The Kingdom of God

[NickHassan]

Hi david,
The kingdom could do with more study.

[david]

I agree.
Being the message that Jesus preached, and the message that was fortold to be preached in the last days, there's little mention of it on here.

The word rendered “kingdom” in the Christian Greek Scriptures is ba·si·lei′a, meaning meaning “a kingdom, realm, the region or country governed by a king; kingly power, authority, dominion, reign; royal dignity, the title and honour of king.”(The Analytical Greek Lexicon, 1908, p. 67) The phrase “the kingdom of God” is used frequently by Mark and Luke, and in Matthew’s account the parallel phrase “the kingdom of the heavens” appears some 30 times.—Compare Mr 10:23 and Lu 18:24 with Mt 19:23, 24

The government of God is, in structure and function, a pure theocracy (from Gr. the·os′, god, and kra′tos, a rule), a rule by God. The term “theocracy” is attributed to Jewish historian Josephus of the first century C.E., who evidently coined it in his writing Against Apion (II, 164, 165 [16]). Of the government established over Israel in Sinai, Josephus wrote: “Some peoples have entrusted the supreme political power to monarchies, others to oligarchies, yet others to the masses. Our lawgiver, however, was attracted by none of these forms of polity, but gave to his constitution the form of what—if a forced expression be permitted—may be termed a ‘theocracy [Gr., the·o·kra·ti′an],’ placing all sovereignty and authority in the hands of God.” To be a pure theocracy, of course, the government could not be ordained by any human legislator, such as the man Moses, but must be ordained and established by God. The Scriptural record shows this was the case.

The first human pair’s open violation of God’s command, instigated by one of God’s spirit sons, was actually rebellion against divine authority.
The position taken by God’s spirit Adversary (Heb., sa·tan′) constituted a challenge calling for a test, the issue being the rightfulness of Jehovah’s universal sovereignty.

The earth, where the issue was raised, is fittingly the place where it will be settled.—Re 12:7-12.

At the time of pronouncing judgment upon the first rebels, Jehovah God spoke a prophecy, couched in symbolic phrase, setting forth his purpose to use an agency, a “seed,” to effect the ultimate crushing of the rebel forces. (Ge 3:15)

Thus, Jehovah’s rulership, the expression of his sovereignty, would take on a new aspect or expression in answer to the insurrection that had developed. The progressive revelation of “the sacred secrets of the kingdom” (Mt 13:11) showed that this new aspect would involve the formation of a subsidiary government, a ruling body headed by a deputy ruler. The realization of the promise of the “seed” is in the kingdom of Christ Jesus in union with his chosen associates. (Re 17:14)

From the time of the Edenic promise forward, the progressive development of God’s purpose to produce this Kingdom “seed” becomes a basic theme of the Bible and a key to understanding Jehovah’s actions toward his servants and toward mankind in general.

[NickHassan]

Hi David,
Jesus is king and in him are sons of the kingdom.

Mat 13
” 37And He said, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man,

38and the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one; “

[NickHassan]

Hi,
Just as the King of kings rules in the millenium so will the sons of God.
Rev 2
“26And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

27And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

28And I will give him the morning star.”

[david]

Given that Jesus spent so much time discussing it, I'm really suprised that this subject isn't given much more time.

MATTHEW 13:11
“To YOU it is granted to understand the sacred secrets of the kingdom of the heavens, but to those people it is not granted.”

Being that everyone wouldn't understand about this kingdom, I think we should look at something really basic that I've encountered when dealing with people:

GOD’S KINGDOM–IS IT IN THE HEARTS OF THE PHARISEES?
Many believe that Jesus said God’s kingdom was something inside of people’s hearts. According to one rendition of Jesus’ words to wicked Pharisees, he said: “The kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:21, NIV, KJV) Did Jesus mean that the Kingdom was in the wicked hearts of those corrupt men, the very ones he condemned to Gehenna? (Mat 23:33) No. A more accurate translation of the original Greek reads: “The kingdom of God is in your midst.” (New World Translation) Jesus, who was in their midst, thus referred to himself as the future King.
In this regard The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible states: “Although frequently cited as an example of Jesus’ ‘mysticism’ or ‘inwardness,’ this interpretation rests chiefly upon the old translation, ‘within you,’ . . . understood in the unfortunate modern sense of ‘you’ as singular; the ‘you’ . . . is plural (Jesus is addressing the Pharisees—vs. 20) . . . The theory that the kingdom of God is an inner state of mind, or of personal salvation, runs counter to the context of this verse, and also to the whole N[ew] T[estament] presentation of the idea.”
A footnote to Luke 17:21 in the New International Version shows that Jesus’ words could be rendered: “The kingdom of God is among you.” Other Bible translations read: “The kingdom of God is among you” or “is in the midst of you.” (The New English Bible; The Jerusalem Bible; Revised Standard Version) Jesus did not mean that the Kingdom was in the hearts of the proud Pharisees whom he was addressing. Rather, as the long-awaited Messiah and King-Designate, Jesus was in their very midst. Far from being something that a person has in his heart, God’s Kingdom is a real, operating government having a ruler and subjects.

As Nick points out above, Jesus is king of this kingdom and has co-rulers. It is a real government, not a condition of the heart or in the heart.

Who can add?

[NickHassan]

Hi david,
But it is a kingdom entered now.

Col 1
” 12Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

13Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: “
We are not excluded from the light when we are rescued from the darkness but the Spirit of Christ can begin to grow and then to rule in us till as sons of God we are led by the Spirit.

Gal 5
” 25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. “
Rom 8
” 14For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. “
1Jn 4
” 13Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

14And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

15Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.”

