Kingdom Is Very Different
Kingdom Was Planned to Come
Kingdom Was Given To The Son
Kingdom Defined - Sovereign Rule
Kingdom Shift - Earthly to Heavenly
Kingdom Conflict
Kingdom is Good News
Kingdom & Healing
Kingdom is Come to You In..
Kingdom Reigns
Kingdom is Like ..
THE KINGDOM OF GOD : a Most Different Kingdom
The Sovereign Reign & Rule of God's Kingdom became a spiritual reality and a Present Truth (2Pe 1:12) upon the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ nearly two thousand years ago. He instructed us to pray for the "kingdom to come" into this earth, just as it is in heaven; (Mat 6:10); that it was near, at hand, (Mat 4:17) and yet invisible and within us.(Luk 17:20-21) He said some of his present generation would experience the coming of his kingdom and see that kingdom come before they died.(Luk 9:27, Mat 16:28) Christ explained that the kingdom comes unto us (Mat 12:28) whenever the Spirit intervenes against the demons of darkness which oppress us.
Our O.T. counterparts lived out the years of their earthly life-time within the "natural" Kingdom of God, within the natural boundaries of the Canaan promise land. (Deu 12:1) N.T. believers live out the years of our earthly life-time within the "spiritual boundaries" of the Kingdom of God/Heaven, by the new birth (Joh 3:3,5) of Christ's indwelling Spirit within a "spiritual" land of promises.
The culture of the Kingdom of Heaven/God on this earth is such a different culture from the secular-religious cultures each of us grew up in. Presently, since Calvary, God's Kingdom Culture exists in opposition to all other natural, religious cultures in which humans live. Christ described clearly it's differences from Judaism in His sermon on the mount. (Mat 5-7) The Culture of the Kingdom of the Son is one of unique beliefs, customs, ways of living, thinking, and believing. The Kingdom's unique ways of behaving and operating within our daily lives are always in-direct conflict to the secular, natural and religious systems and ways common to men.
2000 years ago at Calvary, the God of Heaven, our heavenly Father instituted a New and Different Creature or Creation within the earth as He hewed a stone out of the mountain. None had ever existed like it before. It was a spiritual creation. It would be a Kingdom ruled by the King of Kings, the Lord Jesus Christ. This spiritual kingdom was setup by design to exist on a spiritual plane or level within human hearts. In fact, it would exist in any human heart of any nationality, if that heart would allow the Spirit or Presence of God to dwell within it through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord; ..a new life. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature (creation): old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. He makes all things new. 2Co 5:17, Rev 21:5
The Kingdom is unlike any other association we have had while within this world. It operates using different laws of biology, different laws of chemistry, different laws of physics, and different laws of finance than those we are naturally acquainted with. The Kingdom of Heaven on earth operates using a much different way of seeing, of thinking, of acting, of believing, of walking, talking, a much different mind set, point of view, perspective, outlook, methods, ..etc.
In fact, The Kingdom of God, nor the church was never intended to become a religious system or institution within the minds of people. God's design was for it to become a Holy Nation, Governed by his Spirit through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Upon a believer's regenerating new birth of the Spirit, they enter Kingdom School to begin daily learning their Holy Ghost Spirit Child-Training Lessons. Whenever we fail a lesson, we by DEFAULT fall back into the 'OLD MANS' carnal ways, conditions, and culture in which all sinners grow up within as children. Whenever a child of God fails to walk after the Spirit, he or she defaults back into the carnal fleshly human culture of mankind. Again walking, for a period of time, with all of humanity's doings, thinkings, respondings, plannings, connivings, and handling of obstacles, conflicts, and oppositions just as all un-regenerated humans do without Christ. The result of "walking after the flesh", outside the government of Christ, always throws us back within reach of our 'old life jailer' who promptly, without mercy, continues his work of killing, stealing and destroying our spiritual inheritance until we again come to our senses and cry out for deliverance.
Sometimes we are captured for a few minutes, hours, days, weeks, months; sometimes even many years pass before we escape by a deliverance from God. Captivity does nothing to change our spiritual DNA. That battle was fought and won a long time ago. Just as O.T. Israel were genuinely God's people living in God's Promised Land of Inheritance, ..yet from time to time they experienced captivity or oppression and became in need of a Deliverer. Deliverance was needed to release them from the control of their natural Canaan adversaries. Freedom was needed to release them back unto their Victorious Standing on the ground given to them in God's original promises.
Framing this spiritual life in "kingdom terms" rather than "church terms" makes all the difference. It has everything to do with living a daily life-style in a state of rest, ..security, ..peace, ..faith, ..power and victory, overcoming all adverse things on a spiritual level. By faith, thru surrendered prayer of the Spirit we await the anointing's move to handle each situation for his glory within our life. Sometimes the Lord will say Stand & Watch and See the salvation I bring. While at other times, the Lord may say, You do it, ...by moving in a specific spiritual direction which he anoints or speaks to you about.
A "KINGDOM" was PLANNED for You from the Beginning
It was the plan and pleasure of our heavenly Father to give his creation a kingdom of victory and dominion. Adam & Eve's failure in the garden did not change God's purposes at all. Ps 8:4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?Ps 8:6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: Da 7:27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High,..Lu 12:32 ..it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
"KINGDOM of GOD" : Was to COME upon the EARTH
Da 2:44 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 for ever. Da 7:14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. Da 7:27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
(This is not Dominion theology nor Kingdom Now theology. This is the Holy Ghost/Spirit Kingdom. It is not about taking over this earth or world/kosmos for God. The whole world/kosmos lies in wickedness. It is satan's eden. Jesus is calling mankind out spiritually while we are phyhsically surrounded by the world/kosmos inhabitants. Just as it was for natural Israel. Preaching the Kingdom of God through faith in Jesus Christ has brought believers from all nationalities and languages into his "called out body / church".. to serve God through Jesus Christ..it's all within their hearts).
This "KINGDOM" was GIVEN .. to The "Son"
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isa 9:7 Of the increase of [his] government and peace [there shall be] no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Da 2:44 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 for ever.
