The Kingdom:

Lesson 1

If you ask a couple of people what the Kingdom is, you will probably get a couple of different answers. The phrases “Kingdom of God” and “Kingdom of Heaven” conjure in the minds of many a far-off place beyond the blue where angels and God dwell. Is that really the Kingdom?

Some believe it was natural Israel, the Church in the wilderness.

Others believe that it is somewhere in the future for another people and another place called the Millennium Kingdom of God.

Some believe that the Church is the Kingdom now!

So, who is right and who is wrong and what does the Bible teach us concerning the Kingdom of God?

The Old Testament definition of the Kingdom:

There are several Hebrew words used, all coming from the same root word:   “Melek,” which means “king.”

“Maleku,” is translated as “kingdom” 46 times, “realm” 3 times and “reign” 4 times.

“Malekuth” is translated as “kingdom” 49 times, “empire” 1 time, “realm” 4 times, “reign” 21 times and “royal” 14 times.

“Mamlakuth” is translated as “kingdom” 108 times, “reign” 2 times and “royal” 4 times.

It is interesting to note that not one time in the Old Testament is “Kingdom of God” or “Kingdom of Heaven” mentioned.

The New Testament definition of the Kingdom:

“Basilea” carries the same meaning as in the Old Testament and was derived from the Hebrew and not the Greek

WHAT IS THE KINGDOM?

1. A realm over which a King reigns.
2. A people over which the King reigns.
3. The actual reign itself, defined as the authority and the power to     rule.
4. The government or the people managing the     Kingdom.

WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD?

1. It is the extension of God’s rule and     dominion in the earth.

(Matt. 6:10) “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”

1. It is “…righteousness, and peace, and joy     in the Holy Ghost.”

(Rom. 14:17) “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”

1. It is a present reality and it is in you.

(Luke 17:20-21) “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 Neither shall they say, Lo here! Or, lo there! For, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”

(Mark 1:14-15) “Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”

There is a Christ (anointed) in you.

(Col. 1:26) “Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:”

(Col 1:27) “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:”

(Col 1:28) “Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:”

(Col 1:29) “Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.”

There were three types of people that got anointed in the Bible:

(Exo. 40:13) ‘And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.”

(Exo. 40:14) “And thou shalt bring his sons, and clothe them with coats:”

(Exo. 40:15) “And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office: for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.”

(1 Kings 19:16) “And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.”

(1 Sam. 16:13) “Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.”

1. It is a Theocracy: theos, which     means: “God” and krateo, which means: to have power, Chief, Master,     rule, to take possession of.
2. It is God’s rule expressed in Christ,     sphere where that rule may be experienced.
3. Jesus is the personification of the     Kingdom.
4. The Kingdom is not fleshly.

(John 18:36) “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.”

1. The Kingdom is entered by birth.

(John 3:3) “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

(John 3:4) “Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?”

(John 3:5) “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

1. The Kingdom takes priority.

(Matt. 6:33) “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

1. The Kingdom demands perseverance.

(Luke 9:62) “And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

1. The Kingdom is marked by power.

(1 Cor. 4:20) “For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.”

1. The Kingdom is supernaturally ministered     by supernatural men.

(Mark 16:15) “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

(Mark 16:16) “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”

(Mark 16:17) “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;”

(Mark 16:18) “They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”

(Mark 16:19) “So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.”

(Mark 16:20) “And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. “

(Matt. 28:18) “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”

1. The Kingdom cannot be moved.

Heb 12:26  Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.

Heb 12:27  And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

Heb 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

Heb 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire.

(Acts 20:24) “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”

 (2 Peter 1:11) “For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”

1. The Kingdom is to be taken to the whole     earth.

(Mark 16:15) “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

(Matt. 24:14) “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”

WHERE IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD?

(Luke 17:20-21) “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: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”

The Kingdom of God is within you.  The issue was never “when,” but “where.” The Kingdom was there and they missed it. From the very beginning, the command was to rule and reign.

(Gen. 1:26) “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.”

(Gen. 1:27) “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

(Gen. 1:28) “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”

When Adam sinned, he lost the ability to rule in the kingdom of God. Jesus came to give back to man that ability and to bring His Kingdom back to earth.

HOW LONG HAS THE KINGDOM BEEN IN EXISTENCE AND HOW LONG HAS THE KING BEEN IN EXISTENCE?

God’s Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, ruling over all kingdoms!

 (Psalm 103:19) “The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all”.

(Psa. 145:10) “All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee.”

(Psa. 145:11) “They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power;”

(Psa. 145:12) “To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.”

(Psa. 145:13) “Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.”

(Daniel 4:3) “How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.”

(2 Peter 1:11) “For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”

Jesus preached about the Kingdom.

(Matt. 4:17) “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

(Mark 1:14-15) “Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”

(Luke 17:20-21) “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:  Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”

(Luke 16:16) “The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.”

The Kingdom is not just an external kingdom, but an internal kingdom; where man can learn to rule, with the power and authority of God from a regenerated heart and spirit. God dwells in us.

(Eph. 2:18) “For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.”

(Eph. 2:19) “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;”

(Eph. 2:20) “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;”

(Eph. 2:21) “In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:”

(Eph. 2:22) “In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”

(John 17:1) “These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:”

(John 17:2)  “As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.”

(John 17:3)  “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”

(John 17:4)  “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.”

(John 17:5)  “And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.”

(John 17:6)  “I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.”

(John 17:7)  “Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.”

(John 17:8)  “For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.”

(John 17:9) “I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.”

(John 17:10)  “And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.”

(John 17:11)  “And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.”

(John 17:12) “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.”

(John 17:13)  “And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.”

(John 17:14)  “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”

(John 17:15) “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.”

(John 17:16) “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”

(John 17:17) “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

(John 17:18)  “As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.”

(John 17:19)  “And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.”

(John 17:20)  “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;”

(John 17:21)  “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”

(John 17:22)  “And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:”

(John 17:23)  “I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.”

(John 17:24)  “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.”

(John 17:25)  “O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.”

(John 17:26) “And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

His Kingdom, in your spirit, will eventually establish His reign in your life that will spill over to your environment and affect the physical world around you. The ability to do God’s will is never achieved by outward works, but by the working of God’s Spirit inside the hearts of men.

(Matt. 6:9-10) “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. “

(Phil. 2:13-Amplified Bible) “[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for Hiss good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.”

