THE KINGDOM IS WITHIN YOU

[Doug]

[Luke 17:21 KJV] 21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

I can't think of a verse used more often than this verse.

Most say that this verse asserts the kingdom is spiritual.

I will only examine the following passage to evaluate this view.

[Matthew 20:20-21, 23 KJV] 20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping [him], and desiring a certain thing of him. 21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. ... 23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but [it shall be given to them] for whom it is prepared of my Father.

The mother said "Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom."

There are things to evaluate in this request.

Jesus said "the kingdom of God IS within you". Jesus said it IS within you, so they would already possess the kingdom, would they not? Why would the mother then be making request for her sons to be given positions in a coming kingdom. What could the possible positions be? Would not everyone have the kingdom fully and equally within themselves?

Jesus did not correct her by saying the kingdom is spiritual, did he? Jesus acknowledged that a physical kingdom would come, and there would be those who would physically sit, on his physical right and left side.

 

[Ronald Nolette]

[Luke 17:21 KJV] 21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

I can't think of a verse used more often than this verse.

Most say that this verse asserts the kingdom is spiritual.

I will only examine the following passage to evaluate this view.

[Matthew 20:20-21, 23 KJV] 20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping [him], and desiring a certain thing of him. 21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. ... 23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but [it shall be given to them] for whom it is prepared of my Father.

The mother said "Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom."

There are things to evaluate in this request.

Jesus said "the kingdom of God IS within you". Jesus said it IS within you, so they would already possess the kingdom, would they not? Why would the mother then be making request for her sons to be given positions in a coming kingdom. What could the possible positions be? Would not everyone have the kingdom fully and equally within themselves?

Jesus did not correct her by saying the kingdom is spiritual, did he? Jesus acknowledged that a physical kingdom would come, and there would be those who would physically sit, on his physical right and left side.

The kingdom is both a spiritual quality and a physical kingdom.

 

[IndianaRob]

[Luke 17:21 KJV] 21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

I can't think of a verse used more often than this verse.

Most say that this verse asserts the kingdom is spiritual.

I will only examine the following passage to evaluate this view.

[Matthew 20:20-21, 23 KJV] 20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping [him], and desiring a certain thing of him. 21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. ... 23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but [it shall be given to them] for whom it is prepared of my Father.

The mother said "Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom."

There are things to evaluate in this request.

Jesus said "the kingdom of God IS within you". Jesus said it IS within you, so they would already possess the kingdom, would they not? Why would the mother then be making request for her sons to be given positions in a coming kingdom. What could the possible positions be? Would not everyone have the kingdom fully and equally within themselves?

Jesus did not correct her by saying the kingdom is spiritual, did he? Jesus acknowledged that a physical kingdom would come, and there would be those who would physically sit, on his physical right and left side.

The way I see it, when the woman asked the question, the kingdom had not yet come, it didn’t come until Pentecost.

 

[Ronald Nolette]

The way I see it, when the woman asked the question, the kingdom had not yet come, it didn’t come until Pentecost.

Actually when Jesus said this, it was the secondary definition of within- inyour midst.

Jesus was announcing the kingdom to Israel and if the leadership had accepted, Jesus would have still died, but when resurrected, He would have overthrown rome and established the kingdom. but it was written in the prophetsa that Israel would reject their Messiah .

 

[Doug]

The kingdom is both a spiritual quality and a physical kingdom.

We can say our position in the heavenly kingdom is spiritual now, but what spiritual aspect did Israel have in regard to their earthly kingdom?

 

[Doug]

The way I see it, when the woman asked the question, the kingdom had not yet come, it didn’t come until Pentecost.

The kingdom offered in Jesus's ministry was the prophetic Davidic earthly kingdom in which believing Israel will reign with Christ for a thousand years.......how could it have started at Pentecost? Jesus is not ruling on earth in Jerusalem.

 

[IndianaRob]

The kingdom offered in Jesus's ministry was the prophetic Davidic earthly kingdom in which believing Israel will reign with Christ for a thousand years.......how could it have started at Pentecost? Jesus is not ruling on earth in Jerusalem.

I believe the kingdom Jesus was talking about is the kingdom that is with us, the kingdom where you can’t say “Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you”.

 

[Doug]

I believe the kingdom Jesus was talking about is the kingdom that is with us, the kingdom where you can’t say “Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you”.

