The Kingdom is implied in the whole message of Christ and the apostles. The “Good News” is the gospel of the Kingdom (Mk. 1:14; Mt. 4:23; Lk. 4:43; Acts 19:8; Mt. 4:23; Acts 28:23; Acts 19:8; Lk. 9:11; Acts 1:3). The word, the logos of God, is that of the Kingdom (Mt. 13:19), as is the mystery (Mt. 13:11), with healing (Lk. 9:2) and deliverance (Mt. 12:28), the work of the Kingdom accompanying its word. The Kingdom during this age is the invisible realm of the Spirit inhabited by God - literally the King’s domain. The word Kingdom is used 351 times in the New Testament, just ahead of faith at 302 usages and love at 225 usages, which demonstrates God’s ordering of our understanding: The Kingdom, Faith, and Love! Looking at just a few of these scriptures will demonstrate the importance of God’s Kingdom message and, hopefully, encourage an in-depth study:
The Kingdom of God is not of this world (Jn. 18:36), does not come with observation (Lk. 17:20), is at hand... literally, as close as your hand (Matt. 10:7-8), and is within you (Lk. 17:21). The Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power (1 Cor. 4:20). It is given to us to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven (Matt. 13:11), for it is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom (Lk. 12:32). The Kingdom is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:17). And of His (Jesus’) Kingdom there is no end (Lk. 1:33).
Seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33). Flesh and blood (1 Cor. 15:50) and the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9). God promised the Kingdom to those who love Him (James 2:5). Unless one is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom... It’s the spirit realm (Jn. 3:3). Become as little children to enter the Kingdom... It takes childlike faith (Matt. 18:3). We must through many tribulations enter the Kingdom of God... It won’t be easy, the enemy will resist (Acts 14:22).
Walk worthy of God who calls you into His own Kingdom (1 Thess. 2:12), for God has delivered us from the powers of darkness and conveyed (transferred) us into the Kingdom of the Son of His love... Our spirit is to dwell in the supernatural Kingdom Realm (Col. 1:13). Your Kingdom come Your will be done... Praying God’s heart: God’s Kingdom and His will are inseparable (Matt. 6:10), for Yours (God) is the Kingdom and the power and the glory (Matt. 6:13). Jesus will give believers the keys of the Kingdom of heaven (Matt. 16:19), for all authority has been given to Jesus in heaven and on earth Matt. 28:18. And this Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all nations, and then the end will come. To witness is to re-present Christ in power (Matt. 24:14).
God’s Kingdom marches to a different drumbeat - God’s heart! God’s Kingdom is *not earthly goals but God’s plans and purposes *not regulated by earthly standards, but God’s divine order *not increasing through ecclesiastical power - the effort of people - but God gives the increase *not observable through observation, but residing within us *not isolated to the future but increasing now. Ever increasing, never ending, God’s mysterious Kingdom is a gift of Grace: Righteousness and Peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit.
As blood bought saints living in this prophetic period of grace we have judgment ahead of us and the cross behind us. Through the greatest event of all time, the cross, we are freed from the enslaving power and effect of sin... Allowed to choose our master. We need only yield in dependency upon the Holy Spirit and He will release Christ’s life through us. God’s Kingdom comes in the presence of the Holy Spirit, and Heaven is moved by faith... tiny mustard seed faith - for faith is the currency of Heaven.
AND, OF ITS INCREASE THERE IS NO END
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