Kingdom of God

Opening song:368 – Eden Above (old)

Closing Song: 008 – we gather together

Scripture: Math 6:25-33.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these (other) things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33

Introduction

Here is another verse of scripture that a lot of people quote, and yet if you were to ask the average believer, “What is the kingdom of God?”, the answers would vary by person. It seems to me that not many people understand what is this “kingdom of God” that they should be seeking.

As a matter of fact, it was only after I had completed this study that I received a better understanding of the meaning of the kingdom of God mentioned in Matth6:33. It is my hope that after today’s study “the kingdom of God,” will be made clearer to all.

                          Let us pray

How do we seek the kingdom?

In this scripture text, we are admonished to seek the kingdom of God.

But how can we intelligently look for something if we have not the foggiest idea of what it is or what it looks like. If this were the case, no doubt there would be a strong possibility that we could search our entire life time and never find it.

 In other words, it is impossible for a person to describe something that they have no idea about. However this is exactly what some try to do when they talk about "the Kingdom of God" sending their hearers on a wild goose chase  or worse, more confused then they were at the very beginning of the discourse.

“This sounds oddly like the story of the Emperor and his new clothes to me.”

synopsis

about two weavers who promise an emperor a new suit of clothes that they say is invisible to those who are unfit for their positions, stupid, or incompetent. When the emperor parades before his subjects in his new clothes, no one dares to say that they don't see any suit of clothes on him for fear that they will be seen as "unfit for their positions, stupid, or incompetent". Finally, a child cries out, "But he isn't wearing anything at all!" The tale has been translated into over 100 languages.^[1]

The paradox of the situation is that "the kingdom of God" should not be obscure to the avid bible student, for in many instances Jesus started His parables with the phrase “the kingdom of God is likened unto:”

Consider

Mark 10:14-15 

But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

Let’s also consider

Luke 13:18-21

18 Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?

19 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.

20 And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?

21 It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. (to be compared with gen 18:6)

Do you see the parallel? The kingdom of God is likened unto something small that is put into something else, and then the effects of the small thing is manifested in a major way.

Reading the word of God

Although it should not need be said, I will say it anyway. “The time is here when we should already have the word of God in our hearts.” The time has come that in order to understand the mysteries of the Kingdom of God we should have already been reading.

Why?

Luke 8:10

10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

If it is not already clear, the title of our study today is “The Kingdom of God.” To begin this study proper I will start with what I think you know and then I will attempt to bridge with what I think you don’t know.

So the first question that we hope to answer is....

Question one: Is the Earth the Kingdom of God?

The Physical Kingdom of men-part 1

It is a well-known fact, and surely observable, that when God created the Earth it was given to man as his domain. Man, was to have dominion over the Earth and rule it. God had made a kingdom (the Earth) and had made a king (Adam) to rule over it. Gen1:26-28

Although it is not explicit in this scripture, the Earth and the man ruling over it was supposed to be a type of lesson book for all His created beings; the angels and the inhabitants of all the unfallen worlds would have been the main beneficiaries of this explanation. The things that God created on this Earth were meant to explain His eternal power and how it is that God governs his creation. (Rom 1:20).

Question one: Is the Earth the Kingdom of God?

Answer:  No; the Earth is not the kingdom of God. He rules over it because He is God, but this domain is dubbed the kingdom of men.

Although the Earth is/was a physical kingdom, and it is/was a type of the kingdom of God; it is not the very thing. No doubt God rules over the Kingdom of men, but the Earth was not dubbed His kingdom.

Let us briefly look at a verse of scripture that confirms this.

Daniel 4:17 And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.

As you all should know, this verse talks about the curse that came upon Nebuchadnezzar because of his neglect to acknowledge the God of heaven, as king of kings, and that it was this God who had set him (Nebuchadnezzar ) up as king.  Although Nebuchadnezzar was shown all the kingdoms of the Earth from his time until the end; he still did not want to acknowledge God’s supreme purpose and Will over his life. Consequently, he was cursed as beast for 7 years. This is the time it took him to acknowledge that God ultimately rules in the kingdom of men (because He is the supreme ruler over all).

The Physical Kingdom of men-part 2

Question two: So, if the Earth is not the kingdom of God, how do we explain the prophecy of Daniel 2, i.e. with the image of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and the stone that came to destroy it, which should become a great mountain?

This is a loaded question.

To eliminate the possibility of misunderstanding, we must answer this question in small parts.  Let us go to the prophecy so we can set the record straight.

Dan 2:44-45

Dan2: 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.

45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.

These verses establish that the stone in the dream destroyed the other elements. As a result, we understand that the stone replaced all the other elements mentioned in the dream. The explanation in verse 45 makes it clear that God will set up a kingdom here on Earth that will replace all the kingdoms of men.

Here is another text which makes this thought plain.  

