Luke 11:20-22 KJV
[20] But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. [21] When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: [22] But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.
What is the Kingdom of God?
Where is the Kingdom of God?
When is the Kingdom of God?
Why is the Kingdom of God?
The phrase, “Kingdom of God,” and “Kingdom of Heaven,” is not found in the Old Testament. Jesus opens His ministry proclaiming, “The Kingdom of God is at hand,” and yet, not one person asks Him, “what do you mean, ‘the Kingdom of God?’”
Why is that? Were His disciples just sick of being Jewish and looking for a cool new religion?
No!
His disciples, being Jewish, knew the scriptures, they knew the Word of God, and because of this, they were waiting for Jeremiah 31:31 to take place: The New Covenant.
Jeremiah 31:31-34 KJV
[31] Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: [32] Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord : [33] But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. [34] And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord : for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord : for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
Like a ship getting ready to dock, these fortunate saints of this time were able to watch the Kingdom of God manifest itself in “Real Time.”
In the New Testament, the phrase, “Kingdom of God/Heaven” is used roughly 110 times; the word “kingdom” is roughly 154 times.
In perspective, the word “Gospel” is used close to 98 times. I think Jesus might be trying to make a point!
Many Christian’s in our day speak of the Kingdom of God as something that will happen in the future; it’s in the works spiritually now, but will happen physically at a later time; after the rapture, and during a thousand year reign of Christ on earth from the millennial capital city, Jerusalem.
The only problem with that is, it’s nowhere in scripture, so that’s a BIG, GIGANTIC problem. Other than that, it makes for a cool sci-Fi movie.
We live in a time when “pre-millennial-dispensational theology,” is the mass majority of teaching. But in 2000 years of church history, it’s brand new; started in 1830 by a man named Darby.
Now, pre-millennial-dispensational theology is everywhere. It permeates the land, much like a landfill that lets you know it’s close, because it “stinketh.”
The Kingdom of God is here, but only those who are born again can see it.
John 3:3 KJV
[3] Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Don’t let bad theology rob you of your rights and duties. If you have been born again, you are a king and priest under Christ.
“What does that mean?”
I’ll leave that for upcoming posts.
