Kingdom leaders carry God’s mantle of authority and power to advance his kingdom. A person can be a leader without being a kingdom leader, but to be a kingdom leader he/she must carry the mantle. The kingdom exists wherever the truth reigns supreme. God gives his mantle as a gift to those he chooses. He has set up the five-fold, equipping ministry gifts to help mature believers to do the work of the kingdom. While these men and women do not give the mantle themselves, they help prepare believers to carry the mantle. In this study, you will learn how to operate under the mantle of kingdom leadership.
Introducing the Mantle of Kingdom Leadership
The mantle of kingdom leadership is a supernatural gift from God. Why have the mantle? God is with those who have the mantle. They receive revelation. The mantle puts people in position in the kingdom, and it gives them authority and power to do the work of the kingdom. The one who receives the gift is not special, but the one who gives it is. “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow” (James 1:17). Every good thing you possess has come from God.
The mantle is a supernatural covering of authority and power. It is similar to a robe or uniform which gives a person recognition and authority. In God’s army, there are generals and other soldiers of all ranks. The generals have been through battle and have proven themselves to be leaders. They prominently carry a mantle of kingdom leadership. They have not appointed themselves. Elisha said to Elijah, “Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me” (2 Kings 2:9). Elisha had proven himself to be faithful before he asked for and received the double portion mantle. There are people preaching in pulpits who have no mantle. Many are called, but few are chosen (Matthew 22:14). You can tell God’s leaders from people who are not leaders by whether they carry the mantle. They move with power and cause situations around them to change.
The mantle destroys the works of the enemy. After Israel was in bondage to Jabin, king of Canaan, for twenty years, they cried out to the Lord for deliverance (Judges 4). Deborah, a prophetess and a judge for Israel, went with Barak and an army of ten thousand men to defeat Jabin’s army and chariots under the command of Sisera. When Sisera and his army were routed by the Lord and his army, he fled to Jael’s tent to hide. She covered him with a garment or mantle and then when he was asleep, she drove a tent peg through his temple and he died. This story symbolizes the power of the mantle to destroy the enemies of God’s people.
God is watching to see who is faithful in his kingdom. Those who are faithful or full of faith are the ones he chooses. God uses those who are faithful in little and faithful in another man’s property and/or ministry (Luke 16:10). They will be faithful with their own property and in their own ministry. ‘Well done, good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, you are to be in authority over ten cities (Luke 19:17).
Variety of Mantles
There are many different kinds of mantles, but the glory of God goes with each mantle. The mantle of the pastor is different than the mantle of the evangelist. Mantles of zeal and praise are the glory of God being manifested in a person’s life. The Lord “put on garments of vengeance for clothing and wrapped himself with zeal as a mantle” (Isaiah 59:17). The Spirit of the Lord is upon me to provide for those who grieve a mantle of praise instead of a spirit of despair (Isaiah 61:1-3).
Sherry has been on radio and television for many years. When she first sat down at the microphone for a radio program, she felt the Lord’s mantle drop on her. It was a supernatural covering to speak for the Lord. The mantle has been there ever since that time. Whenever she is speaking on radio, television or videos, there is a mighty anointing flowing through her.
Succession
Succession guarantees the well-being of the kingdom. The mantles of the Old Testament were symbols and natural expressions of the supernatural things going on in the lives of the prophets and kings. It is God that deposits the supernatural mantles in the lives of believers today, but men and women have an important role in discipling and equipping believers to carry a powerful mantle of ministry. As long as they are maturing believers and releasing them to do the work of the kingdom, the kingdom is being advanced. When people try to rise up on their own without help from seasoned ministers, there is a disruption in the fabric of the kingdom.
God uses spiritual fathers to disciple and equip believers. “Even if you were to have ten thousand teachers [to guide you] in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers [who led you to Christ and assumed responsibility for you]” (1 Corinthians 4:15 AMP). Spiritual fathers affirm their sons when they are at their best, love them when they are at their worst, and correct them as needed. They love them at all times, but sometimes love is all a person can receive.
Old Testament Mantles
The mantle represents the transfer of leadership from one leader to another. Jacob had twelve sons, but he favored Joseph and chose him to be his successor. He gave Joseph a coat of many colors, symbolizing his mantle.
David was chosen by God and anointed by the prophet Samuel to be king of Israel while Saul ruled as king. If David killed Saul in order to be king, he would take the throne illegally. Jonathan was the crown prince and next in line to Saul to be king of Israel. It appeared Jonathan and David would be on different sides in a power struggle, but God joined their hearts together after Jonathan heard David speak about his faith and trust in God (1 Samuel 18:1-3). Jonathan stripped himself of his robe or mantle and armor and gave them to David (1 Samuel 18:4). This gesture symbolized that Jonathan’s right to ascend to the throne was being transferred to David. Without Jonathan’s action, David would be a usurper.
