KINGDOM COMMUNITY
Genesis 1:1 stated, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”. God has a planning in creating everything. When He said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to our likeness, let them have dominion over the earth” He intends in order to man that has the same image and likeness with Him, is trusted to command this earth. God’s focus is this earth. While many Christians have a focus is Heaven. Chairs of the “church” is fulfilled with people that want to go to Heaven. The preachers also said, “Believe in Jesus, comes into the Heaven”. Adding with the teaching of the rapture of the saints, makes people eager want to be “rapture” to the somehow place. All of these is contradicted with God’s planning.
God’s will is the man rule over this earth. His will is in order to Heaven’s Kingdom comes to this earth. His aim is in order to His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Philippians 3:20-21 stated, “For our citizenship is in Heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ who will transform our lowly body…”. So from Heaven we are waiting Christ manifestation in earth. Earth…earth…earth, that’s the God’s focus.
In completion His planning, then The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it ( Genesis 2:15 ). Before holding the power on earth, God’s willing in order to man holds the power on the garden of Eden. His big planning started with the small thing, such the God’s way. Man that put in the garden of Eden, needs to be processed in order to rule over the earth. One of the processes that should happen to man is to be fallen into death. Many people think that God frightened when man fall into sin and in a hurry plan to save through Jesus Christ. Indeed God planned all of this according to what is written in Romans 8:20, “For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope “.
Through the long process from the garden of Eden, downfall, redemption by Jesus Christ, until man come to the New Jerusalem. The New Jerusalem is the bride, the Lamb’s wife (Revelation 21:9-10). It is explain in these verses that the New Jerusalem ( the bride of the Lamb ) comedown from heaven ( verse 10 ) for reign as a King ( Revelation 22:5 ). Thus fulfill the God’s planning in Genesis 1:26, as we quote that man rule over the earth. Jesus Christ as King of kings ( Revelation 19:16 ), and His bride as kings, reign this earth.
What is the real purpose Jesus Christ have come into this earth? Of course that He have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly ( John 10:10 ). And it is right that the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil ( I John 3:8 ). The intend of His coming as stated in John 10:10, has a related to the human being presence; while the intend of His coming as stated in I John 3:8, related to the devil presence. But what the intend of His coming to this earth that related to His own presence? In John 18:37 stated, “…Jesus answered, ’You say rightly that I am a King. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice “. Jesus have come to this earth because He is the King. And He should bear witness to the truth (truth = reality = the quality of being real / real existence ). It means that He has come to this earth to reveal the reality that He is the King. Then He clarify that everyone who is of the truth hears His voice ( verse 37 ). His brides are everyone who is of the truth and hears the voice of Jesus and admit Jesus is the King. So the intent of Jesus coming is to clarify that He is the King, and this has implication that Jesus will reveal His Kingdom in this earth.
So the deepest intent of Jesus coming is that He will reveal His Kingdom in this earth. Finally all the kingdoms of the world have become Lord’s Kingdom and of His Christ (Revelation 11:15, “…the Kingdoms of this world have become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ” ). This is according to the prophecy in Daniel 2:44, “And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed ; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people ; it shall break in pieces and consume all this kingdoms, and it shall stand forever “.
When Jesus have come into this earth, He said, “…I will build My church…” ( Matthew 16:18 ). Congregation terminology or church nowadays has been in disorder and being the same meaning with denomination. Indeed the meaning of both terminology very different, like the sky and the earth. Nowadays many Christians randomly call church is denomination, and denomination is church without guilty feeling or sad, as if all of them is just ordinary. So, what is the difference between church and denomination? The difference is this; Church is built by Jesus, while denomination is built by leaders (“Diotrephes – Diotrephes”, III John 9 ). The one is built by the heavenly man, the other is built by the earthly man. The one is built by the spiritual man and the other is built by the natural man. The one is “Revelation chapter 12” Church, the other is “Revelation chapter 17” Church. If God gives us an understanding concerning the difference between the women in Revelation 12 and the women in Revelation 17, so we will not disparage both of these terminologies. Church is church, denomination is denomination. And the intent of Jesus coming is to build His Church.
Church terminology and concept in the New Testament is very simple, but it is not shallow. In the New Testament, church is believers community ( spirit, soul and body ) in some certain city. That’s why the name of the church in the New Testament is just related with the name of the city, for example, the church in Jerusalem, the church in Rome, the church in Corinth, etc. So, what is the relation between church and the kingdom of heaven / the kingdom of God?
The kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven are two terminologies that have the same meaning, because in the New Testament both of these terminologies is used in turn. The kingdom of heaven refers to the kingdom that exist in heaven, while the kingdom of God refers to the kingdom belongs to God. The kingdom of heaven can not be seen by physical eye, while a church can be seen by physical eye. For entering into the kingdom of heaven should be born again and also, through many tribulations ( Acts 14:22 ), but for being church’s member it’s enough just be born again. The kingdom of heaven is not coming yet fully in this earth, but church is already coming fully in this earth. But because church is breaking into thousands denominations, so nowadays church can not be seen by physical eye anymore. If church is not breaking, in Jakarta city for example, only have one church, that is the church in Jakarta. But nowadays the church in Jakarta is breaking, and the members ( those who are be born again ) scattered in many denominations in Jakarta.
Before we define the kingdom community, hopefully we understood that being member of the church just only as beginning step. Need more the following steps for gaining the kingdom of heaven. And Acts 14:22 distinct clearly that the following steps will be full of tribulations and discipline. If we called and got grace from God, so for the time being after we through tribulations and disciplines, God will bestow the kingdom of heaven to us. Getting the kingdom of heaven is definite experience, as certain as be born again experience. If we really undergo this experience, so Philippians 3:20-21 that we quote before becomes clear for us. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ who will manifest Himself and bring the kingdom of heaven into this earth. For the time being we have to be patient in waiting the kingdom of heaven manifest into this earth.
Now the time has come to define Kingdom Community terminology according to the title we choose. Kingdom community that we meant is a group of people that be born again that seeking and learning about the kingdom of heaven and in disciplinary process by the Holy Spirit to gain the kingdom of heaven. Including in this community, the people that have gained the kingdom of heaven but still learning and be perfected. Kingdom community is not majority group, because in fact not many Christians ( already be born again ) want to undergo tribulation for the sake of gaining the Kingdom of heaven. Most of Christians satisfied enough with physical blessing and live in peace during follow to God in this earth. But this condition is to fulfill the commandment of God that many to be called, but a little to be chosen. But there is a confirmation and consolation by God for the minority as stated in Luke 12:32, “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom”.
What is the relationship between Kingdom community with a symbol woman as describe in the book of Revelation chapter 12 ? Woman in the Revelation 12 described the church. Here we didn’t intent to describe the Revelation 12 in detail. But we intent to pay attention that this woman delivered a son that has the authority to rule over because he is bring into God’s throne. But the woman herself run into the wilderness. Here “the wilderness” talked about disciplinary process. In the Bible we found the servant of God to be prepared and disciplined in the wilderness. If we come back to see the Kingdom community terminology that already describe above, indeed the woman in the Book of Revelation chapter 12 is the Kingdom community, especially end times Kingdom community. This Kingdom community in turn ( when Jesus coming ) will deliver the Sons of God that will reign with Christ. But as the woman in the Book of Revelation 12 undergo disciplinary process, so in the Kingdom community where part of them still need to undergo disciplinary period and part of them ready to be manifested as The Sons of God.
This Kingdom community started with 120 persons that undergo the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, as describe in the book of Acts chapter 2. The member of this Kingdom community in the book of Acts often called disciples or Lord’s disciples. They called disciples because they are diligent and looking for the kingdom of heaven. Some of them is failed to gain the kingdom of heaven like Ananias and Sapphira, but the others is success in the faith’s competition and, “…for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”. ( II Peter 1:11 ).
Before describing the characteristics of Kingdom community, we conclude about Kingdom community from our description so far. Kingdom community is not a denomination, it is not the woman describe in the book of Revelation chapter 17, but the woman in Revelation chapter 12. Kingdom community is a group consist of the Lord’s disciples that look for, learn and pay the price to gain the kingdom of heaven, while majority the children of God satisfy with a matter of routine in denominations. Kingdom community will produces manifested sons of God that reign this earth, even though some of them need to undergo further discipline’s process. Kingdom community started with 120 people as describe in the book of Acts chapter 2, which further in every ages, God has His Kingdom community, and in the end times especially His Kingdom community be symbolize by the woman in the book of Revelation chapter 12.
Kingdom Community Characteristic
To understand Kingdom community, we need to learn the book of Acts well, because in this book we get complete and detail description about this community according to God’s will. In learning this Kingdom community, we only pay attention to prominent characteristic that make it very different with other communities.
