The Kingdom of God

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GodsGrace

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In John 3:3 Jesus says:
3Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Jesus was speaking to Nicodemus and telling him what it meant to be born from above; some bibles say, born again.

What did Jesus mean that one could not see the Kingdom of God unless he was born again?
Where is the Kingdom of God?
Is it on earth?
In heaven?
In us?



Mark 1:15
15“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

In Luke 4:43 Jesus proclaimed what He believed to be His mission:
43But He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose.”

In fact, Jesus spoke much more about the Kingdom of God than of being born again.
So, what exactly did He mean in Luke 4:43?


 
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Helen

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Ha..Big subject.
Some say it is here on earth. Some say it is God in Heaven.
When it comes to the subject of the Kingdom of God there seems to be no end to the carnal-minded reasonings of man as to what it is, where it is, and how it will come to pass!
If you were to ask several average professing Christians what the Kingdom of God is, you would receive a variety of answers. :)
There are a great many ideas, opinions, interpretations, conceptions and mix-conceptions among believers as to what constitutes the Kingdom of God.
What makes me laugh on Christian Forums is... people will be only too willing to tell you exactly what it is!! :D
Which is amazing really, because even the 'well learned'...only have an opinion and their interpretation of the scriptures..

One thing it for sure is it's a marvellous mystery!
It is a glorious destiny! This nation of holy people is God's Kingdom.
This Kingdom has The King of kings.
There are overcomers who will rule and reign with Him.
There is a bride and Bridegroom.
There is a first-fruits, a harvest, and a great gleaning.
There are 30 fold, 60 fold, and I00 fold in that great harvest.
There are "144,000" who follow the Lamb wheresoever He goes, and there is an un-numbered multitude standing triumphantly before the throne.
There is a Holy City and a Temple.
There is a marriage supper .....
 

APAK

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In John 3:3 we must be reborn, transformed into a new spirit to (see) (be in) the Kingdom of God.

The Kingdom of God is in all three places – in the heart, on the earth and in heaven- simultaneously and for different purposes.

The kingdom is at hand (Thy Kingdom come) because the spirit of God would soon make it residence in hearts of those just after Christ’s time, in our time, and in the future when the actual Kingdom arrives with Christ himself. Once the spirit is resident, we are sealed and part of the invisible Kingdom of God. Jesus being the head and constantly caring for his people in the Kingdom of God.

The Kingdom of God is at hand (Thy Kingdom come) because believers would be given gifts of the spirit from heaven to perform specific tasks on earth and managed from heaven by Christ (Thy Kingdom come they will be done on earth and as it is (or managed from) in heaven).

The Kingdom of God when Jesus returns will be located above the earth, as it temporary position and seen from the earth.

(Luk 4:43) But he said to them: I must preach the good tidings of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for this is why I was sent. (NEV)

Jesus spoke more explicitly of the Kingdom of God because that was the primary goal for Jesus’ preaching, for everyone to hear the good news of the Kingdom and to be saved by the regenerative spirit of God. He wanted(s) people to grasp this revolutionary new and different place from Heaven that was to come upon the earth, and he described its characteristics: in parables and lay-terms. The words for ‘being reborn’ was not explained as much explicitly although it was explained much more implicitly in many other terms for people to understand: like repent, be baptized, believe in Christ, etc. to attain the Kingdom citizenship - into the new Jerusalem.

Bless you,

APAK
 

Enoch111

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What did Jesus mean that one could not see the Kingdom of God unless he was born again?
The Kingdom of God is a spiritual Kingdom until the time that Christ establishes His literal, visible, tangible Kingdom on earth after His Second Coming.

So unless a person has been regenerated and his or her spirit is alive and indwelt by the Holy Spirit, that person cannot "see" the Kingdom of God with his spiritual eyes.

To see the Kingdom of God is to see
(1) God as sovereign over the universe,
(2) Christ as King over His Kingdom,
(3) the holy angels as ministering spirits in that Kingdom,
(4) the children of God as kings and priests in that Kingdom,
(5) the King indwelling the hearts and souls of His subjects during the Church Age,
(6) the King coming with power and great glory to establish His eternal Kingdom on earth (and eventually throughout the universe), and
(7) all that is sinful, evil, and defiling banished out of that Kingdom into outer darkness and the Lake of Fire.
Where is the Kingdom of God?
At present within every believer
Is it on earth?
Not at the moment
In heaven?
Very definitely
Those who are children of God through the New Birth.
 
