Book Review Destined to Reign by Joseph Prince J Tofflemire
Chap. 1 He has called you to be the head and not the tail. Rom. 5:17 “Since by the one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.” The secret to reigning in life lies with receiving every thing that Jesus has accomplished for us on the cross. This includes the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness. But we have been taught to focus on achieving, on doing and on relying self-efforts. Heb. 10:12-14 ”But this man, after offering one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God. He is now waiting until His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are sanctified.” Eph. 2:4-6 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! Together with Christ Jesus He also raised us up and seated us in the heavens.” god’s way is to bless you first, and the knowledge of his blessing gives you the power to labor more abundantly.
Chap. 2 The Law John 1:17 “for the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” Instead of a moral code its about a relationship with God. Math. 5:17 “Don’t assume that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” He came and fulfilled every requirement of the law perfectly on our behalf. When the devil accuses you of breaking the law, you can point to the payment Jesus made on the cross. Col. 2:14-15 “He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it out of the way by nailing it to the cross.” NKJ ”Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;” The handwriting refers to the 10 commandments. The law condemns and keeps man from God, but Jesus sacrifice redeems you from the curse of the law. The purpose of the law was to give us knowledge of sin and our inability to keep all of the law. The devil wants to hold the law over our heads so we feel condemned and guilty. We need to remind ourselves we believers are the Righteousness of God in Jesus Christ.
Chap. 3 God wants us prosperous, and healed. You wouldn’t want your kids sick and in poverty, neither does God. Rom. 6:14 ”For sin will not rule over you, because you are not under law but under grace.“ Grace gives you the power to overcome sin. Sin is evil and and has bad effects and the author does not condone sin. Your part is to believe in Jesus, and when you do you are blessed and made righteous. Jesus redeemed us, which means bought with a price. Jesus is grace and we need relationship with him.
Chap. 4 Heb. 8:8-12 ”I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel
and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their ancestors. I will put My laws into their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be My people. For I will be merciful to their wrongdoing, and I will never again remember their sins.” God is no longer angry with us, because His anger for our sins fell upon Jesus at the cross. Col. 2:13 “And when you were dead in trespasses – of your flesh, He made you alive with Him and forgave us all our trespasses.” This means all our sins are forgiven: past, present and future. The more revelation you have of God’s grace and forgiveness, the more you will have power to over all our challenges and addictions.
Chap. 5 Is God judging the US? No; in 2 Peter3:9 he says He is not willing that any would perish. America and its sins have already been judged and forgiven at the cross. God’s covenant with people is different in the New testament from the Old. We must rightly divide the word of truth as in 2 Tim. 2:15. Elijah‘s stories with judgment are very interesting in 2 Kings 1:1-15. Jesus noted this in Luke 9:54-56, with no judgment. Today believers are blessed because the Lord no longer counts your sins against you.
Chap. 6 Stop Believing the lie that God gives you sickness, diseases and accidents to punish you. Is. 53:4-5 “Yet He Himself bore our sicknesses,
and He carried our pains; but we in turn regarded Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But He was pierced because of our transgressions,
crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on Him,
and we are healed by His wounds.” Ps. 103:4-5 “My soul, praise the Lord,
and do not forget all His benefits. He forgives all your sin; He heals all your diseases. He redeems your life from the Pit; He crowns you with faithful love and compassion. He satisfies you[a] with goodness;your youth is renewed like the eagle.” The good news of Jesus always liberates and His perfect love removes every fear.
Chap. 7 A man in Lystra was healed after hearing Paul’s teaching. Note Acts 14:8-10 The healing came after teaching, not before. When Christ is preached faith will be imparted. Some healings occur just by hearing the word. He more of Jesus you that Jesus is the alpha & omega(start & end) and also Acts 13:38-39 “Therefore, let it be known to you, brothers, that through this man(Jesus) forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you, and everyone who believes in Him is justified from everything that you could not be justified from through the law of Moses.” The moment I finished the verses these, the chimes behind the stage played by themselves miraculously. The anointing of God swept through the auditorium of 1000 people. Some cried, some clapped. Also just before this time some vindictive emails about Rev. Prince were being circulated. Some members were doubting my grace message and mixing it with the law. Some had prayed for God to reveal the truth. This confirmed the truth of his preaching. As an aside. He leads a church in Singapore of now 300,000 and has authored many books, and spoken internationally. The Ministry | Joseph Prince Ministries Persecution came to him as it came to Paul in Acts 13. Also Jesus often preached the good news before healing the congregation. As you believe in Jesus and get a hold of his truths and of Acts 13 above, the power of God will come to you.