Da 7:13,14 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, [one] like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion [is] an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom [that] which shall not be destroyed.
One dominion was destroyed and taken away, yet their lives were prolonged, while at the same time dominion was given to the Son ..Dan 7:12 Jesus is now the chief ruler of all natural and spiritual dominions. All power in heaven and earth is given to him.(Mat 28:18) He now has the keys of death and of hell.(Rev 1:18)
Ps 2:7-9 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. .. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen (nations, gentiles, peoples) for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
"KINGDOM" definition is.. "the sovereign rule or reign"
1. There's a "territory / realm" (..kingdom comes without observation; within)
2. There is a "a government or order" (..the will of the Father, ..the Son is King)
3. There is a "character of the King" (..partakers of divine nature of the Son)
Kingdom: by definition is a realm (place) and a reign(rule). The sovereign rule or reign of Jehovah God refers to a King over a realm or territory where he exerts a reign or dominion. It is a governing order which expresses the nature and character of the King.
Entrance into the dominion of this kingdom hinges upon (1) a profession of faith in Jesus Christ as the absolute sovereign Lord; (2) receiving Christ's Lord-ship inwardly by giving over the throne of our heart to the inward rule of His Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost); (3) which brings with-in a yielding to and partaking or partnering with His divine nature. (2 Pet 1:4) (4) Thereby a new government from the God of Heaven is introduced within each believer which sets up within each heart a new order or way of doing things.
A "KINGDOM SHIFT" ....from "Earthly To Heavenly"
Genesis 49:10 scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes, and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. (Shiloh came 2000 years ago in the Messiah - the Lord Jesus Christ)
Da 7:18 saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever. Da 7:27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
There was a Kingdom shift from Physical Life to Spiritual Life. Shiloh Jesus' Reign and dominion began 2000 yrs. ago.
-Mt 11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven (God) (Luk 7:28) is greater than he.
-Lu 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. (Mat 11:12)
-Mt 21:43 I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof (holy nation-1Pe 2:9)
-Lu 13:28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.
There was a radical kingdom shift in passing from an natural physical order, with genealogical requirements, unto a spiritual order that transcends natural genealogy by the new requirements of a spiritual re-birth. The day came when all Israel, even Judah with the natural birth-right, bowed to the spiritual throne head Joseph (Jesus) rather than to the natural birth-right head (Judah) (1st born Reuben lost it to Judah thru sin). Only those in Christ have had kingdom privileges and Spirit dominion during the last 2000 years.
The Old Testament Kingdom of God/Heaven on earth was heaven's reign in a physical sense by the natural nation of Israel within the Canaan promise land.
The New Testament Kingdom of God/Heaven on earth is manifested by heaven's Holy Ghost reign within the hearts of a royal nation of believers. It is not externally observed; it comes without observation, but inwardly, in the power of the Holy Ghost.
The dimensions of this kingdom are spiritual dimensions located within heaven's reign within the heart of every Christ believer which constitutes this world-wide spiritual nation at any moment. Currently there is a spiritual Israel covering the earth within the hearts and minds of Jesus' body, the church, of which he is presently the head. This present reign of Jesus Christ is exerted from the throne, by the anointing of Christ working thru his vessel-people as he continues his delivering, saving and healing of oppressed lives (just as he did in the 4 gospels) through his vessels, who walk in his ministering spirit.
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; 1Pe 2:9 "This gospel (good news) of the kingdom (sovereign reign & rule of God) shall be preached (proclaimed, published) in the whole world for a witness (evidential testimony) unto all the nations (heathen, gentiles, peoples); and then shall the end come" (Matthew 24:14). Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father, when he shall put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet, The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.(1Cor 15:24-26)
KINGDOM Priesthood Shifted from Levitical to Melchisedec
-Ge 14:18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
-Ps 110:4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. (Heb 5:6,10)
-Heb 6:20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
-Heb 7:11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
-Heb 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
-Heb 7:15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, made after the power of an endless life.
A kingdom of priests, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a ministering nation was always in God's purposes from the beginning.
-Ex 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.
-1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people;
-Re 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever.
-Re 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
TWO KINGDOMS : are in Conflict
Involving all of creation, two great cosmic kingdoms are in conflict. The kingdom of God, Righteousness, & Light ..versus.. the kingdom of Satan, Sin, & Darkness. All peoples and nations are involved, but especially those who are the called-out of Christ's body. The called-out are the Kingdom of God's instrument of dominion. They alone exert Christ's supreme absolute victory over all powers of darkness, wickedness and the "Prince of this World"; who has been cast down like lightening, out of the heavenly realm, into the earthly. Joh 14:30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. Also called the "God of this World". 2Co 4:4 - In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
This conflict is not political, economic, national, or physical : it is a spiritual one. It is very real and is "within man". All of earth's problems come from "within man". The conflict is about who will ascend to the throne of man's heart and sit there governing man's nature. Every man is born in sin thereby giving Satan legal right to exercise dominon over man's nature. Upon the operation of faith in Christ Jesus, at the hearing of the good news of the kingdom of God, ..the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ is invited to invade man's nature and take up dominion. At that time within man, the conflict moves into a very personal inward arena where each believer is empowered by Christ's Spirit & Word. This inner conflict is between the kingdom of sin's human nature and the kingdom of God's divine nature. In Christ we're made more than Conqueror's in this internal conflict.
"HEAVEN'S KINGDOM" on Earth has Several Names
The phrase "Kingdom of God" is used in all four Gospels. The "Kingdom of Heaven" is only used in Matthew. Regardless of the term used, it always speaks of the same heavenly kingdom exerting it's influence within this earth's natural and spiritual realms.
-Da 4:26 ..after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.
-Mt 26:29 (Mrk 14:25) ..I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
The drinking of it new in the kingdom of God was fulfilled during Christ's 40 days with the disciples after his resurrection. Acts 10:41 ..even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose.
