Is the next phase of Gods Kingdom coming? Is it really coming. Let us consider two questions: first, when does this kingdom come; second, to whom does it belong?
When: The kingdom is both present and future. On the one hand Jesus said it was here now: "The kingdom of God is at hand" (Mark 1:15). "Behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you" (Luke 17:21). It is also future, the gates of hell will not prevail against it. We and His disciples were told to pray, "Thy kingdom come"; and Jesus looked forward to the day when He would again drink the cup with His disciples in the kingdom of His Father (Matthew 26:29). What accounts for these seemingly different phases or chronologies of the kingdom? Namely, Jesus viewed the kingdom as present and growing within the world, but its full completion was not yet perfect. To illustrate this point, Jesus spoke of the kingdom as "like a grain of mustard seed" which, though tiny at the beginning, grows to "the greatest of shrubs," or "like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till it was all leavened" (Matthew 13:31-33). Three measures of meal is the secret. It will fill all the earth. Its that stone in Daniel. The feet is where we are now. Romans 11:25-26 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.(Us who are saved) 26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: (The King belongs to them also.) A new work in the kingdom?
Jesus knew about the times of the gentles, he knew about Israels double punishment, seven times, He knew he would be betrayed by Judas. He knew us gentiles would foul it up. God may seem slow to us but he is always right on time.
Daniel 2:44 And in the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall the sovereignty thereof be left to another people; but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. NIV
Daniel 7:13 "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. (Read Acts chapter1) He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language (Wow) worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. NIV
Daniel 7:18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.
Daniel 7:22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. (Jesus) Fear not little children it is the fathers good will to give you the Kingdom.
2 Corinthians 12:2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. 2 Corinthians 12:2 (Think this might have been a vision out in the future? "Thy kingdom come"; As time goes by the Kingdom gets filled with both good and bad. They must be removed. Then the saints of the most high God will Processed it. God will do this not man.
Luke 16:16 KJV> The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. NIV>16 "The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it. (Both good and bad.) But Judgement day is coming!! Are you in the body of Christ? Could you be in the Kingdom of the Beast? Or Mother of Harlots.
The kingdom of God was not truly known until Christ came proclaiming it. The law and the prophets were until John, since then the good news of the kingdom is preached (Luke 16:16). It will not achieve its consummation, however much its growth in the world, until at the end and the evil is sorted out from the good. Then to those Sheep at His right hand "the king will say…‘Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world’" (Matthew 25:34) Read the seven parables of Jesus about the Kingdom.
To whom? The kingdom belongs only to those of childlike attitude, "Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it" (Mark 10:15). A small child accepts a parent’s forgiveness completely, and whatever his playmate’s faults against him he readily forgives and forgets. The child lives in a happy world of being forgiven and forgiving. So must we all become as little children if we are to share in God’s kingdom. Mark 10:15 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
Matthew 5:3> The kingdom only belongs to those who are "poor in spirit" "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" Those who are not proud in spirit, who are willing to bend so low as to admit their need of God’s grace and to gladly show forth that grace and love to others: to such belongs the kingdom.
The kingdom is also a possession of those "who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake." "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:10). Strangely enough, one of the signs of the kingdom’s reality is persecution from without and within. The world becomes antagonistic toward anyone who breaks out of its mold, a mold that includes neither facing up to evil nor knowing the wonder of forgiveness. Even as Christ was reviled and persecuted, so will there be for all members of His kingdom times of real sorrow and pain. Yet through it all there is blessedness.
John 3:5 Finally, the kingdom belongs only to those who are "born of water and the Spirit." "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God". In other words, there must be the forgiveness that cleanses and the renewing power of God’s Spirit which makes one live a life of mercy and compassion toward others. God has promised the gift of His Spirit to all who believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and those who believe and receive live henceforth in God’s eternal kingdom.
We see it nowhere, (NOW) it comes not with observation and yet it is everywhere near, as people gives themselves to God’s marvelous plan and grace and show forth that grace to others. It is a kingdom of childlike existence, a kingdom in which pride of spirit is replaced by humility of spirit, a kingdom in which one’s self-independts-protective, self-conscious, self-defensive spirit is more and more purified by the Spirit of the living God. It is a new world, regardless of persecutions that must come, so exciting, so joyous, so rich and full that one lives to share it, to proclaim it, to help others also find its glory. You can start your life anew. There is a Kingdom where Christ is the head. Yes we have been in the kingdom where they kill us and try to shut us up but that time will soon end and he will come in his glory.
A great span of time and Jacobs trouble will pass.
Jer. 3:17 At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.
Watch our news and you can till it in near coming in its next phase. Isaiah 65:17-19 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.
18 But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.
19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. (Sounds like the New Jerusalem of Rev. 22. So let us gentiles rejoice with his people that has come to their land even in unbeliveth for he soon shall come to them with us.
Zechariah 14:3 Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with him. NIV
(Thats us saved out of all the familys of the earth) DAMV Rev 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
Isaiah 40:2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD's hand double (2520 years,) for all her sins. NIV 1967
So do we rejoice to cry with the disciples and children of old, Jesrusalem, Jerusalem the city of our God where saints of old have trod with hearts of love we are turning back to you. Where Jesus paid our debt at calvary. Next year in Jerusalem.
"You need not cry very loud; God is nearer to us than we think." I believe Jesus is the King of this KINGDOM
Dillard Munsell dillmunsell@yahoo.com Home study wed. 6:30 PM
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