Here is a what I just posted about that

THE KINGDOM IS WITHIN YOU

 

[Behold]

Jesus said "the kingdom of God IS within you". Jesus said it IS within you, so they would already possess the kingdom, would they not?

Jesus is explaining that the KOG is "righteous, peace, and joy, in the Holy Spirit"....which is what HE brings, as Jesus is the KOG.
This is why a Christian has the KOG in them, as "Christ in You, the hope of Glory"...
So, when Jesus is in you, then you are 'IN CHRIST" having become "ONE with God" and that is how the believer exists in the KOG and the KOG exists within the born again believer.

Another verse that explains it is.......the born again are "seated in Heavenly places". "IN CHRIST"......so, that is also explaining that the Born again are IN the KOG.

Another verse that explains being in the KOG< is this verse..

"having been translated from darkness, TO LIGHT">

See that "Light"?
That is : "God exists in Light".. and "Jesus is the LIGHT of the World"....and every born again believer is a "child of The LIGHT".
So, all of this is the KOG.

 

[Webers_Home]

.
● Luke 17:20 . . 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

The Greek word translated "observation" basically has to do with anticipating
calendar events, for example:

● Acts 1:6-7 . . So when they met together, they asked him: Lord, are you
at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel? He said to them: It is
not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own
authority.

I just recently completed a chapter by chapter & verse by verse study of
Micah's prophecy and from what I gathered, the kingdom is not yet a
political force either in the land of Israel nor anywhere else in this world of
ours.

It is my conclusion then, that we shouldn't allow Luke 17:20-21 to annul the
possibility that Jesus will one day return to the earth in person to take
David's throne and ultimately govern the entire planet.
_

 

[IndianaRob]

Here is a what I just posted about that

THE KINGDOM IS WITHIN YOU

From what you wrote, it sounds like you're reasoning that if the kingdom of God were a spiritual kingdom within the believer, then the disciples would have already entered it — but since they hadn’t, it must be a future, physical kingdom.

But my point was that the spiritual kingdom had not yet come at that time. It arrived at Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came and began to indwell believers. That’s when they — and all who are in Christ — entered the kingdom. So their not being in the kingdom yet wasn’t proof it was physical, but that it was still coming spiritually.

 

[Doug]

Jesus is explaining that the KOG is "righteous, peace, and joy, in the Holy Spirit"....which is what HE brings, as Jesus is the KOG.
This is why a Christian has the KOG in them, as "Christ in You, the hope of Glory"...
So, when Jesus is in you, then you are 'IN CHRIST" having become "ONE with God" and that is how the believer exists in the KOG and the KOG exists within the born again believer.

Another verse that explains it is.......the born again are "seated in Heavenly places". "IN CHRIST"......so, that is also explaining that the Born again are IN the KOG.

Another verse that explains being in the KOG< is this verse..

"having been translated from darkness, TO LIGHT">

See that "Light"?
That is : "God exists in Light".. and "Jesus is the LIGHT of the World"....and every born again believer is a "child of The LIGHT".
So, all of this is the KOG.

I dont think you can apply Paul to Jesus talking about the kingdom before he went to the cross......Jesus would not be revealing the revelations at this time

 

[Behold]

I dont think you can apply Paul to Jesus talking about the kingdom before he went to the cross......Jesus would not be revealing the revelations at this time

The Kingdom of God is this......

"God exists in LIGHT"

"Jesus is the LIGHT of the world'.

See that "Light"? That is a SPIRITUAL Kingdom.

= That is the KOG.......and the born again exist as "children of The Light"...... = born again spiritually ....into and inside the KOG.

This is also explained as being 'IN CHRIST".. and "one with God"., which is also "Christ in you", and having become "the temple of the Holy Spirit".

 

[Exegesis]

The mother said "Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom."

To sit on the left is to be thrown into the Lake of Fire. She did not understand what she was asking.

Jesus said it IS within you, so they would already possess the kingdom, would they not?

Who was Jesus speaking to? Are you sure they possess the kingdom?

What could the possible positions be?

Goats on the left, sheep on the right.

Would not everyone have the kingdom fully and equally within themselves?

Now you are getting it!

Jesus did not correct her by saying the kingdom is spiritual, did he? Jesus acknowledged that a physical kingdom would come, and there would be those who would physically sit, on his physical right and left side.

