The 7 mountains of influence in society
In 1975, Bill Bright, the founder of Campus for Christand Loren Cunningham, the founder of Youth with a missiona lunch together in Colorado (USA). God had previously given them one and the same message for each other at the same time. This message was that if we want to win a nation for God's Kingdom and its King Jesus, we must impact seven core areas or mountains of society that form the pillars of our society.Â
Economy
The area on which all other areas depend. Where people work for the glory of God or the glory of man.
Politics
The level at which the fate of a country is guided for good or evil.
Media
Where good or bad news, truth or lies are spread.
Art and entertainment
Where values and virtues are either celebrated or distorted.
Education
Where man is led towards or away from God.
Family
Where blessings or curses are passed on to our children.
Religion
Where people worship God in "spirit and truth" or are content with religious rituals.
Whoever takes the lead in these key areas determines the fate of a nation.
The retreat of the Ekklesia in the last centuries
A society is shaped by these seven core areas. In recent centuries, we Christians have increasingly withdrawn from these core areas and have largely left the terrain to non-believers. In the past, only service as a pastor or missionary was recognized as "spiritual". Anyone who had a "secular" profession was regarded as a "layman" and had the primary task of donating money. Under foreign influence, Christians withdrew from society. They simply left the 7 mountains to others (Ephesians 4:18; Romans 1:21).
We need a change in the conditions in our country
If we want to achieve a change in social conditions in our country; if we want the Kingdom of God to spread more and more in Germany and worldwide, then we must not continue to limit ourselves to the "mountain" of religion, but must work in all seven areas and be prepared to take responsibility and use the associated influence for the Kingdom of God. We are called upon to be excellent representatives of the Kingdom of God. The meeting of Bill Bright and Loren Cunningham actually heralded a turning point in time, but sadly this has not yet happened. This is a time when God's people will be raised up on the seven mountains.
We need a holistic revival on the 7 mountains of society.
The Ekklesia is destined by God to be the center of society
The Bible describes us Christians as light and salt, regardless of our role in society. We are to exert influence, to take on a pioneering role. If we do not exert influence, do not rule, this vacuum is immediately filled by strange gods and the so-called spirit of the age, which is not the spirit of God! The church is ordained by God to be the center of society. Faith is not a private matter that only finds expression in the privacy of the closet. We Christians are the pillars of society. Our positions, ministries and jobs serve to positively influence society in the spirit of God. Every Christian should therefore be sure that they are in the place God has appointed for them.
God's original intention is dominion.
The territorial concept of the seven mountains of society
When God calls the Ekklesia to occupy, penetrate and change the land, he wants to shape all seven relevant areas of society. God knows what is good for us humans. After all, He created them. He has commanded us to populate and rule the earth. In the Bible, mountains represent areas of dominion. Because cities are built on mountains. Kings reside in them. Laws are enacted and justice is dispensed in the seats of kings. Accordingly, the "seven mountains of society" are the spiritual representations in which the rules according to which our society functions are laid down. It is the spiritual structures that we humans influence in all areas. If they are not governed by God and His Ekklesia, the enemy will occupy them and work destructively. We are not called to establish a religion, but to establish a nation of people who love, serve and honor God (1 Peter 2:9-10).
There is an eighth mountain raised above all other heights
But above the "seven mountains" there is an eighth mountain: the mountain of the house of the Lord (Zion). The Bible says that it will only be visible and revealed at the end of time. It is raised above all other heights. He rules the "seven mountains of society".
Mount Zion is the position of strength from which Christians operate.
Jesus is Lord over all areas of influence
Jehovah Jireh - Lord of the economy
Thine are the riches and honor before thee; thou hast dominion over all; in thine hand is strength and might; in thine hand is the making of every man great and strong (Chronicles 29:12)
King of Kings - the Lord of Justice (Politics)
When a righteous man rules, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan (Proverbs 29:2).
Living word, master of communication
My word will not return to me empty, but will do what I please, and it will accomplish what I send it to do (Isaiah 55:11).
Potter, master of the arts and beauty
...and filled him with the Spirit of God, that he might be wise, understanding, skillful in all manner of work, to work skillfully in gold, silver, and brass, to cut and set precious stones, to carve wood, to do all manner of skillful work. And he has put it into his heart to teach... He has filled their hearts with wisdom to do all kinds of work, to cut, to work and embroider with blue and purple, scarlet and white linen, and with weaving, to do all kinds of work and to invent all kinds of skillful work (Genesis 35:31-35).
Great teacher, master of education
For the LORD gives wisdom, and out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding (Proverbs 2:6). The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord, and to know the Holy One is understanding (Proverbs 9:10).
Father, master of the family
For you have not received a spirit of slavery, that you should fear again; but you have received a spirit of adoption, by which we cry out: Abba, dear Father! The Spirit himself bears witness to our spirit that we are children of God. But if we are children, then we are also heirs, that is, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, since we suffer with him so that we may also be raised to glory with him (Romans 8:15-17).