(Jer. 31:33-34) “But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

God is raising up a people that He can manifest through and will reveal all His power and fullness.

Lesson 2

At the end of the last lesson we saw that God wants to restore man back to his original plan and purpose. As long as man is unregenerate and unsaved, he cannot manifest God’s will on or in the earth. God’s will must be done in man first and then in the earth.

Jesus’ prayer says “…Thy will be done IN earth as it is in heaven...”

(Matt. 6:10) “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

(Luke 11:2) “And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.”

Jesus was praying that God’s will be done in us.

(Gen.  2:7) “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”

God’s will can never come by legislation or by force. That will only breed contempt and rebellion. The only way His Kingdom comes is when one is born into it.

Through the new birth, the Kingdom of God is established in the hearts of men. We accept Him and His rule and His reign.

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

(John 1:12) “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”

(John 1:13) “Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

(John 3:3) “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

(John 3:4) “ Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?”

(John 3:5) “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

(John 3:6) “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

(1 Peter 1:23) “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.”

(2 Peter 1:4) “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

To be born again is to accept Him and to take everything that He brings with Him.

HOW IS THE KINGDOM EXPRESSED IN EARTH?

(Matt.6:10) “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”

(Heb. 12:22) “But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,”

(Heb. 12:23) “To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,”

(Heb. 12:24) “And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

The Church is presently the expression of the Kingdom.

(Exo. 19:1) “In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai.”

(Exo. 19:2) “For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount.”

(Exo. 19:3) “And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel;”

(Exo. 19:4) “Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself.”

(Exo. 19:5) “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:”

(Exo. 19:6) “And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel”

(1 Peter 2:9) “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”

(1 Peter 2:10) “Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”

An abundant lifestyle expresses the Kingdom

(John 10:10) “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

The Church is:

(Ga. 6:16) “And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.”

(Rom. 2:28) “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:”

(Rom. 2:29) “But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.”

(Rom. 9:6) “Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:”

(Rom. 9:7)”Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.”

(Rom. 9:8) “That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.”

(Eph. 2:11) “Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;”

(Eph. 2:12) “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:”

(Gal. 3:9) “So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.”

(Gal 3:10) “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.”

(Gal. 3:11) “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.”

(Gal. 3:12) “And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.”

(Gal. 3:13) “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:”

(Gal. 3:14) “That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”

(Gal. 3:15) “Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.”

(Gal. 3:16) “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.”

(Gal. 3:17) “And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.”

(Gal. 3:18) “For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.”

(Gal. 3:19) “Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.”

(Gal. 3:20) “Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.”

(Gal. 3:21) “Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.”

(Gal. 3:22) “But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.”

(Gal. 3:23) “But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.)

(Gal. 3:24) “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”

(Gal. 3:25) “But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.”

(Gal. 3:26) “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”

(Gal. 3:27) “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

(Gal. 3:28) “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”

(Gal. 3:29) “And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

(Php. 3:3) “For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.”

(Mat. 21:42) “Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?”

(Mat. 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.”

(1 Pet. 2:9) “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”

(1 Pet. 2:10) “Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”

(Gal. 4:21) “Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?”

(Gal. 4:22) “For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.”

(Gal. 4:23) “But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.”

(Gal. 4:24) “Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.”

(Gal. 4:25) “For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.”

(Gal. 4:26) “But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.”

(Gal. 4:27) “For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.”

(Gal. 4:28) “Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.”

(Gal. 4:29) “But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.”

(Gal. 4:30) “Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.”

(Gal. 4:31) “So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.”

(Heb. 12:22) “But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,”

(Heb. 12:23) “To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,”

(Heb. 12:24) “And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.”

(Rev. 21:9) “And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.”

(Rev. 21:10) “And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,”

(Rev. 22:1) “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.”

(Rev. 22:2) “In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”

(Rev. 22:3) “And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:”

(Rev. 22:4) “And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.”

(Rev. 22:5) “And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.”

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TERMS “THE KINGDOM” AND “THE CHURCH"?

The Church is the instrument of the Kingdom of God. They are related because Jesus spoke of the Kingdom and the Church together.

(Mat. 16:18) “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

(Mat. 16:19) “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.)

(Acts 8:1) “And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.”

(Acts 8:2) “And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.”

(Acts 8:3) “As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.”

(Acts 8:4) “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.”

(Acts 8:5) “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.”

(Acts 8:6) “And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.”

(Acts 8:7) “For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.”

(Acts 8:8) “And there was great joy in that city.”

(Acts 8:9) “But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:”

(Acts 8:10) “To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.”

(Acts 8:11) “And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.”

(Acts 8:12) “But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.”

(Acts 20:17) “And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.”

(Acts 20:18) “And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,”

(Acts 20:19) “Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:”

(Acts 20:20) “And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,”

(Acts 20:21) “Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”

(Acts 20:22) “And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:”

(Acts 20:23) “Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.”

(Acts 20:24) “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”

(Acts 20:25) “And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.”

(Acts 20:26) “Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.”

(Acts 20:27) “For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.”

(Acts 20:28) “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”

The Kingdom denotes God’s purpose and the Church denotes the instrument by which that purpose shall be realized.

WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE KINGDOM?

(John 18:36) “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.”

(Luke 17:21) “Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”

(John 3:3) “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

(John 3:4) “Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?”

(John 3:5) “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

(John 3:6) “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. The kingdom is at hand. The Old testament it was stay away from the mountain.”

(Mark 1:14) “Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,”

(Mark 1:15) “And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”

(Mat. 6:33) “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

(Rom. 14:17) “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. “

(Luke 12:31) “But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

(Luke 12:32) “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

(Mat. 11:12) “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.”

(Luke 16:16) “The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.”

(Luke 9:62) “And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

(1 Cor. 4:20) “For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.”

(Mark 16:15) “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

(Mark 16:16) “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”

(Mark 16:17) “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;”

(Mark 16:18) “They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”

(Mark 16:19) “So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.”

(Mark 16:20) “And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.”

(Mat. 28:18) “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”

(Acts 14:22) “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”

(Heb. 12:26) “Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.”

(Heb. 12:27) “And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.”

(Heb. 12:28) “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:”

(Heb. 12:29) “ For our God is a consuming fire.”

(Acts 20:24) “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”

(2 Peter 1:11) “For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”

(Luke 1:31) “And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.”

(Luke 1:32) “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:”

(Luke 1:33) “And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”

(Mark 16:15) “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

(Mat. 24:14) “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE KINGDOM?