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Helen

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What did Jesus mean that one could not see the Kingdom of God unless he was born again?
Where is the Kingdom of God?
Is it on earth?
In heaven?
In us?

All of the above.
Like Moses, " We endure as seeing Him who is invisible" Only those with eyes to see ....
 
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GodsGrace

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Ha..Big subject.
Some say it is here on earth. Some say it is God in Heaven.
When it comes to the subject of the Kingdom of God there seems to be no end to the carnal-minded reasonings of man as to what it is, where it is, and how it will come to pass!
If you were to ask several average professing Christians what the Kingdom of God is, you would receive a variety of answers. :)
There are a great many ideas, opinions, interpretations, conceptions and mix-conceptions among believers as to what constitutes the Kingdom of God.
What makes me laugh on Christian Forums is... people will be only too willing to tell you exactly what it is!! :D
Which is amazing really, because even the 'well learned'...only have an opinion and their interpretation of the scriptures..

One thing it for sure is it's a marvellous mystery!
It is a glorious destiny! This nation of holy people is God's Kingdom.
This Kingdom has The King of kings.
There are overcomers who will rule and reign with Him.
There is a bride and Bridegroom.
There is a first-fruits, a harvest, and a great gleaning.
There are 30 fold, 60 fold, and I00 fold in that great harvest.
There are "144,000" who follow the Lamb wheresoever He goes, and there is an un-numbered multitude standing triumphantly before the throne.
There is a Holy City and a Temple.
There is a marriage supper .....
Hi BG,
So you believe the Kingdom of God is in heaven?

In Luke 17:21 Jesus says to the pharisees:
20Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; 21nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.”

Jesus said His mission was to proclaim the Kingdom of God. He came to set up the Kingdom of God here on earth. Although Paul sometimes got the two terms to mean the Kingdom of God (here) and the Kingdom of Heaven (in heaven) the Kingdom of God could refer to either the kingdom here or in heaven.

In Luke 8:1 we're told that Jesus went to every city and village preaching the good news of the Kingdom of God.

The Kingdom of God is the gospel of the Lord Jesus as the King of the Kingdom here on earth. The first time Jesus came as the servant of God and man, the second time Jesus comes will be to establish the literal Kingdom here. Now, it's a kingdom that is all around us and inside of us and only those who are born from above can see it and be a part of it.

In Luke 10:9 Jesus sends out 72 disciples to preach His Kingdom. He tells them to say that
"The Kingdom of God has come near to you."
 
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GodsGrace

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In John 3:3 we must be reborn, transformed into a new spirit to (see) (be in) the Kingdom of God.

The Kingdom of God is in all three places – in the heart, on the earth and in heaven- simultaneously and for different purposes.

The kingdom is at hand (Thy Kingdom come) because the spirit of God would soon make it residence in hearts of those just after Christ’s time, in our time, and in the future when the actual Kingdom arrives with Christ himself. Once the spirit is resident, we are sealed and part of the invisible Kingdom of God. Jesus being the head and constantly caring for his people in the Kingdom of God.

The Kingdom of God is at hand (Thy Kingdom come) because believers would be given gifts of the spirit from heaven to perform specific tasks on earth and managed from heaven by Christ (Thy Kingdom come they will be done on earth and as it is (or managed from) in heaven).

The Kingdom of God when Jesus returns will be located above the earth, as it temporary position and seen from the earth.

(Luk 4:43) But he said to them: I must preach the good tidings of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for this is why I was sent. (NEV)

Jesus spoke more explicitly of the Kingdom of God because that was the primary goal for Jesus’ preaching, for everyone to hear the good news of the Kingdom and to be saved by the regenerative spirit of God. He wanted(s) people to grasp this revolutionary new and different place from Heaven that was to come upon the earth, and he described its characteristics: in parables and lay-terms. The words for ‘being reborn’ was not explained as much explicitly although it was explained much more implicitly in many other terms for people to understand: like repent, be baptized, believe in Christ, etc. to attain the Kingdom citizenship - into the new Jerusalem.