You need to study more. The Kingdom of God has leaven in it, remember?

Matthew 13:33 - "Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened."

Luke 13:20-21 - "And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God? It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened."

Until all of you here understand why there is leaven in the Kingdom of Heaven and Kingdom of God, you will never understand what is really being taught in all of the Kingdom verses. I am sad to report that you folks are still on the milk.

 

[IndianaRob]

To sit on the left is to be thrown into the Lake of Fire. She did not understand what she was asking.



Who was Jesus speaking to? Are you sure they possess the kingdom?



Goats on the left, sheep on the right.



Now you are getting it!



You need to study more. The Kingdom of God has leaven in it, remember?



Until all of you here understand why there is leaven in the Kingdom of Heaven and Kingdom of God, you will never understand what is really being taught in all of the Kingdom verses. I am sad to report that you folks are still on the milk.

I don’t think the intent is to say there’s leaven in the kingdom of heaven. Yes, Jesus says the Kingdom of Heaven is like leaven — not because it’s sinful or corrupt, but because it's powerfully transformative in a hidden, gradual way.

 

[Fred J]

[Luke 17:21 KJV] 21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

I can't think of a verse used more often than this verse.

Most say that this verse asserts the kingdom is spiritual.

I will only examine the following passage to evaluate this view.

[Matthew 20:20-21, 23 KJV] 20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping [him], and desiring a certain thing of him. 21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. ... 23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but [it shall be given to them] for whom it is prepared of my Father.

The mother said "Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom."

There are things to evaluate in this request.

Jesus said "the kingdom of God IS within you". Jesus said it IS within you, so they would already possess the kingdom, would they not? Why would the mother then be making request for her sons to be given positions in a coming kingdom. What could the possible positions be? Would not everyone have the kingdom fully and equally within themselves?

Jesus did not correct her by saying the kingdom is spiritual, did he? Jesus acknowledged that a physical kingdom would come, and there would be those who would physically sit, on his physical right and left side.

The Holy Bible and Holy Ghost and church, is the Kingdom of GOD and Christ 'within you' here on earth.

To proclaim the Gospel and make disciples of all nation, and until the full number of Gentiles be come in.

And the Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached to all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

The other is the Kingdom to come and GOD's will be done here on earth as it is Heaven, the new Heaven and earth for saints.

And those who are eligible will sit at the righthand and lefthand seat beside the Lord Jesus Christ, as He reigns for ever.

Shalom in the name of Jesus Christ

 

[Doug]

From what you wrote, it sounds like you're reasoning that if the kingdom of God were a spiritual kingdom within the believer, then the disciples would have already entered it — but since they hadn’t, it must be a future, physical kingdom.

If the kingdom was only spiritual then by saying it is within you implies present possession and negates all prophetic passages promising a literal earthly kingdom

 

[Doug]

But my point was that the spiritual kingdom had not yet come at that time. It arrived at Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came and began to indwell believers. That’s when they — and all who are in Christ — entered the kingdom. So their not being in the kingdom yet wasn’t proof it was physical, but that it was still coming spiritually.

The kingdom didnt arrive at Pentecost.........................[Act 1:8 KJV] 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth............................at Pentecost they received the Holy Spirit to be empowered to be witnesses

 

[IndianaRob]

If the kingdom was only spiritual then by saying it is within you implies present possession and negates all prophetic passages promising a literal earthly kingdom

We as believers are, or should be, living in the kingdom heaven. As I said before, the kingdom of heaven came at Pentecost.

It’s not me saying the kingdom is spiritual — it’s Jesus Himself who made that clear. He said plainly, "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36), showing that it’s not an earthly or political system. In Luke 17:20–21, He said, "The kingdom of God cometh not with observation... for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you." That points to a present, inward, spiritual reality — not a visible, future empire. These passages show that the kingdom isn’t something we're waiting for — it's already here, invisible to the world, and established through Christ’s reign in the hearts of believers. Earthly Jerusalem was only a shadow of the ultimate fulfillment — the heavenly Jerusalem, which is the true kingdom of heaven (Hebrews 12:22–23; Galatians 4:26).

 

[Doug]

To sit on the left is to be thrown into the Lake of Fire. She did not understand what she was asking.

Never heard that.........scripture please