God was involved in choosing, positioning, and equipping Elisha as a prophet. He instructed the prophet, Elijah, to anoint Elisha to succeed him as a prophet (1 Kings 19:15-16). Straightway, Elijah went and found Elisha as he was plowing in a field and placed a mantle on him (1 Kings 19:19). This first mantle placed Elisha in the position of a prophet. He still had to be equipped as a prophet. Elisha stayed with Elijah, observing and learning from him. Finally, Elijah passed the double-portion mantle to Elisha (2 Kings 2:9-13). This second mantle was for ministry in signs and wonders. Elisha did twice as many miracles as Elijah did before him.
New Testament Mantles
Jesus knew he needed the mantle to fulfill all righteousness. The mantle helped Jesus fulfill everything the Father planned for him to do. The Holy Spirit puts the mantle on individuals for leadership but he involves willing and equipped vessels in the process. When Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River by John, he received a mantle of leadership to perform signs and wonders and rule kingdoms. His being baptized by John fulfilled everything God required of them. Jesus said, “In this way, it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15). When Jesus was obedient to the Father’s will and the Spirit came upon his shoulder, the mantle was put on him. This mantle is the robe of righteousness.
Before Jesus was baptized he performed no miracles, but after fulfilling God’s requirements and receiving the mantle he could perform spectacular miracles. The devil tempted him to turn stones to bread and to safely hurl himself off a high temple and let the angels catch him (Matthew 4:1-7). He was tempted with the things he could do, not by things that were impossible. Believers are tempted with things they can do, such as commit murder or adultery in their heart. They are not tempted to jump over the moon, because they cannot jump that high.
The mantle of leadership which Jesus received gave him the authority and power to rule all kingdoms. The devil tempted Jesus to rule all the kingdoms of the world (Matthew 4:8-10). Jesus knew he could rule the kingdoms or this would not have been a temptation to him. Jesus will rule all kingdoms but it will be under his terms rather than the devil’s terms. “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever” (Revelation 11:15).
The Quest
Does a person seek the mantle? David and Elisha were working with farm animals in the land when they received the mantle without seeking for it. None of God’s true leaders sought the mantle, but God placed his mantle upon them. Today, kingdom leaders do not have to seek the mantle, but when the mantle is placed on them there are desires that come into their heart. Delight yourself in the Lord; and he will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4). He places the desires in your heart and also fulfills these desires.
As a kingdom leader, your quest is for greatness. Seek the face of the great King and his kingdom. Seek greatness as God sees greatness, not as the world sees greatness. The greatest among you will be your servant. “The one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest and the leader like the servant” (Luke 22:26). “Now these three remain faith, hope, and love, but the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13).
The prodigal son had riches untold, but he squandered them all on riotous living. When he came to his senses, he returned to his Father and received a ring and a robe or mantle. The fatted calf was killed and they had a feast. It does not matter how far you have missed the kingdom. What matters is that you enter the kingdom and continually walk in it.
Actively seek God’s kingdom. “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). Many believers devote time and energy each morning praying and studying God’s word, without ever comprehending his kingdom. The least one in the kingdom of God is greater than the greatest prophet (Luke 7:28). When you walk in the kingdom, you will be able to help others understand and appropriate the kingdom.
Personal Story on Mantles
Twenty-five years ago, the Lord called me an elder. Elders in a congregation are the spiritual leaders in that congregation. Such elders provide a spiritual covering to the people in a local congregation through their prayers and godly counsel. I thought he meant I was an elder in my local congregation. Soon afterward, he moved us from that congregation, so I did not become an elder there.
Later, the Lord elaborated on my calling, saying that I was a chief elder among elders. This is when he placed his leadership mantle on me. He called me to be an elder to the body of Christ, not just one local congregation. More specifically, he called me an apostle. The five-fold, equipping ministry gifts are elders to the body of Christ. These elders have spiritual authority and responsibility for regions. There is more accountability with these elders than other ministers.
We did not need a man’s approval, but we needed a spiritual father. The Lord joined our hearts with Bob Terrell, who became our spiritual father. He equipped us, gave us direction for our lives and ministries, and held us accountable. Then we were separated out by the apostles and prophets. At that time, a supernatural mantle for ministry was given to us.
Conclusions
Living a purposeful life involves a quest for your place in God’s kingdom. His mantle puts you in your rightful position. The teacher will have a teacher’s mantle, and the prophet will have a prophet’s mantle. When you have been properly trained and equipped, the glory of God will be manifested through your life and your mantle for ministry to others.
The Spirit reveals your place in the kingdom and shows you the path to reach your position. He shows you the truth and uses men and women to prepare you for the journey. It is important to follow the Spirit wherever he leads. Only then will you know those who are ordained to help you on the quest to discover purpose. Destiny is your reward.
Study Questions
Many people have gotten into a routine of doing such spiritual things as studying God’s word, praising him, and going to church services for the sake of these things. Such spiritual activities are a means to the greater end of seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness.
#1 What is your motivation for doing the spiritual things that you do?
#2 What does it mean to be actively involved in seeking the kingdom?
#3 How would you describe the mantle God has for you?
#4 How does God’s mantle on you affect your behavior?
#5 What are your plans for actively seeking the kingdom?