Bless you,

APAK
Great post!

Since the Kingdom of God was so important to Jesus, I've always felt that it should also be very important to us. It truly is what He spoke of the most.

Every Kingdom must have a King -- Jesus is our King.
He is our ruler, a righteous and just ruler.
Here. Now.
In spirit and literally in the future, as you've stated.
 
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Helen

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Hi BG,
So you believe the Kingdom of God is in heaven?

In Luke 17:21 Jesus says to the pharisees:
20Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; 21nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.”

Jesus said His mission was to proclaim the Kingdom of God. He came to set up the Kingdom of God here on earth. Although Paul sometimes got the two terms to mean the Kingdom of God (here) and the Kingdom of Heaven (in heaven) the Kingdom of God could refer to either the kingdom here or in heaven.

In Luke 8:1 we're told that Jesus went to every city and village preaching the good news of the Kingdom of God.

The Kingdom of God is the gospel of the Lord Jesus as the King of the Kingdom here on earth. The first time Jesus came as the servant of God and man, the second time Jesus comes will be to establish the literal Kingdom here. Now, it's a kingdom that is all around us and inside of us and only those who are born from above can see it and be a part of it.

In Luke 10:9 Jesus sends out 72 disciples to preach His Kingdom. He tells them to say that
"The Kingdom of God has come near to you."

I believe that the Kingdom is anywhere where the King reigns.
God IS. Therefore The Kingdom IS.
No height , no depth, no width, it is where God is...and yep...He is within us as He is everywhere. Therefore to the unsaved...the kingdom of God is nigh them whenever we are nigh them...

If you re read your post with that in mind...you can see it in all your verses.
 

GodsGrace

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The Kingdom of God is a spiritual Kingdom until the time that Christ establishes His literal, visible, tangible Kingdom on earth after His Second Coming.

So unless a person has been regenerated and his or her spirit is alive and indwelt by the Holy Spirit, that person cannot "see" the Kingdom of God with his spiritual eyes.

To see the Kingdom of God is to see
(1) God as sovereign over the universe,
(2) Christ as King over His Kingdom,
(3) the holy angels as ministering spirits in that Kingdom,
(4) the children of God as kings and priests in that Kingdom,
(5) the King indwelling the hearts and souls of His subjects during the Church Age,
(6) the King coming with power and great glory to establish His eternal Kingdom on earth (and eventually throughout the universe), and
(7) all that is sinful, evil, and defiling banished out of that Kingdom into outer darkness and the Lake of Fire.

At present within every believer

Not at the moment

Very definitely

Those who are children of God through the New Birth.
Hi Enoch,
Love your post. I was surprised at your answer that the Kingdom is not here on earth right now.

I do believe that it is here SPIRITUALLY, as you stated at the beginning of your post. And your list of things we see in that Kingdom tends to prove that it is indeed here spiritually.

Jesus invites us all to enter it right now. As He told Nicodemus, if we are born from above, we can "see" the Kingdom, and if we can see it we must surely be a part of it.

How do we become a part of it? He told us:
Mark 1:15
Repent and believe in the gospel.

The good news is that we can create a Kingdom right here. Imagine how the world could be if we all lived our Christianity. Jesus teaches us how we could be God's people, in God's home and under HIS rule.

The sermon on the mount would be a good start.
Mathew 5:3-10 shows us what Jesus would wish us to be like.
It would make a better world for everyone and be such a good testimony for Christianity.

Colossians 1:11-14

11strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.
13For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
 
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Nancy

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Ha..Big subject.
Some say it is here on earth. Some say it is God in Heaven.
When it comes to the subject of the Kingdom of God there seems to be no end to the carnal-minded reasonings of man as to what it is, where it is, and how it will come to pass!
If you were to ask several average professing Christians what the Kingdom of God is, you would receive a variety of answers. :)
There are a great many ideas, opinions, interpretations, conceptions and mix-conceptions among believers as to what constitutes the Kingdom of God.
What makes me laugh on Christian Forums is... people will be only too willing to tell you exactly what it is!! :D
Which is amazing really, because even the 'well learned'...only have an opinion and their interpretation of the scriptures..

