 BORN INTO GOD'S KINGDOM
Only when a man is born again can he enter God's kingdom (John 3:3-5). Obviously, entrance into this kingdom is something to be greatly desired by all man of reason. But unless a man knows just what this kingdom of God is he cannot be expected to seek a place in it.
WHAT IS THE KINGDOM?
The work "kingdom" is from the Greek basilia and means reign or rule. Thus we are speaking of God's reign or rule. But a king's reign or rule must be exercised somewhere and over someone.
God's reign is over his disciples or children. Those who do the will of the father will inherit the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 7:21). His kingdom is the church established by Jesus. The Lord said "upon this rock I will build my church. In the next breath said to Peter, "and I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 16:18-19). This demonstrates that the two terms are interchangeable.
Why use two terms to identify the kingdom? Isn't that confusing? Not at all. It is a common method of communication. I am a man, a son, a father, a husband, an American, a Christian, etc. Is that confusing? Each of those terms describes a different relationship of my life. So in heavenly matters the word "church" describes the relation of God's people to the world; we are called out of the sinful world to live with Christ. "Kingdom" describes the kind of government we have. Ours is a monarchy with Christ as king with all authority (Matt. 18:18; Tim. 6:15).
The kingdom or church of God is not a church building or an earthly institution. The word "church" always means "saved people" in the Scriptures. Jesus said "the kingdom of God is within you" (Lk. 17:21). The kingdom of God is the reign of Christ in the heart of Christians.
KINGDOM OF GOD, CHRIST, HEAVEN
The careful Bible student notes that Scripture speaks of the kingdom of God, the kingdom of Christ and the kingdom of heaven. Rather than three different kingdoms, those terms all refer to one and the same kingdom. It is God's Kingdom because he planned and promised it long centuries before Jesus was born of Mary (Dan. 2:44). The Father gave the kingdom unto his victorious Son (Dan. 7:13-14). All things that the Father hath are the Son's (John 16:15). It is the kingdom of God's dear Son because the Father put all things in subjection to Jesus and gave Him to be head over all things when he conquered death and ascended to God's right hand (Phil. 2:9-11; Eph. 1:20-22). Christ is now King over the kingdom and reigns on his heavenly throne (I Tim. 6:15; I Cor. 15:24-28). It is the kingdom of heaven because it originated in heaven. Christ now reigns in heaven (Acts 2:30-36). Ultimately, he will translate all his faithful subjects to the heavenly realms and then deliver the kingdom's rule back to his Father (John 14:1-3; I Cor. 15:24).
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE KINGDOM
The kingdom of God is of divine origin and will never be destroyed (Daniel
2:44). It cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:28). - It is world wide with no national or racial boundaries (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19).
- Christ said his kingdom would be established in the lifetime of those disciples who were his contemporaries (Mk. 9:1).
- Thus the kingdom is presently in existence and all of God's children are citizens of it (Col. 1:14; Phil. 3:20; Rev. 1:6).
- Christ has all authority in his kingdom (Matt. 28:18) and all are subject to his will as expressed in the New Testament (Matt. 28:20; John 12:48).
- Only those born again, i.e., born of water and spirit can enter the kingdom
(John 3:3,5). This means they must be baptized according to Christ's will and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). - The kingdom belongs to those who have repented and become as humble as little children (Matt. 18:3-4). The poor in spirit, not the proud and haughty, shall inherit the kingdom (Matt. 5:3).
- Those within Christ's kingdom have redemption, and forgiveness of sins
(Col. 1:14). Those outside the kingdom do not. - God's kingdom is of a different kind than worldly kingdoms, political and financial empires. The kingdom of God is within you (Lk. 17:21). Thus wherever one may dwelll,he can be a citizen of heaven's kingdom.
- Christ's disciples eat and drink at his table in his kingdom (Lk.
22:29-30). This refers to the communion of the Lord's Supper observed by members of his church (I Cor. 11:23-29). - The kingdom is now with us on earth but will continue to exist in heaven when this realm is passed. When Christ comes back he will destroy the earth with fire (II Pet. 3:10-13) but he will deliver the kingdom up to the Father
(I Cor. 15:24). - To enter that heavenly kingdom we must work diligently to "supply virtue, knowledge, self control, patience, godliness, brotherly-kindness and love to our faith (II Pet. 1:5-11).
The kingdom of Christ is his church (Matt. 16:18-19). One is added to the church or kingdom when he gladly receives God's word and is baptized (Acts 2:41, 47). This is the new birth that puts one into the kingdom of God.
Have you been born again?
JHW |
