posted
Understanding the kingdom of God is a very important subject. For the gospel that Christ taught was not only that he died for our sin; but he announced the kingdom was at hand. The Messiah had come and made a way for us to enter the kingdom of God.
Isaiah 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, 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. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Luke 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
John 8:23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
John 18:36 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.
**The main problem I found when studying the endtimes and the millennium is that to seek an earthly kingdom of a certain period of time didn’t make sense. God is not limited. Christ said his kingdom was not of this world. He also stated that is had no end. He plainly described in many passages and parables that the wicked would be destroyed at the same time as he returned to gather his bride to go to the place he prepared for her. He plainly told us to store up treasure and look forward to things above, not here on the earth.
**One thing we tend to do, as human nature still abounds and wars in us, is to look at the physical. The Jews rejected Jesus because they were looking for a physical king who would set up a physical kingdom and put down the physically oppressive Roman rule of the day. They ignored Christ who told them his kingdom was not of this earth, which did not come by observation, and which was already in the midst of them.
Luke 17:20-21 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: [21] Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
John 8:23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
John 18:36 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.
**Unfortunately, we too, tend to reject the spiritual for the carnal world view of how we think things should be. It is only if we truly die to self and let the spirit have reign in our lives that we can begin to see though the eyes of Christ. He reminded us to keep our eyes on things above not on the earth.
Col. 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
**He told us he has gone to prepare a place for us and will return to gather us and deliver us up to the Father.
John 14:2-3In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
**He never promised to clean up the whole world and make an utopian society here; but promised to destroy this old earth and all the wickedness in it, including the wicked people.
2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
**We tend to think all nations means “all” people. However, that is not the intent of scripture. Look at:
Acts 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
**The Gentiles heard and only “as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. As many as not all the Gentiles who heard; but only “as many as” were to obtain eternal life.
**Many today think that we must “Christianize” the entire world. Some think we must do that before Christ returns; others think it will happen during some future 1,000 year time of peace on the earth. What are we thinking? Even the old Christmas songs mention Christ as bringing peace and good will to all men. Christ brought it: not us. We can’t change men’s hearts, only Christ can do that. He has opened the door to salvation to all men; but not all men will accept it. The peaceful kingdom that Christ has brought us is in our hearts if he lives in us. We must learn to ignore the physical evil around us and keep our eyes focused on him and things above in order to enjoy that peace. I don’t mean we stick our head in the sand; but we don’t dwell on the wickedness around us.
**He plainly points out that we will have trials and tribulations in this world but not to fear because he has overcome the world. Our peace comes from him not from our earthly circumstances. That is why we have faith. Faith is hope of things not yet seen. Things we know will happen; but we can’t see it yet. Through faith, we can see beyond this life into the next, the eternal quickening, when we will finally be in the new heaven and new earth. Then the things we hoped for will be realized in full.
**Some point to the OT verses about beating weapons into plowshares and learning war no more as a future event on earth. We must look at Christ. He taught us that we can’t murder our fellowmen. He taught we can’t even hate our fellowmen. Thus, how can we participate in war if Christ lives in us? We can’t. The peaceful kingdom which no longer wars against other men is in our hearts, our Christ felt love for our fellow humans. How could we love our fellowman and blow his brains out with an ak47? We would be liars and his love would not be in us. Christ did not put down the Roman rule; but offered any who would hear and repent, salvation. That is the kingdom he offered, spiritual salvation.
**One of the main things that hinders people today is fear of what their physical eyes see around them. I am reminded of
Proverbs 22:13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.
Proverbs 26:13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
**We have been taught to fear the devil, that he is a lion roaring about seeking whom he may devour. He has been given too much credit. Many live in fear looking behind every bush for the devil. Jesus has already won the victory and over come the world, the devil included. Sure he is allowed to test and try us; but we have the victory over him in Christ. We are like the wicked who “… flee when no man pursueth….” When we should be “ …bold as a lion…” in Christ.
Proverbs 28:1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
**We need to remember that not only is Satan symbolized as a lion; but so is Christ, the lion of Judah. Remember how the Lord delivered Daniel from the “…power of the lions.” ? While that story used physical lions, we should remember that the Lord can deliver his people from anything. Our warfare is spiritual; not carnal, nor physical. Just as the lions were supernaturally quieted and their mouths shut, Satan can’t have power over us unless we give it to him. Remember we can’t serve two masters. We have a choice.
Daniel 6:27 He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.