To take the Kingdom to those who are still captive in the power of darkness. There is a worldwide battleground and no neutrality.

(Mat. 12:30) “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.”

(Mat. 12:31) “Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.”

(Mat. 12:32) “And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.”

(Mat. 12:33) “Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.”

The battle is for the hearts and spirits of men.

(2 Cor. 10:3) “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

(2 Cor. 10:4) “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)”

(2 Cor. 10:5) “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”

We are to spoil the darkness.

(Mat. 16:18) “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

(Col. 1:13) “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:”

(Mat. 12:22) “Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.”

(Mat. 12:23) “And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?”

(Mat. 12:24) “But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.”

(Mat. 12:25) “And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:”

(Mat. 12:26) “And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?”

(Mat. 12:27) “And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.”

(Mat. 12:28) “But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.”

(Mat. 12:29) “Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.”

(Mat. 12:30) “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.”

Lesson 3

Ignorant men have tried for a very long time to make a distinction between the terms “Kingdom of God” and “Kingdom of Heaven.” Some think the term “Kingdom of Heaven” refers to the present Church and the term “Kingdom of God” refers to the millennium reign of Christ. What is true and does this really refer to two different things? Let’s look at scripture to get a clear understanding of what this really means.

A comparison of the following scriptures will show us what is meant. What is said about the “Kingdom of God” is also said about the “Kingdom of Heaven.”

To the Jewish mind, the term “heaven” is a euphemism for God. The Jews would not say the name of God because it was too sacred to them. It was customary among the Jews to use the word “heaven” when referring to God.

(Mat. 5:34) “But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:”

(Mat. 23:22) “And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.”

As Mathew’s Gospel was mainly written to the Jewish people, he uses the term “Kingdom of Heaven,” and Mark, Luke and John use the term “Kingdom of God.”

The term “Kingdom of Heaven” shows us where it is and the term “Kingdom of God” shows us who’s it is.

The term “Kingdom of Heaven” speaks from what realm it proceeds, where the term “Kingdom of God” speaks of who is King of that Kingdom.

Let us note that God does not have two Kingdoms. That would mean that God can be divided against Himself. Jesus said such a Kingdom can never stand.

(Mat. 12:25) “And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:”

(Mat. 12:26) “And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?”

The Kingdom is in the spirit, ruled by God who is Spirit. God is omnipresent and in the Spirit there are no limitations. Where God is, there His Kingdom is. When He ascended onto the mountain in the wilderness He says:

(Exo. 19:6) “And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation…”

Psa 22:28  For the kingdom is the LORD'S: and he is the governor among the nations.

(Isa. 9:6) “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

(Isa. 9:7) “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”

(Dan. 2:44) “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.”

(1 Peter 2:9) “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”

Currently, God is establishing His Kingdom in a people called His “sons.”

(John 1:12) “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”

(John 1:13) “Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

Jesus Christ is the King of this Kingdom within a people.

(Col. 1:27) “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:”

God’s will is established “in” earth (flesh), then “on” earth (planet). First, God’s Kingdom is expressed in a people, then through a people.  God is filling the earth with His Glory.

(Num. 14:21) “But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD.”

WHAT IS THE MOTIVE OF THE KINGDOM?

The motive is love.

(2 Cor. 5:14) “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:”

The principle of love is giving. Jesus set the example.

(John 3:16) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

(1 Cor. 15:45) “And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.”

(1 Cor. 15:46) “Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.”

(1 Cor. 15:47) “The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.”

(1 Cor. 15:48) “As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.”

(1 Cor. 15:49) “And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.”

(Acts 20:35) “I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

(Heb. 8:6) “But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.”

(2 Cor. 9:15) “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”

(2 Cor. 12:4) “How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.”

We receive the nature of the King so that we can release the nature of the King.

(Mat. 5:1) “And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:”

(Mat. 5:2) “And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,”

(Mat. 5:3) “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

(Mat. 5:4) “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”

(Mat. 5:5) “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”

(Mat. 5:6) “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”

(Mat. 5:7) “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.”

(Mat. 5:8 “ Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”

(Mat. 5:9) “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

(Mat. 5:10) “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

(Mat. 5:11) “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.”

(Mat. 5:12) “Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”

WHAT RELEASES THE KINGDOM?

(John 16:8) “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:”

(John 16:9) “Of sin, because they believe not on me;”

(John 16:10) “Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;”

(John 16:11) “Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.”

We condemn because it is in our own eyes.

(Mat. 7:1) “Judge not, that ye be not judged.

(Mat. 7:2) “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.”

(Mat. 7:3) “And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?”

(Mat. 7:4) “Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?”

(Mat. 7:5) “Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.”

(Pro. 17:15) “He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.”

(Acts 13:39) “And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.”

(Rom. 5:1) “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”

(2 Cor. 5:17) “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

(2 Cor. 5:18) “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;”

(2 Cor. 5:19) “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”

(2 Cor. 5:20) “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.”

(2 Cor. 5:21) “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

(John 20:23) “Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.”

(Mat. 6:14) “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:”

(Mat. 6:15) “But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

(Jas. 2:13) “For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.”

1. Heavenly in culture.

(Php. 1:27) “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;”

(Php. 3:20) “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:”

1. Heavenly in language.

(Eph. 4:29) “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”

(Eph. 4:30) “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”

(Eph. 4:31) “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:”

(Eph. 4:32) “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”

1. Heavenly in character.

(1 Cor. 15:45) “And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.”

(1 Cor. 15:46) “Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.”

(1 Cor. 15:47) “The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.”

(1 Cor. 15:48) “As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.”

(1 Cor. 15:49) “And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.”

1. Heavenly in authority.

(Ezek. 22:30) “And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.”

1. Heavenly in proclamation.

(Pro. 25:25) “As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.”

1. Heavenly in lifestyle.

(Deu. 11:18)”Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.”

(Deu. 11:19) “And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”

(Deu. 11:20) “And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates:”

(Deu. 11:21) “That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth.”

Lesson 4

The biggest question that you constantly hear people ask is:

WHEN WILL THE KINGDOM COME?

The Kingdom of God has a King. JESUS!

When He came 2000 years ago, He came as a King. The religious folk didn’t like it and didn’t care to acknowledge it!

Luke 19:37) “And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;”

(Luke 19:38) “Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.”

(Luke 19:39) “And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.”

