Summary: It appears the Kingdom
of God is a spiritual realm/reign/authority/domain[1]
into which we are drawn when we are born of the Spirit.[2] We
are born of the Spirit when we, recognizing our spiritual deficiency,[3]
acknowledge/believe/trust[4] in Jesus
Christ[5] as
the God Man[6] who
surrendered His earthly life[7] so that
we could be forgiven of our sins[8] and have
eternal life. In this spiritual realm,
we are given the right to become children of God,[9]
inheriting eternal life[10]
with God, and receiving forgiveness of our sins.[11] This spiritual realm will be made visibly and
physically manifest and imposed upon the earth when Jesus Christ returns in
glory for His Millennial reign.[12] Jesus Christ is the Sovereign of the Kingdom
of God,[13]
and He will, at the end of His Millennial reign, transfer the sovereignty
thereof to the Father.[14]
With this summary in mind, various passages of Scripture can be grouped by certain concepts associated with the idea of the Kingdom of God:
As Either Heaven or the Millenium
Luke 22:15-18 Then He said to
them, "I have fervently desired to eat this Passover with you before I
suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the
kingdom of God." Then He took a
cup, and after giving thanks, He said, "Take this and share it among
yourselves. For I tell you, from now on
I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes."
As Evident at the Millennial
Reign of Christ
Luke 21:20-31 "When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that its desolation has come near. Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains! Those inside the city must leave it, and those who are in the country must not enter it, because these are days of vengeance to fulfill all the things that are written. Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days, for there will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. "Then there will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars; and there will be anguish on the earth among nations bewildered by the roaring sea and waves. People will faint from fear and expectation of the things that are coming on the world, because the celestial powers will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near!" Then He told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. As soon as they put out [leaves] you can see for yourselves and recognize that summer is already near. In the same way, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near.
Revelation 5:8-10 When He took
the scroll, the four living creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the
Lamb. Each one had a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the
prayers of the saints. And they sang a
new song: You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals; because You were slaughtered, and You redeemed
[people] for God by Your blood from every tribe and language and people and
nation. You made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign on
the earth.
As A Door That Will Close at
the Conclusion of the Millennial Reign
Luke 13:22-30 He went through one
town and village after another, teaching and making His way to Jerusalem.
"Lord," someone asked Him, "are there few being saved?" He
said to them, "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because
I tell you, many will try to enter and won't be able once the homeowner gets up
and shuts the door. Then you will stand outside and knock on the door, saying,
'Lord, open up for us!' He will answer you, 'I don't know you or where you're
from.' Then you will say, 'We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in
our streets!' But He will say, 'I tell you, I don't know you or where you're
from. Get away from Me, all you workers of unrighteousness!' There will be
weeping and gnashing of teeth in that place, when you see Abraham, Isaac,
Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but yourselves thrown out.
They will come from east and west, from north and south, and recline at the
table in the kingdom of God. Note this: some are last who will be first, and
some are first who will be last."
As Something That Appears
Luke 19:11 As they were listening
to this, He went on to tell a parable because He was near Jerusalem, and they
thought the kingdom of God was going to appear right away.
As Something That Is Seekable
Matthew 6:33 But seek first the
kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for
you.
As Something That Has Already
Been Seen By Some
Mark 9:1 Then He said to them,
"I assure you: There are some standing here who will not taste death until
they see the kingdom of God come in power."
Luke 9:27 “I tell you the truth:
there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the
kingdom of God."
(Could include John, in
connection with his Revelation, and Paul, who was caught up into a “third
heaven”—2 Cor. 12:1-7.)
As Distinct from the Kingdom
of Darkness
Colossians 1:12-14 Giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the saints' inheritance in the light. He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Ephesians
2:1-2 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins in which you previously
walked according to this worldly age, according to the ruler of the atmospheric
domain, the spirit now working in the disobedient.
As Having Been Taken From the Jews
Matt. 21:43 Therefore I tell you,
the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation producing
its fruit.
Those In the Kingdom of God
John 3:3-6 Jesus replied, "I assure you: Unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." "But how can anyone be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked Him. "Can he enter his mother's womb a second time and be born?" Jesus answered, " I assure you: Unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
Those Having No Inheritance
1 Cor. 6:9-11 Do you not know
that the unjust will not inherit God's kingdom? Do not be deceived: no sexually
immoral people, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, homosexuals, thieves,
greedy people, drunkards, revilers, or swindlers will inherit God's kingdom.
Some of you were like this; but you were washed, you were sanctified, you were
justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
1 Cor. 15:50 Brothers, I tell you
this: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, and corruption cannot
inherit incorruption.
Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works
of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity,
idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish
ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything
similar, about which I tell you in advance—as I told you before—that those who
practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Ephesians 5:3-6 But sexual
immorality and any impurity or greed should not even be heard of among you, as
is proper for saints. And coarse and
foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks. For
know and recognize this: no sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, who is
an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of the Messiah and of God. Let
no one deceive you with empty arguments, for because of these things God's
wrath is coming on the disobedient.
