Saturday, August 16, 2008

Living Life From the Inside Out - Already, But Not Yet - The Dark Night of the Soul, July 6, 2008

Already, But Not Yet…(Part III)

(The Dark Night of the Soul)

Hillcrest Church, Dallas, Texas

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Text

" After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God... (Luke 8:1 NIV)

" After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go…8 "When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you. 9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them, 'The kingdom of God is near you.' 10 But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, 11 'Even the dust of your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near.'" (Luke 10:1, 8-11 NIV)

" 14 Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed. 15 But some of them said, "By Beelzebub, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons." 16 Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven. 17 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: "Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. 18 If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebub. 19 Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 20 But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you. 21 "When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. 22 But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up the spoils." (Luke 11:14-22 NIV)

" 5 Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, 6 "As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down." 7 "Teacher," they asked, "when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?" 8 He replied: "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near.' Do not follow them. 9 When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away." 10 Then he said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. 12 "But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. 13 This will result in your being witnesses to them. 14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 All men will hate you because of me. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By standing firm you will gain life. 20 "When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. 22 For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. 23 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. 25 "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." 29 He told them this parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 "I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. 34 "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."" (Luke 21:5-36 NIV)

Review

Core concepts concerning the kingdom.

· God created the world "right-side up."

· God designed humans to live "inside-out."

· Sin turned the world "upside-down."

· Sin causes people to live "outside-in."

· Jesus came to turn the world "right-side up!"

· Jesus came to help us live "inside-out!"

This is the "Gospel of the Kingdom…!"

We can repent of our sins, renounce the Kingdom of Satan and enter the Kingdom of God through the new birth. We leave Satan's authority and come under God's authority. As His subjects (sons and daughters), we enjoy the blessings of His Kingdom in our lives. As await the full manifestation of the Kingdom at the second coming of Jesus, we bring others into the Kingdom through our witness by declaring the Gospel and through our works by demonstrating its authority.

· The kingdom is spiritual (living "inside-out")

· The kingdom is tangible and powerful.

· The kingdom is beneficial (reflects character of its king).

· The kingdom is accessible ("at hand" – KJV; "near" - NIV).

· The kingdom is valuable (worth prioritizing above all else).

· The kingdom is eternal

Today, I want to finish up these final two thoughts concerning the kingdom, that it is confrontational and that it is eschatological.

1. The kingdom is confrontational.

We must forcefully "press into" or "lean into" the Kingdom in order to experience its benefits in our lives in "this age."

"11 I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it." (Matthew 11:11-12 NIV) ("…suffereth violence and violent men lay hold of it…" KJV)

" 16 "The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it." (Luke 16:16 NIV)

As we declare the good news about the Kingdom and demonstrate its power and authority, other people are persuaded to enter it.

"5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city. 9 Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great," (Acts 8:5-9 NIV)

"12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw. 14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit." (Acts 8:12-17 NIV)

It is through the power of the Holy Spirit that we can demonstrate the reality of the Kingdom as we declare the Gospel.

As we "lean into the coming kingdom" and "forcefully advance" it, we will "stir up the devil," even as Jesus and His disciples did. Never doubt it – two kingdoms are in conflict…! We live this out every day in our own individual lives. It is very important to realize that this conflict is not with human people, but with spiritual powers.

" 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." (Ephesians 6:10-13 NIV)

Through faith in Jesus, the authority of His name, and the power of the Holy Spirit, we can overcome Satan's kingdom in this life and "inherit" the fullness of the Kingdom of God when Christ comes again.

"18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen." (2 Timothy 4:18 NIV)

2. The kingdom is eschatological.

eschaton - Definition: end of the world, end of time, climax of history. Etymology: Greek for 'last'

It is "already," but also, "not yet."

Cf. Luke's words at the beginning of message, see also the other Gospels.

"2 and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."" (Matthew 3:2 NIV)

"17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."" (Matthew 4:17 NIV)

"7 As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.'" (Matthew 10:7 NIV)

"15 "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"" (Mark 1:15 NIV)

***This perhaps the single, most important thing you need to know about the Kingdom on a practical basis in order to function in it correctly!

Two primary historical errors:

· The kingdom is not at all here.

· The kingdom is completely here.

The Biblical balance is found in the fact of both realities, that it is already here in a measure and that by faith we can "press into" it, tap into its resources, and resist the devil in our circumstances, but that Satan's final, ultimate, and total defeat will not come until Jesus returns in clouds of glory to establish His millennial reign.

When the Son of man returns in His glory, that the righteous will inherit the full expression and implementation of the kingdom.

" 31 "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world." (Matthew 25:31-34 NIV) (Rigtheousness here, by the way, has to do with visiting sick and the prisoner, and caring for the poor and needy…!)

