What is the Kingdom of God?

[Gell]

It's a little frustrating when fellow Christians try to look down on others when they "think" they know more than you.

This is normal human response to which I have been guilty of. But I don’t intend to condone to it. Being a know-it-all equates to being prideful and is not pleasing to the Lord.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Now, I know this is an Old Testament line of scripture but I believe this to not be separate from the Kingdom of God the Church operates in today. She keeps asking me as if I'm oblivious to what the Kingdom of God is in scripture. It's a little frustrating when fellow Christians try to look down on others when they "think" they know more than you.
What thoughts does everyone have concerning this subject?

Who is it frustrating to and why ? Half of all do know more than the half who know less - this is a given in any topic, subject or thread.
Are the ones who know less, supposed to feel bad about that ? Are they supposed to feel like others are looking down their noses at them ?
Those who know which part of the Church has fallen, or, even more simply, that much of the Church has fallen, even if without knowing which part(s) , are they any better or any worse than those who don't know ?
Is knowing more and knowing less supposed to be a separating barrier ?
Is there any real reason to be frustrated by lack of knowledge ? Or should it rather be spurring /encouraging / towards more hunger and thirst for God's Kingdom while seeking God ?

 

[Edward Jemmott]

Who is it frustrating to and why ? Half of all do know more than the half who know less - this is a given in any topic, subject or thread.
Are the ones who know less, supposed to feel bad about that ? Are they supposed to feel like others are looking down their noses at them ?
Those who know which part of the Church has fallen, or, even more simply, that much of the Church has fallen, even if without knowing which part(s) , are they any better or any worse than those who don't know ?
Is knowing more and knowing less supposed to be a separating barrier ?
Is there any real reason to be frustrated by lack of knowledge ? Or should it rather be spurring /encouraging / towards more hunger and thirst for God's Kingdom while seeking God ?

The answer to all of those questions: No. However, to not know is to be ignorant. I don't necessarily think who's better or worse is the core issue. I think it boils down to one thing on either spectrum: Pride.

Leonard Ravenhill was in no way an anti-intellectual but he once quoted, "We call it intelligence. God calls it pride." He highlighted the fact that many people make gods out of their own intellect, because to find the answers to their life and the lives of others, they depend solely on their intellect and not the Holy Spirit. Some believe knowing the scriptures through whatever lens(Calvinism, Armenian etc.) is equivalent to knowing God which is obviously not true and dogmatic.

The point of what I said was to highlight not a frustration I have because of lacking knowledge, but to highlight the frustration I have with other Christians who think they know more when they either clearly don't know as much as think they do or they're so high and mighty in their intellect and still don't know God. That in a nutshell is many of our frustrations. We all lack knowledge in some manner so there's no reason in being overly frustrated about lacking knowledge. Lacking knowledge fuels us to know more; however, on the flip-side, to hunger and thirst after righteousness is better than thirsting after knowledge. The secret is in the process of hungering and thirsting after righteousness, knowledge will inevitably be acquired.

 

[JIMINZ]

That's your opinion , you still haven't explained why are there angels mentioned two times . We don't ready anything about angels proclaiming gospel to people or deceiving them in other Paul's letters .

Because you think something is or is not does not make it true you have to prove it .

.
Then PROVE your point, your going under the assumption that because there are two places in the Bible which say Angels spoke that it must be what Paul was speaking about, it's your supposition nothing more, except you inaccurate Interpretation, so PROVE it.

 

[Daniel Martinovich]

Throughout my Theological studies, I believe I truly know what The Kingdom of God is to the believer of the Cross. Someone asked me in another forum "What is the Kingdom of God?" I replied simply, "The Kingdom of God is where Christ reigns."

How did the thought come to my mind and spirit?

Well, for one the Kingdom of God is just that: A Kingdom; rather The Eternal Kingdom to me and hopefully those who believe as well. I do study Theology on my own with prayer and discernment at the forefront of my studies, but isn't my answer that simple? A Kingdom is a place and not a state of being or an attitude.

I gave my answer through scripture:

Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations. (Psalm 145:13)

"everlasting" meaning that it this Kingdom is a Kingdom without end.

"dominion" meaning that He has Sovereign Authority over this Kingdom from eternity past to......you get the rest...

Now, I know this is an Old Testament line of scripture but I believe this to not be separate from the Kingdom of God the Church operates in today. She keeps asking me as if I'm oblivious to what the Kingdom of God is in scripture. It's a little frustrating when fellow Christians try to look down on others when they "think" they know more than you.