Its Leadership
Things that very striking if we pay attention about this community in the book of Acts is The Holy Spirit leadership. Many times recorded that The Holy Spirit said ( 8:29, 10:19, 13:2 ), The Holy Spirit sent an angel of God ( 10:3 ), The Holy Spirit prevent ( 16:6 ), The Spirit of Jesus not permit ( 16:7 ), The Holy Spirit whisper ( 21:4 ), and still many events where leadership occur by God’s intervene directly without using man’s leadership. It doesn’t mean there is no leader in Kingdom community, but Jesus position as a leader in this community is really applied. The Revelation 14:4 is really being fulfilled in this community that, “…those are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes.” Also Matthew 23:10 being fulfilled, “And do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, the Christ”.
Why Jesus’ position as a Leader in this Kingdom community can really be established ? The answer is because no one leader that, “…speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves” ( Acts 20:30 ). No one from the leaders raised and look for the followers. When Peter preached and 3000 persons repent, he doesn’t built an organization, make a target, planning and control, especially to motivate or teach the community to give the tithes. Almost all things that has to be done by the leaders of denomination nowadays, not doing by Peter. If Peter do that, suddenly he becomes rich, has a top position in an organization and has the authority to rule over God’s children. On the contrary, what is done and taught by him was, “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lord over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock” ( I Peter 5:2-3 ).
So, because no one the teacher raise and built it’s own organization or kingdom, rather that every teacher acts as a brethren ( Matthew 23:8 ) and become a model, so Jesus can lead this Kingdom community with unhampered without being hindrance by the organization structure. May be there is disputatious that the Acts chapter 6 that talk about the chosen seven persons to serve poor people, to clarify the need organization in the church. But actually the Acts chapter 6 do not talk about organization, but just task distribution in a community. In the Acts chapter 6 clearly stated that part of the community member concentrate the attention in prayer and the ministry of the word (verse 4 ), while the other member serve tables ( verse 2 ). All of this is only talk about the function and not position in an organization. Same as the leg and hand has its own function in an organism, so in a kingdom community each has its own function because kingdom community is an organism and not an organization.
Most Sincerely,
Irnawan Silitonga
Genesis 1:1 stated, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”. God has a planning in creating everything. When He said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to our likeness, let them have dominion over the earth” He intends in order to man that has the same image and likeness with Him, is trusted to command this earth. God’s focus is this earth. While many Christians have a focus is Heaven. Chairs of the “church” is fulfilled with people that want to go to Heaven. The preachers also said, “Believe in Jesus, comes into the Heaven”. Adding with the teaching of the rapture of the saints, makes people eager want to be “rapture” to the somehow place. All of these is contradicted with God’s planning.
God’s will is the man rule over this earth. His will is in order to Heaven’s Kingdom comes to this earth. His aim is in order to His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Philippians 3:20-21 stated, “For our citizenship is in Heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ who will transform our lowly body…”. So from Heaven we are waiting Christ manifestation in earth. Earth…earth…earth, that’s the God’s focus.
In completion His planning, then The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it ( Genesis 2:15 ). Before holding the power on earth, God’s willing in order to man holds the power on the garden of Eden. His big planning started with the small thing, such the God’s way. Man that put in the garden of Eden, needs to be processed in order to rule over the earth. One of the processes that should happen to man is to be fallen into death. Many people think that God frightened when man fall into sin and in a hurry plan to save through Jesus Christ. Indeed God planned all of this according to what is written in Romans 8:20, “For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope “.
Through the long process from the garden of Eden, downfall, redemption by Jesus Christ, until man come to the New Jerusalem. The New Jerusalem is the bride, the Lamb’s wife (Revelation 21:9-10). It is explain in these verses that the New Jerusalem ( the bride of the Lamb ) comedown from heaven ( verse 10 ) for reign as a King ( Revelation 22:5 ). Thus fulfill the God’s planning in Genesis 1:26, as we quote that man rule over the earth. Jesus Christ as King of kings ( Revelation 19:16 ), and His bride as kings, reign this earth.