"9 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 NIV)

"3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient." (Ephesians 5:3-6 NIV)

"19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires." (Galatians 5:19-24 NIV)

Interesting to note that those who do not believe we can live in victory over sin in this life, also do not believe that we can exercise authority over sickness or demonic spirits or receive a supernatural language, etc….!

When Jesus returns, those disciples of His who are believers will be changed in a moment and be caught up in the air to meet Him along with those who died in faith,

"50 I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." 55 "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:50-57 NIV)

We can only inherit the fullness of the kingdom after Jesus has destroyed death through His second coming.

"20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For he "has put everything under his feet." Now when it says that "everything" has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. 28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all." (1 Corinthians 15:20-28 NIV)

We do not know the day nor the hour of His return, but both Daniel and Revelation describes the moment,

"21 As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and defeating them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom. 23 "He gave me this explanation: 'The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth. It will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it. 24 The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings. 25 He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time. 26 " 'But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever. 27 Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.'" (Daniel 7:21-27 NIV)

" 15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever." 16 And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying: "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign. 18 The nations were angry; and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great— and for destroying those who destroy the earth."" (Revelation 11:15-18 NIV)

"7 And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 8 But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. 9 The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. 10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. 11 They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. 12 Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short." 13 When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. 14 The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the desert, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent's reach. 15 Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river, to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent. 16 But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. 17 Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring—those who obey God's commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus." (Revelation 12:7-17 NIV)

"17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." 18 He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." 21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure. 22 "All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him." 23 Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it."" (Luke 10:17-24 NIV)

"12 How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! 13 You said in your heart, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. 14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High." 15 But you are brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit. 16 Those who see you stare at you, they ponder your fate: "Is this the man who shook the earth and made kingdoms tremble, 17 the man who made the world a desert, who overthrew its cities and would not let his captives go home?"" (Isaiah 14:12-17 NIV)

Until Jesus comes, although the kingdom is already here in our hearts, we continue praying that it come in our lives day by day and in its fullness at Christ's return!

"9 "This, then, is how you should pray: " 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'" (Matthew 6:9-13 NIV)

When the full manifestation of Christ's Kingdom comes at His return, there will no longer be any need to pray "your kingdom come" or to "bind on earth so that it can be bound in heaven," for Satan will already be bound and Christ's will will already be being done on earth…!

3. The life and ministry of the Apostle Paul illustrate what it was like to live in the tension between the "already" and the "not yet."

He went everywhere declaring and demonstrating the reality of the Kingdom. He healed many sick and worked many miracles, yet experienced much persecution and violent mistreatment.

Again and again, as Paul and his companions travelled about, declaring and demonstrating the power of the Kingdom of God, they encountered virulent opposition.

"18 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed their evil deeds. 19 A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. 20 In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power. 21 After all this had happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. "After I have been there," he said, "I must visit Rome also." 22 He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed in the province of Asia a little longer. 23 About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. 24 A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in no little business for the craftsmen." (Acts 19:18-24 NIV)

Paul believed strongly in kingdom authority and knew what it was to walk it out as he extended the kingdom through winning the lost and discipling believers, yet following his stoning at Lystra, he clearly stated that it was through "many hardships that we would enter the Kingdom of God…!"

"19 Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. 20 But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe. 21 They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said. 23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust." (Acts 14:19-23 NIV)

"2 Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. 4 Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. 5 All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. 6 God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you 7 and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. 8 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power 10 on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you." (2 Thessalonians 1:2-10 NIV)

Invitation

1. Do you need to enter the Kingdom?

2. Do you need the Lord to speak a fresh word to you as you walk out the reality of the Kingdom in your life?


Notes:

The story of God's people once they crossed Jordan and began to "possess" the land is a perfect picture of what we experience as believers who are walking in kingdom authority and extending God's kingdom rule in the hearts of men and women (bringing new people into the Kingdom and bringing more of the Kingdom into people…!)

· Move forward in faith. (Dare to believe that now is the time and that here is the place and that we are the people…!)

· Align ourselves with God's authority (obey the details of His commands)

· Tame our tongues (Jericho – shout of victory instead of complaints or taunts)

· Master materialism (Achan)

· Sanctify our sexuality (circumcised on the plains of Jericho)

"Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer" (Deut. 10:16; cf. Deut. 30:6; Jer. 4:4; Rom. 2:28-29).

"16 The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to man." (Psalm 115:16 NIV)

At the fall, man lost both relationship with God and rulership over the earth under God's authority

"4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." (2 Corinthians 4:4 KJV)

"4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." (2 Corinthians 4:4 NIV)

"30 I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me," (John 14:30 NIV)

"19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one." (1 John 5:19 NIV)

"19 We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one." (1 John 5:19 NASB95)

"3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father," (Galatians 1:3-4 NIV)

As Savior (second Adam), Jesus came to die in our place and rescue us from bondage to Satan and restore us into right relationship with God the Father. As resurrected Lord, He came to begin our reinstatement as "rulers-in-life" under God.