What thoughts does everyone have concerning this subject?

I think the subject gets easily confused because it is obvious the Kingdom of God has always existed; yet it is also prophesied to come. Which is what you and the other comments are pointing out. Many times when the Bible says the Kingdom of God is to come it is referring to a specific time period of an age of promise. An age when all the earthly promises made to a thousand generations of saints. Promises that never came to pass in any of their generations, at least in a general way. Begin to come to pass. Face it, when Christ came it got even worse for the believers and remained that way up until, well now, recent history, in a handful of nations

Let me give you an OT example of the Kingdom of God. I was watching the History Channel one day. It mentioned that historians don't understand why. But the Medo\Persian Empire is the only empire known to mankind in all of history to be built on paid labor instead slave labor. Well to those familiar with the Bible, we know why. Because Daniel was that empires first prime minister. That is a perfect example of at least a small basic earthly promise of the kingdom of God coming to pass in the world and it came through the influence and ideals of believers. In this case believers influence in what was essentially and evil empire. Well that is exactly how many tens of millions of believers today are privileged and blessed to be able to walk in, or at least have the opportunity to walk in and possess the earthly promises of God that 980 previous generations who were just as Godly did not. Because of the degree of cultural and national influence of Christian\Biblical principle.

Thing is Bible prophecy said exactly when this phenomena would begin to come to pass in the world and then to continue to grow. I have an article on it and people are so shocked by what means were used for this phenomena to be able to occur. And, that the exact date of its beginning was given in the Bible 7 times thousands of years in advance. When I say what means were used what I mean by that is: What did the past approx. 20 generations possess that the previous 980 generations did not, that gave them the ability to overcome perpetual evils the past 980 generations could not overcome, even though they tried? It's to simple, to obvious, to common sense and most would fail to guess based on that fact. But it is in this article and its a real blessing to find out.

http://wordservice.org/Government of God/gg1001.htm

 

[Erik Nelson]

I think the subject gets easily confused because it is obvious the Kingdom of God has always existed; yet it is also prophesied to come. Which is what you and the other comments are pointing out. Many times when the Bible says the Kingdom of God is to come it is referring to a specific time period of an age of promise. An age when all the earthly promises made to a thousand generations of saints. Promises that never came to pass in any of their generations, at least in a general way. Begin to come to pass. Face it, when Christ came it got even worse for the believers and remained that way up until, well now, recent history, in a handful of nations

Let me give you an OT example of the Kingdom of God. I was watching the History Channel one day. It mentioned that historians don't understand why. But the Medo\Persian Empire is the only empire known to mankind in all of history to be built on paid labor instead slave labor. Well to those familiar with the Bible, we know why. Because Daniel was that empires first prime minister. That is a perfect example of at least a small basic earthly promise of the kingdom of God coming to pass in the world and it came through the influence and ideals of believers. In this case believers influence in what was essentially and evil empire. Well that is exactly how many tens of millions of believers today are privileged and blessed to be able to walk in, or at least have the opportunity to walk in and possess the earthly promises of God that 980 previous generations who were just as Godly did not. Because of the degree of cultural and national influence of Christian\Biblical principle.

Thing is Bible prophecy said exactly when this phenomena would begin to come to pass in the world and then to continue to grow. I have an article on it and people are so shocked by what means were used for this phenomena to be able to occur. And, that the exact date of its beginning was given in the Bible 7 times thousands of years in advance. When I say what means were used what I mean by that is: What did the past approx. 20 generations possess that the previous 980 generations did not, that gave them the ability to overcome perpetual evils the past 980 generations could not overcome, even though they tried? It's to simple, to obvious, to common sense and most would fail to guess based on that fact. But it is in this article and its a real blessing to find out.

http://wordservice.org/Government of God/gg1001.htm

yes, the Kingdom of God in heaven has always existed

the Kingdom of God on earth = body of believers in God may have always existed, also...

even when the whole of humanity was completely depraved (Genesis 6:5) still Enoch and Noah found favor with God...

although "death reigned from Adam to Moses" (Romans 5:14) such that the Kingdom of God on earth may not have been significant and/or continuous (what about Abraham and the Patriarchs after him?)

but still the Kingdom of God on heaven and even earth has always existed...

except on earth its size & significance has fluctuated through time

the Kingdom predates the Millennium (Rev 20)… the Millennium is not a new kingdom... it's the same kingdom... except reigning in power as the socially dominant majority in society... perhaps for the first time in human history (since Eden)

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

As written, and as happened,
the Kingdom of God is at hand - Jesus says "Turn to Yahweh, for His Kingdom is at hand" in the first century....
But it has not been significant (not in a saving way) to most people on earth . (they reject Him) .

although "death reigned from Adam to Moses" (Romans 5:14) such that the Kingdom of God on earth may not have been significant and/or continuous (what about Abraham and the Patriarchs after him?)

