The Kingdom of God

The Kingdom of GodGreek: ( ???????? ??? ????, Basileia tou Theou)

The kingdom of God - Basileia tou TheouThe kingdom of Heaven - Basileia t?n Ouran?n

For the past centuries there’s been a controversial myth about the kingdom of God that is to come. The miss interpretations of the end time prophecies have lead many astray. Factual evidence is about to be unravelled through biblical truths.

The Revolving Truth

Joh 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom (kingship, royal power) belongs not to this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My followers would have been fighting to keep Me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, My kingdom is not from here (this world)

Jesus said, My kingdom is not from this world, in other words My kingdom is not a physical kingdom.
If it was a physical kingdom, then it would have been a kingdom like the governments of the inhabitants of this earth. (Like the Roman Empire)If it was a kingdom like the Roman Empire, it would have governing bodies, and an established army for protection.
At this point Jesus was trying to emphasise the fact that His kingdom was not of a physical entity but that of a spiritual entity.

When the Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God would come, He answered: ‘ you won’t be able to see it with your physical eye’.

Luke 17:20 Asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He replied to them by saying, The kingdom of God does not come with signs to be observed or with visible display,

In other words the kingdom of God cannot be seen with the naked eye of mortality, but only perceived through the spiritual dimension of immortality.The reason why mortal man finds it difficult to absorb this subject is the limitation of trying to perceive the world of the unseen (spiritual dimension) only by the five senses of human nature. (Seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling and tasting.) Senses are the physiological methods of perception. The word perception comes from the Latin words perceptio, percipio, and means "receiving, collecting and action of taking possession, apprehension with the mind or senses”. When Nicodemus asked Jesus to explain the kingdom of God, Jesus replied:

Joh 3:12 If I tell you things that are plain as the hand before your face and you don't believe me, what use is there in telling you of things you can't see, the things of God?

The Key to understanding the Kingdom of God originates from within the word “gospel”

The word gospel originates from the Greek word “euaggeliz?” (“evangelize”) or yoo-ang-ghel-id'-zo which literally means – To announce good news-or to declare good tidings. To preach the gospel is to bring good news and even to bring a good report.

For the past decades the emphasis of the message of Christianity was choosing between heaven and hell. Many people were lead astray to the true meaning of the gospel. “The kingdom of God”

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

John the Baptist cried repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand. For many years we associate the word repent with (Be sorry, ask forgiveness , apologize, and or regret), but the word repent in the original language is metanoia, which means a positive change of mind and perception.
So John the Baptist cried out, change your mind, for the kingdom of God is at hand. ‘At Hand’ it came so close to you, you can actually grab hold of it, meaning it can belong to you.
Change your mind because the kingdom of God is now on earth, it is so close to you, you can take hold of it.
Then Jesus came and preached the same message, change your mind, for the kingdom of God is at hand.
Change your mind for the kingdom of heaven is at hand, (The kingdom of heaven is now on earth). Then Jesus sent out His disciples with the same message, “and as you go preach saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand...
Jesus’ message was not choose between heaven and hell, rather it was go tell the good news; for the first time since the creation of mankind, humanity can now enter into the spiritual dimension were God and the angels dwell. Humanity has now access to the heavenly privileges that only God and his angels enjoyed.

The good news is...

You can NOW ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.

John the Baptist preached - the Kingdom of God is at hand.

Matthew 3:1 IN THOSE days there appeared John the Baptist, preaching in the Wilderness (Desert) of Judea Matthew 3:2 And saying, Repent (think differently; change your mind, regretting your sins and changing your conduct), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, crying out, Repent (change your mind for the better, heartily amend your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 10:1 AND JESUS summoned to Him His twelve disciples and gave them power and authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out, and to cure all kinds of diseases and all kinds of weaknesses and infirmities. Matthew 10:7 And as you go, preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand!Mark 1:14 Now after John was arrested and put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the good news (the Gospel) of the kingdom of God, Mark 1:15 And saying, The [appointed period of] time is fulfilled (completed), and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent (have a change of mind which issues in regret for past sins and in change of conduct for the better) and believe (trust in, rely on, and adhere to) the good news (the Gospel). Luke 21:31 Even so, when you see these things taking place, understand and know that the kingdom of God is at hand. Luke 21:32 Truly I tell you, this generation will not perish and pass away until all has taken place.