Both John the Baptist and Jesus began their ministries preaching; "Repent, the kingdom of God is nigh, near or at hand. Repent means to.. Reconsider, to Think differently, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. It is so near that it is within the reach of your hand.
-Mt 3:2 And (John the Baptist) saying, Repent (Reconsider & Think differently) ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
-Mt 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Mr 1:15, Mt 10:7)
-Lu 10:11 notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
-Lu 4:43 I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.
-Lu 8:1 he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God.
The good news is hearing of the Kingdom of God/Heaven on earth. It is not socialism, communism, nazism, nor even democracy. The good news is the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ.
-Mt 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel (good news) of the kingdom, (Mt 9:35)
-Mt 24:14 And this gospel (good news) of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
-Mr 1:14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel (good news) of the kingdom of God,
The KINGDOM is COME unto you in ..Healing & Demons Cast Out
Jesus Did So...
-Mt 12:28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
-Mt 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. (Mat 9:35)
-Lu 9:11 and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.
-Mt 4:24 ...they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
-Lu 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.
-Ac 10:38 .. God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed (dominion exercised against) of the devil; for God was with him.
His Disciples were Instructed To Do the Same
-Lu 9:2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
-Lu 10:9 ..heal the sick.., and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
-Mt 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
-Mt 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give (It is a gift, not a reward)
-Mr 3:15 And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:
-Lu 9:60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
-Mr 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
-Lu 9:1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
-Lu 10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
-Luk 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy, nothing shall by any means hurt you
The KINGDOM is COME unto you in ..Sowing, Preaching the Word(Seed)
-Mt 13:3 Behold, a sower went forth to sow; sowing seed (the Word of the Kingdom)
-Mt 13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
-now at hand for the time is Full Mar 1:15
-now in preaching the Kingdom & men press into it Luk 16:16
-in the casting of seed in the ground & it grows Mar 4:26
-in Righteousness, Peace & Joy in the Holy Ghost Rom 14:17
-in Power 1Co 4:20
-in salvation, strength, and power of Christ Rev 12:10
-in preaching the Kingdom is at hand Mat 10:7
-in casting out devils Mat 12:28
-in hearing the Word-Seed of the Kingdom Mat 13:19
-as a hid treasure Mat 13:44
-as a merchant seeking pearls Mat 13:45
-as a net gathering all kinds good & bad Mat 13:47
-as a householder bringing out old & new treasures Mat 13:52
-as the nature of little children Mat 19:14
-as a householder hiring laborers Mat 20:1
-as a king inviting guests to a marriage of his son Mat 22:2
-as a man delivering goods to his servants Mat 25:14
-Ac 1:3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and (Jesus preaching) speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
-Ac 8:12 ..they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ,
-Ac 19:8 And he went into the synagogue, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.
-Ac 20:25 whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. -Ac 28:23 there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.
-Ac 28:31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.
-Lu 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
-Mr 9:1 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power
-1Co 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
-1Co 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. -1Co 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
-Re 12:10 Now is come salvation (health,safety,rescue,deliverance) and strength (dunamis:miracle power), and the kingdom of our God, and the power (authority: jurisdiction) of his Christ
(power:#1411:dunamis:force,miraculous power)
(authority:#1849:exousia:delegated influence, jurisdiction)
-Lu 9:1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
-Lu 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
-Ac 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses (record, judicial witness) unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
-Mt 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power (exousia:authority) is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
-Mt 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
-Mt 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world(age). Amen.
-Mr 16:15-16 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved
-Mr 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe
-Lu 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
-Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations and then shall the end come.
"PRESSING"-"CROWDING INTO" the KINGDOM
-Lu 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth (biazo: crowding-forcing oneself into, to be seized) into it.
-Mt 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence (biazo: crowding-forcing oneself into, to be seized), and the violent(energetic) take it by force(seize, carry off by force).
Violence is what happens in the unseen regions of darkness. Not in our earthly, physical realm. Every advance in or toward the kingdom is resisted by the powers of darkness; just as the Canaanites resisted every advance into the promise land inheritance by the children of Israel. The enemy fought every step of the way. It works the same now in the New Testament, Holy Ghost Kingdom of God . Ac 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
Note *** O.T. Israel's wilderness school daily massaged, shaped and molded them into a humble, obedient, people resting daily in their Father's provisions. They were completely dependent upon the Spirit of the God for everything. That's what the wilderness did and still accomplishes. They always overcame as they walked with the Lord, resting in His will and provisions. They also learned that failure and defeat always came whenever they exerted self-will, flesh, dis-obedience or rebellion in their walk with the Lord.
O. T. Israel's entering the kingdom in Joshua was one of a series of experiences of battling encounters (pressings, crowdings, seizings, violent, energetic faith actions) with their enemy, ...the occupying peoples of Canaan. All of the wilderness years were schooling and training of God's people for the up-coming Kingdom possessing. It was all preparation for the Canaan land episodes of warfare they would encounter once Israel crossed the Jordan River. These battles would open up their inheritance to them on a physical level which God had spoken of to Abraham. There was not one city that made peace with the children of Israel, save the Hivites the inhabitants of Gibeon: all others they took in battle. Jos 11:19
These natural, physical experiences of those OT saints reveals to the NT saints the spiritual warfare and difficulties each believer must engage and overcome spiritually to live in their Spirit land of promises and victory.
"CHRIST'S KINGDOM PRESENTLY REIGNS
Along with the preaching of the "breaking the fetters" of sin from men's minds and hearts, came also the power to break the shackles of disease, sickness and torment of devilish spirits which attack soul, spirit, and body. Each act was related to the Kingdom. Christ was setting prisoners free physically and spiritually. All the while openly demonstrating the reign of God's Spirit on earth through a human vessel or instrument.
Isaiah spoke of heaven "exerting a kingdom reign and rule" on this earth in the good news gospel preaching of God's salvation. This was proclaimed by John the Baptist, Jesus Christ, the apostles and all the other New Testament preachers. Isa 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, ...Thy God reigneth!