One thing it for sure is it's a marvellous mystery!
It is a glorious destiny! This nation of holy people is God's Kingdom.
This Kingdom has The King of kings.
There are overcomers who will rule and reign with Him.
There is a bride and Bridegroom.
There is a first-fruits, a harvest, and a great gleaning.
There are 30 fold, 60 fold, and I00 fold in that great harvest.
There are "144,000" who follow the Lamb wheresoever He goes, and there is an un-numbered multitude standing triumphantly before the throne.
There is a Holy City and a Temple.
There is a marriage supper .....

Oh yes...HUGE subject...The first scripture that comes to mind is that The kingdom of God is within us.." I will leave the rest for the more seasoned Christians, lol!
 
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GodsGrace

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I believe that the Kingdom is anywhere where the King reigns.
God IS. Therefore The Kingdom IS.
No height , no depth, no width, it is where God is...and yep...He is within us as He is everywhere. Therefore to the unsaved...the kingdom of God is nigh them whenever we are nigh them...

If you re read your post with that in mind...you can see it in all your verses.
th9EZKZX2U.jpg
 
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VictoryinJesus

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In John 3:3 Jesus says:
3Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Jesus was speaking to Nicodemus and telling him what it meant to be born from above; some bibles say, born again.

What did Jesus mean that one could not see the Kingdom of God unless he was born again?
Where is the Kingdom of God?
Is it on earth?
In heaven?
In us?



Mark 1:15
15“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

In Luke 4:43 Jesus proclaimed what He believed to be His mission:
43But He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose.”

In fact, Jesus spoke much more about the Kingdom of God than of being born again.
So, what exactly did He mean in Luke 4:43?


GodsGrace, a few verses to consider:

Exodus 24:10 [10] And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness.

'as it were a paved work'
'as it were the body of heaven in his clearness.'

consider also 'in a place that is called the Pavement':John 19:13-15 "When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and (Pilate)sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. [14] And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! [15] But they cried out, Away with him , away with him , crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar."

2 Chronicles 7:3 "And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

Revelation 21:9-11
[9] And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. [10] And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, [11] Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

I am not sure the answer to your question but maybe: the body of heaven and the Lamb's wife(that great city, the holy Jerusalem) … are all the same and is clear as crystal; 'in his clearness'. 1 Corinthians 13:12 "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known."
 
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Enoch111

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I am not sure the answer to your question but maybe: the body of heaven and the Lamb's wife(that great city, the holy Jerusalem) … are all the same and is clear as crystal; 'in his clearness'
That would be confusing the Lamb with the Lamb's Wife. And New Jerusalem is simply personified in Rev 21 to represent the inhabitants of the New Jerusalem -- those who are actually the Lamb's Wife. The Bride of Christ is the Church, whose eternal home is the New Jerusalem.
 

VictoryinJesus

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That would be confusing the Lamb with the Lamb's Wife. And New Jerusalem is simply personified in Rev 21 to represent the inhabitants of the New Jerusalem -- those who are actually the Lamb's Wife. The Bride of Christ is the Church, whose eternal home is the New Jerusalem.

Thank you for the clarification. I do see what you mean but at the same time: is the city not the people? They (the body of Christ) being the New Jerusalem? 'That which cannot be shaken for it is anchored in the Rock.' Revelation 21:14 "And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb." and also, Revelation 21:18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. --Doesn't the body(bride) of Christ(the head) reflect 'his clearness' and 'his glory'?

1 Timothy 3:15
[15] But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

2 Corinthians 3:18
[18] But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
 
B

brakelite

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A kingdom, any kingdom, covers the territory where the king reigns. The kingdom is in us only if He reigns there. None can be a part of the kingdom unless Christ is your King. And we cannot serve to masters.
So professed Christians, though they may live apparently good moral lives, confess faith, go to church regularly, even do signs and wonders and many good works, will miss out on the kingdom if Christ does not reign in their hearts. "Depart from me,I never knew you".
Therefore the kingdom of God will also be wherever God's people are. This has absolutely nothing to do with the institution we belong to, unless it is the institution that reigns, and not Christ.