- Kingdom
- Kingdom Part 2
- Kingdom Part 3
- The Church and the Kingdom
- The Power of the Kingdom
The phases Kingdom of God and Kingdom of Heaven are used over 80 times in the NT. When something is used 80 times it is certain that it is an important subject. However, Matt 19:23-24, demonstrates that they are interchangeable. 23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” NKJV
Is the Kingdom of God present or future ? The Kingdom is both present and future. The Kingdom of God over which Christ shall reign including past, present, and future children of God is still future. It will commence at the second coming of Jesus Christ.
2 Tim 4:1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: NKJV
Rev 11:15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying,”The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” NKJV
Why does the Lord put so much emphasis on His Kingdom?
Rom 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. NKJV
Is the Kingdom inward and spiritual or outward and visible? The future Kingdom will be outward , visible and tangible. It will prevail over all the earth and it will fulfill all the OT prophesies to the faithful remnant of Israel. It will include the children of God from all ages.
Isa 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. NKJV
The NT believers will rule and reign in power and glory with Christ as kings and priests.
Matt 25:23 His lord said to him,’Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ NKJV
1 Tim 6:14 that you fulfill all he has told you to do so that no one can find fault with you from now until our Lord Jesus Christ returns. 15 For in due season Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only Almighty God, the King of kings and Lord of lords, TLB
Rev 5:9 ; And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.” NKJV
The Coming Glory !
Rev 20: 4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. NKJV
What about present day ? The present manifestation of the Kingdom is both spiritual and invisible.
Luke 17:20 Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, 21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.” NIV
Jesus gave us another fact about the Kingdom when he was interrogated by Pontius Pilate the Roman governor.
John 18:36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.”
37 “You are a king, then!” said Pilate.
Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” NIV
Jesus gave Nicodemus two facts about the kingdom.
John 3:1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
3 In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”
4 “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!”
5 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. NIV
Jesus’ present day Kingdom on the earth is : a gospel of the Kingdom, or good news message.
The message is spiritual, invisible, but powerful to transform from the inside out.
Matt 4:23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. NIV
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, NKJV
1 Thess 1:5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, NKJV
It is the only message from heaven at this time.
Matt 24:9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
The defeat of Satan is the visible sign of the Kingdom.
Col 1:13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. NKJV
Luke 11:20 But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.
NKJV