Chap. 8 Some of the words Jesus spoke and were recorded in the gospels were part of the old covenant. The new covenant beings after he died and the holy spirit was given. Pg. 92 Christians need to rightly divide scripture between the old and new covenants. My note Mat. 5:17 was given to multitudes. We need to note the letters of Paul and remember the new covenant truths exalt Jesus and his finished work. P. 94-5 Heb. 8:8-12 ”Because finding fault with them, He says: “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins [a]and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” Knowing that all your sins are forgiven is crucial for your health, peace of mind, wellness., wholeness p 95
Chap. 9 Knowing that you are forgiven destroys the power of sin in your life as in 2 Peter 1:5-9. IN a prayer on p. 103 you thank God for Jesus sacrifice on the cross and his love for you. IN the new covenant you don’t need to confess every sin, but confessions is good to acknowledge your failures, seek God”s help. 1 John 1:9 was written unbelievers. We are to walk in the light as in 1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 2:1 “My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the Righteous One.” 1 .Corin. 11:27-30 warns of taking communion in an unworthy manner. This means not acknowledging thanks for Jesus body and blood given as a sacrifice. Communion helps us align with Jesus and his power.
Chap.10 2 Corin. 3:7-9 refers to the Law as the ministry of death. The new covenant is the ministry of righteousness. The Law demands righteousness,(it doesn’t achieve it), but grace of God imparts righteousness. God gave the Law to Moses on Pentecost, 50 days from the Passover, then 3000 people died. After Christ, when Pentecost came, the Holy Spirit was given and 3000 were saved with Peters preaching. This is the birthday of the christian church. Rev. Prince is not Antinomian (against the law). He has high regard for the Law and the purpose for which it was given- to show us as sinners, unable to keep all of the Law, and in need of a savior. The law shows initial right behavior, and is the basis for much moral and some civil law today(my words). In the Garden of Eden, the Tree of knowledge of good and evil represents the Law and Jesus represent the Tree of Life.
Chap. 11 When dealing with any problem in Life, we want to get to the root. Medical research says many sicknesses and diseases are linked to stress; so this is one root. Fear can be a cause of stress. Another root is condemnation. It likely began when Adam partook of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, after which man developed a conscience. Your conscience lets you know good vs. evil. For many this may lead to thoughts of condemnation and punishment as in Heb. 10:32 ”let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water.” Satan is the accuser for the brethren. Prince has a series on overcoming stress called ‘Live the Let Go Life’ John 16:8-11 talks of the holy spirit convicting the world of sin. This is referring to conviction of non-believers. For believers the holy spirit is our helper and comforter and does not nag you about sin. Right believing leads to right living and less sin and worry. Satin is the ruler of this world and its a fallen world.. Sickness, diseases and wars are from him not God. ’ Bing Videos Grace flows when we let go of a problem area. As long as we struggle and try to do in that area, God is restricted there. Our task is to enter the rest. Start being open and listening for God’s lead and thanking Him for his supply and protection. Do not worry or fear. Trust God.
Chap. 12 The Law always minsters condemnation while Grace minsters righteousness. 2 Cor. 3:9 “For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness overflows with even more glory.” Rom. 8:1 you are not under law but under grace. Your part is to believe.
“Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus.” The law may stir up sinful desires.The parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-24 is a good example of no condemnation.
Chap.13 He gave an example of how praying the blood of Jesus over a person heals and protects. Satan in Hebrew means the accuser. When you are under condemnation, fear, stress, and all kinds of sickness will follow. Isaiah 54:17 “ No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment, you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,” The gift of grace and no condemnation gives us power to overcome sin. If someone says he is under grace but lives a lifestyle of sin, how can that be? If you are living in sin you are not under grace, and perhaps you don’t believe. Rom. 6:14 ”For sin will not rule over you, because you are not under law but under grace.”
Chap. 14 What ever your need is, come to Jesus. He is your. savior, healer, provider, and your peace. Come to worship Him just as your are. Titus 2:11-12 “For the grace of God has appeared with salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age” Grace helps us with this. Holiness meas being set apart Separation to God. To be occupied with Christ is to turn away from self and to see Jesus. Leviticus Chap.1 Tells of 5 offerings in the old covenant. In The sin offering you bring a lamb to the priest; he prays as you put you hands on the lamb, that your sin is transferred to the lamb. Then the lamb is killed. John the Baptist said Jesus was the Lamb of God In John 1:29. In the burnt offering the lamb is sacrificed and burnt for a sweet aroma to God. In the new covenant Jesus righteousness is transferred to you. When believers sin, we often feel guilty, but that guilt is put to Jesus and we should not feel guilty or condemned as it is harmful. WE thank God for our being forgiven and move on in a better way.
Chap.15 Jesus want us to see him on the scriptures and be excited about it. David said quicken me according to our word which means give me life through the word. Ps. 119:25 We need to look to( focus on) Jesus more. Jesus said in John 6:48-50- ’I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven so that anyone may eat of it and not die.” In Numbers Chap. 21 Manna from heaven was the food for the people. It needed to be eaten daily, as it is also good to have the Word daily. This is considered a “type” in the bible with hidden meaning. Also numbers 21:6 tells of a bronze serpent on a pole for healing.This is a “type” for Jesus healing, us after the cross. Don’t look at yourself and your afflictions so much, but look at Jesus and you will live. p 202
Chap. 16 David was called a man after God’s heart. He got the Ark of the covenant and brought it to Jerusalem. It was the centerpiece of the temple. Today you can be a person after God’s heart by making Jesus the centerpiece of your life. His blood sacrifice covers your sins and gives you grace.