(Luke 19:40) “And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.”

(Mat. 21:4) “All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,”

(Mat. 21:5) “Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.”

Jesus is not coming back as a King, He already came as a King.

(John 1:49) “Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.”

(John 1:50) “Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.”

(John 18:37) “Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.”

(Dan. 7:13) “I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.”

(Dan 7:14) “And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”

When Jesus came, the Kingdom came. Not a fleshly, carnal and earthly one, but a Kingdom that operates by Spiritual laws.

He died as a King and purchased us as a precious possession unto Himself so that He might fill us with Himself.

(Eph. 4:10) “He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)”

(Eph. 4:11) “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;”

(Eph. 4:12) “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”

(Eph. 4:13) “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:”

(Eph. 2:17) “And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.”

(Eph. 2:18) “For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.”

(Eph. 2:19) “ Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;”

(Eph. 2:20) “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;”

(Eph. 2:21) “In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:”

(Eph. 2:22) “In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”

(Col. 1:18) “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”

(Col. 1:19) “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;”

(1 Peter 1:9) “Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.”

(1 Cor. 6:19) “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”

(1 Cor. 6:20) “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”

Through the indwelling Spirit, Jesus can now rule and reign in and through every one of us. Ruling in our hearts we become the territory over which He rules. Being the Church we are also the instrument by which He rules in this earth. God’s purpose is to rule in us. Not from the outside, but from the inside He now affects us and the natural world we live in.

There is a Christ with a Kingdom in us.

(Luke 17:21) “Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”

(Rom. 14:17) “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”

(2 Cor. 13:5) “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”

(Col. 1:13) “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:”

(Col. 1:14) “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”

IS THIS KINGDOM SPIRITUAL OR LITERAL?

This Kingdom is both Spiritual (origin) and literal (manifestation). It is the Spiritual rule of God worked out in the lives of literal people, in real places affecting real circumstances.

We must understand that what is presently going on in the world is that Light is exposing darkness. As the rule and reign of God increases, it deals with darkness, exposing it. The Gospel of the Kingdom is affecting life as we know it.

The Kingdom shall never be more spiritual or more literal than it is right now. The only difference is the size or the scope of its effect. Right now, we don’t see everything affected as yet, but soon the kingdoms of this world will be the Kingdoms of our God and His Christ.

(Heb. 2:8) “Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.”

(Heb. 2:9) “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.”

(Rev. 11:15) “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.”

(Dan. 7:18) “But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.”

(Dan. 7:27) “And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.”

A People for His Name

The next worldwide government will be the Kingdom of God.

(Isa. 9:7) “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”

In Daniel 2:28, 34-35, 44-45 the Kingdom begins as a small stone that is loosened and destroys every other Kingdom and then grows and fills the earth as a great mountain.

(Dan. 2:28) “But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;”

(Dan. 2:34) “Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.”

(Dan. 2:35) “Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.”

(Dan. 2:44) “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.”

(Dan. 2:45) “Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.”

This is the order in which God’s kingdom grows. It begins with a stone (Jesus) and grows into a mountain (Church) that will eventually fill the whole earth with His Glory.

(Mat. 16:13) “When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?”

(Psa. 118:22) “The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.”

(Psa. 118:23) “This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.

(Mat. 16:15) “He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?”

(Mat. 16:16) “And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

(Psa. 118:22) “The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.”

(Psa. 118:23) “This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.”

(Isa. 28:16) “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.”

(Mat. 21:42) “Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?”

(Mat. 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.”

(Mat. 21:44) “And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.”

(Eph. 2:19) “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;”

(Eph. 2:20) “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;”

(Eph. 2:21) “In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:”

(Eph. 2:22) “In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”

(1 Pet. 2:4) “To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,”

(1 Pet. 2:5) “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”

(1 Pet. 2:6) “Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.”

(1 Pet. 2:7) “Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,”

(1 Pet. 2:8) “And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.”

(1 Pet. 2:9) “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”

(1 Pet. 2:10) “Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”

(Mat. 13:31) “Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:”

(Mat. 13:32) “Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.”

(Mat. 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.”

For 2000 years God has been building on this dwelling place for His Name. A Living Temple made up of lively stones. A people to manifest Himself and His Kingdom as it fills the earth. God has given us a Genesis Mandate.

(Gen 1:26) “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.”

(Gen. 1:27) “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

(Gen. 1:28) “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”

(Rom. 16:20) “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”

Lesson 5

God’s determination for His Church is not merely to save people from hell and then take them to some far off place somewhere called heaven. That is what religion taught us. That is in total contradiction to His Word.

The truth is that the Gospel has never converted all who heard it, but has called out some everywhere it was preached.

The word “Church” is “ecclesia” in the Greek and means “Called out ones”. This must be understood in its proper context. This is a body of people that came together not to just assemble, but because they have been called by God and to God.

James makes it clear what the purpose of God is in this age.

(Acts 15:13) “And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:”

(Acts 15:14) “Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.”

(Acts 15:15) “And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,”

(Acts 15:16) “After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:”

(Acts 15:17) “That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.”

(Acts 15:18) “Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.”

During this age, God’s purpose is to call out a people for His Name and to manifest His Kingdom in them. Then, by those who have been conformed, He will reach the rest of mankind. Out from amongst the billions of people, He has a people that will bear His Name, His divine attributes, as they are embodied in Christ.

These people have the mind of Christ. They will find everything they need in their relationship and fellowship with Christ.

(Eph. 4:11) “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;”

(Eph. 4:12) “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”

(Eph. 4:13) “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:”

The word “equipping” in Greek is:”Katartismos” which means: making fit, training, perfecting or making fully qualified. 

The word “fullness” in Greek is “Pleroma” which means: full number, full measure, that which has been completed.

God is now making the adjustments to His Church, His called out ones, His body, so that they will not be out of joint.

(Col. 1:28) (Amplified) “Him we preach and proclaim, warning and admonishing everyone and instructing everyone in all wisdom (comprehensive insight into the ways and purpose of God), that we may present every person mature (full-grown, fully initiated, complete, and perfect) in Christ (The Anointed One).”

All that God is, is in Christ.

(Col. 2:9) “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”

(Col. 2:10) “And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:”

Paul frequently uses the phrase “In Christ” and points to those ones that operate in everything that is represented and contained in Him.

(Acts 24:24) “And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.”

