THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ETERNAL KINGDOM

Is the PROBLEM with OUR thinking?

[EDITORS NOTE: In 2012, Jerry William Bowers Jr. published an excellent book, titled, The Last Days of the End Times, that is available at https://www.amazon.com/Last-Days-End-Times-Armageddon/dp/1477412352 and continues to be an excellent resource for those wanting to better understand what the Bible teaches about the fulfillment of Bible Prophecy.  Recent events in Israel and other events have created a hunger in the hearts of people to know whether or not these things are “signs of the times” related to the coming of the Lord.  This is a short article written by Jerry Bowers about the nature of God’s Eternal Kingdom.]

ARE YOU making the same mistake as the first-century Jews regarding the Kingdom?

Jesus told the Jews the Kingdom was in them and came NOT WITH OBSERVATION, NOT visible! Lk.17:20-22.

John said he was already in the Kingdom (Rev.1:9).

The curse of Jeconiah disallowed anyone from the Tribe of Judah to sit on an earthly throne in Jerusalem (Jer. 22:24).

Jesus denied the earthly Kingdoms of the world during His desert trial and temptation (Luke 4:5-8).

In John 18:36 Jesus clearly stated that His Kingdom was not of this world!

It’s a Kingdom not made with hands (Dan. 2:45).

Heaven is His Throne the Earth His footstool (Acts 7:49).

Jesus is seated on the spiritual Throne of David now (Acts 2:29) and following fulfilling Psalms 103 when He sits at God’s right hand He is ruling and reigning on David’s throne which Peter states under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

One of the most appalling things I see in Christians is when I consider these words from Christ while knowing 98% of Christians do not believe the Kingdom of God is even present yet.

It’s almost exclusively taught as a “some sweet day” reality, always projected off into the future; kicked down the road by every generation as if it was the “kick the can” children’s game.

This is such a major disappointment in Christianity.

We could literally challenge and change the world if only those who claim to be followers of Christ actually believed in and taught a completely victorious Christ, but they don’t believe Christ is completely victorious, yet.

When Christ sent (Matt. 10:8) his 12 disciples out to “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils”, and (Luke 9:2) to “to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick” and when he sent the 70 (in groups of 2) to (Luke 10:9) “heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God has come nigh unto you”, he didn’t teach them to teach this “Kingdom of God” would be here one day, eventually.

When Christ said (Matt. 12:28) “But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come unto you”, he certainly didn’t mean this Kingdom of God had gotten really close to them.

Christ taught the then-present Kingdom of God.

He even told (Matthew 21:43 a, b) the religious hierarchy of Israel “Therefore I say unto you, the Kingdom of God will be taken from you”, so how could he take something from them if it wasn’t already present to be removed from them?

The biggest problem with not understanding the “Kingdom of God”; outside of abject ignorance, is a Christian’s refusal to be taught by others, and to be corrected at the same time.

“Kingdom” appears over 150 times in the KJV New Testament, and comes from the Greek word “βασιλεία” and is defined in Thayer’s Lexicon as:

1. The royal power, kingship, dominion, rule

a. not to be confused with an actual kingdom but rather the right or authority to rule over a kingdom

b. of the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah

c. of the royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah’s kingdom

2. a kingdom, the territory subject to the rule of a king

3. used in the N.T. to refer to the reign of the Messiah

Did you notice 1a?

“not to be confused with an actual kingdom but rather the right or authority to rule over a kingdom“

And yet, this is typically the first impression a Westerner thinks of when they hear this “kingdom” English word.

The “Kingdom of God/Kingdom of Heaven” in nearly every single use, is not about someplace, or geographical location.

This “Kingdom” of God/Heaven is almost exclusively relating to the power, kingship, dominion, rule, right, and authority of God.

If zealous Christians had half the zeal that zealous Muslims do, we’d rule this planet.

We already possess the numbers needed, but most are ignorant of the power they already possess.

I earlier mentioned Mathew 21:43 a, b, but here is the full verse:

(Matt. 21:43) “Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof”.

Do you see that “Nation” that is mentioned there? That’s supposed to be Christians.

We have and can currently operate under/in the power, kingship, dominion, rule, right, and authority of God, but 98% of us are awaiting some sweet day, as the world burns.