The involvement of true believers in business and government has an important connection with the establishment of the kingdom of God on earth.

The kingdom of God is the government of God. Yeshua (Jesus) is the head of that government. Yeshua is the ultimate authority over every governing authority on earth. (Daniel 4:17,25,32). Every governing institution in this world is delegated authority representing God's supreme authority (Romans 13), even though many of the people executing those offices are in rebellion against God and Yeshua (Psalm 2).

When we bring the influence of God's Spirit into business and government, we are helping God's kingdom "come" into this earth (Matthew 6:10). Since His kingdom is over all things, God has to delegate His government into different spheres of authority. God is looking to appoint people to these positions of authority who will act with wisdom, justice, discernment, and excellence (Daniel 1; Isaiah 11).

God's government is delegated into the following areas: 1) Family, 2) Congregation (church), 3) Legislative government (Isaiah 33:22), 4) Judiciary, 5) Military (Romans 13:4), 6) Business (Ephesians 6:5; Titus 2:9).

When we submit to our leaders in any of those areas, we are ultimately submitting to God's authority. The opposite is also true; when we assume positions of authority in those spheres, and execute them with integrity, we are establishing God's authority.

Most of us are familiar with the authority of God as expressed in the family and the congregation. However the more "secular" areas are just as much a part of God's government. An apostolic and prophetic view of the kingdom of God sees God's authority in the military and the marketplace, not just in the "ecclesiastic" or "clerical" roles.

We are called to take dominion over the earth (Genesis 1:28). The government of Yeshua is in the process of taking over all the governments of this world (Revelation 11:15, Isaiah 9:6-8). One of the ways we extend the kingdom of God is to assume positions of authority in the world system. Every time a true believer takes leadership in government and business, the government of Yeshua is further established in the earth.

It is not enough for a believer to take up position of authority; he has to act like a believer in that position. He has to execute his position with integrity. The key biblical concept here is righteousness ("tsedek" in Hebrew).

In giving instructions to government office holders, the Torah (law of Moses) states "Righteousness, righteousness you are to pursue" (Deuteronomy 16:20). I believe Yeshua had this verse in mind, when He told us to "seek first the kingdom of God and its righteousness, and all the other things will be added unto you (Matthew 6:33)."

God is looking for people to fill these positions. The governing structure is already in place. He is searching for righteous candidates to fill them (II Kings 18:23, Luke 19). Many believers say they have authority in Yeshua's kingdom, but they are not ready, willing or able to be trusted with leadership positions.

The problem is that authority demands responsibility. An irresponsible person cannot be trusted with government. If we are faithful servants with a little bit of responsibility, God will give us more (Luke 19, Matthew 25). Our sloppy spirituality makes us well intentioned, but leaves us incapable of handling real responsibility. However, that is changing in our day.

Zach Wazara, in his chapter in "Out of Africa" (Regal, 2004), tells how "work place apostles" interface between the local congregation and the secular society. They bring change in the economy, in education and in government institutions. They spread the gospel and bring wealth to finance the gospel. Zach serves as CEO of Econet, one of the largest telecommunications companies in Nigeria.

In Israel there are approximately 200 believing soldiers in the army with perhaps 20 of them being officers. One of our sons, for example, has recently signed on for a captain's commission. There has been a tremendous challenge for Messianic Jews in Israel to succeed in business and other professions. However, little by little the breakthrough is starting.

We can learn a lesson about the "end times church" from the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10). The priest and the Levite are like traditional models for ministry. They are narrowly confined to methods that are not reaching the people around them. The man who was beaten and robbed represents the unsaved and "hurting" people of the world.

The Good Samaritan can be seen as a believer in the work place. He has contact with unbelievers during his business routine. He reaches out to heal and help. He is not seen as being "in ministry" by the traditional ministers, but he is doing much more than they are. He is reaching and impacting the real world. He is extending the love of God into the society and the marketplace.

The five-fold ministry (Ephesians 4:11-16) must see itself as "coaches" with every member of the congregation as the "players." These ministries are not supposed to be doing the ministry but training and equipping the "lay" members (the "saints") to extend the kingdom of God wherever they walk along the road, whether in Jerusalem or Jericho.

Every believer must be seen as a "missionary" in his work place. Taking dominion in business and government establishes the kingdom of God on earth. Principles of integrity, excellence, and responsibility must be taught in the congregations to train the saints to take authority in the secular world.

The lordship of Yeshua is spread to the governments and businesses of the world through the influence of prayer, faith, moral standards, and the Holy Spirit. The government of Yeshua can be seen in two stages: this world and the world to come. In this world His authority is vested in the community of faith and influences the fallen world. In the world to come, His spiritual authority will take control of the governing institutions of human society.

The spiritual authority within the community of faith today is a pre-government of the authority of the world to come. The leadership and governing principles taught within the congregation are what will manage the government and business in the world to come. The government of Yeshua must be developed within the community of faith before it can be capable of governing the whole of human society on the outside.

It is like the campaign staff of a candidate running for president. How he governs his staff and the principles of leadership developed there will then become the actual governing authority when he is elected. His staff will transition from campaign managers to cabinet members.

Those believers who are taking positions now of leadership in business and government are the forerunners of Yeshua's government in the world to come. They are the bridge of Yeshua's authority from within the community of faith toward the rest of human society. They are instruments of His dominion. They are emissaries of His kingly government.