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The Kingdom
of God
The Bible begins to indicate "The Kingdom of God"
in the Old testament. It is commonly referred to in the New Testament. There are, for
example, 32 references to it in Matthew & 33 in
Mark. Nowhere does anyone ask what it is or "is there a precise definition?". Yet it literally
means "the reign/rule of God". The Israelites yearned for the Kingdom of God and talked of
its coming. Shalom! = "May all of the good things of the Kingdom of God be
yours!" The concept begins way before Jesus but is presented in the Gospels...one of the
central Gospel themes. The Kingdom of God is the chosen of God, past present, and future,
including those of the Old Covenant (Israelites) and those of the New Covenant (Jesus
followers)...a sort of Universal Church of God (at any given time) of those members living at
a given time (the Kingdom of God on Earth). The Kingdom of Heaven (often used by Matthew)
is essentially synonymous. This Kingdom dwells/exists/resides in the hearts of the subjects
of that Kingdom. So, on earth, the chosen of God are early entrants into the Kingdom of
God on earth or in heaven.
Easton's Bible Dictionary notes: "kingdom of God"
(Mat 6:33; Mar 1:14, 15; Luke 4:43) = "kingdom of Christ" ( Mat 13:41; 20:21) = "kingdom of
Christ and of God" ( Eph 5:5) = "kingdom of David" ( Mar 11:10) = "the kingdom" ( Mat 8:12;
13:19) = "kingdom of heaven" (Mat 3:2; 4:17; 13:41)...all denote the same thing under
different aspects: ( 1) Christ's mediatorial authority, or His rule on the earth; ( 2) the
blessings and advantages of all kinds that flow from this rule; ( 3) the subjects of this
kingdom taken collectively. Yet, it MAY be broader than THE CHURCH, the Bride of
Christ...all of those indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
When I get time, I will post more elements from an
outline put together by our Pastor Charles Dawkins for one of a 2005 Lenten series of
discussions (it is based on the book, Kingdom of God, copyright 1957, by John
Bright).
Mark 1:14-15 (NASB): "Now after
John [John the Baptist] had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the
gospel [good
news] of God, and saying, "The time is
fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent [turn from
your sins] and believe in the gospel [good
news]."
***give me your comments about this
page***
check out the Highest
TRUTH
(posted 28 February 2005; latest addition 11
October 2013)
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