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1 Timothy 2:1-3
"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;"
John 18:35-36
"Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence."
Seven Mountain Mandate (7MM) is one modern expression of Dominionism, particularly associated with charismatic and New Apostolic Reformation circles. The basic idea is that Christians have a God-given assignment to transform or gain significant influence over seven major spheres—or “mountains”—of society.
The seven mountains are generally identified as:
Government
Education
Media
Arts and entertainment
Business/economics
Family
Religion/church
The crucial theological step of this theology is the belief that Christians aren't merely supposed to just preach the Gospel within these spheres but are called to occupy positions of influence and ultimately bring these spheres under Christian authority or dominion. C. Peter Wagner and later figures such as Lance Wallnau, Bill Johnson, and Johnny Enlow have been influential in developing and popularizing this framework.
Briefly, modern Dominionism is a broad family of Christian ideas that says Christians should exercise significant influence—and in some versions leadership or control—over the major spheres of society, with the goal of bringing culture and government into greater conformity with Christian beliefs. It is not one centralized organization, and the term covers different theological streams.
In its Seven Mountain expression, the areas commonly identified are government, education, media, business, family, religion, and arts/entertainment. The stated mission is to “take back” or transform these spheres for God's purposes.
The important distinction between biblical influence in the world and Dominionist theology and methodology is this:
Christian influence: Christians praying for our current elected officials, faithfully living, preaching the Gospel, serving their communities, voting, holding public office, and advocating for biblical values.
Dominion theology: going further and viewing the church's mission as taking authority over or establishing Christian dominion within society as part of bringing God's kingdom.
From a premillennial perspective, the theological concern is particularly significant: Christ—not the church—establishes His earthly kingdom at His return. The church's present commission is to preach the Gospel and make disciples (Matthew 28:19–20), not to establish Christ's kingdom through cultural or political dominion.
Ultimately, Dominionism and 7MM theology is taking the Post-Millenial stance rather than a Pre-Millenial one. Those who teach Post-Millenialism are essentially saying that Christians must take control and establish Christianity as a governing power on the earth so that Christ can then return and sit on the throne that man has established for him. This theology could not possibly be more blasphemous.
If you have fallen prey to the Post-Millenial position you are deceived and you are a part of the apostasy that the Bible prophesied would come, The falling away from what the Bible clearly teaches about the Second coming of Christ.
Those that are in the Post-Millenial camp are the very ones that will believe the lie mentioned in 2 Thessalonians 2. This false doctrine of Dominionism is a major component of what Paul tells us…”For the mystery of iniquity doth already work”.
What these individuals do not understand is that they are a part of helping to set up the spiritual framework for the kingdom of the Antichrist and the False prophet of the one world religion of the Tribulation. They are setting the stage for the acceptance of the Antichrist.
Look at what Jesus says to those Jewish religious authorities who opposed him in John 5:
John 5:39-43
"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. I receive not honour from men. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive."
Colossians 1:12-13
"giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:"
With the new birth we are translated into the kingdom of Christ. Jesus stated that his kingdom is not of this world. Our mission is to preach the Gospel and see souls saved and translated into the kingdom of Christ. We have not been tasked with establishing Christ's kingdom on earth. He will set up his kingdom himself in the Millenium.
In "The Lord Sets Us Apart': Senator Hawley's sermon at Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, VA on 09.27.26
Josh Hawley, Senator from Missouri preached a sermon. There were many moments of applause from the crowd that morning as he brought the message.
His text was from the book of Acts. Now of course no respectable church in the country that is hip enough and modern enough to have a sitting Senator speak would dare allow the old antique KJV to be spoken. Because no one that is that cultured and on the cutting edge of religion could ever be accused of using an outdated Bible.
First off, let me say that we certainly should be praying for our elected officials because it is scriptural. This is not a slant on this man as a politician. He is a man with integrity and morals and a man that we need in our government. We need many more like him. The purpose of the real Church's mission however is not to make or force our nation to become a Cristian nation but rather, "that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."
We will never fully convert the world or America to Christianity. We should try to by sharing the Gospel, but ultimately the majority of our nation and the world are on that broad path to destruction spoken by Jesus in Matthew 7.
We should be busy trying to accomplish what Jude exhorts us in Jude 22-23, not concentrating on politics to exert pressure on the masses. Again, we are not called to force a religious agenda that the world is not interested in to begin with. Listen to the book of Jude to see where our emphasis should be.
