Four points concerning the Kingdom of God
Point #1
John 3:3 (NKJV) Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
First and foremost a person has to except true salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 4:17 (NKJV) From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 4:23 (NKJV) 23And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, …
Point #2-3
Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) But seek first the kingdom of God {point 3} and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Once you have been born again, you must search out his kingdom principles and follow them. This includes learning about his righteousness and striving to be like him.
Point #4
Matthew 24:14 (NKJV) And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
I wish to start with point 2
Point #2
But seek first the kingdom of God.
What does his kingdom and kingdom principles consist of? What are we to be seeking? In other words, how does the Kingdom function and how do we function in it?
ROMANS 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
The Kingdom of God is not a democracy, it is a theocracy.
John 18:36 - 37 (ESV) 36Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 37Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
Revelation 17:14 (NKJV) These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings…
He is King and ruler of all.
The King owns the domain; He exercises control and has complete authority.
Proverbs 16:4 (NLT) The LORD has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster.
Daniel 4:35 (NLT) All the people of the earth are nothing compared to him. He does as he pleases among the angels of heaven and among the people of the earth. No one can stop him or say to him, ‘What do you mean by doing these things?’
Job 37:23 (NLT) We cannot imagine the power of the Almighty; but even though he is just and righteous, he does not destroy us.
The King has the right to delegate authority to His citizens as He sees fit. He can and does share the governing and administration of His domain with His children. He affords benefits to citizens and gives them authority in this Kingdom as their faith and obedience matures.
Genesis 1:28 (NKJV) Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Matthew 16:19 (KJV) 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.
Revelation 5:10 (ESV) and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
The Principle of Citizenship
Our King has chosen us.
1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV) But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
God’s kingdom is not of this world, as we are no longer of this world.
If we are truly born again then we have been transformed.
John 17:16,18 (NKJV) 16They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 18As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
As God’s chosen we are to be ambassadors.
2 Corinthians 5:20 (NLT) So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”
Matthew 13:24 ... The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field;
What is this good seed we are to sow?
Galatians 5:22 (NKJV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Romans 12:20 (NLT) Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.”
Luke 6:27 - 28 (NKJV) 27“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.
Those that are truly born again are commanded to obey a set of rules different from those of this world. We are to obey the laws of this world as long as they do not contradict God’s word. But we are to go beyond the local laws.
Romans 13:1 - 2 (NKJV) 1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.
Titus 3:1 (NLT) Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good.
As 2 Corinthians 5:20 tells us we are ambassadors. If an ambassador of this world commits a severe enough crime they are sent back to where they came from. So also, we are not of this world and they would be very happy to remove us from it.
But again we have to disobey if the laws go against our King’s commands.
Acts 5:27 - 29 (NKJV) 27And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them,28saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!” 29But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.
We are called to be peculiar.
1 Peter 2:9 (KJV) But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Do they see that you are different, do they see the peace that passes all understanding when things are falling apart around you? Do they see love for those that hate you? Are you peculiar in a good Godly sense of the word.
Matthew 18:23 - 35 (NKJV) 23Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. 26The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 27Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. 28“But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ 29So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 30And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 31So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. 32Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ 34And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. 35“So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”
The King has shown us what we are to do, it is up to us to do it.
We have been given talents-gifts to use for the kingdom.
Matthew 25:14-26,31-34 14“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 19After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20“So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 22He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 24“Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ 26“But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. ….31“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
We all have been given talents-gifts to use for our Lord. Do you hide them away or do you thank him for giving you the strength, courage and wisdom to use the ability he has given you for His glory?
Matthew 13:31 - 32 (NKJV) 31Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, 32which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”
The Kingdom of God is about the work of the sovereign God in and through the lives of His people. That’s the miraculous growth and development that attracts birds to the branches. If they can not truly see God working in us and through us then why should they want what we have. I feel ashamed to say that when the world looks at a majority of people that call themselves Christ like, they see themselves and do not flock to us.
Matthew 5:18 - 20 …but whoever does and teaches these commandments, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven….
Point #3 Seek after His Righteousness.
Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Hunger and thirst are appetites that return frequently and so must our hunger for Christ, his Word and his will in our lives.
1 John 3:7 (NKJV) Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.
Our righteousness is built on many things to include our pride. That is why ours is as filthy rags. We must seek after His righteousness. We must hunger and thirst after Christ and his commandments.
John 14:15 (KJV) If ye love me, keep my commandments.
James 2:10 (NLT) For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws.
James 2:12 - 13 (NLT) 12So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. 13There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.
Point #4
Matthew 24:14 (NKJV) And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
Luke 24: 47 (NLT) It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: …
The end here is not referring to the return of Jesus. His return is not the end, it is just the earthly establishment of His physical Kingdom. Those that live during the 7 years of great trib./wrath and the 1000 years of his earthly physical Kingdom will be taught his gospel. The entire world will be reached and all shall know.