Before the cross, Jesus said there were some standing here who would not see death until they had seen, ..the Kingdom coming in power (Mark 9:1); ..the Son of man coming in his kingdom (Mat 16:28; ..till they see the Kingdom of God (Luk 9:27). After His resurrection, Christ spoke during his 40 days with the disciples "of things pertaining to the Kingdom of God." (Acts 1:3). Paul spoke of Preaching the kingdom of God and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 28:31 The epistle of Hebrews mentions believers "receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved (unshakable, immovable)(Heb. 12:28)
The 'Revelation of Jesus Christ' (12:10) mentions this kingdom's spiritual aspect; "Now is come ..salvation (rescue, safety, health, deliverance), ..and strength (dunamis:force, miraculous "Holy Ghost" power of Acts 1:8), ..and the (sovereign rule-reign) kingdom of our God and the power (exousia:delegate influence) of His Christ". Christ's spiritual kingdom's influence continues presently today on this earth through God's Holy Ghost ministry of Jesus Christ for the past 2000 years. Preaching faith in Jesus Christ brings believers into his body, not a christian religious sect, but into his Holy Ghost/Spirit instrument of his "called out ones", his church, his body.
The sovereign rule & reign of the Lord Jesus Christ continues by his "called out ones" as they preach the power and authority of Jesus Name. The first 30 years or so is recorded in the 28 chapters of Acts. A little time spent looking at history will reveal the same results over the time and centuries since. History reveals in the next 2000 chapters or so the vessels or instruments of God continuing God's work in securing and expanding God's reconciliation and the reign of Christ's spiritual dominion inheritance throughout the earth. This continues today.
At this specific moment, you should consider that you are part of Acts chapter 2022. Believers from all nations have heard the call within their generation, as all nations flow into the mountain of God, into Zion. Jesus' spiritual body. Every time any person comes into the kingdom during any 24 hour day; it is always through a definite energetic work of the authority of Jesus' heavenly throne Kingdom, through another human instrument, impacting the life of a captive. It is heaven intervening on earth. All is done in the power of Jesus' Name.
KINGDOM is ESTABLISHED "WITHIN"...by Tests & Trials
Our Faith is the victory 1Jo 5:4 God's Fact (Word) says one thing, ..but the World's Fact (temporal, fiction, senses, feelings, events) say another thing. Every day we must choose between... God's Fact (absolute) and Flesh's Fact(our senses). We choose one reality over the other: eternal vs temporal; moment by moment.
Each of us find ourselves daily in this puzzling dilemma. God's "absolute" Fact says.."Lo, I am with you always, even to the end" (Mat 28:20) and "I'll never leave you nor forsake you" (Heb 13:5). All the while, ..Flesh's "Fact/Sense?" says, Lord, I feel like I'm alone, like you're million miles away, I don't feel your presence.
Thus, I must choose; between what I sense or what is said in the Bible. Where is my faith? Is my Faith in God's Fact ..OR..is my Faith in Flesh's Sense of Events. What I feel or see? So we decide. It's a decision. It is a subtle assualt by darkness. Will I live by FACTS or by FEELINGS!
Faith must arise and assert itself over Sight & Feelings. Yes, I feel alone, but the Fact is.. Jesus showed us how to do this during his 40 days of temptation as He replied, rebuffed, and repudiated everything Satan said to him. (sidebar: each of us hears words of darkness luring, enticing us subtly away from God's Words of Truth. As Faith declares God's Written Fact it establishes the Kingdom or the dominion of the King within us. It's heart,Spirit, faith over matter, not mind over matter.
We walk by Faith and not by Sight! When faith asserts its kingdom position of the heart or Spirit, a relationship is restored & established within the heart. Tests and trials establish the reality of the kingdom of God within us. It is just as tests and trials over time establish a deep love and faith within a marriage that did not exist during earlier seasons. Faith works by love. Where there is great love, there is great Faith.
The Earthly and Heavenly are two different realms. As believers walking in the Spirit of Jesus, we have the privelege to effect a change in this earthly realm which has a direct consequence in the heavenly realm.
-Mt 16:19 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.
-Mt 18:18 I say to you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
-Mt 18:19 if two of you shall agree on earth as touching (in regard to) any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven; thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven, ..Jacob's ladder connecting earth to heaven
-Mt 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Presently a global Recovery, Restoring, and Release reaching from one generation to another. Each generation contributes to this prison break of souls and miracle healing for the captives of this earth; on all levels.
-Isa 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
-Mt 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth:..(flavor & preserving)
-Mt 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
-Mt 13:23 But he that received seed (the word of the kingdom) into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
-Joh 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
-Joh 15:3 Now ye are clean (purged, pruned) through the word which I have spoken unto you.
-Joh 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
-Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
-Joh 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
-Eph 5:26 ..he might sanctify & cleanse it with the washing of water by the word
God comes along the way or path of MEEKNESS & CONTRITENESS : but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit and trembleth at my word. Isa 66:2. Christ's Power over Satan came out of His divine nature. Divine Nature and character do not come out of Power.
MEEKNESS & DEPENDENCE un-does Satan's Principle of Independence, Possessiveness, Drawing upon Self, holding on to, grabbing, expressing "I will"; all are expressions of fleshly pride.
Pride is acting In-dependently and rebels against acting Dependently. Pride's independence seeks to realize one's goals without calling or leaning upon the LORD. Often it manifests itself in taking the next step just because God blessed the previous step. The first Adam acted independently out of his own Self-Will. The last Adam, Jesus Christ, did no such thing. He always walked dependent and obedient to the Spirit, to the Father
.-Eze 28:17 ..Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty,
-Isa 14:13-14 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend.., I will exalt my.., I will sit.., I will ascend. I will be like the most High.
This satanic principle overcame Adam and exhibits itself daily within man's fallen nature, msan's fleshly human nature. It is Hell's bent; ..but, ..the meek are blessed & shall inherit the earth. Mat 5:5
A Child-Like Attitude..
-Lu 18:16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. (Mat 19:14 Mar 10:14)
-Lu 18:17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.