"And of some have compassion, making a difference: and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh."
1 Timothy 2:1-4
"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."
Hawley: "the Lord would call us to be set apart to take new ground. To take new ground. Look at verse two again. The Holy Spirit says, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. "For the work. What was the work? The work was to take the name of Jesus Christ and the lordship of Jesus Christ into every corner of the globe to take the sovereignty of the Lord and the gospel to the entire known world that the world might know Jesus. That was the work to which God had called Barnabas and Paul.
Jesus, speaking to the crowd that had followed Him to Capernaum after the feeding of the five thousand.
John 6:28-29
"Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."
Jesus is saying here that the work of God is for man to believe the record that God gave of the redeeming work of his Son. Our work in taking the message of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ is not coupled with a mandate to take back dominion of the world. It is not coupled with a mandate to conquer the spheres of society for Christ. It is not coupled with a mandate to make every man submit to the Lordship of Christ. It is not coupled with a mandate to make Christ sovereign over their life unwillingly. It is not coupled to a mandate to take control of government to force a society to conform to biblical moral standards.
As a matter of fact, man has never lost the dominion that was given him by God in the book of Genesis.
If Hawley had made this statement, " "The work was to take the name of Jesus Christ into every corner of the globe and the gospel to the entire known world that the world might know Jesus", it would have been a true statement.
We are not called or commanded to "take new ground". We can't "take the lordship of Jesus Christ" or "the sovereignty of the Lord" to the entire known world.
God does not force himself on mankind. Why would he give us a command that is inconsistent with his nature. God created man with free will. What Hawley is presenting in this sermon at Cornerstone Chapel is extreme and damnable heresy plain and simple!
Nowhere in scripture can these commands mentioned above be found. This is a blatant case of adding to scripture. Revelation gives us a stark warning about adding to scripture.
Revelation 22:18-19
"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."
The New Testament does not explicitly command the church to "take new ground" in the sense of expanding territorial, political, or cultural dominion.
However, it does command believers to spread the Gospel, make disciples, and proclaim Christ throughout the world.
There is an important distinction between taking the Gospel to new people and places and claiming authority over new territory or institutions.
1. The Great Commission is to make disciples, not conquer territory
Matthew 28:19–20 (KJV)
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you..."
Jesus commissioned His disciples to preach the Gospel and make disciples of all nations. He did not instruct them to establish political dominion or take control of the world's institutions.
Again, pay close attention to what Jesus is telling Pilate in John 18…Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with Christians seeking to elect Bible-believing representatives who will stand for biblical principles and legislate in accordance with Christian values. Christians should be free to bring their convictions into the public square, and those serving in government should not be expected to abandon their faith when making decisions. We need men and women who recognize the authority of God's Word and are willing to stand for righteousness, defend the innocent, and uphold biblical morality.
However, there is a fundamental difference between Christians exercising their faith in society and embracing the belief that the church has been commissioned to take dominion over the world's institutions to establish God's kingdom on earth.
This is where Dominionism and the Seven Mountain Mandate raise serious biblical concerns. Their emphasis on taking territory, reclaiming cultural institutions, and expanding Christ's government throughout society can sound like a call to advance the Gospel. After all, Scripture declares that Jesus Christ is Lord over all. But the question is not whether Christ possesses all authority; it is whether He has commissioned the church to establish His kingdom through the conquest of earthly institutions. Ephesians 1:10 speaks of God's eternal purpose to gather all things together in Christ. It does not instruct the church to seize control of the world's political, educational, economic, and cultural systems to accomplish that purpose.
More concerning is the possibility that this movement, in its ultimate expression, could help prepare the world for the very kingdom Scripture warns us about.
The Antichrist will establish a worldwide system of worship and allegiance that opposes the true Christ. A movement that places extraordinary emphasis on establishing a unified earthly kingdom, while confusing the church's mission with the exercise of dominion, risks contributing to a religious and political environment that could be exploited by the Antichrist.
This does not mean that every Christian who seeks to influence society is knowingly advancing such a system. Rather, the danger lies in the theological direction and ultimate implications of a movement that can gradually blur the distinction between Christ's present spiritual authority and the future establishment of His kingdom.