Chap. 17 The people of Israel came out of Egypt by the blood of the lamb put over their doorposts. Although they murmured and complained they were safe until Moses went up Mt. Sinai. In exodus 19:8 the people said to Moses “All the Lord has spoken we will do”. This put them under a new covenant of the Law., which they were unable to keep. Therefore when Moses came down and they had an idol 3000 were killed. Now we are under the new covenant of the grace and should not try to go back under the law.The new covenant helps give peace and joy to our hearts.
Chap. 18 When we Experience his love for us, that’s when we can respond with our love for Him. The word repent means to change your mind. Heb. 6:1 cautions us to repent from using dead works for a foundation and to have have faith in God. In Luke 18; 18-23 we have the story of a rich young ruler. He said he was righteous by works. Jesus pointed out he may have made money his idol. When he used the Law to justify, Jesus pointed out his shortcoming. Jesus said in Mark 1:15 “Repent and believe in the gospel.” In Luke 19:1-10 we have a story of Zacchaeus a tax collector who wanted to see Jesus. Jesus called him to his house, where the grace of Jesus caused him to repent and give much of his money away, and become saved. Jesus treats humble sinners with grace. The Law condemns the self-righteous, but grace will transform the sinner.
Chap. 19 The strength of sin is the Law. People who are living under guilt and condemnation are domed to repeat their sins. Right believing always produces right living. 1 Cor. 15:34 “Awake to righteousness and sin not.” If your behavior is wrong there is something wrong with your beliefs. The victory over sin comes, only when people encounter the superabundance of God’s grace, and believe.
Chap.20 Mixing law with grace is bad. It can negate grace and put you under the law. Paul’s letters to the Galatians who were tempted top add the law were stronger than to the Corinthians who some bad behavior. This suggests that wrong doctrine is worse than bad behavior. Two verses relate to this: Mark 2:22
“And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost as well as the skins. But new wine is for fresh wineskins.” This refers to the old and new covenants. Rev. 3:15-16 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of My mouth.” Cold being the Law and Hot being grace. Gal. 3:24-25 ”The law, then, was our guardian (tutor) until Christ, so that we could be justified by faith. But since that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian” Rom. 6:14 ”For sin will not rule over you, because you are not under law but under grace.” Grace has the power to get you out of sin.
Chap. 20 We as believers have the blood bought right to be healed and receive blessings. We not have to fast to receive blessings. The Lord spoke to J. Prince and said “When people see my Grace, I see their Faith.” The woman with the issue of blood saw Jesus’s grace and was healed;. Mark 5:34 Here are 2 people Jesus said had great faith: Matt. 8:5-13 The Centurion who asked Jesus to pray for his sick servant at a distance. Matt. 15:21-28 A Phoenician woman who had a demon posed daughter. Both were gentiles and may have had weak faith, but heard of Jesus grace as a healer. The bible says faith works by love; Gal. 5:6 “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything; what matters is faith working through love.” The blood saves you. Exodus12:13 IN Egypt children were saved by sacrificial blood put over their doorposts.Jesus is now the sacrifice that takes away or sin and saves us. Just believe that it is His blood alone that saves, delivers and blesses you.
Chap. 21 The more of Jesus you hear, the more faith rises in your heart. When you see Jesus in his grace He sees you in your faith. For the woman with issue of blood when she touched his garment and saw his grace, He saw her faith. Two more examples: The roman centurion asked for healing for his servant. Matt. 8:5-13 He knew of Jesus grace and reputation and Jesus saw his faith. The Phoenician woman who had a demon possessed daughter. She saw the same in Jesus and he saw her faith. Matt. 15:21-28 Both of these were gentiles and were not thinking under the Law. Gal. 3:12 says the law is not based on faith. You receive faith in His Grace. The more of His Grace you receive, the more faith that springs forth. Faith also works by love; Gal. 5:6 ”what matters is faith working through love.“ A proper blood sacrifice is powerful. It was in Egypt during the Passover with lambs blood put over the doorposts. It is now due to Jesus sacrifice on the cross. John1:29 There are many songs about the power of Jesus blood. We need to believe in it.
Chap. 22 Good things happen when you believe God loves you. The more we hear of the good news the more miracles we will see. Ps. 103:1-5 speaks of this. He loved you so much, He did not withhold His only son whom he loved for you. At Jesus baptism, God said “this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matt. 3:17 Prince suggests we should say this. You have been washed white by the blood of Jesus.