--------------
And it won't be significant (not in a saving way) to most people on earth until Jesus Returns.

the Kingdom predates the Millennium (Rev 20)… the Millennium is not a new kingdom... it's the same kingdom... except reigning in power as the socially dominant majority in society... perhaps for the first time in human history (since Eden)

 

[Erik Nelson]

As written, and as happened,
the Kingdom of God is at hand - Jesus says "Turn to Yahweh, for His Kingdom is at hand" in the first century....
But it has not been significant (not in a saving way) to most people on earth . (they reject Him) .

--------------
And it won't be significant (not in a saving way) to most people on earth until Jesus Returns.

and if you conclude that the present age = Rev 20:7-9, after the Millennium (= Byzantine empire & medieval Church), then Christianity may become less & less significant until God arrives (Rev 20:10+)

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

and if you conclude that the present age = Rev 20:7-9, after the Millennium (= Byzantine empire & medieval Church), then Christianity may become less & less significant until God arrives (Rev 20:10+)

Why conclude something the anti-christ proposes ? NO!

That is false and pernicious. Reject it and renounce it and repent today.

 

[cwo]

Throughout my Theological studies, I believe I truly know what The Kingdom of God is to the believer of the Cross. Someone asked me in another forum "What is the Kingdom of God?" I replied simply, "The Kingdom of God is where Christ reigns."

How did the thought come to my mind and spirit?

Well, for one the Kingdom of God is just that: A Kingdom; rather The Eternal Kingdom to me and hopefully those who believe as well. I do study Theology on my own with prayer and discernment at the forefront of my studies, but isn't my answer that simple? A Kingdom is a place and not a state of being or an attitude.

I gave my answer through scripture:

Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations. (Psalm 145:13)

"everlasting" meaning that it this Kingdom is a Kingdom without end.

"dominion" meaning that He has Sovereign Authority over this Kingdom from eternity past to......you get the rest...

Now, I know this is an Old Testament line of scripture but I believe this to not be separate from the Kingdom of God the Church operates in today. She keeps asking me as if I'm oblivious to what the Kingdom of God is in scripture. It's a little frustrating when fellow Christians try to look down on others when they "think" they know more than you.

What thoughts does everyone have concerning this subject?

The "kingdom of God" is exactly what it says it is, "a kingdom", but "from God". America is a kingdom. Canada is a kingdom. France is a kingdom. Italy is a kingdom. A kingdom consists of lands, buildings, streets, events, etc, but most importantly - people, and in these kingdoms exist rulers, one kingdom might call his ruler "president", in another he is called "prime minister", etc. This same type of meaning of a kingdom conveys what the kingdom of God will be like, literally a kingdom with lands, buildings, streets, events, etc, and people - on earth. It is in fact they very purpose of the second coming of Christ, to live on the earth to establish his kingdom on it, and rule over it as king, and this is why it is called "kingdom of God", because unlike all other kingdoms that have ever existed, this one will be ruled in righteousness by a righteous man. The kingdom of God will have cities throughout the world that will all be in subjection through the rule of Christ, where the management of all the cities of the world along with their respective peoples will be administered by those who inherit this kingdom,

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5 [NIV])

But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. (Psalm 37:11 [KJV])

He has shown his people the power of his works, giving them the lands of other nations. (Psalm 111:6 [NIV])

(The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. (Revelation 20:5-6 [NIV])

To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’ –just as I have received authority from my Father. (Revelation 2:26-27 [NIV])

The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. (Revelation 3:21 [ESV])

It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. (Romans 4:13 [NIV])

And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the set-apart ones of the Most High; his kingdom shall be an aeonial* kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.’ (Daniel 7:27 [MODIFIED-ESV])*

Interlinear Links: *‘ā·lam (aeonial), Daniel 7:27

And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand aeonially*. (Daniel 2:44 [MODIFIED-KJV])*

Interlinear Links: *lə·‘ā·lə·may·yā (aeonially), Daniel 2:44

“‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’ “The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’ “His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’ (Luke 19:17-19 [NIV])