(Rom. 3:24) “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:”

(Rom. 5:17) “For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)”

(Rom. 8:1) “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

(Rom. 8:2) “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”

(Rom. 8:9) “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”

(Rom. 12:5) “So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”

(1 Cor. 1:30) “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:”

(1 Cor. 3:1) “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.”

(1 Cor. 4:15) “For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.”

(2 Cor. 1:21) “Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;”

(2 Cor. 2:14) “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.”

(2 Cor. 3:14) “But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.”

(2 Cor. 5:17) “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

The Family of God

God’s family is vast. There are babies, young men and mature Fathers. We are family and we share a common LIFE. We must grow up and mature. He must be formed in us. Spiritual maturity becomes evident in the revealed nature of Christ.

(Gal. 4:19) “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,”

(Eph. 4:13) “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:”

(1 Cor. 13:11) “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”

Babies: (Nepios, 1-2 years of age) Passover dimension, Outer court.

Young Children (Paidon, 2-12 years of age)

(1 Cor. 1:10) “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”

(1 Cor. 1:11) “For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.”

(1 Cor. 1:12) “Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.”

(1 Cor. 1:13) “Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?”

(1 Cor. 3:1) “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.”

(1 Cor. 3:2) “I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.”

(1 Cor. 3:3) “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?”

(1 Cor. 3:4) “For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?”

(1 Cor. 3:5) “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?”

(1 Cor. 3:6) “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.”

(1 Cor. 3:7) “So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.”

(1 Cor. 3:8) “Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.”

(Heb. 5:12) “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.”

(Heb. 5:13) “For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.”

(Heb. 5:14) “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

(Mat. 2:11) “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.”

(Mat. 9:18) “While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.”

(Mat. 9:24) “He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.”

(Luke 2:40) “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.”

Teenagers (Teknon) Pentecost dimension, Holy Place.

(Eph. 1:13) “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,”

(Eph. 1:14) “Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”

(2 Cor. 1:20) “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.”

(2 Cor. 1:21) “Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;”

(2 Cor. 1:22) “Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.”

Mature believers (Huios) Tabernacles, most Holy place.

(Rom. 8:18) “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

(Rom. 8:19) “For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.”

(Rom. 8:20) “For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,”

(Rom. 8:21) “Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.”

(Rom. 8:22) “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.”

(Rom. 8:23) “And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.”

(Rom. 8:24) “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?”

(Rom. 8:25) “But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.”

Christ is their life. They manifest Him. His life flows from them. They live with a different mindset. They know God’s agenda and purposes. They live the Kingdom.

(Col. 3:1) “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.”

(Col. 3:2) “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

(Col. 3:3) “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.”

(Col. 3:4) “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”

As Christ manifested the Father, so they manifest the Son.

(John 1:1) “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

(John 1:2) “The same was in the beginning with God.”

(John 1:3) “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

(1 Tim. 3:16) “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”

God is establishing His Kingdom in the lives of the called out ones. As He deals with them, He is forming His image in them. God is setting up His government in a people that can bear His Name and His nature.

(Acts 15:14) “Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.”

(Acts 15:15) “And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,”

(Acts 15:16) “After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:”

(Acts 15:17) “That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.”

God is going to use these people to reach the rest of the people; a many, membered Christ, with Jesus as the head of this body; a glorified Christ, in a people, that have been qualified to rule with Him.

(Isa. 60:1) “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.”

(Isa. 60:2) “For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.”

(Isa. 60:3) “And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.”

(Isa. 2:2) “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.”

(Isa. 2:3) “And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”

(Mat. 5:14) “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.”

(Mat. 5:15) “Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.”

(Mat. 5:16) “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Lesson 6

PARABLES OF THE KINGDOM

The sower and his seed

 (Mat. 13:3) “And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;”

(Mat. 13:4) “And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:”

(Mat. 13:5) “Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:”

(Mat. 13:6) “And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.”

(Mat. 13:7) “And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:”

(Mat. 13:8) “But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.”

(Mat. 13:9) “Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

(Mat. 13:19) “When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.”

(Mat. 13:20) “But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;”

(Mat. 13:21) “Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.”

(Mat. 13:22) “He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.”

(Mat. 13:23) “But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

The Tares and the Wheat

(Mat. 13:24) “Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:”

(Mat. 13:25) “But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.”

(Mat. 13:26) “But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.”

(Mat. 13:27) “So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?”

(Mat. 13:28) “He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?”

(Mat. 13:29) “But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.”

(Mat. 13:30) “Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.”

(Mat. 13:36) “Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.”

(Mat. 13:37) “He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;”

(Mat. 13:38) “The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;”

(Mat. 13:39) “The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.”

(Mat. 13:40) “As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.”

(Mat. 13:41) “The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;”

(Mat. 13:42) “And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

(Mat. 13:43) “Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

Grain of mustard seed.

Mat 13:31  Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:

Mat 13:32  Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

The leaven.

(Mat. 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.”

(Mat. 13:34) “All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:”

Hidden treasure

(Mat. 13:44) “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.”

Pearl of great price

(Mat. 13:45) “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:”

(Mat. 13:46) “Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.”

Net cast into the sea

(Mat. 13:47) “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:”

(Mat. 13:48) “Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.”

(Mat. 13:49) “So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,”

(Mat. 13:50) “And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

The householder

(Mat. 13:51) “Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.”

(Mat. 13:52) “Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.”

(Mat. 13:53) “And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence.”

King’s servants

(Mat. 18:23) “Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.”

(Mat. 18:24) “And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.”

(Mat. 18:25) “But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.”

(Mat. 18:26) “The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.”

(Mat. 18:27) “Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.”

(Mat. 18:28) “But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.”

(Mat. 18:29) “And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.”

(Mat. 18:30) “And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.”

(Mat. 18:31) “So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.”

(Mat. 18:32) “Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:”

(Mat. 18:33) “Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?”

(Mat. 18:34) “And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.”

(Mat. 18:35) “So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.”

The laborers

(Mat. 20:1) “For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.”

(Mat. 20:2) “And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.”

(Mat. 20:3) “And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,”

(Mat. 20:4) “And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.”

(Mat. 20:5) “Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.”

(Mat. 20:6) “And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?”

Marriage feast

(Mat. 22:1) “And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,”

(Mat. 22:2) “The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,”

(Mat. 22:3) “And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.”

(Mat. 22:4) “Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.”

(Mat. 22:5) “But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:”

(Mat. 22:6) “And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.”

(Mat. 22:7) “But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.”