So we know we are sons because of the manifested Spirit in us.

[david]

HI NiCk

When Jesus ascended to heaven, he did not immediately take up the scepter of rulership over the peoples of the world. (Psalm 110:1) However, he did receive a “kingdom” with subjects that obeyed him. The apostle Paul identified that kingdom when he wrote: “[God] delivered us [spirit-anointed Christians] from the authority of the darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of his love.”(Colossians 1:13) This deliverance began at Pentecost 33 C.E. when holy spirit was poured out on Jesus’ faithful followers.—Acts 2:1-4; 1 Peter 2:9.

As “ambassadors substituting for Christ,” the spirit-anointed disciples obediently started to gather others who would become “fellow citizens” in that spiritual kingdom. (2 Corinthians 5:20; Ephesians 2:19; Acts 1:8)

The “new covenant” thus became operative toward them, and they became the nucleus of a new “holy nation,” spiritual Israel.—Heb 12:22-24; 1Pe 2:9, 10; Ga 6:16.

Here's a fun question:

When was God’s Kingdom to begin to rule?

Was it in the first century?
Lets look at Colosians again:
Col. 1:1, 2, 13: “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through God’s will, and Timothy our brother to the holy ones [those who were heirs of the heavenly Kingdom] . . . He [God] delivered us from the authority of the darkness and transferred us [the holy ones, members of the Christian congregation] into the kingdom of the Son of his love.”
So Christ had, indeed, begun to rule over the Christian congregation in the first century, before this was written, but the establishment of the Kingdom to rule over all the earth was yet future.

1 Cor. 4:8: “You men already have your fill, do you? You are rich already, are you? You have begun ruling as kings without us, have you? And I wish indeed that you had begun ruling as kings, that we also might rule with you as kings.”
It is obvious that the apostle Paul is reproving them for having the wrong viewpoint.

Rev. 12:10, 12: “Now have come to pass the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ, because the accuser of our brothers has been hurled down, who accuses them day and night before our God! On this account be glad, you heavens and you who reside in them! Woe for the earth and for the sea, because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing he has a short period of time.”
The establishment of God’s Kingdom is here associated with the hurling of Satan out of heaven. This had not occurred at the time of the rebellion in Eden, as is shown in Job chapters 1, 2. Revelation was recorded in 96 C.E., and Revelation 1:1 shows that it deals with events then future.

david

[NickHassan]

Hi david,
You said
“When Jesus ascended to heaven, he did not immediately take up the scepter of rulership over the peoples of the world. (Psalm 110:1) However, he did receive a “kingdom” with subjects that obeyed him. The apostle Paul identified that kingdom when he wrote: “[God] delivered us [spirit-anointed Christians] from the authority of the darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of his love.”(Colossians 1:13) This deliverance began at Pentecost 33 C.E. when holy spirit was poured out on Jesus’ faithful followers”
No these subjects were already in his kingdom and had worked in the authority of his name while he was among them.

Matt 10
” 1And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

2Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;

3Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;

4Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

5These 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:

6But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

7And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

8Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

9Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,

10Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.

11And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.

12And when ye come into an house, salute it.

13And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.

14And 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.

15Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

16Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

17But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;

18And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

19But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.

20For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

21And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.

22And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

23But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.

24The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.

25It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?

26Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.

27What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.

28And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

29Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.

30But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

31Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.”

[NickHassan]

Hi david,
You ask
“When was God’s Kingdom to begin to rule?”

When Jesus was anointed as King in the Jordan

[NickHassan]

Hi david,
He was born King.
Matthew 2:2
Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

He exercised his kingship.

Matthew 3:2
And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Matthew 12:28
But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

He gave those kingdom keys to men starting with the first readied stone, Peter.

Matthew 16:19
And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Men entered it then.

Matthew 11:12
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

[NickHassan]

This is topical

[NickHassan]

Hi,
The return of the King with God indwelling him, is associated with massive changes on earth.

Ps 97
” 1The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.

2Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.

3A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.

4His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.

5The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

6The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.”

It echoes Zech 4 where the Lord of the whole earth is mentioned with two anointed ones.

” 12And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?

13And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.

14Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the LORD of the whole earth.”

[NickHassan]

Hi,
Col 1
13For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,

We are now in the kingdom of God.

[NickHassan]

Hi,
todays word is appropriate.
“For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.” (1 Corinthians 4:20, ESV)

[david]

Sorry 94. I thought it was here. Nick, do you know where you and I used to discuss being “born again” to enter into the kingdom of God?

[NickHassan]

Hi,
We have already entered the Kingdom of heaven, the Kingdom of God, if we have repented and died in water baptism with him and we can be sure of being resurrected because he is faithful even though we err.[Rom 6]
Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Colossians 1:13
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
Hebrews 12:28
Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
1 Corinthians 1:9
God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Thessalonians 5:24
Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
2 Thessalonians 3:3
But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
2 Timothy 2:13
If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

[Phoenix]

Ok Nick I am working on that. Bear with me ok?

I have just been told that i have to talk to 2 elders… since they dont have ministers in the church.

Hug
Phoenix

[942767]

Hi David:

And so, I asked if you should die today can you say with certainty that you are saved?

[NickHassan]

Quote (Phoenix @ Feb. 26 2007,02:44)

Ok Nick I am working on that. Bear with me ok? I have just been told that i have to talk to 2 elders… since they dont have ministers in the church. Hug Phoenix

Hi P,
Well done. You are walking while the light is with you and God will lead you through or despite the advice these men give you. Keep seeking the kingdom.

[NickHassan]

Hi,
This is the crux of salvation.
Those who believe in a trinity god have to ask themselves how it saves them to do so.

[Author]

Posts