What is the real purpose Jesus Christ have come into this earth? Of course that He have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly ( John 10:10 ). And it is right that the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil ( I John 3:8 ). The intend of His coming as stated in John 10:10, has a related to the human being presence; while the intend of His coming as stated in I John 3:8, related to the devil presence. But what the intend of His coming to this earth that related to His own presence? In John 18:37 stated, “…Jesus answered, ’You say rightly that I am a King. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice “. Jesus have come to this earth because He is the King. And He should bear witness to the truth (truth = reality = the quality of being real / real existence ). It means that He has come to this earth to reveal the reality that He is the King. Then He clarify that everyone who is of the truth hears His voice ( verse 37 ). His brides are everyone who is of the truth and hears the voice of Jesus and admit Jesus is the King. So the intent of Jesus coming is to clarify that He is the King, and this has implication that Jesus will reveal His Kingdom in this earth.
So the deepest intent of Jesus coming is that He will reveal His Kingdom in this earth. Finally all the kingdoms of the world have become Lord’s Kingdom and of His Christ (Revelation 11:15, “…the Kingdoms of this world have become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ” ). This is according to the prophecy in Daniel 2:44, “And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed ; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people ; it shall break in pieces and consume all this kingdoms, and it shall stand forever “.
When Jesus have come into this earth, He said, “…I will build My church…” ( Matthew 16:18 ). Congregation terminology or church nowadays has been in disorder and being the same meaning with denomination. Indeed the meaning of both terminology very different, like the sky and the earth. Nowadays many Christians randomly call church is denomination, and denomination is church without guilty feeling or sad, as if all of them is just ordinary. So, what is the difference between church and denomination? The difference is this; Church is built by Jesus, while denomination is built by leaders (“Diotrephes – Diotrephes”, III John 9 ). The one is built by the heavenly man, the other is built by the earthly man. The one is built by the spiritual man and the other is built by the natural man. The one is “Revelation chapter 12” Church, the other is “Revelation chapter 17” Church. If God gives us an understanding concerning the difference between the women in Revelation 12 and the women in Revelation 17, so we will not disparage both of these terminologies. Church is church, denomination is denomination. And the intent of Jesus coming is to build His Church.
Church terminology and concept in the New Testament is very simple, but it is not shallow. In the New Testament, church is believers community ( spirit, soul and body ) in some certain city. That’s why the name of the church in the New Testament is just related with the name of the city, for example, the church in Jerusalem, the church in Rome, the church in Corinth, etc. So, what is the relation between church and the kingdom of heaven / the kingdom of God?
The kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven are two terminologies that have the same meaning, because in the New Testament both of these terminologies is used in turn. The kingdom of heaven refers to the kingdom that exist in heaven, while the kingdom of God refers to the kingdom belongs to God. The kingdom of heaven can not be seen by physical eye, while a church can be seen by physical eye. For entering into the kingdom of heaven should be born again and also, through many tribulations ( Acts 14:22 ), but for being church’s member it’s enough just be born again. The kingdom of heaven is not coming yet fully in this earth, but church is already coming fully in this earth. But because church is breaking into thousands denominations, so nowadays church can not be seen by physical eye anymore. If church is not breaking, in Jakarta city for example, only have one church, that is the church in Jakarta. But nowadays the church in Jakarta is breaking, and the members ( those who are be born again ) scattered in many denominations in Jakarta.
Before we define the kingdom community, hopefully we understood that being member of the church just only as beginning step. Need more the following steps for gaining the kingdom of heaven. And Acts 14:22 distinct clearly that the following steps will be full of tribulations and discipline. If we called and got grace from God, so for the time being after we through tribulations and disciplines, God will bestow the kingdom of heaven to us. Getting the kingdom of heaven is definite experience, as certain as be born again experience. If we really undergo this experience, so Philippians 3:20-21 that we quote before becomes clear for us. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ who will manifest Himself and bring the kingdom of heaven into this earth. For the time being we have to be patient in waiting the kingdom of heaven manifest into this earth.
Now the time has come to define Kingdom Community terminology according to the title we choose. Kingdom community that we meant is a group of people that be born again that seeking and learning about the kingdom of heaven and in disciplinary process by the Holy Spirit to gain the kingdom of heaven. Including in this community, the people that have gained the kingdom of heaven but still learning and be perfected. Kingdom community is not majority group, because in fact not many Christians ( already be born again ) want to undergo tribulation for the sake of gaining the Kingdom of heaven. Most of Christians satisfied enough with physical blessing and live in peace during follow to God in this earth. But this condition is to fulfill the commandment of God that many to be called, but a little to be chosen. But there is a confirmation and consolation by God for the minority as stated in Luke 12:32, “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom”.
