The seven elements of the new Church paradigm

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In part 4 of discovering the new Joseph, Esther and Daniel paradigm, we will study the 7 characteristics of Daniel’s life. The book of Daniel holds lots of secrets about the end of days. I believe one of these secrets is how we will learn to operate like Daniels in Babylonian environments as devout believers.

Nebuchadnezzar beseeched Jerusalem and charged the master of eunuchs to find among the Israelites ‘Children in whom was (1) no blemish, but (2) well favoured, and (3) skilful in all wisdom , and (4) cunning in knowledge, and (5) understanding science, and such as (6) had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and (7) whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.’ (Daniel 1:4)

We will not deal with these seven characteristics, although I believe they refer to the mountains of influence in society. Notice that this king did not look for men filled with the Holy Spirit and with a seminary degree. He looked for those characteristics that the world is looking for. We will discuss seven other elements that Christians need to integrate in their life’s to fulfil their destiny in these last days. Those elements can also be seen in the life of Daniel in Babylon.

1. Do you have the ability to stand in the King’s palace?
What are we preparing our children for? Do we tell them that they will stand before kings? Isn’t it interesting that Proverbs states that you need to be excellent in your natural profession to gain access to kings? For Proverbs 22:29 states: ‘Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.’ Are we preparing our people for the rapture, or for dominion and influence? Are we happy if they say their prayers, or do we help them to excel in life?

2. Do you speak the language of the world and read their books?
When we started to sell secular books in our bookstore in the church, some people were upset. But how can we relate to the world if we don’t know what is on their minds? How can we talk to the world, if we don’t speak their language? Besides, a lot of knowledge in the world is not evil, but good and some of it is even divine. God is more involved in the world than you think. He started it, He is committed to it, He loves the people in the world. But if you think any engagement with the world is contaminating your walk with the Lord, you are wrong. I recommend every Christian to read both anointed Christian books and books with the wisdom that is in the world!

3. Do you have names that are relevant to society?
They gave Daniel and his friends Babylonian names. They became one with them. I am not saying it is wrong to call your child Metusalech, or some other Biblical name. Just don’t expect the name to make him or her more spiritual. Focus on building his identity in Christ, rather believing that if you give your child a biblical name will make him holy. That is why I also asked people not to call me pastor anymore, because that is not a custom in the Dutch society. That is why the name of our church and ministry is not First Anointed Holy Ghost Word Confessing Overcomers Church, but Life Connexion.

4. Know when to fit in, and when to stand out.
Daniel fit in with the rest, fellowshipped with the rest, but knew when his conscience did not allow him to follow the rest. At times he requested permission to abide by Jewish customs. This bold stance was not his custom, but an exception. And when he did, like when he wanted a different diet for 10 days, God granted him favor. When Daniel was put in a position to compromise his inner personal life of worship, he knew that that was not to be compromised. The devil is afraid of people that have a life of worship, not an outer form of worship. He can’t handle the power of people that don’t compromise when it comes to their walk with God. He did everything to get Daniel to compromise but he ended up seeing the entire setup turn against him. The same thing happened when Daniel’s friends were forced to worship the image of the King. The fiery furnace did not cause them to compromise and a great victory for their God was wrought.

5. We think Hebrew and talk Babylonian, which makes us sharper than the rest
Daniel 1:20 reads “And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.” In all matters these Hebrew boys were smarter, wiser, more creative than any other men in this kingdom. Not only spiritual matters, but also in the field of business, or biology, environment, etc. The reason being that they were programmed from a different paradigm of thinking, they thought Hebrew, they applied Hebrew principles, they use Hebrew logic, and it caused them to always come up with better solutions. That is God’s picture for the Church. We should think Kingdom, and it should make us the wisest, most creative people on the earth. It should cause kings (influencial people) to come to us for answers.

6. We have a supernatural connection.
Not only are we programmed to think differently, so that we have brilliant solutions to everyday issues. We have a supernatiural connection that kicks in when needed, especially in times of crisis. When nobody had the answer to the kings nightmare, Daniel knows how to turn to God: “Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him; Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will shew unto the king the interpretation.” (Daniel 2:24)

7. We have an inner life of prayer, that causes persecution and deliverance
Daniel nor his friends, were ever intimidated by the King’s decree. They put worshipping their God as something that can’t be compromised. This resulted in severe persecution, which was only a setup to great victory for God to show His power and Glory. Daniel was thrown in the lion’s den, the other Hebrew boys in the fiery furnace. But because of their walk of obedience and intimacy with God, great diliverance always took place!

None of these characteristics is referring to preaching to anybody, but simply showing the power of your spiritual life through the fruit of your life. That is the mandate of the Church in the post Christian era, we will still preach the good news to the poor and needy, bringing them hope and salvation, but we will not preach to the kings, but simply shine Gods light before them.

Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. 2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. 3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.