(See also similar concepts in Colossians 3:1-10: So if you have
been raised with the Messiah, seek what is above, where the Messiah is, seated
at the right hand of God. Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on
the earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with the Messiah in God.
When the Messiah, who is your life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed
with Him in glory. Therefore, put to death whatever in you is worldly: sexual
immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. Because
of these, God's wrath comes on the disobedient, and you once walked in these
things when you were living in them. But now you must also put away all the
following: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth.
Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his
practices and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge
according to the image of his Creator.)
(See also collateral concepts in Revelation 21:6-8: And He said to
me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.
I will give to the thirsty from the spring of living water as a gift. The victor will inherit these things, and I
will be his God, and he will be My son.
But the cowards, unbelievers, vile, murderers, sexually immoral,
sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars—their share will be in the lake that burns
with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.")
(See also collateral concepts in Revelation 22:14-15: Blessed are
those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life
and may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the
sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and
practices lying.)
More Readily Accessible by the
Poor Than by the Rich
Matthew 19:24 “Again I tell you,
it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich
person to enter the kingdom of God."
Mark 10:23 Jesus looked around
and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for those who have wealth to
enter the kingdom of God!"
Mark 10:25 “It is easier for a
camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the
kingdom of God."
Luke 6:20 Then looking up at His
disciples, He said: “Blessed are you who are poor, because the kingdom of God
is yours.”
Accessible by the Spiritually
Humble (Those Who Recognize Their Spiritual Deficiency)
Matthew 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.”
Matthew 21:31 "Which of the two did his father's will?" "The first," they said. Jesus said to them, "I assure you: Tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you!
Difficult to Enter
Mark 10:24 But the disciples were
astonished at His words. Again Jesus said to them, "Children, how hard it
is to enter the kingdom of God!
Accessible by Attitude of
Child
Mark 10:14-15 When Jesus saw it, He was indignant and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me. Don't stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I assure you: Whoever does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
Alternative is Hell
Mark 9:47 And if your eye causes
your downfall, gouge it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God
with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell.
As Within or Among Those Who
Believe
Luke 17:20-21 Being asked by the
Pharisees when the kingdom of God will come, He answered them, "The
kingdom of God is not coming with something observable; no one will say, 'Look
here!' or 'There!' For you see, the kingdom of God is among you."
See Col. 1:27 God wanted to make
known to those among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is
Christ in you, the hope of glory.
As Distinct from the Kingdom
of the Antichrist
Daniel 7:16-27 I approached one of those who were standing by and asked him the true meaning of all this. So he let me know the interpretation of these things: 'These huge beasts, four in number, are four kings who will rise from the earth. But the holy ones of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever, yes, forever and ever. ' "Then I wanted to know the true meaning of the fourth beast, the one different from all the others, extremely terrifying, with iron teeth and bronze claws, devouring, crushing, and trampling with its feet whatever was left. [I also wanted to know] about the 10 horns on its head and about the other horn that came up, before which three fell—the horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spoke arrogantly, and that was more visible than the others. As I was watching, this horn made war with the holy ones and was prevailing over them until the Ancient of Days arrived and a judgment was given in favor of the holy ones of the Most High, for the time had come, and the holy ones took possession of the kingdom. This is what he said: 'The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth, different from all the other kingdoms. It will devour the whole earth, trample it down, and crush it. The 10 horns are 10 kings who will rise from this kingdom. Another, different from the previous ones, will rise after them and subdue three kings. He will speak words against the Most High and oppress the holy ones of the Most High. He will intend to change religious festivals and laws, and the holy ones will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half a time. But the court will convene, and his dominion will be taken away, to be completely destroyed forever. The kingdom, dominion, and greatness of the kingdoms under all of heaven will be given to the people, the holy ones of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will serve and obey Him.'
As a Place the Entry to Which
Is Confirmed by Our Works
2 Peter 1:3-11 For His divine
power has given us everything required for life and godliness, through the
knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. By these He has given us very great and
precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature,
escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to
supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, knowledge with
self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, godliness
with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these
qualities are yours and are increasing, they will keep you from being useless
or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. The person who lacks
these things is blind and shortsighted, and has forgotten the cleansing from
his past sins. Therefore, brothers, make every effort to confirm your calling and
election, because if you do these things you will never stumble. For in this
way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be
richly supplied to you.
Matthew 25:1-13 Then the kingdom
of heaven will be like 10 virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the
groom. Five of them were foolish and
five were sensible. When the foolish took their lamps, they didn't take oil
with them. But the sensible ones took oil in their flasks with their lamps.