(Mat. 22:8) “Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.”

(Mat. 22:9) “Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.”

(Mat. 22:10) “So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.”

(Mat. 22:11) “And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:”

(Mat. 22:12) “And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.”

(Mat. 22:13) “Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

(Mat. 22:14) “For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Ten virgins

(Mat. 25:1) “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.”

(Mat. 25:2) “And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.”

(Mat. 25:3 “They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:”

(Mat. 25:4) “But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.”

(Mat. 25:5) “While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.”

(Mat. 25:6) “And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.”

(Mat. 25:7) “Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.”

(Mat. 25:8) “And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.”

(Mat. 25:9) “But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.”

(Mat. 25:10) “And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.”

(Mat. 25:11) “Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.”

(Mat. 25:12) “But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.”

(Mat. 25:13) “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

The talents

(Mat. 25:14) “For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.”

(Mat. 25:15) “And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.”

(Mat. 25:16) “Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.”

(Mat. 25:17) “And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.”

(Mat. 25:18) “But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.”

(Mat. 25:19) “After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.”

(Mat. 25:20) “And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.”

(Mat. 25:21) “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

(Mat. 25:22) “He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.”

(Mat. 25:23) “His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

(Mat. 25:24) “Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:”

(Mat. 25:25) “And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.”

(Mat. 25:26) “His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:”

(Mat. 25:27) “Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.”

(Mat. 25:28) “Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.”

(Mat. 25:29) “For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.”

(Mat. 25:30) “And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 

Lesson 7

WHAT DOES THE NEW TESTAMENT TEACH ABOUT THE KINGDOM?

Matthew:

1. The Kingdom is at hand, repent.

(Mat. 3:2) “And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

(Mat. 4:17) “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

1. Signs follow the preaching of Kingdom.

(Mat. 4:23) “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.”

(Mat. 9:35) “And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.”

(Mat. 10:7) “And as ye go, preach, saying, The  kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

(Mat. 10:8) “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.”

1. Kingdom belongs to poor in Spirit.

(Mat. 5:3) “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

1. Kingdom belongs to the persecuted.

(Mat. 5:10) “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

1. In the Kingdom you are great or small.

(Mat. 5:19) “Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

(Mat. 11:11) “Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he”.

(Mat. 18:1) “At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

(Mat. 18:2) “And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,”

(Mat. 18:3) “And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

(Mat. 18:4) “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

(Mat. 19:14) “But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

1. You can miss the kingdom.

(Mat. 5:20) “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

1. Pray for the Kingdom.

(Mat. 6:10) “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”

1. Kingdom is priority.

(Mat. 6:33) “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

1. Kingdom belongs to all.

(Mat. 8:11) “And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.”

(Mat. 21:31) “Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.”

(Mat. 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.”

(Mat. 22:1) “And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,”

(Mat. 22:2) “The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,”

(Mat. 22:3) “And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.”

(Mat. 22:4) “Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.”

(Mat. 22:5) “But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:”

(Mat. 22:6) “And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.”

(Mat 22:7. “But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.”

(Mat. 22:8) “Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.”

(Mat. 22:9) “Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.”

(Mat. 22:10) “So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.”

1. Violent take it by force.

(Mat. 11:12) “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.”

1. Kingdom operates by the Spirit.

(Mat. 12:28) “But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.”

1. We can know the mysteries of the Kingdom.

(Mat. 13:11) “He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.”

(Mat. 13:19) “When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.”

1. Be instructed in the Kingdom.

(Mat. 13:52) “Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.”

1. The keys of the Kingdom.

(Mat. 16:19) “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

1. Accountability in the Kingdom.

(Mat. 18:23) “Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.”

(Mat. 25:1) “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.”

(Mat. 25:2) “And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.”

(Mat. 25:3) “They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:”

(Mat. 25:4) “But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.”

(Mat. 25:5) “While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.”

(Mat. 25:6) “And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.”

(Mat. 25:7) “Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.”

(Mat. 25:8) “And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.”

(Mat. 25:9) “But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.”

(Mat. 25:10) “And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.”

(Mat. 25:11) “Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.”

(Mat. 25:12) “But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.”

(Mat. 25:13) “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

(Mat. 25:14) “For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.”

(Mat. 25:15) “And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.”

(Mat. 25:16) “Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.”

(Mat. 25:17) “And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.”

(Mat. 25:18) “But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.”

(Mat. 25:19) “After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.”

(Mat. 25:20) “And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.”

(Mat. 25:21) “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

(Mat. 25:22) “He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.”

(Mat. 25:23) “His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

(Mat. 25:24) “Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:”

(Mat. 25:25) “And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.”

(Mat. 25:26) “His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:”

(Mat. 25:27) “Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.”

(Mat. 25:28) “Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.”

(Mat. 25:29) “For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.”

1. Eunuchs in the Kingdom.

(Mat. 19:12) “For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.”

1. Hard to enter the Kingdom.

(Mat. 19:23) “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

(Mat. 19:24) “And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”

1. Kingdom is God’s responsibility.

(Mat. 20:1) “For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.”

(Mat. 20:2) “And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.”

(Mat. 20:3) “And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,”

(Mat. 20:4) “And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.”

(Mat. 20:5) “Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.”

(Mat. 20:6) “And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?”

(Mat. 20:7) “They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.”

(Mat. 20:8) “So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.”

(Mat. 20:9) “And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.”

(Mat. 20:10) “But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.”

(Mat. 20:11) “And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,”

(Mat. 20:12) “Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.”

(Mat. 20:13) “But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?”

(Mat. 20:14) “Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.”

(Mat. 20:15) “Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?”

1. Men and religion will try to keep you out     of the kingdom.

(Mat. 23:13) “But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.”

1. Kingdom will be preached in all the world.

(Mat. 24:14) “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”

Mark:

1. Time for the     Kingdom.

(Mark 1:14) “Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,”

(Mark 1:15) “And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”

1. Kingdom is not     divided.

(Mark 3:24) “And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.”

1. Know the     mysteries of Kingdom.

(Mark 4:11) “And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:”

1. The Kingdom     grows.

(Mark 4:26) “And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;”

(Mark 4:27) “And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.”

(Mark 4:28) “For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.”

(Mark 4:29) “But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.”

(Mark 4:30) “And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?”

1. The Kingdom     came.

(Mark 9:1) “And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.”

1. The price of     the Kingdom.

(Mark 9:47) “And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:”

1. The Kingdom     belongs to.

(Mark 10:14) “But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.”