The good news is, you can now enter into the kingdom of God and receive power and authority over all your problems. You can have dominion over the devil and sickness and everything that inhabits the earth...

Original words

We get the word kingdom from the Greek word `basileia
We get the word basileia from the Hebrew word malkuth
We get the Hebrew word malkuth from the Aramaic word malkutha

The word basileia can be translated as “kingship” “Kingdom” or Reign”
The word basileia can also be translated as “empire”
According to Dr Richard Chilson it can also be translated into “Love’s Domain” “Love Dominion” or “Love’s Rule”, because the kingdom of God is where God who is Love rules.

So the kingdom of God = the kingdom of love
The kingdom of God – dominion of peace

The kingdom of God is power

Then Jesus summoned His disciples and gave them power and authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out, to cure all kinds of diseases and all kinds of weaknesses and infirmities. Once you enter the kingdom of God you receive a power that knows no end, you receive power over all, the devils, and unclean spirits, and you have authority over all the sicknesses and weaknesses that is known to humanity. You receive power and authority over all the creatures of the sea, and every living or dying being that inhabits the earth.

Psalms 145:10 All Your works shall praise You, O Lord, and Your loving ones shall bless You [affectionately and gratefully shall Your saints confess and praise You]!
Psalms 145:11 They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom and talk of Your power,
Psalms 145:12 To make known to the sons of men God's mighty deeds and the glorious majesty of His kingdom Mark 9:1 AND JESUS said to them, Truly and solemnly I say to you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste death before they see the kingdom of God come in [its] power.
1Corhintians 4:20 For the kingdom of God consists of and is based on not talk but power (moral power and excellence of soul). Daniel 2:37 You, O king, are king of the [earthly] kings to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, the might, and the glory.
Revelation 11:6 These [two witnesses] have power to shut up the sky, so that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying (their prediction of events relating to Christ's kingdom and its speedy triumph); and they also have power to turn the waters into blood and to smite and scourge the earth with all manner of plagues as often as they choose.

How do you receive this power and authority?

In John chapter three, Nicodemus recognized the power and authority that Jesus had; he saw how Jesus cast out demons and healed the sick... He asked Jesus how do receive this power and authority? And Jesus told him, you have to enter into the kingdom of God... The question – How do I receive the same power...? The answer – You have to enter into the kingdom. This conversation had nothing to do with salvation or eternal life. Nicodemus did not ask how he would get to heaven on the day when he dies... No, he asks how he can get hold of this power and authority... And Jesus said, you have to enter into the kingdom.... “Remember the message Jesus preached, the kingdom of God is at hand”

John 3:1 NOW THERE was a certain man among the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler (a leader, an authority) among the Jews, John 3:2 who came to Jesus at night and said to Him, Rabbi, we know and are certain that You have come from God [as] a Teacher; for no one can do these signs (these wonderworks, these miracles --and produce the proofs) that You do unless God is with him. John 3:3 Jesus answered him, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God. John 3:4 Nicodemus said to Him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter his mother's womb again and be born? John 3:5 Jesus answered, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, unless a man is born of water and [even] the Spirit, he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God. John 3:6 What is born of [from] the flesh is flesh [of the physical is physical]; and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Who will inherit the kingdom...?

Matthew 5:3 Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous--with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the poor in spirit (the humble, who rate themselves insignificant), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!Matthew 5:10 Blessed and happy and enviably fortunate and spiritually prosperous (in the state in which the born-again child of God enjoys and finds satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of his outward conditions) are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake (for being and doing right), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven! Mark 10:14 But when Jesus saw [it], He was indignant and pained and said to them, Allow the children to come to Me--do not forbid or prevent or hinder them--for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Mark 10:15 Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive and accept and welcome the kingdom of God like a little child [does] positively shall not enter it at all.

It is only by faith in Jesus that we can enter into the kingdom of God. It is not by our own works or our outward appearances that we enter into the kingdom of God. This kingdom is a spiritual kingdom and not a physical one. Once we enter the kingdom of God, we receive power and authority to rule over all existence of mankind and creation.

Luk 10:19 Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you.