Since the groom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. "In the middle of the night there was a
shout: 'Here's the groom! Come out to meet him.' "Then all those virgins got up and
trimmed their lamps. But the foolish
ones said to the sensible ones, 'Give us some of your oil, because our lamps
are going out.' "The sensible ones
answered, 'No, there won't be enough for us and for you. Go instead to those
who sell, and buy oil for yourselves.'
"When they had gone to buy some, the groom arrived. Then those who
were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut. "Later the rest of the virgins also came
and said, 'Master, master, open up for us!'
"But he replied, ' I assure you: I do not know you!'
"Therefore be alert, because you don't know either the day or the hour.
As an Entitlement That Is
Fruitless, Could Be Lost or Was Never Had?
Matthew 13:18-23 "You, then,
listen to the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word about the
kingdom and doesn't understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what
was sown in his heart. This is the one sown along the path. And the one sown on
rocky ground—this is one who hears the word and immediately receives it with
joy. Yet he has no root in himself, but is short-lived. When pressure or persecution
comes because of the word, immediately he stumbles. Now the one sown among the thorns—this is one
who hears the word, but the worries of this age and the seduction of wealth
choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. But the one sown on the good ground—this
is one who hears and understands the word, who does bear fruit and yields: some
100, some 60, some 30 times [what was sown]."
Matthew 7:21-23 "Not
everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord!' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but
[only] the one who does the will of My Father in heaven. On that day many will
say to Me, 'Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in Your name, drive out demons in
Your name, and do many miracles in Your name?’ Then I will announce to them, 'I
never knew you! Depart from Me, you lawbreakers!”
See also:
2 Peter 2:20-22 For if, having
escaped the world's impurity through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ, they are again entangled in these things and defeated, the last state
is worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them not to
have known the way of righteousness than, after knowing it, to turn back from
the holy commandment delivered to them. It has happened to them according to
the true proverb: A dog returns to its own vomit, and, "a sow, after
washing itself, wallows in the mud."
Hebrews 10:26-31 For if we
deliberately sin after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer
remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment, and the
fury of a fire about to consume the adversaries. If anyone disregards Moses'
law, he dies without mercy, based on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
How much worse punishment, do you think one will deserve who has trampled on
the Son of God, regarded as profane the blood of the covenant by which he was
sanctified, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know the One who has said,
Vengeance belongs to Me, I will repay, and again, The Lord will judge His
people. It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God!
1 John 2:3-6 This is how we are
sure that we have come to know Him: by keeping His commands. The one who says,
"I have come to know Him," without keeping His commands, is a liar,
and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly in him the love
of God is perfected. This is how we know we are in Him: the one who says he
remains in Him should walk just as He walked.
[4] John 3:14-16 (“Just as Moses
lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so
that everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life. For God loved the
world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes
in Him will not perish but have eternal life.)
[5] John 6:28-29 ("What can we
do to perform the works of God?" they asked. Jesus replied, "This is
the work of God: that you believe in the One He has sent."); John 6:40
(For this is the will of My Father: that everyone who sees the Son and believes
in Him may have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.");
1 John 5:1 (“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah has been born of
God ....”)
[6] 1 John 5:5 (And who is the one
who conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?);
Romans 1:2-4 (Which He promised long ago through His prophets in the Holy
Scriptures— concerning His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who was a descendant of
David according to the flesh and was established as the powerful Son of God by
the resurrection from the dead according to the Spirit of holiness.)
[7] I Cor. 15:1-4 (Now brothers, I
want to clarify for you the gospel I proclaimed to you; you received it and
have taken your stand on it. You are also saved by it, if you hold to the
message I proclaimed to you—unless you believed to no purpose. For I passed on
to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins
according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the
third day according to the Scriptures.)
[9] John 1:12 (But to all who did
receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe
in His name.); Romans 8:16 (The Spirit Himself testifies together with our
spirit that we are God's children.)
[10] Romans 6:23 (For the wages of sin
is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.); Titus
3:7 (So that having been justified by His grace, we may become heirs with the
hope of eternal life.); 1 John 2:25 (And this is the promise that He Himself
made to us: eternal life.); 1 John 5:11 (And this is the testimony: God has
given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.); John 5:24 ("I assure
you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and
will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.)
[13] John 17:2 (For You gave Him
authority over all flesh; so He may give eternal life to all You have given
Him.
[14] I Cor 15:24-28 (Then comes the
end, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when He abolishes all
rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He puts all His
enemies under His feet. The last enemy to be abolished is death. For He has put
everything under His feet. But when it says "everything" is put under
Him, it is obvious that He who puts everything under Him is the exception. And
when everything is subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to
Him who subjected everything to Him, so that God may be all in all.)
Mark Absher
California
google facebook youtube ebay yahoo weather amazon maps netflix walmart news paypal target pinterest zillow prime chase costco pandora hulu kohls airlines
Mark Absher
California
google facebook youtube ebay yahoo weather amazon maps netflix walmart news paypal target pinterest zillow prime chase costco pandora hulu kohls airlines
No comments:
Post a Comment