-Mt 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
-Mt 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
-Mr 10:15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein
**Riches ..ie Self-Sufficiency Hinders Entrance. Luk 18:24-25
-Re 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.. These are lukewarm attitudes and characteristics which cause a spuing out from God's mouth. ... and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked
-Mt 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
-Mat 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness.
-Jas 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
Blessed are the peacemakers. Blessed are the pure (clean) in heart.
Blessed are they that mourn. Blessed are the merciful.
Bless them that curse you & love your enemies.
In Secret, ..do your alms, your prayers & your fastings.
Pray the Father for His Kingdom to come. Forgive men their trespasses.
Lay up treasures in heaven. Take no thought of your life, your Heavenly Father knows your needs. Hear & Do my sayings ..building upon a rock.
*Servant......*Humility......*No Force
*As a child...*As younger....*Death
*No Lording over......*As the last......*As the least....*Glorious
*No Blind Ambition....*No Reputation....*Obedient........*Resurrection
-Mt 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
-Mt 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
-Mt 21:22..all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing ye shall receive
-Mt 18:19 That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
-Lu 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
-Mr 11:23 whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
-Mr 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
-Joh 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
-2Co 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations(reasonings), every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
Lu 18:29-30 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time and in the world to come life ever-lasting. ("the more" is not materialism)
-Mt 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
-Ro 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
-Ge 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
Mt 6:9-13 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
By this time hopefully have come to the conclusion that the Kingdom of God ...the Kingdom of Heaven was not post-poned. It came very real and very powerful. Shaking the foundations of Hell. Yes, it did come invisibly to the natural eye, without observation. But, the kingdom did come and is here in the hearts of those Jesus followers and believers.
The King's Sovereign Reign Comes to You
Kingdom Comes..in the Holy Ghost moving upon you..Mt 12:28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. (Lu 11:20)
Kingdom Comes Without Observation..Lu 17:20 ..when the kingdom of God should come, he answered and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
Kingdom Comes Within You Lu 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
Kingdom Comes In Power, not just Words Mr 9:1 some of them that stand here, shall not taste of death, till..have seen the kingdom of God come with power.
Kingdom Comes in Righteousness, Peace & Joy Ro 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Kingdom Comes in Power 1Co 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
-Acts 1:8..you shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come
-1Co 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
-Luke 10:19 I give you power over all the power of the enemy
The Kingdom Comes.. In Power, Signs & Wonders & Miracles - Mark 16:20, Acts 2:22, 2:43, 4:30, 5:12, 6:8, 8:6,13, 14:3, 15:12,19, 19:11, 1Co 12:28, 2Co 12:12, Gal 3:5, Heb 2:4
Kingdom Comes In Healing Power - Luk 10:9,17, Acts 3:11, 5:16, 8:7, 10:38, 14:9, 28:8,9
Kingdom Comes with 4 Responses (4 Heart Soils) to the Sown Word ..Mat 13:3-8 (18-23)
What just happened heart?...seed-word taken away too soon
Stoney heart - joy; not much depth,.. persecution & tribulation stresses them out
Thorny heart - cares & riches of life choke them out
Good Ground heart - they hear; they understand; becomes fruitful
The Kingdom Comes to you..for the impossible
-Faith Increases ... Heb 11:1,6
-Impossibilites become; Possible Mat 17:20
-Whatsoever you ask; Mat 21:22, 18:19, 7:7, Mark 11:23-24, Joh 16:23
The Kingdom Comes to you.. through a Spiritual Gateway:
-PRAYER becomes a GATEWAY.
-Prayer becomes an Instrument or Tool of Spiritual Communion : Mat 21:22, Mat 7:7, Mat 11:24, Joh 16:23
-House Name is PRAYER Isa 56:7 ... House of Prayer for All Nations
-What you do in secret determines what is Publicly Displayed
...secret alms:Mat 6:4; ...secret prayer:Mat 6:6; ...secret fasting:Mat 6:18
ie David slayed Bear & Lion in "Secret" - David slayed Goliath "Publicly"
Prayer is - Worship, Praise, Fellowship, Communion, Petition
The Kingdom Comes to you.. in an Humble ATTITUDE
-Humble-ness & Meekness
-Forgiving Others - Mat 18:23-35
-Freely we bestow the same (grace:favor) on others as was given to us
-Multiply the Kingdom Resources... Multiply Master's Talents
-Attitude of Invitation - King's Invitation to a Wedding - Mat 22:2-14
-Attitude of Giving Freely - "Freely you have received, freely give" Mat10:8
The Kingdom Comes to you.. in an Giving ATTITUDE
-Give to those that ask & ask not for it back Luk 6:30 & Mat 5:42
-Give and a Extra measure returns - Luk 6:38 (loaves & fishes - Luk 9:13-17)
-Give glass of water Mat 10:42
-Pay taxes Mark 12:15-16
-Giving becomes a Spiritual substance, which thieves can't steal Luk 12:33
-Sow sparingl; reap sparingly 2Cor 9:6-7
The Kingdom Comes to you.. Creates Resistance & Conflict
-creating within a response of Boldness Acts 4:18-33,14:1-3
The Kingdom Comes to you.. As You Measure Out -- It Comes Back
-Give & It shall be given, pressed, shaken, & running over.. Luk 6:38
-As you measure it out - it comes back to you in like manner.. Luk 6:38
-As you judge others, you shall be judged.. Mat 7:2
-Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy..Mat
-Hear;..get More ..Not Hear;takes away what have..Mar 4:24
-Whatever you Sow & You shall also Reap..Gal 6:7-8
-Cast your Bread upon the water & it shall return to you.. Eccl 11:1
-A Faith measure given to all men. ??Investing my measure?... Rom 12:3
-Talents are to increase ..Mat 25:26
-Sow sparingly; reap sparingly..2Cor 9:6-7
Kingdom Comes to you.. as ..KINGDOM is Priority #1..Mat 6:33
-"Selling of All" for a Treasure/Pearl ..Mat 13:44-46
-"Kingdom is to Consume" our Life(leavening)..Mat 13:33
Kingdom Comes to you.. Our VIEW-POINT CHANGES
-Seeing what God Sees & what others can't see ..revelations by Spirit
-Know Mysteries (Secret things) Mat 13:11,16-17 (Luk 8:10, Mar 4:11)
-Secret things revealed Mat 12:35, Rom 16:25, 1Co 2:7-12, Deu 29:29