You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:10 [NIV])

Where Christ first received authority in his kindgom when he ascended to the Father and sat at his right hand, where his first appointed place to rule from is in heaven, which is why the kingdom of God does not come with observation and why it must be entered into in a hidden way in the heart, deliberately so, to test the belief of man, but when Christ comes again, the kingdom of God will come with observation, with streets, buildings, etc, where in these prophecies we catch glimpses of what a certain city that will be called "city of God" will be like during the rulership of Christ,

Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. (Revelation 14:1 [NIV])

In visions of God he took me to the land of Israel and set me on a very high mountain, on whose south side were some buildings that looked like a city… (Ezekiel 40:2 [NIV])

A song. A psalm of the Sons of Korah. Great is the LORD, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain. Beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth, like the heights of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the Great King. God is in her citadels; he has shown himself to be her fortress…. Mount Zion rejoices, the villages of Judah are glad because of your judgments. Walk about Zion, go around her, count her towers, consider well her ramparts, view her citadels, that you may tell of them to the next generation. (Psalm 48:1-13[NIV])

for God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah. Then people will settle there and possess it; the children of his servants will inherit it, and those who love his name will dwell there. (Psalm 69:35-36 [NIV])

 

[Erik Nelson]

Why conclude something the anti-christ proposes ? NO!

That is false and pernicious. Reject it and renounce it and repent today.

well, that's a serious Accusation

have to consider

 

[1213]

Throughout my Theological studies, I believe I truly know what The Kingdom of God is to the believer of the Cross. Someone asked me in another forum "What is the Kingdom of God?" I replied simply, "The Kingdom of God is where Christ reigns."

I think that is good answer. Jesus is the King, and people who keep Jesus as their King, form the Kingdom. I think these are good scriptures about it:

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be on his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, on the throne of David, and on his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from henceforth even forever. The zeal of Yahweh of Hosts will perform this.
Isaiah 9:6-7


Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, that I wouldn't be delivered to the Jews. But now my kingdom is not from here."
John 18:36

"The Kingdom of God doesn't come with observation; neither will they say, 'Look, here!' or, 'Look, there!' for behold, the Kingdom of God is within you."
Luke 17:20-21

Jesus answered him, "Most assuredly, I tell you, unless one is born anew, he can't see the Kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb, and be born?" Jesus answered, "Most assuredly I tell you, unless one is born of water and spirit, he can't enter into the Kingdom of God! That which is born of the flesh is flesh. That which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Don't marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born anew.'
John 3:3-7

It is the spirit who gives life. The flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and are life.
John 6:63

 

[Butch5]

Throughout my Theological studies, I believe I truly know what The Kingdom of God is to the believer of the Cross. Someone asked me in another forum "What is the Kingdom of God?" I replied simply, "The Kingdom of God is where Christ reigns."

How did the thought come to my mind and spirit?

Well, for one the Kingdom of God is just that: A Kingdom; rather The Eternal Kingdom to me and hopefully those who believe as well. I do study Theology on my own with prayer and discernment at the forefront of my studies, but isn't my answer that simple? A Kingdom is a place and not a state of being or an attitude.

I gave my answer through scripture:

Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations. (Psalm 145:13)

"everlasting" meaning that it this Kingdom is a Kingdom without end.

"dominion" meaning that He has Sovereign Authority over this Kingdom from eternity past to......you get the rest...

Now, I know this is an Old Testament line of scripture but I believe this to not be separate from the Kingdom of God the Church operates in today. She keeps asking me as if I'm oblivious to what the Kingdom of God is in scripture. It's a little frustrating when fellow Christians try to look down on others when they "think" they know more than you.

What thoughts does everyone have concerning this subject?

My understanding of the Kingdom is here in a link to an article I wrote on the "The Kingdom of God (A Biblical Perspective)"

 

[joshua 1 9]

The Kingdom of God is where God is King. Soon the Church age is going to come to an and and the Thousand Year Reign of Christ will begin. This is called the Kingdom age. Then there will be a new Heaven and a New Earth and there will be a resurrection where people receive a new body so they can life in the New Earth. There is a lot of teaching on how we go from the Church age to the Kingdom age. From the second to the third day. Luke 13:32 "And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected." KJV

This passage in Isaiah is a reference to the Kingdom age.

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be on his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, on the throne of David, and on his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from henceforth even forever. The zeal of Yahweh of Hosts will perform this."
Isaiah 9:6-7