FACTS ABOUT THE KINGDOM OF GOD
A kingdom is a realm or rule of a king; the domain of a king – king’s dominion. The Kingdom of God [KOG] is the influence of the Kingdom of Heaven on the earth [territory or colony]. The Kingdom of Heaven [KOH] began on the earth when the King Himself entered human history both in Genesis when He formed the earth, created man in His own image and later, through the King Son as a man – when He came to restore the Governor. Today, the King reigns in the hearts of believers making them kings and He then, is the King of kings. But, the KOH will not be fully realized until all evil in the world is judged and removed. The King Son came to earth first as a suffering Servant, He will come again as King and Judge to rule victoriously over all the earth.
The first word Jesus spoke into His ministry was an important word, Matthew 4:17, “Repent, the governing authority of heaven has returned on earth”! …my emphasis. Repent means to change your mind or the way you think, to go back to the original thinking. Re means to go backward and pent means to think. His first words to us were to go back to the original thought patterns of God and then you will be able to leave in the Kingdom. Jesus came to earth to restore leaders, the human race is supposed to be leaders …Genesis 1:26-28, the word to reign or have dominion means you are meant to be a king because only kings have domains [king’s domain] – kingdom.
The King Son started His ministry with the same message people heard John the Baptist say, “Repent [change your mind and the way you think for the better, heartily amend your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins – it is sin to walk against King Father’s original intention of earth], for the KOG is at hand”. As we have seen, King Son came to restore the KOG to the earth having lost it in Genesis Chapter Three at the fall of man. This message proclaimed by John the Baptist and Jesus is the same today – enter the KOG and remain. Believing in the King means changing the way you think – to have a kingdom thinking and not a slave’s thinking. The word ‘repent’ here is not an attack on your sin, but a turn-round; a turning away from your self-centeredness and self-control and turning your life over to the King’s direction and control through the influence of the Governor [Holy Spirit].
The King Son did not come to establish an earthly Kingdom that would free us from tyranny and oppression of the earthly kings. So don’t seek for honored places like the sons of Thunder because it is not centered in palaces and thrones but in the hearts and lives of those who choose to change the way they think. As Kingdom of priests [believers], we are temporary residents and foreigners in this world because our real home is with God; now in our hearts and later when He recreate a new heaven and a new earth. Life with the King operates according to His principles and values; it is eternal and unshakable. The KOH came to earth in the symbolism of the Jewish sanctuary or Tabernacle where the King’s presence dwelt. But, it came in a fuller way in the Person of the King Son – God with us. It spread through the entire world as the Governor was restored to the believers.
Someday, after the King judges and destroys all sin, the KOH will rule every corner of this earth in the 1000-year reign coming soon and later, after evil has been destroyed. Apostle John saw this day in a vision and he cried out, “The abode of God is with men, and He will live [encamp, tent] among them; and they shall be His people and God shall personally be with them and be their God”. Our true loyalty is to our citizenship in the Kingdom. The earth will be destroyed, therefore, our loyalty is to the King’s truth, His way of life and His dedicated people. Because we are loyal to the King, we will feel like strangers in a world that would prefer to ignore Him.
Religious people have made religion out of what the King said about the entrant to the KOG. Christians are religious people making Jesus their leader – the King Son did not come to the earth with religion but with a government… Isaiah 9:6, 7. A religious man once had listened to the King Son over and over speak about the KOG and he was wondering how he would qualify to enter. But, there was a problem, he feared to be seen with the King and what his counterparts would say against him. So, he came to the King in the night and asked Him how he would qualify membership in the KOG. The King’s answer was one; just be born again, Like a natural birth. Those seeking the KOG required to be born again but not of the fresh but of the Spirit… John 3:3, “Jesus answered him, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God”. Unlike the long process of attaining citizenship for immigrants, to be a citizen of any country, it requires that you are born in the country. Those who seek the door to enter the KOG will find because the King’s Son is that door and He has promised to those who seek that they will find Him if they seek Him with all their hearts. The KOG is organized differently from worldly kingdoms and Kingdom people seek different blessings and benefits because they have different attitudes. The King Son is humble and self-sacrificing.
A reference to the King’s spiritual reign is found in the Lord’s Prayer, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven”. The King’s Kingdom was announced in the covenant with Abraham…Matthew 8:11. The King’s Kingdom will include people from every part of the world; your rejection of the Messiah will not stop the King’s plan. True Israel includes all people who believe in Christ and His message. The KOG is present in the believers …Luke 17:21 and will be complete when all evil is destroyed …Revelation 21:1. Like my Lord, I must preach the message of the KOG throughout the world for this is why I was sent. The KOG is Good News! It was Good news to the Jews because they had been awaiting the coming of the promised Messiah ever since the Babylonian captivity. It is Good News for us also because it means we are in the KOG now because the Governor reigns within us. Yet, it is also in the future because the King will return to reign over a perfect Kingdom where sin and evil will no longer exist.