Paul warned the Corinthians, "For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him" (2 Corinthians 11:4). That warning is especially relevant when a movement uses biblical language and the name of Jesus while promoting a mission that may depart from the one Christ actually gave His church. The deception may not come through an outright denial of Christ, but through a subtle redefinition of His kingdom and the church's responsibility. We must therefore test every teaching by Scripture, remembering that our commission is to preach the Gospel, make disciples, and remain faithful to Christ—not to establish His kingdom through earthly dominion. Christ Himself will fulfill every promise concerning His kingdom in His appointed time.
The Scriptures make it clear that the establishment of Christ's earthly kingdom is not a task entrusted to the church to accomplish through political or cultural dominion. Before Christ establishes His righteous rule, He will judge the present world system and bring the rebellion of the nations to an end. The kingdoms of this world will not be transformed into Christ's kingdom through the church's gradual acquisition of political power. Rather, Christ Himself will return in glory, judge the world in righteousness, and establish His kingdom in fulfillment of God's prophetic promises.
Isaiah 9:6–7 declares: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder..." The passage goes on to promise that "of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end," and that He will reign "upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever." Notice who establishes this government: the Lord Himself. The passage concludes, "The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this." The fulfillment of this prophecy does not depend upon the church taking control of the world's institutions. It rests upon the power and faithfulness of God.
The New Testament reinforces this distinction. Revelation 19 describes Christ's return as the conquering King who judges and makes war in righteousness. Revelation 20 then describes His reign. The kingdom is established by the returning King, not by a church that has gradually gained dominion over the political, economic, and cultural systems of the present world. Christ will judge the existing order and establish His righteous rule in accordance with God's prophetic timetable.
What, then, is the church's responsibility today? It is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, make disciples, and call people out of darkness into the kingdom of God's dear Son (Colossians 1:13). We are certainly free to participate in government, elect representatives who uphold biblical values, and speak out against unrighteousness. But these activities must never be confused with the mission of establishing Christ's kingdom on earth. Our commission is to proclaim the King and the salvation He offers, not to take possession of the institutions of this world in His name.
There is a profound difference between helping to bring people into the kingdom through faith in Jesus Christ and attempting to establish that kingdom through earthly power. The former is the church's commission; the latter is the work of the King Himself. We must not confuse our responsibility to proclaim the Gospel with God's promise to establish Christ's government. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish what He has promised, in His own time and by His own power.
It is certainly a noble thing for a sitting congressman to be zealous in calling people toward righteousness and to use his public platform to encourage people to read and follow the Bible. There is value in Christians standing publicly for biblical truth, and we should not dismiss that simply because we disagree with the theological framework surrounding it.
But zeal for righteousness must never be separated from the Gospel of grace.
A wrong interpretation of Scripture and a misapplication of God's Word to advance an agenda can ultimately leave people with a religious cause without bringing them to saving faith in Jesus Christ. The church's greatest need is not simply to take more ground in society, but to see lost people born again. Jesus did not tell His disciples to go into the world and take possession of its institutions. He told them to preach the Gospel and make disciples.
At the conclusion of the message, the congressman does pray for people to accept Christ. But the substance of the invitation is important. His appeal is essentially for God's presence to help and empower people as they continue the work of taking ground and advancing the cause.
What is missing is the biblical call for the sinner to recognize his condition before a holy God, repent, turn to Christ in faith, and receive forgiveness and eternal life through Him.
That distinction is critical. The Gospel is not simply an invitation to ask God to help us advance a righteous cause. The Gospel is the good news that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again, so that sinners who believe on Him might be justified, forgiven, and reconciled to God.
Paul said, "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3–4).
Our mission is therefore not merely to call society to righteousness, nor to claim ground for Christ. Our mission is to proclaim Christ to sinners so that they might be saved.
We can stand for righteousness in government, education, business, and every other area of life, but none of those things can substitute for the new birth. A person can become more moral, more patriotic, more politically engaged, and more religious and still remain lost.
The greatest ground that can ever be gained is not another institution, election, or cultural battlefield. It is a sinner coming to the foot of the cross, trusting Jesus Christ, and being born again.
"Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence."
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Zealousness without truth is just as dangerous to a man’s eternal soul as false doctrine. In the end zealousness without truth is still indeed false doctrine.
2 Timothy 4:3-4
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."
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