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The
subject of the "Kingdom of God" is probably
misunderstood by more than even the subject of "sin
and holiness". However , the Bible teaching are very
easy to understand on this subject too, if one does not
have preconceived unscriptural ideas. Because of false
teachings, many are looking for a literal kingdom out in a
future. However, the scripture as we shall show, make it
plain that the Kingdom of God is already in existence,
being established by Christ about 2,000 years ago. One
reason some are not aware of this is found in John
3:3--Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom
of God. Bible salvation makes us (spiritual) kings and
priest unto God. Therefore, those in the kingdom of God
are now reigning on earth in this life, with Christ and
over sin. Here are the scriptures that verify this.
Rev
1:6--And hath made us kings and priest unto God....
1 Pet 2:9--But ye are a chosen generation, a royal
priesthood, and holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye
should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you
out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Rev 5:10--And hast made unto our God kings and priest and
we shall reign on the earth.
Then
Romans 5:17 tells us when we shall reign: For if by one
man's offense death reigned by one; much more they which
receive abundance of grace and of the gift of
righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.
Also in
Romans 6:12 and 6:14 we learn we reign over sin.
Rom 6:12--Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body,
that ye should obey it in the lust thereof. Verse 14--For
sin shall not have dominion over you....Yes ,those living
(reigning) over sin are now in the kingdom of God.
KINGDOM
OF GOD SPIRITUAL
The
kingdom of God is the rule of God in the hearts of his
people. It is a spiritual kingdom and not an earthly one.
Jesus says in John 18:36--My kingdom is not of this world.
Luke 17:20-21 tells us--The kingdom of God cometh not with
observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here or, Lo there!
for behold, the kingdom of God is within you. Rom 14:17
says--The kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but
righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Jesus
is surely teaching a spiritual kingdom when he says in
John 3:5--Except a man be born of water and of the spirit
he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
THE
KINGDOM OF GOD IN PROPHECY
The 2nd
chapter of Daniel teaches us that the kingdom of God would
be set up during the Roman Empire. Also, Isaiah predicts
who will establish the kingdom of God and when in Isa
9:6-7--For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is
given, and the government is upon his shoulder: and his
name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty
God, The everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. 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 host will perform this.
Here we
learn when this "child is born", when this
"son is given", the one who is The mighty God,
The Prince of Peace, he will establish "his
kingdom" with "judgment and justice" and
"of the increase of His government and peace there
shall be no end." Then in Luke 1:21-33 the angel
Gabriel said to Mary, the virgin of Nazareth; Thou shall
conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and thou
shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall
reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of His Kingdom
there shall be no end. Therefore we must look to the first
advent of Christ for the establishment of the kingdom.
JESUS
AND JOHN THE BAPTIST PREACH THE KINGDOM
Now after
that John was put into prison, Jesus came into Galilee,
preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God and saying, THE
TIME IS FULFILLED, and the kingdom of God is at hand;
repent ye, and believe the gospel. John the Baptist also
preached that "the Kingdom of heaven is at hand in
Matt 3:1-2. Then in Mark 9:1 Jesus taught--That there be
some of them that stand there, which shall not taste
death, till they have seen the Kingdom of God come with
power. The Kingdom of God came with power on the day of
the Pentecost. He also taught on the Sermon on the Mount
to ....seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his
righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto
you. So we see that Jesus taught that the kingdom wasn't
out in the future but was at hand, was to soon come with
power and they were to seek it.
SOME
ALREADY IN THE KINGDOM
Paul says
in Col 1:13--Who hath delivered us from the power of
darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his
dear son. John testifies in Rev 1:9 that he was in the
kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ. Jesus said in Matt
23:13--But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees,
hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against
men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye
them that are entering to go in. All of these scriptures
certainly do not describe the kingdom of God as literal or
as something to take place way out in the future.
KINGDOM
OF CHRIST, GOD AND HEAVEN IDENTICAL
Some try
to claim that there is a distinction between the kingdom
of God and the kingdom of heaven or the kingdom of Christ.
However, the New Testament makes no such distinction but
applies all to the same thing. We have already shown that
some are in the kingdom of Christ (Col 1:13 and Rev
1:9)therefore the kingdom of Christ cannot be out in the
future. In Matt 5:3, Jesus taught--Blessed are the poor in
Spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Luke records
this on Luke 6:20 as--Blessed be ye poor, for yours is the
kingdom of God. In Matt 13:11--It is given unto you to
know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. Whereas in
Mark 4:11--Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the
kingdom of God.
Similar
comparison are...Matt 11:11 with Luke 7:28 or Matt 13:31
with Mark 4:30-31 or Matt 13:33 with Luke 13:20-21. The
Kingdom of Christ, The Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of
heaven are all the same.
Those
in heavenly kingdom are now enjoying peace, happiness and
spiritual prosperity.
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