Rev11:15

15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

This verse speaks about the kingdom of men becoming the kingdom of God. It (the kingdom of men) was not His (the kingdom of God) before, (because he had given it to man,) but then it (the kingdom of men) would become His (the kingdom of God). The text goes on to establish why this will be so… “because he shall reign over them forever.”

Turn now to Rev 21:3 as we lay this subject to rest.

Rev21:3

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

The tabernacle of God was not with men before the time mentioned, and by extension, we can conclude from the text, that all men did not choose God to be their god before that time either. However, at this point in time mentioned by revelation, both of those things will happen. The tabernacle will be moved to the Earth and God will take His rightful place as Lord over all…i.e. over all men.

The Physical Kingdom of God

I hope I have shed some light upon the difference between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of men; before I proceed however it becomes necessary for me to say that “the Kingdom of God” has two aspects to it. There is a physical aspect which most of us can identify but then there is also a spiritual aspect, which most of us miss. What do I mean?

Let me see if I can bring you to this understanding and then we will try to identify which was being referred to in Matth6:33.

Turn your bible with me to Math19:24

Matth 19:24

And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Note this is not a metaphoric use of the word kingdom. Jesus is here referring to a physical kingdom, an actual place.

We enter into physical places. Right?

Here is another text Mark 14:25

Mark14:25

Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.

And yet another

Mark 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:

This verse should need no exposition. Jesus is here referring to that time when we are all in Kingdom of God at the marriage feast of the Lamb.

If hell is a literal place, then surely the kingdom of God is a literal place.

Let us look at one more text about entering into the kingdom.

Luke16:16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

The previous texts should have made it abundantly clear that the Kingdom of God is a physical place.

Let us now briefly look at who it is that will enter in the kingdom of God.

The Physical kingdom is the inheritance of the righteous

Eph5:55 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.

Note it belongs to God and He gives it to whom He will.

James 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?

It is promised to the little flock 

Luke 12:32

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

It is the place where we (the saints) will be going after time on this Earth is done. After much tribulation, the saints are to enter into it.

Act 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.

For the most part this is all we ever mention when we talk about the kingdom. It’s physical aspect; but is that all there is to the kingdom of God? Is this all the understanding that we are to have; or is there a deeper underlying meaning that we have overlooked?

Old Israel also misunderstood

Note the people at Jesus time also misunderstood this topic.

It is understandable how they could have misunderstood, since Jesus was always saying it was nigh/close (Luke 10:9; Luke 19:11; Mark12:34). For some strange reason, they could only think about a physical kingdom literally appearing before them. They simply would not elevate their minds to grasp the spiritual truth that Jesus was sharing with them.

These people were so caught up with the physical, they missed the spiritual application; and spiritual things can only be spiritually discerned.

As we know Israel is/was the type and we are the anti-type (1 Cor 10:11). Hence we are guilty of this very thing?

We (the present day Israel) are looking for the manifestation of the physical kingdom of God and have not yet understood the spiritual application. We have not yet understood that in order to see the physical, the spiritual must first manifest itself in us.

So where is Kingdom of God?

This is where I am taking you; into the unknown, or for some of you, the not so familiar.

Now the Pharisees had grown weary of Jesus saying the kingdom of God is nigh and now demanded of him to tell them plainly, when it should come. Now this is what Jesus said to them.

Turn your bibles with me to

Luke 17:20-21

20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:

21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

What!? The kingdom of God is within you! How could this be? What is Jesus talking about?

Obviously, this is not the physical kingdom, because a physical kingdom cannot fit inside a physical person. Based on this it is safe to conclude that what is being referred to here by Jesus is the spiritual application of “the kingdom of God.”

The power of the kingdom

So, what is it?

Rom 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Put simply, the Kingdom of God is the power of God that a person harnesses inside of them, to do many wonderful acts.

1 cor4:20

20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.

…..Note that

Christ = Divinity (God) putting on humanity,

God taking upon himself all the frailties of humanity. (Phil 2:6-8)

…and a

Christian = humanity putting on divinity (God)

Humanity taking upon themselves the fullness of God (Eph3:19; 2 Pet 1:4)

Q. So, why could Christ say that the Kingdom of God is within you?

A. He could say this because of the sheer power which was given to man.

If it is/was not clear in the text in Luke, surely it is/was abundantly clear in the text in Corinthians. It stated that the kingdom of God is concerned with power from on high to do marvelous works. This is the reason why Jesus could say that it did not come with observation.

Allow me to further develop this thought

What comes with the kingdom?

Usually when a person is promoted in a kingdom on Earth, the perks that come with the position are majesty, glory and honor. Note that this is what happened when Daniel was to be promoted at the reading of the hand writing on the wall. (Dan 5:29)

After the redemption process we too are promoted, we shall not only sit as heirs in His kingdom but we shall share in His glory too.

1Thessalonians 2:12

12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

Apart of receiving his glory is being able to exercise the power that comes with the possession of the kingdom of God.

So some of you might be thinking…

 What is the power used for?

