Wednesday, January 14, 2015

11/9/09 THE KINGDOM OF GOD/HEAVEN

THE KINGDOM OF GOD/HEAVEN

God's Rule Panoramic View
The Kingdom of God (heaven) has several faces, such as;
Israel, the united kingdom, became the northern kingdom in the Old Testament .
Judah, the southern kingdom in the Old Testament.
Christianity, the spiritual kingdom on earth since New Testament.
The Millennium Kingdom, the earthly kingdom of Christ when He returns.
Eternal Reign of God, after final judgment and the beginning of the New Heaven, New Earth and the New Jerusalem.

God's Rule Today
Though some argue that the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven are not the same, these two phrases are used interchangeably in the parallel passages of the Gospels.
* Kingdom of God alludes to the Supreme Ruler, God.
* Kingdom of Heaven alludes to the Seat of Authority (heaven), as we might say, "Washington has sent warships."

Spiritual Kingdom
Today the Kingdom is not defined by by Geographic, Political or Economic boundaries. The Kingdom is within the heart of those who accept God as King. The community of those who submit to God's authority are in the Kingdom. The Kingdom is a spiritual Kingdom; the Kingdom is not meat and drink, but righteousness, peace and joy.

Two Spiritual Kingdoms
* the Kingdom of God (Light, Heaven) and
* the kingdom of Satan (darkness and hell).

Kingdom Parables
The kingdom parables of Mt. 13; Mk. 4 and Lk. 8 reveal truths concerning the Kingdom of God (Heaven).