Kingdom Comes to you in a Work Assignment in the Vineyard
-"Hiring of Laborers" & Reward..Mat 20:1
-An "Inward Compelling" in Ministry to others
Kingdom Comes to you - must deal with Mixture
-as the ENEMY SOWS MIXTURE ..Mat 13:24-30
-as a Net Gathering of Good & Bad .. Mat 13:47-50
Kingdom Comes to Us in Spiritual Birth: Brings Kingdom into View
-Joh 3:3 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
-Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
-Mr 9:47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
-Mt 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
-Mt 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
KINGDOM BLESSINGS & CURSINGS
De 27:11-12 These shall stand upon mount Gerizim to bless the people, when ye are come over Jordan; Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Joseph, and Benjamin:
-Levi - "joiner".......... Simeon - "hearing; obeying"
-Judah - "praise"......... Issachar -,"hire; there is recompense or reward"
-Joseph - "he will add"... Benjamin - "son of my right hand"
And these shall stand upon mount Ebal to curse; Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
-Reuben - "Behold, a son"..... Gad - "a troop; overrun; have victory"
-Asher - "happy; blessed"..... Zebulun - "dwelling; habitation"
-Dan - "judge"................ Naphtali - "my wrestling"
KINGDOM BLESSINGS : COME From "Listening & Obeying"
*note: Since the Kingdom is a spiritual one, ..look spiritually. Don't focus on the natural materialistic blessings of the past old covenant. The Father knows all about that part of the natural which we need.(Mat 6-7) Our new covenant blessings are in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (Eph 1:3) (1Pet 1:4)
De 28:1-2 if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments; all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD
Deu 28:3-14 Kingdom Blessings now Apply Spiritually in the NT..)
Provisions - Reproductive - Health - Prosperity - Victory - Head - On Top
KINGDOM CURSINGS : from "NOT Listening & Not Obeying"
-It takes 5 times more verses to describe the negatives, the curses Deu 28: 15-68 *note: Since the Kingdom is a spiritual one, look spiritually. Don't focus on the natural physical cursings of the past old covenant. The Father knows all about that part of the natural you need. Failure to live in new covenant blessings open us up to spiritual attacks & torments of the demonic powers of darkness which often have physical natural manifestations.
Deu 28:15-68 Kingdom Cursings cover (Apply Spiritually in NT ...Think Spiritually)
Humiliation - Barreness - Sickness - Poverty - Failure - Defeat - Tail - Beneath
WOE UPON LEADERS who hinder KINGDOM ENTRANCE
-Mt 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
-Mt 16:6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
-Mt 16:12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
-Mr 8:15 beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.
BEWARE OF THE LEAVEN OF "RELIGION" & "POLITICS"!
-Mat 16:6 ..beware the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees
-Mark 8:15 ..beware the leaven of the Pharisees and of the leaven of Herod
KINGDOM relation to... MATERIALISM & NATURAL RICHES
-Mr 10:23 ..hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
-Mr 10:24 ..Children, how hard is it for them that trust (have confidence, rely) in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
-Mr 10:25 easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
-Mt 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.(wealth)
-Lu 16:11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
Proverbs 3:5-10
-3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
-3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
-3:7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
-3:8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
-3:9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
-3:10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
Seeking Christ 1st; seeking the Kingdom 1st;...takes care of everything else. Your Father Knows.
KINGDOM MYSTERIES (Secrets) : For You to Know
-Mr 4:11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: (Mat 13:11, Lu 8:10)
-Mt 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven..
-Deu 29:29The secret things belong unto the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us & our children forever.
-1Co 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
-1Co 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him..
-1Co 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
-1Co 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
A KINGDOM MIND is a Transformed Mind
The Mind of Christ, ..the Transformed Mind, and the Renewed Mind. Jesus demonstrated this heavenly spiritual to us within the four gospels as He lived out His daily ministry life walking around Israel as the Son of Man. Christ never had to overcome a mind blinded by satan as we believers do.
-2Co 3:14 But their minds were blinded:
-2Co 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not. Christ's mind was never alienated nor a enemy to the Spirit's will as our mind which was born in sin,;
-Col 1:21 you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works..
Jesus, the "Son of Man" .. never had to be exhorted nor encouraged to set His affections on things above, as we believers are..
-Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Yet thru the new birth of Holy Ghost, believers are enabled and instructed in having the mind of Christ.
-1Co 2:16 ..we have the mind of Christ.
-Php 2:5 ..Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Our natural mind is the devil's playground and becomes an arena of warfare from the very first day we come to Christ. We are to be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.(Rom 12:1)
-2Co 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of (mental / spiritual) strong holds;
-2Co 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Christ's Mind - Why are you so fearful? How is it you have no faith? Mr 4:40
Christ's Mind - Mrk 6:36-38 ..."You Give them food to eat, How many loaves have you?
Natural Mind - Mrk 6:52 For they considered not the miracle of the loaves; for their heart was hardened..
Christ's Mind - Mrk 8:17-18 Why do you reason you, because you have no bread, perceive you not yet, neither understand? Have you your heart yet hardened? Do you not remember?
Just as the natural mind lives in reaction to what's going on around it "naturally"; the Holy Ghost mind, the Renewed Mind, the Transformed Mind, the Mind of Christ lives in reaction to.. the Spirit, to.. the Father; ..just as Jesus did patterned for us.
The KINGDOM OF GOD/HEAVEN ..is Like...
Kingdom of God is like.. a seed that grows into full ear corn
Mr 4:26-29 seed brings forth, first the blade, then the ear, then full corn in the ear when these three phases are completed it will immediately be harvest time.
