The Seventy returned, overflowing with joy, reporting unprecedented victories over demonic powers. This extraordinary success was a glimpse into the future, a foreshadowing of the ultimate triumph of the sons of God who will dismantle the works of the devil and usher in God’s kingdom on earth.

Luke 10:17 (KJV) And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.²⁵

The Progressive Journey Towards Dominion

The ministry of the Seventy offers a tantalizing glimpse of God’s ultimate intention, but the path to that reality is a progressive journey, not a sudden leap. Just as Abraham, the father of faith, received only a foretaste of the promises God made, we too are actively participating in the unfolding fulfillment of those promises.

Hebrews 11:13 (KJV) These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they²⁶ were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.²⁷

Even the Apostle Paul, a towering figure in Church history, did not fully operate in the dimension of dominion demonstrated by the Seventy. He encountered limitations, trials, and setbacks, underscoring the gradual nature of our advancement towards sonship.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (KJV) And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in²⁸ the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.²⁹ And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.³⁰ Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities,³¹ in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.³²

Philippians 3:12-14 (KJV) Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that³³ for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting³⁴ those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.³⁵

“But Now”: Embracing the Process of Preparation

Jesus, recognizing this progressive journey, later instructed His disciples to carry provisions and even a sword. This “but now” signified a strategic shift, acknowledging the necessity for a gradual process of equipping and maturing the saints for the fullness of their inheritance.

Luke 22:35-36 (KJV) And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword,³⁶ let him sell his garment, and buy one.³⁷

This shift does not invalidate the principles of the Seventy, but rather highlights the wisdom of God in preparing His people for greater levels of authority and responsibility. We are in a training ground, learning to wield the sword of the Spirit, to walk in the fullness of His provision, and to overcome the enemy’s attacks.

The Overcomer’s Mantle: Rising Above Limitations

We are called to be overcomers, transcending the limitations and challenges that once held us captive. Through the empowering grace of God, we can progressively walk in greater dominion, manifesting the righteousness of Christ and impacting the world around us.

1 John 5:4-5 (KJV) For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth³⁸ that Jesus is the Son of God?³⁹

Revelation 2:7 (KJV) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst⁴⁰ of the paradise of God.

Revelation 3:21 (KJV) To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father⁴¹ in his throne.

The Kingdom Age: A Glimpse of Our Eternal Inheritance

The ultimate destination of this journey is the establishment of the Kingdom Age, where the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ. This will be an era of unparalleled peace and prosperity, where death itself is vanquished and God’s people reign with Him eternally.

Revelation 20:1-4 (KJV) And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in⁴² his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast,⁴³ neither his image, neither had received his mark upon⁴⁴ their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Isaiah⁴⁵ 2:4 (KJV) And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war⁴⁶ any more.

Isaiah 65:20 (KJV) There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an⁴⁷ hundred years old shall be accursed.⁴⁸

Embracing the Legacy: Our Call to Sonship and Dominion

The ministry of the Seventy serves as a potent reminder of our destiny as sons of God. Let us embrace the principles they embodied: walking in non-retaliation, trusting in God’s provision, and actively promoting peace. As we do so, we will witness the expansion of God’s kingdom influence, culminating in the glorious manifestation of the sons of God and the establishment of His eternal reign. This is our inheritance, our calling, and our destiny. Let us arise and walk in it!

Reflection and Review

• Personal Application: How can you practically apply the principles of the Seventy in your daily life? Where do you need to release the need for retaliation? How can you deepen your trust in God’s provision? In what ways can you be a peacemaker in your sphere of influence?
• Spiritual Growth: Reflect on your journey towards spiritual maturity. Are you actively pursuing the “ministry of the Seventy” or are you settling for a lesser expression of your inheritance in Christ? What steps can you take to walk in greater dominion and authority?
• Kingdom Perspective: Consider the broader implications of the message. How does this understanding of the Kingdom of God impact your view of the world, the Church, and your role in God’s redemptive plan?

Call to Action

• Embrace the Lamb-like Nature: Cultivate a spirit of humility, meekness, and non-retaliation, reflecting the character of Christ.
• Deepen Your Trust in God: Release your dependence on worldly systems and place your full confidence in God’s provision and protection.
• Be a Peacemaker: Actively pursue peace in your relationships, community, and the world around you.
• Walk in Dominion: Embrace your authority in Christ and exercise dominion over the powers of darkness.
• Proclaim the Kingdom: Share the good news of the Kingdom of God and participate in its expansion.