Ezekiel 37:24, 28 (NKJV) 24“David My servant shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd; they shall also walk in My judgments and observe My statutes, and do them. 28The nations also will know that I, the Lord, sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forevermore.”
Then the end will come.
Revelation 20:9 (NKJV) They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them.
Isaiah 24:1, 3 (NKJV) 1 Behold, the Lord makes the earth empty and makes it waste, Distorts its surface And scatters abroad its inhabitants. 3 The land shall be entirely emptied and utterly plundered, For the Lord has spoken this word.
This is the end of mortals, {human kind}. From this point on there will be no more born and none to die a fleshly death.
Point #1
John 3:3 (NKJV) Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Acts 4:12 (NKJV) Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
The Holy Word of God tells us that the only way to heaven is through the Blood of Jesus.
I want to look at something from a logical, common sense perspective. Most of the religions of the world are work oriented. People have to work themselves into heaven. If you take a close look at any of these religions, you will find they will not tell you how much work is needed to achieve the goal of eternal bliss. But this is not what I wish to focus on.
When researching these beliefs I found that they all had every one ending up in heaven, in some god like state, or eternally repeating life over and over and over. Very few of them had a person in hell or torment for eternity. This means that, as someone striving to be a Christ-like person, I will eventually get to heaven or godhood or become a brain cell in the galactic mind even if I’m wrong in my Christian belief.
Christianity tells us that the only way to eternal bliss is through the blood of Jesus. A person cannot earn salvation; it is a free gift to those that will accept it.
Again, if I am wrong I will eventually end up in Glory. If I am right, I will end up in Glory. As a true born again believer, I have a one hundred percent chance of making it.
However, those that reject Jesus will lose and burn in the lake of fire for all eternity.
Revelation 20:11 - 15 (ESV) 11Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 12And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. 13And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. 14Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
How do I know salvation through Jesus is real?
The lunch story:
You are walking down town. You turn a corner and meet up with an old friend. You stop and talk for a few minutes then go on. After you take a few more steps you smell food and see that you are passing a restaurant. Taking a look at your watch you see it is 1:00 pm. Then you wonder if your friend might have just come from their since you had not discussed lunch.
Your friend knows whether or not they ate, they feel the food in them, but you don’t know, if they didn’t spill it on their shirt. When I truly accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, I sensed His spirit present in me. I can feel the spirit of God every day. His loving presence is with me now. But how would you know if I never revealed it?
Galatians 5:22 - 23 (NKJV) 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
A true Christ like person will start changing. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Ezekiel 11:19 (KJV) 19And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:
Colossians 3:5 - 10 (ESV) 5Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.
There are so many people that have gone to the altar, done the repeat after me thing, spoke it with their mouth but never believed it in their heart. They have never been saved. They did this in order to get their mom, dad, girl friend, wife etc. off their back.
Rom 10:9-10 NKJV that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. :10 NKJV For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
The ones that have not truly accepted Jesus find it hard to make changes for any length of time and end up going back to their old ways.
2 Peter 2:22 (TMSG) They prove the point of the proverbs, “A dog goes back to its own vomit,” and, “A scrubbed-up pig heads for the mud.”
Galatians 5:22 - 26 (NKJV) 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
You can know them by their fruit.
Matthew 7:16 - 17 (NKJV) 16You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
Until you accept Jesus with true faith, sense him touch and change you, it will be impossible to understand why true Christians believe the way they do.
We are all human and we all sometimes give in to the battle with the flesh. The difference is a true Christ like person will regret what he or she has done and quickly stop what they are doing which is not pleasing to God.
Eph 2:4-5 NKJV But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
John 3:16 - 17 (KJV) 16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Jesus saw lost sinners as those who needed true love, not as enemies who should be condemned. Jesus has invited emotionally hungry and unhappy people to His feast.
He is lovingly reaching out for those that feel lost and those that are lonely.
His Holy Spirit of comfort is here for anyone willing to let him in.
2nd Corinthians 5:21 "He who knew no sin became sin for us, that we may be made the righteousness of God through Him."
Romans 3:10 - 12 (KJV) 10As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12… there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Romans 3:23 (KJV) 23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 6:23 (KJV) 23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 5:8, "God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us!"
John 14:6 (NKJV) 6Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Romans 10:13 "Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved!"
Romans 10:9,10 "...If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation."
John 1:12 "As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name!"
Romans 8:1 (KJV) 1There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans 1:16 (KJV) 16For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; …
Romans 6:22 - 23 (NKJV) 22But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. 23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The gift of God is eternal life. Will you accept this gift? All you have to do is reach out to him with an honest, repentant heart.