There will be a weeping and grinding of teeth

For many, many years we have heard that there will be a weeping and grinding of teeth, in hell....
That is so far from the truth and not scriptural, nowhere in the bible will you read that there will a weeping and grinding of teeth in hell...
The message stays the same; if you don’t enter into the kingdom of God there will be a weeping and grinding of teeth.
If you see how other people enter into the kingdom of God and how they receive the power and authority you will grind on your teeth and cry of remorse...
Most of the time when Jesus mentions the weeping and grinding of teeth, He spoke to the Jews, and the Pharisees, you see the Jews waited so long for the coming of the kingdom, for more than 2000 years they had prophesies of the coming messiah who will establish the kingdom of God on earth... Jesus was trying to tell them that there will be people from the east and the west that will enter into the kingdom of God before them and when they see this, they the Jews and the Pharisees will grind on their teeth out of -anger, rage, or hatred for those who have the authority of all the in dwelling inhabitants of the earth...

Matthew 8:10 When Jesus heard him, He marvelled and said to those who followed Him [who adhered steadfastly to Him, conforming to His example in living and, if need be, in dying also], I tell you truly, I have not found so much faith as this with anyone, even in Israel.
Matthew 8:11 I tell you, many will come from the east and west, and will sit at the table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven,
Matthew 8:12 While the sons and heirs of the kingdom will be driven out into the darkness outside, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth

Matthew 13:42 And will cast them into the furnace of fire; there will be weeping and wailing and grinding of teeth. Matthew 13:43 Then will the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with God) shine forth like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let him who has ears [to hear] be listening, and let him consider and perceive and understand by hearing. [Dan. 12:3.]Matthew 13:44 The kingdom of heaven is like something precious buried in a field, which a man found and hid again; then in his joy he goes and sells all he has and buys that field

You see all the scriptures refer to the kingdom of God or the kingdom of heaven. If you don’t enter into the kingdom of heaven there will be a grinding of teeth...

This is a parable... but again you will see the kingdom

Matthew 13:45 Again the kingdom of heaven is like a man who is a dealer in search of fine and precious pearls, Matthew 13:49 So it will be at the close and consuming of the age. The angels will go forth and separate the wicked from the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with God) Matthew 13:50 And cast them [the wicked] into the furnace of fire; there will be weeping and wailing and grinding of teeth. Matthew 13:51 Have you understood all these things [parables] taken together? They said to Him, Yes, Lord.
Matthew 13:52 He said to them, Therefore every teacher and interpreter of the Sacred Writings who has been instructed about and trained for the kingdom of heaven and has become a disciple is like a householder who brings forth out of his storehouse treasure that is new and [treasure that is] old [the fresh as well as the familiar].
Matthew 13:53 When Jesus had finished these parables (these comparisons), He left there.

Enter through the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads to destruction. But narrow is the gate that leads to life (life in abundance )

Matthew 7:13 Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it.
Matthew 7:14 But the gate is narrow (contracted by pressure) and the way is straightened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it. Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you dressed as sheep, but inside they are devouring wolves. Matthew 7:16 You will fully recognize them by their fruits. Do people pick grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? Matthew 7:17 Even so, every healthy (sound) tree bears good fruit [worthy of admiration], but the sickly (decaying, worthless) tree bears bad (worthless) fruit. Matthew 7:18 A good (healthy) tree cannot bear bad (worthless) fruit, nor can a bad (diseased) tree bear excellent fruit [worthy of admiration]. Matthew 7:19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire. Matthew 7:20 Therefore, you will fully know them by their fruits. Matthew 7:21 Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven.
Matthew 7:22 Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesised in Your name and driven out demons in Your name and done many mighty works in Your name? Matthew 7:23 And then I will say to them openly (publicly), I never knew you; depart from Me, you who act wickedly.

The gate is narrow that leads to the kingdom of God...
Yet again nowhere will you find that Jesus said, narrow are the gates of heaven.... Or wide are the gates of hell....
His message is simple, if you want to enter into the kingdom of God, there is only one gate, and that gate is Jesus. You see narrow is the gate that leads to life....
Jesus said I am the way to life... to the kingdom
The only way to the kingdom of God is to be baptized in the death of Christ...
You see there is only one way into the kingdom of heaven. There is only one way to receive true dominion over all the spiritual and physical inhabitants of this earth, and that is through the narrow gate Jesus Christ.

The king (of the kingdom) will ask you how did you enter into the spiritual realm (the kingdom of God) and from whom did you receive the power and authority that you claim you have (the garment can also be explained as –Show me your ring or stamp of authority) And if you don’t have the right garment (the ring or the anointing of God which you get through Christ) then there will be a weeping and grinding of teeth.