**The reason the church is so weak today, is that many have fallen away. They have given themselves over to false beliefs and fears that are unfounded. They have not truly accepted Christ as the Lord and King of their lives. They are afraid because they don’t have his spirit in them; nor have their eyes on the heavenly. They are too focused on the physical here and now. They want an earthly kingdom just like the Jews did in Christ day. We are told to live peaceable with all men in as much as it has to do with us. However, the real peace comes from above, from Christ in our hearts. This life and the many troubles are like a second in time, it’s nothing compared to life in the kingdom.
**Let’s seek to put on the eyesalve that we may see and understand the things of the Lord through his eyes and not our own earthly ones.
-------------------- 1 Thes. 5:21 (KJV) Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
posted
Some today teach there is more than one kingdom. They teach the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven are two different kingdoms. They teach there is still an earthly kingdom to come. Many teach there is a future time for salvation that occurs during this supposedly future earthly kingdom. They teach that it will be a continuation of David’s throne on the earth. Little to many realize this is actually another gospel, teaching that people may be saved during this time after Christ returns.
Notice that during the OT it was said that no man would sit on the throne of David and rule any more. This refers to no more earthly kingdoms of David. We know Christ is said to rule from the line of David; but his kingdom is not earthly and it lasts forever.
Jeremiah 22:30 (KJV) Thus saith the Lord, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah.
For those who may think there are two kingdoms, here are some parallels showing the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven are one kingdom. There is not a special earthly kingdom for the Jews.
BOTH EXPRESSIONS INTERCHANGABLE
Matthew 19:23-24 (KJV) Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. [24] And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
ENTERING KINGDOM AS LITTLE CHILD
Matthew 18:1-4 (KJV) At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? [2] And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, [3] And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. [4] Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Mark 10:15 (KJV) Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
PARABLES OF THE HARVEST
Matthew 13:24-26 (KJV) Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: [25] But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. [26] But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
Matthew 13:30 (KJV) Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Mark 4:25-29 (KJV) For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath. [26] And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; [27] And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. [28] For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. [29] But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.
JOHN IN PRISON, JESUS PREACHED THE GOSPEL OF KINGDOM
Matthew 4:12 (KJV) Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;
Matthew 4:17 (KJV) From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mark 1:14-15 (KJV) Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, [15] And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
TWELVE SENT FORTH TO HEAL SICK AND PREACH GOSPEL OF KINGDOM
Matthew 10:5-14 (KJV) These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: [6] But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. [7] And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. [8] Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. [9] Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, [10] Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. [11] And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. [12] And when ye come into an house, salute it. [13] And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. [14] And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
Luke 9:1-6 (KJV) Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. [2] And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. [3] And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece. [4] And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart. [5] And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. [6] And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.
DISCIPLES TO KNOW MYSTERY OF KINGDOM
Matthew 13:11 (KJV) He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
Mark 4:11 (KJV) And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
SERMON ON MOUNT
Matthew 5:3-6 (KJV) Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [4] Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. [5] Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. [6] Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Luke 6:20-21 (KJV) And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. [21] Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.
PARABLE OF LEAVEN
Matthew 13:33 (KJV) Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
Luke 13:20-21 (KJV) And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God? [21] It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
.SUFFER LITTLE CHILDREN
Matthew 19:14 (KJV) But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
Mark 10:14 (KJV) But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
FUTURE CONSUMMATION OF KINGDOM
Matthew 8:11 (KJV) And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
Luke 13:28-29 (KJV) There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. [29] And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.
It is obvious that the kingdom of God and kingdom of heaven are the same kingdom. They can be used interchangeably. Dispensationalist who say they are different kingdoms at different times for different people are in error and teaching extra or different gospels. Matthew is the only one who used the term “kingdom of heaven”. It may have been to direct the Jews away from an earthly physical kingdom to a heavenly, spiritual one.
KINGDOM SHALL STAND FOREVER
Daniel 2:44-45 (KJV) And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. [45] Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.
In closing, I would say there are two kingdoms today, the kingdom of Christ and the kingdom of Satan. We must be sure not to believe Satan’s lie of a future Jewish kingdom on the earth. Christ kingdom was set up on time as prophesied and shall never end. That is the good news that is to be preached today. Let’s be sure we’re in the one kingdom and sharing the news of how to enter in with all who will believe.
Matthew 12:26 (KJV) And ifSatan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
2 Peter 1:11 (KJV) For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Look up our redemption draws near.
Faith
-------------------- 1 Thes. 5:21 (KJV) Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
Email this page to someone.