Kingdom of Heaven is like.. 4 types of Soil (hearts) receiving the Word Seed
Mt 13:18-23 A sower sows the word seed upon four types of ground or soil.
1-is way side ground where they didn't get it at all,
2-is stony ground who receive the word with joy but are later offended when persecution arises because of the word,
3-is thorny ground who receive but the cares of life and materialism (riches) choke out the word, and then
4-is good ground who actually bring forth fruit, some 30,60,100 fold.
Kingdom of God is like.. ..field sown with ..Wheat(children)& Tare(children)
-Mt 13:24-30 Good seed is sown and enemy sows tares at night. Over time both tares and wheat show up. Tares are allowed to grow with the wheat until the harvest at the end of the age, when both are separated.
Kingdom of Heaven is like.. ..a mustard seed
Mt 13:31-32 It is sown as the least of all seeds but when grown gives lodging within it's branches to many birds
Kingdom of God is like ..leaven
Mt 13:33 ..like hidden leaven which leavens the whole 3 measures of meal
Kingdom of Heaven is like .. a hidden treasure worth selling all to buy
Mt 13:44 ..Is like a hidden treasure found in a field which is worth selling everything to buy the field.
Kingdom of God is like .. a merchant seeking Pearl of Great Price
Mt 13:45-46 ..is a merchant finding selling all to buy a one pearl of great price.
Kingdom of Heaven is like ..a net gathering all kinds from the seaMt 13:47-50 ..is a net gathering all kinds from the sea for the separating of the good and bad on the shore at the end of the age.
Kingdom of God is like the forgiving of great debts
Mt 18:23 a king forgiving great debts expecting his servants to forgive others their small debts or be delivered to tormenters.
Kingdom of Heaven is like ..a householder hiring vineyard laborers
Mt 20:1 the hired laborers each receive the same wage regardless of working all day or only 1 hour, the last shall be first.
Kingdom of God is like .. A King's Marriage Invitation for His Son
Mt 22:2-14 ..servants reject a King's invitation to his son's wedding, ..they make light, slay the messengers, incurring the wrath of the King's armies. Wedding guests are then furnished from the highways & hedges. One guest was found without the proper garment and was cast out. Many called, few are chosen.
Kingdom of Heaven is like .. giving of talents & looking for increase
Mt 25:14-30 as a man delivers money (5 talents, 2, & 1) to his own servants according to each's ability while he travels to a far country. Upon his return, he looks for increase in his investment. Two of the servants double their talents and enter into Joy as ruling over more. The 3rd is reproved for hiding his money in the ground not even allowing it to earn interest. Unprofitable servant cast out into outer darkness of weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Kingdom of God is like .. Wise & Foolish Virgins Waiting
Mt 25:1-13 ....as ten virgins, 5 wise took lamps & oil, 5 foolish took only lamps, on their way to meet the bridegroom, while he tarried, they all slept and the foolish lamps went out. By the time they returned from buying oil, the door was closed.
Kingdom of Heaven is like ..Bringing Out New & Old Treasures
Mt 13:5-52 Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord, Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.
KINGDOM ECONOMICS
Kingdom is not about Possessing Goods (persecution comes with it!) -Mt 19:23-29 riches and materialism makes it difficult to enter the kingdom of God -Mt 19:26-29 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration (Tit 3:5) when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, (with PERSECUTIONS : Mar 10:30) and shall inherit everlasting life.
Neither the "Absence or Presence" of Natural Wealth ..defines the Kingdom. Christ is the only measure for the child of God. Physical, natural blessings are earthly and do not compute in any measurement of "the sons of God" here and now. The love of money continues to be the root of all evil; for the sinner and the saint. Can't change it's nature; but it can be overcome when Jesus is first; when seeking the Kingdom is first.
The Old Testament people of God, Israel; lived at all levels of natural, physical, prosperity. Some walked with God and made wiser decisions. Others made poor decisions, no doubt from a weaker walk with God; thereby living in God's kingdom in natural poverty or in slavery or bondage.
The New Testament is not about Natural Wealth. It is about Spiritual Blessings. Their's (OT) were Natural. Ours (NT) are Spiritual. (Of course, the physical has be taken care of or the Spirit has no place to dwell.) Jesus spoke to us about understanding Priorities. Some of the church have fallen into the "bigger is better", "God makes you wealthy" abyss. What comes 1st? The spiritual. God takes care of the Natural if we take care of the Spiritual.
May we prosper and be in health as our soul prospers. Materialism tends to make us independent from God and always comes WITH conflicts, persecutions, etc. Thus, it always reminds us by it's very nature of spiritual resistance; that it is adverse to our walk and progress with God.
Give to that Ask of you ...not asking for it back (ooh ...that stings)
-Lu 6:30 Give to borrower & ask not again
-Mat 5:42 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
Giving a Glass of Water Rewarded
Mt 10:42 ...whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water, in the name of a disciple,.. I say unto you, he shall no wise lose his reward
Pay Your Taxes
Mr 12:15 Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it.
Mr 12:16 And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's.
Give & It shall be given you & with extra measure
Lu 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
God Multiplies Our Insufficiency
One Gave 5 loaves & 2 Fish = fed +- 5000 men with 12 baskets left over.
-Lu 9:13 But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people.
-Lu 9:17 And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.
What You Give Becomes Heavenly Treasure which Thieves Can't Steal
Lu 12:33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
KINGDOM .. vs .. WILDERNESS
Israel's years of wilderness experiences provided them valuable lessons about God: His word, obedience, daily walking with God, daily natural provisions (manna), protection when attacked, security in all adversities, daily manifestation of God's Presence (cloud & fire), worship routines, and experiences from disobedience and doubt. Ultimately they learned that their health, their safety, their provisions, and in fact, their everything was directly related to their spiritual relationship with Jehovah.
Yet, with all the blessings God gave in the wilderness; it was still not the place to call home. The wilderness was not their inheritance. Nor was it their promise land flowing with milk and honey. Nor was it the Kingdom.