1.     It gives you the power to heal:          Luke 10:9 And heal the sick that are therein,

and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

 Should it be an extra ordinary thing to heal the sick?

I know most of us, if not all of us, will confess that miracles were the norm for Christ. Here is the surprising thing. In the same way that Jesus was a walking miracle, we too should be walking miracles. Among other things the true Christian would have the power to heal (jn14:12).

Remember

Christ = Divinity (God) putting on humanity, (Phil 2:6-8)

Christian = humanity putting on divinity (God)(Eph3:19)

The power to preach and teach

2.     It gives you the ability to meet your earthly needs (food, clothing, etc…):mat 6:25-32

Note the preamble that comes before Jesus says to seek the kingdom of God. Jesus says that the food and clothing will be added, if you only seek the kingdom first.

3.     It is the power to live above sin:        This is the work of the kingdom inside of you.

Note Colossians 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

Adam and the Kingdom of God

Math 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

Why does the scripture make mention of the foundation of the world?

In order to get a full understanding of the kingdom here being mentioned we must turn to the book of Genesis.

Gen 3:14-19

Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

This is where God intervenes. Verse 14 paints a really dismal picture for all living things, i.e. everything was cursed, but then God fuses a twist in the curse. He inserts enmity, and the place in which He puts it, causes hope to thrive.

Make no mistakes about it, upon sinning Adam and Eve had become the full-fledged enemies of God, and the allies of the devil (James 4:4). However, by God inserting the enmity between the woman and the serpent, God broke up this alliance. Gen 3:15 is the first representation of the good news of salvation.

 The woman is referenced because she was the one who first joined the ranks of the devil.

Now understand that the enmity that was placed between the devil and the woman, is the embodiment of the kingdom of God. It was not the physical kingdom of God but the power which was made available to Adam and Eve to overcome sin.

What did Jesus want us to seek?

Now that we have a fuller understanding of what is the kingdom of God, now we can answer this question...

Q. What was Jesus instructing us to seek in Mat6:33?

A. Christ was instructing us to seek :

The power that allows us to live above sin.

The power that allows us to heal.

The power that allows us to meet our daily needs.

The power that allows us to preach the good news of salvation. Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:8-11; 1 Peter 4:11

Romans 12:6-8

6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

1 Corinthians 12:8-11

For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

1 Peter 4:11

If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen

Contrary to what we may believe, the physical kingdom of God is only given to those who had obtained the spiritual kingdom of God. In other words, you should become a citizen of the kingdom in spirit before you can become a physical citizen of the place.

Looking more closely at what Jesus says in Matthew 6, you will see that Jesus makes the comparison of seeking the earthly needs versus seeking the kingdom of God. You will notice that in 6:33 he seems to say that if you seek the kingdom of God (the spiritual aspect of the power of God working) you will be able to furnish the other things.
END___________________________________________

Bonus Q/A

Can the power of God be used for evil?

This power has been made available to everyone however, only few will use it. Just in case you were wondering, this power cannot be used for evil. 2 Pet1:3-15. The devil often employs the resources God has left on this Earth against Him, but this is not to be understood as the kingdom of God being used for evil.

Kingdom of God and his righteousness

Why did Christ say seek his kingdom and his righteousness? Is it possible to seek one and not the other?

Yes, it is possible to seek one and not the other.

Remember the man in the story of the wedding feast (matth 22:12). He came into the wedding feast not wearing the wedding garment. This man wanted to be a part of the wedding feast, but he did not want to wear the wedding garment. He was seeking the benefits that came with the wedding feast, but he wanted to achieve them in his own way. He wanted the kingdom of God but he did not want His righteousness.

There is another example of a man willing to pay Paul for the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 8:19) because he did want to do the righteous things needed to obtain it.

The truth is most of us are seeking the physical benefits that comes with the physical kingdom of God but are not willing to achieve them in the way which God stipulates. It is for this reason that we read Christ saying, “seek the kingdom with His righteousness.”

Why not mention the righteousness first?

The reason He mentions the kingdom first is because this is where the minds of the Jews were and this is where we are today. We/They want the kingdom, so he (Christ) mentions what we/they are familiar with first, but then He tells us/them the all-important part.

The kingdom of God does not come without the righteousness. As a matter of fact, if a person doesn’t seek the righteousness of God, you cannot obtain His kingdom either.

I’ve said it already and I will say it again. Before you can live in the kingdom of God (physical) the kingdom of God (spiritual) must be manifested inside of you.

Appeal

2 pet1:3-15

3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

“Few Christians go beyond the very first level of biblical understanding they had at baptism. Often the path that follows is littered with a revolving door opinions from that simplistic basic knowledge.” Fowler- End time secrets of Daniel 8-12

4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Having therefore come to the knowledge of this truth let us now strive to obtain the kingdom of God, so that all things may be added. Let us not have a form of godliness and deny the power any longer.(2Timothy 3:5)