(Mark 10:15) “Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.”

1. Hard to enter     the Kingdom.

(Mark 10:23) “And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!”

(Mark 10:24) “And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!”

(Mark 10:25) “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”

1. Entering the     Kingdom.

(Mark 12:34) “And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.”

Luke:

1. No end to the     Kingdom.

(Luke 1:33) “And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”

1. Jesus sent to     preach the Kingdom.

(Luke 4:43) “And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.”

1. Kingdom belongs     to the poor.

(Luke 6:20) “And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.”

1. Greatness in     the Kingdom.

(Luke 7:28) “For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

1. Kingdom is     demonstrated.

(Luke 8:1) “And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him,”

1. Knowing the     mysteries of the Kingdom.

(Luke 8:10) “And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.”

1. Sent to preach     the Kingdom and heal the sick.

(Luke 9:1) “Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.”

(Luke 9:2) “And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.”

(Luke 9:11) “And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.”

(Luke 10:9) “And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.”

(Luke 10:10) “But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,”

(Luke 10:11) “Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.”

1. Requirements of     the Kingdom.

(Luke 9:62) “And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

1. Pray for the     Kingdom.

(Luke 11:2) “And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.”

1. Kingdom has     come upon us.

(Luke 11:20) “But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.”

1. Priority of     Kingdom.

(Luke 12:31) “But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

1. God gives the     Kingdom.

(Luke 12:32) “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

1. Growth of the     kingdom.

(Luke 13:18) “Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?”

(Luke 13:19) “It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.”

1. Influence of     the Kingdom.

(Luke 13:20) “And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?”

(Luke 13:21) “It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.”

1. Kingdom for all.

(Luke 13:28) “There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.”

(Luke 13:29) “And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.”

1. Kingdom follow     prophets.

(Luke 16:16) “The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.”

1. Kingdom is in     you.

(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:”

(Luke 17:21) “Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”

1. How to receive     the Kingdom.

(Luke 18:16) “But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.”

(Luke 18:17) “Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.”

1. Price for the     Kingdom.

(Luke 18:23) “And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.”

(Luke 18:24) “And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!”

(Luke 18:25) “For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”

(Luke 18:26) “And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?”

(Luke 18:27) “And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”

(Luke 18:28) “Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.”

(Luke 18:29) “And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake,”

(Luke 18:30) “Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.”

1. Accountability     in Kingdom.

(Luke 19:12) “He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.”

(Luke 19:13) “And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.”

(Luke 19:14) “But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.”

(Luke 19:15) “And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.”

(Luke 19:16) “Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.”

(Luke 19:17) “And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.”

(Luke 19:18) “And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.”

(Luke 19:19) “And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.”

(Luke 19:20) “And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:”

(Luke 19:21) “For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.”

(Luke 19:22) “And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:”

(Luke 19:23) “Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?”

(Luke 19:24) “And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.”

(Luke 19:25) “(And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)”

(Luke 19:26) “For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.”

(Luke 19:27) “But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.”

1. Kingdom     appointed.

(Luke 22:29) “And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;”

(Luke 22:30) “That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

John:

1. See the Kingdom.

(John 3:3) “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

1. Enter the Kingdom.

(John 3:5) “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

1. Kingdom is from     Heaven.

(John 18:36) “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.”

Acts:

1. Jesus speaks     about the Kingdom after His resurrection.

(Acts 1:3) “To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:”

1. Preaching the     Kingdom.

(Acts 8:12) “But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.”

1. Enter by     tribulation.

(Acts 14:22) “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”

(Acts 19:8) “And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.”

(Acts 20:25) “And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.”

(Acts 28:23) “And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.”

(Acts 28:31) “Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.”

Romans:

What is the Kingdom?

(Rom. 14:17) “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”

1 Corinthians:

1. What is the     Kingdom?

(1 Cor. 4:20) “For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.”

1. Who does not     inherit the Kingdom?

(1 Cor. 6:9) “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,”

(1 Cor. 6:10) “Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”

Galatians:

Who does not inherit the Kingdom?

(Gal. 3:21) “Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.”

Ephesians:

Who does not inherit the Kingdom?

(Eph. 5:4) “Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.”

Colossians:

Where we are.

(Col. 1:13) “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:”

1 & 2 Thessalonians:

1. What we are     called to.

(1 Th. 2:12) “That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.”

1. Counted worthy     for the Kingdom.

(2 Th. 1:5) “Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:”

James:

Who inherits the Kingdom?

(Jas. 2:5) “Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?”

2 Peter:

Everlasting Kingdom.

(2 Peter 1:11) “For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”

Lesson 8

Sons of God

A lot of the Pharisees got really mad when Jesus referred to Himself as the Son of God. We must understand that to make a statement like that, meant you were equal to God. We know Jesus was truly the “Son of man” as He was the “Son of God.” He was God and He was man. By Him we are begotten as children, but I will never be God.

(John 5:18) “Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.”

(Luke 1:35) “And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”

(Mat. 27:43) “He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.”

 (Mat. 27:54) “Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.”

 I say this for a specific reason. We have heard the message of the “manifested sons of God.”

 (Rom. 8:19) “For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.”

(Rom. 8:20) “For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,”

(Rom. 8:21) “Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.”

Even that was preached out of context. Men have preached it as though we are God, which is what new agers preach, and that is a perversion of Scripture. The Scripture clearly teaches that He gave us power to become “sons” and not God. As sons we have our father’s DNA and His Nature, but we are not Him. Satan’s fall was because he wanted to be as God.

(John 1:12) “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”

(John 1:13) “Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

(John 1:14) “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

(Jas. 1:18) “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.”

(1 Peter 1:23) “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.”

The word “become” in John 1:12 is the Greek word:

“ghin'-om-ahee”

A prolonged and middle form of a primary verb; to cause to be (“gen” -erate), that is, (reflexively) to become (come into being)

This word is used 632 times in the New Testament and is always used as that which causes to be.

We must understand that what we are is what He causes us to be and not what we are of ourselves. He has predestined us to be conformed to the image of His Son.

(Rom. 8:28) “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

(Rom. 8:29) “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

Jesus is the express image of God.

(Heb. 1:3) “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;”

This simply means that He came to reveal the Father, His nature and His character. The word “image” is the Greek word”

χαρακτήρ

khar-ak-tar'

From the same as G5482; a graver (the tool or the person), that is, (by implication) engraving ([“character”], the figure stamped, that is, an exact copy or [figuratively] representation): - express image.