Matthew 22:12 And he said, Friend, how did you come in here without putting on the [appropriate] wedding garment? And he was speechless (muzzled, gagged).
Matthew 22:13 Then the king said to the attendants, Tie him hand and foot, and throw him into the darkness outside; there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.
Matthew 22:14 For many are called (invited and summoned), but few are chosen.

Let’s clarify this situation further; let’s say a certain man dies and ends up in heaven, enjoying the wonderful and beautiful pleasures that heaven has to offer and enjoying the company of Abram, Isaac, Jacob and David together with all his past away relatives and friends. And in the splendour of the moment Jesus appears and notices that the man does not have his appropriate garment on. Jesus then questions the man, about his existence in heaven. And in the midst of all this confusion Jesus apologizes for the inconvenience and the mistake of the presence of this man in heaven and therefore escorts the man to hell. We all know this is not possible, for heaven would no longer be heaven if this were the case.
My friends I hope that this will clarify the point that in this parable Jesus did not refer to internal life but to the kingdom of God. In modern terms he would have said, you might think that there is many ways to enter the spiritual realm and find inner peace , but they all lead to distraction. There is only one way to inner peace , and that is through me....

Let’s refer to more scriptures and get to the crux of the matter

Act 19:8 Paul then went straight to the meeting place. He had the run of the place for three months, doing his best to make the things of the kingdom of God real and convincing to them.
Act 19:9 But then resistance began to form as some of them began spreading evil rumors through the congregation about the Christian way of life. So Paul left, taking the disciples with him, and set up shop in the school of Tyrannus, holding class there daily.
Acts 19:10 This continued for two years, so that all the inhabitants of [the province of] Asia, Jews as well as Greeks, heard the Word of the Lord [concerning the attainment through Christ of eternal salvation in the kingdom of God].
Acts 19:11 And God did unusual and extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, Acts 19:12 So that handkerchiefs or towels or aprons which had touched his skin were carried away and put upon the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.
Acts 19:13 Then some of the travelling Jewish exorcists (men who adjure evil spirits) also undertook to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, I solemnly implore and charge you by the Jesus Whom Paul preaches!
Acts 19:14 Seven sons of a certain Jewish chief priest named Sceva were doing this.
Acts 19:15 But [one] evil spirit retorted, Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you? Acts 19:16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit dwelt leaped upon them, mastering two of them, and was so violent against them that they dashed out of that house [in fear], stripped naked and wounded.

Paul entered the kingdom of God trough the narrow gate, Jesus was His lord and saviour and miracles and wonders and signs followed him wherever he went.
But the seven sons of Sceva said ... We charge you in the name of the Jesus that Paul preaches...
Now can you see the difference, they don’t have the anointing of the anointed one, they say, in the name of the Jesus (not in the name of Jesus) that Paul preaches....
Jesus was not yet their lord and saviour, they tried to go into the kingdom of God, but not through the narrow gate... They were not baptized in the death of Christ...

And there was a public display ‘and a weeping and a grinding of teeth.

Acts 19:16 Then the possessed man went berserk—jumped the exorcists, beat them up, and tore off their clothes. Naked and bloody, they got away as best they could.
Jesus explained were the kingdom of God is!
Luke 17:21 Nor will people say, Look! Here [it is]! or, See, [it is] there! For behold, the kingdom of God is within (Greek word en-tos' inside or within) you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you].

We rule with Christ in the kingdom of God from within our uttermost inner being!

Where is the kingdom of God?

The kingdom of God is inside us.

Luke 17:21 Nor will people say, Look! Here [it is]! or, See, [it is] there! For behold, the kingdom of God is within (Greek word en-tos' inside or within) you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you].

You can now enjoy the luxury and unshakable peace in the kingdom of God. Circumstances will no longer rule over you, every time this world throws his arrows of agony, pain and distress at you, God will raise the standards from within you, and like a flood streams of living waters will flow out of your inner most being and you will speak life into death, you will have victory upon victory, you will grow from glory to glory, from strength to strength.You will rule over all your circumstances, they will not rule over you!

You are called to be a king in the kingdom of God!

Col 1:13 [The Father] has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and the dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,

Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he [will eat] with Me. Rev 3:21 He who overcomes (is victorious), I will grant him to sit beside Me on My throne, as I Myself overcame (was victorious) and sat down beside My Father on His throne.

Warm Regards

Francois Janse van Rensburg