Not all who talk about the KOG belong there. Are you listening and obeying the Lord’s instructions? Has the Lord asked you to do what you do? Are you where God wants you to be? Some self-professed athletes can ‘talk’ a great game, but that tells you nothing about their athletic skills. Not everyone who talks about the Kingdom belongs in it. The King is more concerned about our walk than our talk. He wants us to do right, not just say the right words. What you do cannot be separated from what you believe. The King exposes the people who sound religious but have no personal relationship with Him. On judgment day, only our perseverance to the end and registration in the Book of Life will matter. Many people think that if they are ‘good’ people and say religious things, they will be rewarded with eternal life. In reality, faith in the King is what will count at the judgment.
What did Nicodemus know about the Kingdom? From the Bible, he knew it would be ruled by God, it would be restored on earth and it would incorporate the King’s people. The Son revealed to this devout Pharisee that the Kingdom would come to the whole world …John 3:16, not just the Jews and that Nicodemus would not be a part of it unless he was personally born again. Today, this is still a revolutionary concept to many. The Kingdom is personal, not national or ethnic and its entrance requirements are changing the way you think and accept the spiritual rebirth the King offers. The KOG is first of all spiritual and secondly, it is established in the hearts of the believers. No one is able to judge who will be it. The sorting will be done at the last judgment by those infinitely more qualified that we.
The parables in Matthew 13:24ff explain what the Kingdom is really like as opposed to our expectations of it. The KOH is not a geographic location but a spiritual realm where the King rules and where we share in His eternal life. We join that Kingdom when we trust in the King as the way to the Kingdom. The King promises that His harvest will be magnificent and prolific – the best fruit ever grown. Your witness may be weak and your efforts may seem to influence so few, but the Word of God is a powerful growth agent. Keep your eye on the great harvest to come and don’t let bad soil or weeds discourage you from faithful service and witness. The KOG has small beginning but will grow and produce great results – the KOG begins small and almost invisible but grows and has great impact on the world. Like many others, I’m a product of a seed planted into my heart invisibly over fifteen years ago; with consistency and endurance, others are now enjoying standing under it’s ‘shade’.
The KOG is more valuable than anything else we can have and a person must be willing to give up everything to obtain it. A man discovered a treasure hidden in the field and had stumbled upon it by accident but he knew its value when he found it. Although the transaction cost the man everything, he paid nothing for the priceless treasure itself; the King had already paid for it. It came free with the field. Nothing is more precious than the KOG yet the King gives it to us as a gift. So, why do the religious [Christians, Muslims, Hindus etc.] miss it? What we know now and what the Spirit of the Lord reveals at this time [the return of Jesus] give practical guidelines for faith and for living in the world. Don’t be trapped in the old [what you already know] and blind to the new [new revelations]: judge and accept everything by faith, “For without faith, it is impossible to please the King”. Religion looks for what is physical and temporal but blind to the spiritual significance of the Kingdom that Christ brought.
We have learnt that the KOH is the domain of the King and the KOG is the influence of the King over the territory earth. So, who has the key [s] to the Kingdom? The King Son told Peter, “I will give you the keys of the KOH…”. The meaning of this verse has been a subject of debate for centuries. Church leaders think that they hold the keys of the Kingdom and they try to shut some people out and bring others in. Church membership does not guarantee you a place in the KOH. Being rejected by the Church does not necessarily exempt you from the KOG. We cannot decide to open or close the KOH for others, but the King uses us to help others find the way inside. To all who believe in Christ and obey His Word, the Kingdom doors are swung wide open. But, even with our sermons cleverly packed, they can do nothing without the Governor of the Kingdom [the Holy Spirit]. The King said that the Governor is the Government of Heaven present on earth and that only He is able to convict the sinner to repentance. Without the Governor, our work is in vain. Therefore, the Governor in the territory or colony on the earth is that Key to the KOH – He is gently and would never close anyone out accept those deemed to be lost because they do not recognize Him and will never go to Him.
The death and resurrection of the King Son made His Kingdom possible. When He was on the earth, the King Son had the Holy Spirit trapped in His body. But because of His death, He gave the Holy Spirit up and by Jesus Blood, a cleansing on the ‘King’s house’ was done. So, the Holy Spirit would later come to live in this ‘house’. This marked the restoration of the Governor to the earth territory and with it, the restoration of the influence of the King on the earth. Calvary was the means to the end – to restore all that was lost in Genesis Chapter Three. What was lost? Man lost his dominion on earth where he had been destined to reign…Genesis 1:26-28. Man made the ‘house’ unholy therefore, he lost the Governor too. But, thank the King for Calvary…now we can reign in every area of our lives…health, work, family, marriage etc. What gives you authority on the earth is the dirt suit. Every spirit on the earth without a body is illegal, your work is to open your mouth and command it out in Jesus Name, and it must obey. This is why Jesus cleansed it so that He too could use it to make demands on the earth through us, “The body for the Lord and the Lord for the Body”, the Bible says.
The King clarified the membership rules of the KOH: entrance is by His grace alone. The Lord gave a parable in Matthew 20:1-16 to illustrate what His grace can do. You should never feel superior because of heritage or position or feel superior because you spent so much time as a believer. The parable is not about rewards but salvation. It is a strong teaching about grace, the King’s generosity. We should never begrudge those who turn to the King in the last moments of life because in reality, no one deserves eternal life. Many people we don’t expect to see in the KOH will be there. The criminal who repented as he was dying will be there along with people who have believed and served God for many years. Never resent the King’s gracious acceptance of the despised, the outcast and the sinners who turn to Him for forgiveness. Rather, focus on the King’s gracious benefits to you and be thankful for what you have.
The King said it was very difficult for the rich in material wealth to enter the KOG because the rich, having their basic physical needs met, often become self-reliant. When they feel empty, they buy something new to try to fill the void that only Him can fill their abundance and self-sufficiency become their deficiency. The person who has everything on earth can still lack what is most important – eternal life. The young rich man in Matthew 19:16ff thought he would make it to the KOG when the King Son exposed his real weakness – wealth…it was his god, his idol and he would not give it up. Thus, he violated the first and greatest commandment in Exodus Chapter Twenty, Verse three.
Be willing to give up everything if the King asks you to. This kind of attitude allows nothing to come between us and the King and keeps us from using our God-given wealth selfishly. If you are relieved by the fact that the King did not tell all His followers to sell all their possessions, then you may be attached to what you have. Another reason why the rich would miss out in the Kingdom of God is that; in the Kingdom, everything belongs to the King. The King pays all the bills of the citizens and in the territory. So, the rich would find it difficult to give up their wealth, therefore, they do not want to enter the KOG. We cannot love the King with all our heart and yet keep our money to ourselves. Loving the King totally means using our money in ways that please Him.
Because it is impossible for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, it appears impossible for a rich person to get into the KOH. The disciples of the King were astounded. They thought that if anyone could be saved, it would be the rich, whom their culture considered especially blessed by the King. however, the King explained that “with God everything is possible”. Even rich people can enter the Kingdom if the King brings them in. Faith, not self-reliance, or riches is what counts. On what are you counting for eternity with the King. if material rewards in this life came to us for every faithful deed, we would be tempted to boast about our achievements and act out of wrong motivations. But, the King assured the disciples that anyone who gives up something valuable for His sake will be repaid many times over in this life, although not necessarily in the same form.
The rich man’s wealth made his life comfortable and gave him power and prestige. By telling him to sell everything he owned, the King was touching the very basis of his security and identity. The man did not understand that he would be even more secure if he followed the King than he was with all his wealth. The King does not tell us to sell everything we have, although this may be His will for some. But He does ask us all, however, to get rid of anything that has become more important in life than He. If your possessions take first place in your life, it would be better for you to get rid of them. Many have paid a high price – leaving their homes, loved ones and even jobs. Following the King has its benefits as well as its sacrifices. Any believer who has had to give up something will be repaid in this life as well as in the next. But, don’t dwell on what you have given up; think about what you have gained and give thanks for it. You can never outgive the King.
Not knowing the Scriptures and the power of God is the believers huge mistake. Develop the proper perspective of the KOH. What life will be like after we are reunited with the King is far beyond our ability to understand or imagine…Isaiah 64:4. The King’s appearance is so intense that it is like a consuming fire that burns everything in its path; the King’s glory is overwhelming. We cannot imagine all that God has in store for us, both in this life and for eternity. Until then, the Governor comforts and guides us. Knowing the wonderful and eternal future that awaits us gives us hope and courage to press on in this life, to endure hardship and to avoid giving in to temptation. This world is not all there is, the best is yet to come. Don’t be afraid of eternal life because of the unknowns, however. Instead of wondering what the coming Kingdom will be like, we should concentrate on our relationship with the King right now because in the new Kingdom, we will be with Him. If we learn to love the King now, we will not be afraid of what He has in store for us them.
In the King’s new order will not be an extension of this life. The same physical and natural rules will not apply. But, the King’s covenant with all people exists beyond death. In every generation and culture, ideas of eternal life tend to be based on images and experiences of present life. these faulty ideas are caused by ignorance of God’s Word. We must not make up our own conceived ideas about eternity and heaven by thinking of it and the King in human terms. Concentrate more on your relationship with the King than about what heaven will look like. Eventually we will find out and it will be far beyond our greatest expectations. Our relationships in this life are limited by time, death and sin and therefore, they will be different from what we are used to here and now. But, we shall be able to recognize our loved one in the KOH.
The KOG is announced by both preaching and healing and this is what the King want the kings on the earth to do, not just mere words. If the King Son had limited Himself to preaching, people might have seen His Kingdom as spiritual only. This is why people do not want to come into the KOG; people have their own religions and spiritual ecstasies with everything else. But, show them what there is for them in the Kingdom! In the days of the King Son on the earth, throngs and throngs of people followed Him because of the many miracles that accompanied His ministry. Desire not less than that. If He would have healed without preaching, people might not have realized the spiritual importance of His mission. The truth about the King is that He is both God and Man, both spiritual and physical; and the salvation that He offers is both for the soul and the body. Any group or teaching that emphasizes soul at the expense of body, or body at the expense of soul is in danger of distorting the Good News of the KOG.
The King Son thanked the King Father that spiritual truth was for everyone and not just for the elite. Many of life’s reward seem to go to the intelligent, the rich, the good looking or the powerful, but the KOG is equally available to all, regardless of position or abilities. We come to the King not through strength or brains, but through childlike trust. The King is not opposed to engaging in scholarly pursuits; He is opposed to spiritual pride. Thank Him that we all have equal access to Him. Trust in His grace, not in your personal qualifications, for your citizenship in the Kingdom. Make it your top priority. Seeking the KOG above all else means making the King your Lord. He must control every area – your work, play, plans, relationships. Is the Kingdom only one of your many concerns or is it central to all you do? As Lord and Creator, He wants to help provide what you need and well as guide how you use what He provides.
The Kingdom of God will have many surprises. Some who are despised now will be greatly honored then; some influential people here will be left outside the gates. Many ‘great’ people on this earth [in the King’s eyes] are virtually ignored by the rest of the world. What matters to the King is not a person’s earthly popularity, status, wealth, heritage or power but his commitment to the King. The King turns the world’s values upside down. Consider the most powerful or well-known people in our world – how many got where they are by being humble, self-effacing and gentle? Not many! But in the life to come, the last will be first. Don’t forfeit eternal rewards for temporary benefits. Be willing to make sacrifices now for greater rewards later. Be willing to accept human disapproval, while knowing that you have God’s approval. How do your values match those of the Bible? Put the King in the first place and you will join people from all over the world who will take their places at the feast in the KOH.
The King explained that in the KOH, the values of this world will be reversed. Those who seek status and importance here will have none in the KOG. The corrupt condition of our society encourages confusion in values. We are bombarded by messages that tell us how to be important and how to feel good and the King’s teaching about service to others seems alien. But those who have humbly served others are most qualified to be great in His Kingdom. The King has given each one of us gifts to use for the benefit of His Kingdom. The King will be hard on those who do not increase or build His Kingdom. He will be hard on those who will not share His interest in the Kingdom; those who do not trust His intentions and those who are concern with only themselves. Do you want the Kingdom to grow? Do you trust the King to govern it fairly? Are you as concerned for others’ welfare as you are for your own? Are you willing to use faithfully what He has entrusted to you?
The King Son repeatedly said that He would leave this world but would return at some future time. The King is preparing a place for the kings to spend eternity with them – a Kingdom is being prepared for His followers, a restored earthly Kingdom. The King’s return at an unexpected time is not a trap, a trick by which He hopes to catch us off guard. In fact, He is delaying His return so more people will have the opportunity to follow Him. Live out your beliefs to reflect His love as you relate to others: not hypocritical but sincere; not fearful but ready to witness; not worried but trusting; not greedy but generous; not lazy but diligent. May your life be like the King’s so that when He is revealed, you will be ready to greet Him joyfully. Everyone is responsible for their own spiritual condition. Spiritual preparation cannot be bought or borrowed at the last minute. Our relationship with God must be our own.
The most important event in human history is about to take place and many in the Church are still concerned about prestige in the KOG. Look back, this is not the time to worry about status. Wrapped up in our own concerns, many do not perceive the King’s return. What are your major concerns today? A decade from now, as you look back, will these worries look petty and inappropriate? Get your eyes off yourself and get ready for the King’s coming into human history for the second time. The world’s system of leadership is very different from leadership in the King’s Kingdom. Worldly leaders are often selfish and arrogant as they claw their way to the top. Some kings in the world give themselves the title ‘Benefactor, friend of the people’. But in the Kingdom the leader is to be the one who serves best. There are different styles of leadership – some lead through public speaking, some through administering, some through relationships – but every leader in the Church needs a servant’s heart. Ask the people you lead how you can serve them better.
The King personally invites us to be citizens of His Eternal Kingdom. Preparing ourselves for the fulfillment of God’s promises, however unlikely they may seem demonstrates our faith…Exodus 12:11; Luke 12:35. Months of planning go into a wedding, the birth of a baby, a career change, a speaking engagement, the purchase of a home. Do you place the same importance on preparing for the King’s return, the most important event in your life? Its results will last for eternity. You dare not postpone your preparations because you do not know when His return will occur. The way to prepare is to study the Constitution well and live by its instructions each day. Only then will you be ready. The establishment of the KOH, the King’s eternal Kingdom is a reason enough for the greatest celebration of all.
The first word Jesus spoke into His ministry was an important word, Matthew 4:17, “Repent, the governing authority of heaven has returned on earth”! …my emphasis. Repent means to change your mind or the way you think, to go back to the original thinking. Re means to go backward and pent means to think. His first words to us were to go back to the original thought patterns of God and then you will be able to leave in the Kingdom. Jesus came to earth to restore leaders, the human race is supposed to be leaders …Genesis 1:26-28, the word to reign or have dominion means you are meant to be a king because only kings have domains [king’s domain] – kingdom.
The King Son started His ministry with the same message people heard John the Baptist say, “Repent [change your mind and the way you think for the better, heartily amend your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins – it is sin to walk against King Father’s original intention of earth], for the KOG is at hand”. As we have seen, King Son came to restore the KOG to the earth having lost it in Genesis Chapter Three at the fall of man. This message proclaimed by John the Baptist and Jesus is the same today – enter the KOG and remain. Believing in the King means changing the way you think – to have a kingdom thinking and not a slave’s thinking. The word ‘repent’ here is not an attack on your sin, but a turn-round; a turning away from your self-centeredness and self-control and turning your life over to the King’s direction and control through the influence of the Governor [Holy Spirit].
The King Son did not come to establish an earthly Kingdom that would free us from tyranny and oppression of the earthly kings. So don’t seek for honored places like the sons of Thunder because it is not centered in palaces and thrones but in the hearts and lives of those who choose to change the way they think. As Kingdom of priests [believers], we are temporary residents and foreigners in this world because our real home is with God; now in our hearts and later when He recreate a new heaven and a new earth. Life with the King operates according to His principles and values; it is eternal and unshakable. The KOH came to earth in the symbolism of the Jewish sanctuary or Tabernacle where the King’s presence dwelt. But, it came in a fuller way in the Person of the King Son – God with us. It spread through the entire world as the Governor was restored to the believers.
Someday, after the King judges and destroys all sin, the KOH will rule every corner of this earth in the 1000-year reign coming soon and later, after evil has been destroyed. Apostle John saw this day in a vision and he cried out, “The abode of God is with men, and He will live [encamp, tent] among them; and they shall be His people and God shall personally be with them and be their God”. Our true loyalty is to our citizenship in the Kingdom. The earth will be destroyed, therefore, our loyalty is to the King’s truth, His way of life and His dedicated people. Because we are loyal to the King, we will feel like strangers in a world that would prefer to ignore Him.
Religious people have made religion out of what the King said about the entrant to the KOG. Christians are religious people making Jesus their leader – the King Son did not come to the earth with religion but with a government… Isaiah 9:6, 7. A religious man once had listened to the King Son over and over speak about the KOG and he was wondering how he would qualify to enter. But, there was a problem, he feared to be seen with the King and what his counterparts would say against him. So, he came to the King in the night and asked Him how he would qualify membership in the KOG. The King’s answer was one; just be born again, Like a natural birth. Those seeking the KOG required to be born again but not of the fresh but of the Spirit… John 3:3, “Jesus answered him, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God”. Unlike the long process of attaining citizenship for immigrants, to be a citizen of any country, it requires that you are born in the country. Those who seek the door to enter the KOG will find because the King’s Son is that door and He has promised to those who seek that they will find Him if they seek Him with all their hearts. The KOG is organized differently from worldly kingdoms and Kingdom people seek different blessings and benefits because they have different attitudes. The King Son is humble and self-sacrificing.
A reference to the King’s spiritual reign is found in the Lord’s Prayer, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven”. The King’s Kingdom was announced in the covenant with Abraham…Matthew 8:11. The King’s Kingdom will include people from every part of the world; your rejection of the Messiah will not stop the King’s plan. True Israel includes all people who believe in Christ and His message. The KOG is present in the believers …Luke 17:21 and will be complete when all evil is destroyed …Revelation 21:1. Like my Lord, I must preach the message of the KOG throughout the world for this is why I was sent. The KOG is Good News! It was Good news to the Jews because they had been awaiting the coming of the promised Messiah ever since the Babylonian captivity. It is Good News for us also because it means we are in the KOG now because the Governor reigns within us. Yet, it is also in the future because the King will return to reign over a perfect Kingdom where sin and evil will no longer exist.
Not all who talk about the KOG belong there. Are you listening and obeying the Lord’s instructions? Has the Lord asked you to do what you do? Are you where God wants you to be? Some self-professed athletes can ‘talk’ a great game, but that tells you nothing about their athletic skills. Not everyone who talks about the Kingdom belongs in it. The King is more concerned about our walk than our talk. He wants us to do right, not just say the right words. What you do cannot be separated from what you believe. The King exposes the people who sound religious but have no personal relationship with Him. On judgment day, only our perseverance to the end and registration in the Book of Life will matter. Many people think that if they are ‘good’ people and say religious things, they will be rewarded with eternal life. In reality, faith in the King is what will count at the judgment.
What did Nicodemus know about the Kingdom? From the Bible, he knew it would be ruled by God, it would be restored on earth and it would incorporate the King’s people. The Son revealed to this devout Pharisee that the Kingdom would come to the whole world …John 3:16, not just the Jews and that Nicodemus would not be a part of it unless he was personally born again. Today, this is still a revolutionary concept to many. The Kingdom is personal, not national or ethnic and its entrance requirements are changing the way you think and accept the spiritual rebirth the King offers. The KOG is first of all spiritual and secondly, it is established in the hearts of the believers. No one is able to judge who will be it. The sorting will be done at the last judgment by those infinitely more qualified that we.
The parables in Matthew 13:24ff explain what the Kingdom is really like as opposed to our expectations of it. The KOH is not a geographic location but a spiritual realm where the King rules and where we share in His eternal life. We join that Kingdom when we trust in the King as the way to the Kingdom. The King promises that His harvest will be magnificent and prolific – the best fruit ever grown. Your witness may be weak and your efforts may seem to influence so few, but the Word of God is a powerful growth agent. Keep your eye on the great harvest to come and don’t let bad soil or weeds discourage you from faithful service and witness. The KOG has small beginning but will grow and produce great results – the KOG begins small and almost invisible but grows and has great impact on the world. Like many others, I’m a product of a seed planted into my heart invisibly over fifteen years ago; with consistency and endurance, others are now enjoying standing under it’s ‘shade’.
The KOG is more valuable than anything else we can have and a person must be willing to give up everything to obtain it. A man discovered a treasure hidden in the field and had stumbled upon it by accident but he knew its value when he found it. Although the transaction cost the man everything, he paid nothing for the priceless treasure itself; the King had already paid for it. It came free with the field. Nothing is more precious than the KOG yet the King gives it to us as a gift. So, why do the religious [Christians, Muslims, Hindus etc.] miss it? What we know now and what the Spirit of the Lord reveals at this time [the return of Jesus] give practical guidelines for faith and for living in the world. Don’t be trapped in the old [what you already know] and blind to the new [new revelations]: judge and accept everything by faith, “For without faith, it is impossible to please the King”. Religion looks for what is physical and temporal but blind to the spiritual significance of the Kingdom that Christ brought.
We have learnt that the KOH is the domain of the King and the KOG is the influence of the King over the territory earth. So, who has the key [s] to the Kingdom? The King Son told Peter, “I will give you the keys of the KOH…”. The meaning of this verse has been a subject of debate for centuries. Church leaders think that they hold the keys of the Kingdom and they try to shut some people out and bring others in. Church membership does not guarantee you a place in the KOH. Being rejected by the Church does not necessarily exempt you from the KOG. We cannot decide to open or close the KOH for others, but the King uses us to help others find the way inside. To all who believe in Christ and obey His Word, the Kingdom doors are swung wide open. But, even with our sermons cleverly packed, they can do nothing without the Governor of the Kingdom [the Holy Spirit]. The King said that the Governor is the Government of Heaven present on earth and that only He is able to convict the sinner to repentance. Without the Governor, our work is in vain. Therefore, the Governor in the territory or colony on the earth is that Key to the KOH – He is gently and would never close anyone out accept those deemed to be lost because they do not recognize Him and will never go to Him.
The death and resurrection of the King Son made His Kingdom possible. When He was on the earth, the King Son had the Holy Spirit trapped in His body. But because of His death, He gave the Holy Spirit up and by Jesus Blood, a cleansing on the ‘King’s house’ was done. So, the Holy Spirit would later come to live in this ‘house’. This marked the restoration of the Governor to the earth territory and with it, the restoration of the influence of the King on the earth. Calvary was the means to the end – to restore all that was lost in Genesis Chapter Three. What was lost? Man lost his dominion on earth where he had been destined to reign…Genesis 1:26-28. Man made the ‘house’ unholy therefore, he lost the Governor too. But, thank the King for Calvary…now we can reign in every area of our lives…health, work, family, marriage etc. What gives you authority on the earth is the dirt suit. Every spirit on the earth without a body is illegal, your work is to open your mouth and command it out in Jesus Name, and it must obey. This is why Jesus cleansed it so that He too could use it to make demands on the earth through us, “The body for the Lord and the Lord for the Body”, the Bible says.
The King clarified the membership rules of the KOH: entrance is by His grace alone. The Lord gave a parable in Matthew 20:1-16 to illustrate what His grace can do. You should never feel superior because of heritage or position or feel superior because you spent so much time as a believer. The parable is not about rewards but salvation. It is a strong teaching about grace, the King’s generosity. We should never begrudge those who turn to the King in the last moments of life because in reality, no one deserves eternal life. Many people we don’t expect to see in the KOH will be there. The criminal who repented as he was dying will be there along with people who have believed and served God for many years. Never resent the King’s gracious acceptance of the despised, the outcast and the sinners who turn to Him for forgiveness. Rather, focus on the King’s gracious benefits to you and be thankful for what you have.
The King said it was very difficult for the rich in material wealth to enter the KOG because the rich, having their basic physical needs met, often become self-reliant. When they feel empty, they buy something new to try to fill the void that only Him can fill their abundance and self-sufficiency become their deficiency. The person who has everything on earth can still lack what is most important – eternal life. The young rich man in Matthew 19:16ff thought he would make it to the KOG when the King Son exposed his real weakness – wealth…it was his god, his idol and he would not give it up. Thus, he violated the first and greatest commandment in Exodus Chapter Twenty, Verse three.
Be willing to give up everything if the King asks you to. This kind of attitude allows nothing to come between us and the King and keeps us from using our God-given wealth selfishly. If you are relieved by the fact that the King did not tell all His followers to sell all their possessions, then you may be attached to what you have. Another reason why the rich would miss out in the Kingdom of God is that; in the Kingdom, everything belongs to the King. The King pays all the bills of the citizens and in the territory. So, the rich would find it difficult to give up their wealth, therefore, they do not want to enter the KOG. We cannot love the King with all our heart and yet keep our money to ourselves. Loving the King totally means using our money in ways that please Him.
Because it is impossible for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, it appears impossible for a rich person to get into the KOH. The disciples of the King were astounded. They thought that if anyone could be saved, it would be the rich, whom their culture considered especially blessed by the King. however, the King explained that “with God everything is possible”. Even rich people can enter the Kingdom if the King brings them in. Faith, not self-reliance, or riches is what counts. On what are you counting for eternity with the King. if material rewards in this life came to us for every faithful deed, we would be tempted to boast about our achievements and act out of wrong motivations. But, the King assured the disciples that anyone who gives up something valuable for His sake will be repaid many times over in this life, although not necessarily in the same form.
The rich man’s wealth made his life comfortable and gave him power and prestige. By telling him to sell everything he owned, the King was touching the very basis of his security and identity. The man did not understand that he would be even more secure if he followed the King than he was with all his wealth. The King does not tell us to sell everything we have, although this may be His will for some. But He does ask us all, however, to get rid of anything that has become more important in life than He. If your possessions take first place in your life, it would be better for you to get rid of them. Many have paid a high price – leaving their homes, loved ones and even jobs. Following the King has its benefits as well as its sacrifices. Any believer who has had to give up something will be repaid in this life as well as in the next. But, don’t dwell on what you have given up; think about what you have gained and give thanks for it. You can never outgive the King.
Not knowing the Scriptures and the power of God is the believers huge mistake. Develop the proper perspective of the KOH. What life will be like after we are reunited with the King is far beyond our ability to understand or imagine…Isaiah 64:4. The King’s appearance is so intense that it is like a consuming fire that burns everything in its path; the King’s glory is overwhelming. We cannot imagine all that God has in store for us, both in this life and for eternity. Until then, the Governor comforts and guides us. Knowing the wonderful and eternal future that awaits us gives us hope and courage to press on in this life, to endure hardship and to avoid giving in to temptation. This world is not all there is, the best is yet to come. Don’t be afraid of eternal life because of the unknowns, however. Instead of wondering what the coming Kingdom will be like, we should concentrate on our relationship with the King right now because in the new Kingdom, we will be with Him. If we learn to love the King now, we will not be afraid of what He has in store for us them.
In the King’s new order will not be an extension of this life. The same physical and natural rules will not apply. But, the King’s covenant with all people exists beyond death. In every generation and culture, ideas of eternal life tend to be based on images and experiences of present life. these faulty ideas are caused by ignorance of God’s Word. We must not make up our own conceived ideas about eternity and heaven by thinking of it and the King in human terms. Concentrate more on your relationship with the King than about what heaven will look like. Eventually we will find out and it will be far beyond our greatest expectations. Our relationships in this life are limited by time, death and sin and therefore, they will be different from what we are used to here and now. But, we shall be able to recognize our loved one in the KOH.
The KOG is announced by both preaching and healing and this is what the King want the kings on the earth to do, not just mere words. If the King Son had limited Himself to preaching, people might have seen His Kingdom as spiritual only. This is why people do not want to come into the KOG; people have their own religions and spiritual ecstasies with everything else. But, show them what there is for them in the Kingdom! In the days of the King Son on the earth, throngs and throngs of people followed Him because of the many miracles that accompanied His ministry. Desire not less than that. If He would have healed without preaching, people might not have realized the spiritual importance of His mission. The truth about the King is that He is both God and Man, both spiritual and physical; and the salvation that He offers is both for the soul and the body. Any group or teaching that emphasizes soul at the expense of body, or body at the expense of soul is in danger of distorting the Good News of the KOG.
The King Son thanked the King Father that spiritual truth was for everyone and not just for the elite. Many of life’s reward seem to go to the intelligent, the rich, the good looking or the powerful, but the KOG is equally available to all, regardless of position or abilities. We come to the King not through strength or brains, but through childlike trust. The King is not opposed to engaging in scholarly pursuits; He is opposed to spiritual pride. Thank Him that we all have equal access to Him. Trust in His grace, not in your personal qualifications, for your citizenship in the Kingdom. Make it your top priority. Seeking the KOG above all else means making the King your Lord. He must control every area – your work, play, plans, relationships. Is the Kingdom only one of your many concerns or is it central to all you do? As Lord and Creator, He wants to help provide what you need and well as guide how you use what He provides.
The Kingdom of God will have many surprises. Some who are despised now will be greatly honored then; some influential people here will be left outside the gates. Many ‘great’ people on this earth [in the King’s eyes] are virtually ignored by the rest of the world. What matters to the King is not a person’s earthly popularity, status, wealth, heritage or power but his commitment to the King. The King turns the world’s values upside down. Consider the most powerful or well-known people in our world – how many got where they are by being humble, self-effacing and gentle? Not many! But in the life to come, the last will be first. Don’t forfeit eternal rewards for temporary benefits. Be willing to make sacrifices now for greater rewards later. Be willing to accept human disapproval, while knowing that you have God’s approval. How do your values match those of the Bible? Put the King in the first place and you will join people from all over the world who will take their places at the feast in the KOH.
The King explained that in the KOH, the values of this world will be reversed. Those who seek status and importance here will have none in the KOG. The corrupt condition of our society encourages confusion in values. We are bombarded by messages that tell us how to be important and how to feel good and the King’s teaching about service to others seems alien. But those who have humbly served others are most qualified to be great in His Kingdom. The King has given each one of us gifts to use for the benefit of His Kingdom. The King will be hard on those who do not increase or build His Kingdom. He will be hard on those who will not share His interest in the Kingdom; those who do not trust His intentions and those who are concern with only themselves. Do you want the Kingdom to grow? Do you trust the King to govern it fairly? Are you as concerned for others’ welfare as you are for your own? Are you willing to use faithfully what He has entrusted to you?
The King Son repeatedly said that He would leave this world but would return at some future time. The King is preparing a place for the kings to spend eternity with them – a Kingdom is being prepared for His followers, a restored earthly Kingdom. The King’s return at an unexpected time is not a trap, a trick by which He hopes to catch us off guard. In fact, He is delaying His return so more people will have the opportunity to follow Him. Live out your beliefs to reflect His love as you relate to others: not hypocritical but sincere; not fearful but ready to witness; not worried but trusting; not greedy but generous; not lazy but diligent. May your life be like the King’s so that when He is revealed, you will be ready to greet Him joyfully. Everyone is responsible for their own spiritual condition. Spiritual preparation cannot be bought or borrowed at the last minute. Our relationship with God must be our own.
The most important event in human history is about to take place and many in the Church are still concerned about prestige in the KOG. Look back, this is not the time to worry about status. Wrapped up in our own concerns, many do not perceive the King’s return. What are your major concerns today? A decade from now, as you look back, will these worries look petty and inappropriate? Get your eyes off yourself and get ready for the King’s coming into human history for the second time. The world’s system of leadership is very different from leadership in the King’s Kingdom. Worldly leaders are often selfish and arrogant as they claw their way to the top. Some kings in the world give themselves the title ‘Benefactor, friend of the people’. But in the Kingdom the leader is to be the one who serves best. There are different styles of leadership – some lead through public speaking, some through administering, some through relationships – but every leader in the Church needs a servant’s heart. Ask the people you lead how you can serve them better.
The King personally invites us to be citizens of His Eternal Kingdom. Preparing ourselves for the fulfillment of God’s promises, however unlikely they may seem demonstrates our faith…Exodus 12:11; Luke 12:35. Months of planning go into a wedding, the birth of a baby, a career change, a speaking engagement, the purchase of a home. Do you place the same importance on preparing for the King’s return, the most important event in your life? Its results will last for eternity. You dare not postpone your preparations because you do not know when His return will occur. The way to prepare is to study the Constitution well and live by its instructions each day. Only then will you be ready. The establishment of the KOH, the King’s eternal Kingdom is a reason enough for the greatest celebration of all.
Excerpts from my book, ‘The Kingdom of God’.
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