" 12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned—" (Romans 5:12 NIV)

"11 Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; 13 if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself." (2 Timothy 2:11-13 NIV)

"9 And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. 10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth."" (Revelation 5:9-10 NIV)

" 15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever." 16 And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying: "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign. 18 The nations were angry; and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great— and for destroying those who destroy the earth."" (Revelation 11:15-18 NIV)

" And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. 2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3 He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time. 4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years." (Revelation 20:1-6 NIV)

" Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. 6 The angel said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place."" (Revelation 22:1-6 NIV)

"21 To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." " (Revelation 3:21-22 NIV)

The Kingdom was being manifest because the King was here…!

Acts 1:6-8 shows that it is up to the Father to determine when the Kingdom is to be restored to Israel (something that will only happen in the end times), but that, in the interim, the disciples would receive power and would both declare and demonstrate the Gospel of the Kingdom to the ends of the earth…!

Luke 19 – parable of nobleman who entrusts servants with responsibilities and authority until he returns with "a kingdom."

17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. [1]

Jesus was saying in essence, "If you believe exorcists work by the power of God in casting out demons, why do you not think I have that same divine power?"

By driving out demons, Jesus was proving He was greater than Satan. He was able to go into Satan's realm (the strong man's house), the demonic world, and come away with the spoils of victory (12:29). Since He could do this, He was able to institute the kingdom of God among them (v. 28). If He were driving out demons by Satan's power, He certainly could not be offering the people God's kingdom. That would be contradictory. The fact that He was coming to establish the kingdom clearly showed that He worked by the power of the Spirit of God, not by Satan's power.[2]

When Christ rose to God's right hand, he began a period of time in which God would put "all his enemies under his feet" (15:25, 27, quoting Psalm 8:6). The revelation of that reign is rooted in Psalm 110:1, which notes that the reign lasts "until" Christ's enemies are subdued. Because the church is now in that period and is waiting until Christ finishes the battle with his enemies, believers are not to be surprised when they experience that intense warfare's conflicts and pain.[3]

18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. [4]

42 Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures:

" 'The stone the builders rejected

has become the capstonea;

the Lord has done this,

and it is marvelous in our eyes'b?

43 "Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. 44 He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed."c

45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus' parables, they knew he was talking about them. 46 They looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet.[5]


Matt 5:19

Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Matt 5:20

For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matt 7:21

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Matt 8:12

But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Matt 11:11

I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

kingdom

Matt 11:12

From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.

Matt 13:11

He replied, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.

Matt 16:19

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

kingdom

Matt 16:28

I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."

Matt 18:3

And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

kingdom

Matt 18:4

Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Matt 19:14

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

kingdom

Matt 19:23

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.

kingdom

Matt 19:24

Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

Matt 21:31

"Which of the two did what his father wanted?" "The first," they answered. Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.

kingdom

Matt 21:43

"Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.

Matt 24:7

Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

kingdom, kingdom

Matt 24:14

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Matt 25:34

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.

kingdom

Matt 26:29

I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom."

Luke 1:33

and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

Luke 6:20

Looking at his disciples, he said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

Luke 10:9

Heal the sick who are there and tell them, 'The kingdom of God is near you.'

Luke 12:32

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

Luke 13:28

"There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out.

Luke 13:29

People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.

Luke 22:29

And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me,

kingdom

Luke 22:30

so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Luke 23:42

Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

kingdom

Luke 23:51

who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God.

John 18:36

Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."

Acts 1:3

After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.

kingdom

Acts 1:6

So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"

1 Cor 4:20

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.

Cor 6:9

Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders

kingdom

1 Cor 6:10

nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

Cor 15:24

Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.

kingdom

1 Cor 15:50

I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

Gal 5:21

and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

ph 5:5

For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Col 1:12

giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

kingdom

Col 1:13

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,

2 Thess 1:5

All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.

2 Tim 4:1

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:

kingdom

2 Tim 4:18

The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

b 12:28

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,

Pet 1:11

and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Rev 1:6

and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

kingdom

Rev 1:9

I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

kingdom

Rev 5:10

You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth."

kingdom

Rev 11:15

The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever."

kingdom, kingdom

Rev 12:10

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.




cf. confer, compare

[1]The Holy Bible : New International Version, electronic ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996, c1984), Ro 5:17.

[2]John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985), 2:46.

[3]Robert B. Hughes, J. Carl Laney and Robert B. Hughes, Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary, Rev. Ed. of: New Bible Companion. 1990.; Includes Index., The Tyndale reference library (Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001), 558.

[4]The Holy Bible : New International Version, electronic ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996, c1984), Eph 1:18-2:1.

a Or cornerstone

b Psalm 118:22, 23

c Some manuscripts do not have verse 44.

[5]The Holy Bible : New International Version, electronic ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996, c1984), Mt 21:42-22:1.

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