KINGDOM OF GOD

 (It's kinda been brought up a few Sundays now so...here we go...

Straight from "The Layman's Bible Encyclopedia" Published in 1964 by The Southwestern Co Nashville TN. Currently on loan to me from the good folks at New Chapel.

KINGDOM OF GOD

The Kingdom of God, or Kingdom of Heaven, as it is also called, especially in Matthew, was the central theme of the preaching and teaching of Jesus. It refers to the visible manifestation of God's reign over the universe. John the Baptist and Jesus announced that this long-awaited day had finally arrived, or was so near at hand that its effect could already be felt, and summoned men to prepare for its coming by repentance, a turning from sin unto God. Jesus bore witness to this kingdom by his mighty works, primarily his miracles of healing and exorcism of demons, and by his parables, many of which have as their theme the worth of the kingdom or the manner of its operation in the world. As a tiny seed grows secretly, ultimately becoming a tree, so the kingdom, whose beginnings are almost imperceptible, moves inexorably toward its final consummation. 

The imminent breaking in of this kingdom demanded that men respond to God's call while there was yet time. A decision for the Kingdom of God would prove costly-indeed, it might well mean the surrender of all a man held dear-but its blessings were of such inestimable value as to make any sacrifice worthwhile. Response to the call to the Kingdom is made in terms of response to Christ, through whom God's assault on the powers of this world was made and in whom His rule is perfectly embodied.

The Kingdom of God is both present and future. With the activity of Jesus, the task of setting the world right was begun. God began to rule in a new way. The great Church of God, animated by the Spirit of the New Age, is a real, if imperfect, participation in that rule. In this sense, the Kingdom is present. But the Kingdom still awaits its fulfillment, its being brought to the perfection for which it is intended. As disciples of Christ, we look forward to the Day of Our Lord's return and the consummation of the Messianic Kingdom which is the heavenly goal of our life here below.

SCRIPTURE

Psalm 145 11-13

They tell of the glory of your kingdom

    and speak of your might,

so that all people may know of your mighty acts

    and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,

    and your dominion endures through all generations.

Isaiah 24:23

Then the moon shall be confounded, 

and the sun ashamed, 

when the Lord of hosts s

hall reign in mount Zion, 

and in Jerusalem, 

and before his ancients gloriously.

Dan 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.

Matthew 3:1-2

In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Matthew 5:3

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 7:21

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 8:11

And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 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 is greater than he.

Matthew 13:11

He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

Matthew 16:28

Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

Luke 9:62

And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

(Your eyes are on the front of your face for a reason.)

John 3:3

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.

John 18:36

Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

Acts 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.

Romans 14:17

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,

Righteousness = think justice...Not fair, just.

1 Corinthians 15:50

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

2 Thessalonians 1:5-6

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:

Seeing it is a righteous thing with God 

to recompense 

(Pay back in kind with)

tribulation 

to them that trouble you;

2 Peter 1:11

For so an entrance 

shall be ministered unto you 

abundantly 

into the everlasting kingdom 

of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

It started when he arrived.

it will have its fulfillment after he shows back up.

(Dont get me wrong 

There's still things that need tended to after he shows back up.

But after this is completed?

Kingdom fulfilled.)