Jesus came to reveal the character of God. We are predestined to the same thing. We are to express the character of God.

This word only appears one time and in this verse is translated as IMAGE. It finds its root in the word “Charax” and is elsewhere translated as “Mark” where it comes from the same root.

(Rev. 13:16) “And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:”

(Rev. 13:17) “And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”

(Rev. 14:9) “And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,”

(Rev. 14:11) “And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.”

(Rev. 15:2) “And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.”

Rev 16:2  And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.

The word “image” in these verses is the Greek word “Eikon” and also means “a representation.” “Eikon” however, is the representation of someone else (expressing someone's character that is not your own).

“Charax” is to be that person’s character (expressing no other but that person whom you have become).

(Gal. 2:20) “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

(2 Cor. 5:21) “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

The Nature of God.

(1 John 1:5) “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”

Christ the light – The Nature of God.

(John 8:12) “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

Church reveals the nature of God.

(Isa. 60:1) “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.”

(Isa. 60:2) “For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.”

(Isa. 60:3) “And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.”

(Isa. 60:4) “Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side.”

(Isa. 60:5) “Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.”

(Mat. 5:14) “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.”

(1 Peter 2:9) “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”

Nature of Jesus is revealed through the fruit of Spirit.

(Gal. 5:22) “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,”

(Gal. 5:23) “Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

Anointed Word by the apostles is light.

(Psa. 119:105) “NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

 (Acts 2:42) “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

Ministry of God.

(Psa. 46:1) “<To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth.> God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

(Psa. 46:2 “Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;”

(Psa. 46:3) “Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.”

(Psa. 46:4) “There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.”

(Psa. 46:5) “God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.”

Christ reveals the ministry of God

(John 1:1) “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

(John 1:2) “The same was in the beginning with God.”

(John 1:3) “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

(John 1:4) “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”

(John 1:5) “And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”

(John 1:6) “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.”

(John 1:7) “The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.”

(John 1:8) “He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.”

(John 1:9) “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”

Church reveals the ministry of Jesus.

(John 14:12) “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”

(Mark 16:15) “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

(Mark 16:16) “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”

(Mark 16:17) “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;”

(Mark 16:18) “They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”

(Mark 16:19) “So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.”

(Mark 16:20) “And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.”

Anointed Word revealed by apostles is life.

(2 Tim. 4:1)  “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;”

(2 Tim. 4:2) “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”

(2 Tim. 4:3) “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;”

(2 Tim. 4:4) “And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”

(2 Tim. 4:5) “ But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

(2 Tim. 2:14) “Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.”

(2 Tim. 2:24) “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,”

(2 Tim. 2:25) “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;”

(2 Tim. 2:26) “And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”

(John 6:63) “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”

A People For His Name

It is time to address an issue that has long been left untouched. The premise that those who confess Jesus as Lord will rule with Him is not true.

(1 Peter 2:9) “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”

(1 Peter 2:10) “Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”

(Mat. 20:16) “So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.”

The Greek word “kletos” means “called,” “invited,” “appointed.” And the Greek word “ekkletos” means, “chosen,” “selected,” favorite.”

God is presently and has in the past called out a people for Himself. He wants them to rule and reign and express Him in the earth. We see something in Revelation that needs our attention.

(Rev. 7:9) “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;”

(Rev. 7:10) “And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.”

There are multitudes of people standing before the throne and serving God day and night. They are saved, but they are not sitting with Christ on the throne. That is reserved for another people -- the “over comers.”

Born again people are “children” of God. Over comers are “sons” of God.

(John 1:12) “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”

He has given everyone who believes the power to become sons. Not everyone does, however.

(Gal. 4:1) “Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;”

(Gal. 4:2) “But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.”

(Gal 4:3) “Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:”

(Gal. 4:4) “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,”

(Gal. 4:5) “To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”

(Gal. 4:6) “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”

(Gal. 4:7) “Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”

Like Louis often says, “everyone has been called, but not all have come.” The calling of God is to all, but not everyone will enter in and pay the price for the high calling that God has apprehended them for.

(Php. 3:12) “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.”

(Php. 3:13) “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,”

There are those that will sit with Him in His Throne and then there are those that will not.

(Rev. 2:7) “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.”

(Rev. 2:11) “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.”

(Rev. 2:17) “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.”

(Rev. 2:26) “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:”

(Rev. 3:5) “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.”

(Rev. 3:12) “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.”

(Rev. 3:21) “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”

Seven times there is a promise to those who overcome. We are apprehended for son-ship and Paul wrote about this.

(Php. 3:12) “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.”

(Php. 3:13) “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,”

(Php. 3:14) “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

(Php. 3:15) “Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.”

(Php. 3:16) “Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.”

To be children of God is good, but to be sons is better. We received His nature by the born again experience, but by maturity we reveal His nature.

A new day has dawned! The day of the Lord is upon us. The many-membered Christ is arising ready to reveal God.

(1 Cor. 12:12) “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.”

(1 Cor. 12:13) “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”

(1 Cor. 12:14) “For the body is not one member, but many.”

(1 Cor. 12:15) “If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?”

(1 Cor. 12:16) “And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?”

(1 Cor. 12:17) “If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?”

(1 Cor. 12:18) “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.”

(1 Cor. 12:19) “And if they were all one member, where were the body?”

(1 Cor. 12:20) “But now are they many members, yet but one body.”

(1 Cor. 12:21) “And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.”

(1 Cor. 12:22) “Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:”

(1 Cor. 12:23) “And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.”

(1 Cor. 12:24) “For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:”

(1 Cor. 12:25) “That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.”

(1 Cor. 12:26) “And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.”

(1 Cor. 12:27) “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”

(1 Cor. 12:28) “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.”

(1 Cor. 12:29) “Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?”

(1 Cor. 12:30) “Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?”

(1 Cor. 12:31) “But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.”

In any house (who we are) there are both vessels of glory and vessels of wood. Some will be children and some will be sons. Some will mature and some will stay immature.

(2 Tim. 2:20) “But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.”

The promises are to those who overcome and have been found faithful with the call of God. Jesus tells the parables about the stewards. Those that gave good account got greater rewards than the one who was not faithful.

These are those who have qualified to rule with Him. They live and walk in the victory of Christ. Everything has already been accomplished in His finished work.