What is the relationship between Kingdom community with a symbol woman as describe in the book of Revelation chapter 12 ? Woman in the Revelation 12 described the church. Here we didn’t intent to describe the Revelation 12 in detail. But we intent to pay attention that this woman delivered a son that has the authority to rule over because he is bring into God’s throne. But the woman herself run into the wilderness. Here “the wilderness” talked about disciplinary process. In the Bible we found the servant of God to be prepared and disciplined in the wilderness. If we come back to see the Kingdom community terminology that already describe above, indeed the woman in the Book of Revelation chapter 12 is the Kingdom community, especially end times Kingdom community. This Kingdom community in turn ( when Jesus coming ) will deliver the Sons of God that will reign with Christ. But as the woman in the Book of Revelation 12 undergo disciplinary process, so in the Kingdom community where part of them still need to undergo disciplinary period and part of them ready to be manifested as The Sons of God.
This Kingdom community started with 120 persons that undergo the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, as describe in the book of Acts chapter 2. The member of this Kingdom community in the book of Acts often called disciples or Lord’s disciples. They called disciples because they are diligent and looking for the kingdom of heaven. Some of them is failed to gain the kingdom of heaven like Ananias and Sapphira, but the others is success in the faith’s competition and, “…for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”. ( II Peter 1:11 ).
Before describing the characteristics of Kingdom community, we conclude about Kingdom community from our description so far. Kingdom community is not a denomination, it is not the woman describe in the book of Revelation chapter 17, but the woman in Revelation chapter 12. Kingdom community is a group consist of the Lord’s disciples that look for, learn and pay the price to gain the kingdom of heaven, while majority the children of God satisfy with a matter of routine in denominations. Kingdom community will produces manifested sons of God that reign this earth, even though some of them need to undergo further discipline’s process. Kingdom community started with 120 people as describe in the book of Acts chapter 2, which further in every ages, God has His Kingdom community, and in the end times especially His Kingdom community be symbolize by the woman in the book of Revelation chapter 12.
Kingdom Community Characteristic
To understand Kingdom community, we need to learn the book of Acts well, because in this book we get complete and detail description about this community according to God’s will. In learning this Kingdom community, we only pay attention to prominent characteristic that make it very different with other communities.
Its Leadership
Things that very striking if we pay attention about this community in the book of Acts is The Holy Spirit leadership. Many times recorded that The Holy Spirit said ( 8:29, 10:19, 13:2 ), The Holy Spirit sent an angel of God ( 10:3 ), The Holy Spirit prevent ( 16:6 ), The Spirit of Jesus not permit ( 16:7 ), The Holy Spirit whisper ( 21:4 ), and still many events where leadership occur by God’s intervene directly without using man’s leadership. It doesn’t mean there is no leader in Kingdom community, but Jesus position as a leader in this community is really applied. The Revelation 14:4 is really being fulfilled in this community that, “…those are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes.” Also Matthew 23:10 being fulfilled, “And do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, the Christ”.
Why Jesus’ position as a Leader in this Kingdom community can really be established ? The answer is because no one leader that, “…speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves” ( Acts 20:30 ). No one from the leaders raised and look for the followers. When Peter preached and 3000 persons repent, he doesn’t built an organization, make a target, planning and control, especially to motivate or teach the community to give the tithes. Almost all things that has to be done by the leaders of denomination nowadays, not doing by Peter. If Peter do that, suddenly he becomes rich, has a top position in an organization and has the authority to rule over God’s children. On the contrary, what is done and taught by him was, “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lord over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock” ( I Peter 5:2-3 ).
So, because no one the teacher raise and built it’s own organization or kingdom, rather that every teacher acts as a brethren ( Matthew 23:8 ) and become a model, so Jesus can lead this Kingdom community with unhampered without being hindrance by the organization structure. May be there is disputatious that the Acts chapter 6 that talk about the chosen seven persons to serve poor people, to clarify the need organization in the church. But actually the Acts chapter 6 do not talk about organization, but just task distribution in a community. In the Acts chapter 6 clearly stated that part of the community member concentrate the attention in prayer and the ministry of the word (verse 4 ), while the other member serve tables ( verse 2 ). All of this is only talk about the function and not position in an organization. Same as the leg and hand has its own function in an organism, so in a kingdom community each has its own function because kingdom community is an organism and not an organization.
Most Sincerely,
Irnawan Silitonga