Creator God, Lord of science and technology
It is he who built his hall in the heavens and founded his palace above the earth, who called up the waters of the sea and poured them out on the earth. He is called LORD (Amos 9:6)!
Dominion is a partnership between God and people
In our excitement about the Seven Mountains paradigm and the new perspective, we are encouraged to express ourselves wisely. Phrases such as "I will take the mountain from..." or "we will take over" should be used with caution. For all our fascination with the word "dominion", it is also important to "fill" this word with divine meaning. So before we set out to take the Reformation to the mountains of society, we really need to exercise wisdom when describing our mission. Society is listening to us, and we must be aware that the attention it gives us will only increase as we move forward.
In the book of Genesis, the dominion mandate of humanity is clearly stated by God, but we must understand that none of the descriptions of dominion speak of us dominating our fellow human beings.
Our true mandate to rule
The goal of "wrestling" is to gain dominion over the demonic realm and the lies it spreads about God. The targets of our domination are Satan & demons, and we must make sure we always understand and accurately portray this narrative. World history is full of examples of Christianity attempting to dominate all other religions. For many, many centuries there was an atmosphere of religious intrusiveness and most of us would not have lived well in that reality. One only needs to read about the time of the Holy Inquisition to understand how a domination mandate can get out of hand. The true dominion mandate is stewardship of the planet, and it is to be seen as an extension of the image of the one who created us.
The Lordship mandate is a mandate to express Jesus' heart of love in every area of culture.
Influence is the by-product of favor
It is about influence and not imposition. Divine influence happens in an atmosphere of freedom. The great value of influence lies in the fact that it happens under free will.
Influence is the by-product of favor. Favor is the "irresistibility" factor that often defies logic. True divine favor comes from having a high level of love within oneself. This high level of love manifests itself in actions that are attractive to people of good will and unattractive to people with devious intentions. We must resist all impulses to force something on people that should only be a matter of conscience between man & God.
The kingdom of God comes in freedom, and the order it brings with it is an order from the inside out.
There is a beauty of freedom that outweighs the beauty of order
The kingdom of God comes in freedom, and the order it brings is an order from the inside out, not from the outside in. We need to be careful how we use the terminology of dominion. God has always had the power to do what he wanted to accomplish in the twinkling of an eye. Yet he chose to go through the arduous process of winning hearts & minds through love. As He is, so must we be in this world.
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"If you obey the Lord your God completely and carefully follow all his commandments that I am giving you today, the Lord your God will exalt you above all the nations of the earth." Deuteronomy 28:1-2
"The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commandments of the Lord your God, which I am giving you today, and follow them carefully, you will always be at the head and never at the tail." Deuteronomy 28:13-14
It is not enough to occupy the 7 mountains. We must actively bring a "culture-changing" faith there!
Kingdom - Kingdom principles
"A kingdom is the sovereign rule and governing influence of a king over his territory, influencing it with his will, intent and purpose, and producing a culture and society that reflects the king's nature, values and morals. A kingdom is the governing influence of a king's will over a territory or domain, his influence over a people and a government led by a king." Myles Munroe
Goal: Changing of the guard on all seven mountains of influence
The unrighteous will be dethroned and the righteous will be restored to their rightful place. Parents will regain their place of authority in the family. Righteous ministers will resume their place behind the pulpit. Corrupt companies will be overthrown and righteous ones put in their place. Those who run the affairs of men and serve Satan will quickly be replaced by those who serve the Lord.
The wealth of the wicked will be given to the righteous
The media (entertainment) will not emulate the wicked, but the righteous will proclaim the holistic gospel of the kingdom in all 7 mountains and turn people away from evil instead of turning to evil as has been the case. Truth proclaimers will replace the liars in the media who have been used by the enemy to brainwash God's children. The wealth of the wicked will be given to the righteous, and the rulers of the economy will lose their seats of power. Being initiated from heaven, it will expose the wicked, bring them down and lift up the righteous. Eyes that have been deceived and blind to the truth will be opened so that when this shaking happens, the truth will unite God's children worldwide!
It is time to reclaim our land in unity for the Kingdom of God and submit it to His rule.
We rule in the spirit of our true King Jesus Christ
When we get to heaven, we will know neither pain nor sorrow. While we are on earth, the enemy rages, because we children of God have abandoned God's creation to him. It actually belonged to us, but we did not preserve it. Every time we have chosen to follow the enemy and do what he wanted, we have given him a part of this world. That is why there is so much pain and suffering - he rules and we as God's people do not. It's time to take back our land and give it to heaven by truly living for heaven. When God is worshipped and we serve Him, the Lord will come on the scene and drive the enemy far from us. He is a thief and the father of all lies.
With our hands in the hands of the LORD, HE will lead us to drive out the enemy and his hordes, and HE will teach us to walk in HIS authority.
Keeping our eyes on HIM is the way to be safe in HIS arms (Philippians 4:6-9).
Amen!