In the Promise Land of the Kingdom all has been prepared for us in advance. It is also a continual daily walk by faith with him. By learning dependence on Him daily by our faith we remain "walking by faith and not by sight" when the out-ward, visible cloud-fire of His Presence disappears. But, we must remind ourselves that He doesn't disappear.
The outward visible manifestation of Daily Manna from Heaven stops; but his continual daily provisions were still there upon the promise land; the land of promises, the house, the wells, the vineyards, all previously prepared for us. It all continues to be a daily walk of faith within the blessings of our inheritance. Again everything is directly related to our spiritual relationship with God. The wilderness was not our destination. Never was. Never will be. The Kingdom was completely constituted within the borders of the promise land. That was theirs and our only destination. A living of your life-time in the land of Promises. It is the same for us in the New Testament.
FLESH has NO "Lot" within KINGDOM INHERITANCE
-1Co 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit (no lot or share in) the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
-1Co 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. (They do not share now "in time" nor "in eternity")
-1Co 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
-Ga 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
-Ga 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
-Ga 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
-Eph 5:5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
When fleshiness exhibits itself in a believer's life, the attributes of the kingdom of God such as righteousness (being right with God), and peace (calmness and tranquility), and joy in the Holy Ghost; ...begin to fade and will ultimately disappear, if things are not arrested. They do not co-exist.
KINGDOM INHERITANCE for Heirs & Joint-Heirs
-De 6:23 And he "brought us out" from thence, that he might "bring us in" to give us the land which he sware unto our fathers. (Natural land in O.T.) (Spiritual land in the N.T.)
-a 7:18 But the saints of the most High shall take (RECEIVE) the kingdom, and possess (HOLD BY OCCUPENCY) the kingdom for ever, even for ever & ever.
-Zec 8:12 For the seed shall be prosperous; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess (INHERIT) all these things.
-Ob 1:17 But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess (OCCUPY) their possessions.(possessions)
-Jas 2:5 Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
-Ro 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
-Ac 20:32 ..to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
-Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with "all spiritual blessings" in "heavenly places" in Christ:
-Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after counsel of his will
-Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
-Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
-Eph 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
-Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
-Col 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet (enabled)
to be partakers (portion, participate) of the inheritance of the saints in light:
-1Pe 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
If you will read all of the above scriptures again, to your self out-loud, as though Jesus is talking you in present tense (..which he is...smile); he makes it pretty clear that what has been given to us right now in the Spirit, while we are still breathing air upon this earth, is wonderful and unsearchable. It is so vast. And we have not even died yet. As Paul said ...For me to live is Christ; and to die is gain!
In the Kingdom ..The Thief Comes to Steal Our..INHERITANCE
In the Old Testament, the people of God were surrounded by enemies who were always resisting in some form, what God wanted for Israel. They fought natural battles to win and keep what God had given them. From Genesis to Malachi, multiple stories and encounters are written of with enemy tribes, cultures, armies, and nations; all attempting to displace them from their inheritance. Sometimes the enemy came from within Israel, within the family. The Enemy of that age came to them literally, and physically to steal, kill and destroy them.
In the New Testament, Jesus speaks of the same; but in this NT age, it is a spiritual assualt. Jesus speaks in Joh 10:10; The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Our N.T. Inheritance & Possessions are not physical ground; but it is real spiritual ground. A NT believer's inheritance includes all aspects of the Spirit of Christ. This includes .. anointing, power, faith, victory, joy, peace, longsuffering, love, mercy, prayer, holiness, sanctification, burden, labor, obedience, fellowship, communion, worship, praise, patience, kindness, testimony, visions-dreams, Holy Ghost experiences, manifestations, gifts, signs, wonders, miracles, healings, and inner Christ attributes and characteristics. All aspects of the Spirit of God within the inward man.
We of this NT age should remember; ..Satan has devices, but no power. Jesus has all power. All power in heaven and earth is given unto me, he said. (Mat 28:18) Satan does have an ability to entice us to "agree with him" as he did with Adam and Eve in the garden. Jesus was tempted, tested at the beginning of his ministry, during the 3 1/2 years, and at Calvary. He was triumphant all the way through. He kept holding to "God's Knowledge" by knowing what was written and having a Spirit fellowship and communion with his Father. These tests came through demons, spirits, his friends, his close disciples; even his open antagonists. Jesus always stayed with what the Father (Spirit) wanted, thereby squashing Satan's attempt to steal Jesus' Inheritance by tempting Him to agree a thought or opinion contrary to what God has said; as the 1st Adam did. This device is continually used on all believers.
Thus, it is imperative that believers "Contend for the faith"..the inheritance, ..the life, the instructions..which was once delivered unto the saints.
KINGDOM WORKING .. for God
-Mt 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
-Col 4:11 And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.
-1Th 2:12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
KINGDOM SUFFERING : Oppostion & Resistance
-Mt 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
-Ac 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
-2Th 1:5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
-Re 1:9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
KINGDOM is Righteous Rule
-Heb 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
-1Co 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
-1Co 15:25 ..for he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet
KINGDOM COMPANIONS ...in Tribulation
Re 1:9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
KINGDOM:Spiritual Translation NOW - Future Fullness
-Heb 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
-Col 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
-Re 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
KINGDOM ..of Priests ..Kings & Priests ..Fellow-Citizens
-Eph 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
-Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
There is only 1 class of citizen in the Kingdom; all are Kingdom Priest-Minister's. (gender is irrelevant to citizenship ie...the United States; but is relevant to social interactions (male-female).
-Ga 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
-Heb 8:11.. for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
-Ex 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.
-Isa 61:6 But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: ..Ministers of the Lord
-1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, (Heb 13:15-16) acceptable to God by Jesus Christ
-1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal (kingly) priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people..
-Re 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father
-Re 5:10 ..made us unto our God kings and priests: & we shall reign on earth.
-1Jo 3:1 ..Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God
-Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
-Heb 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
-Ps 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
KINGDOM ... Future Aspect
-Mt 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
-Lu 21:31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
-Ti 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
-2Ti 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever.