(16th article in the Discipleship Series)
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Let’s get started.
PRAY: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory for ever. Amen.
STUDY: In this study I will discuss what the Kingdom of God is and how it plays out in time.
What is the Kingdom of God? The Kingdom of God is God’s PRESENCE both internally and externally.
At creation God’s EXTERNAL presence is seen as He walks and talks with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.Genesis 3:8
The Kingdom of God on Earth
As God’s representative, Adam managed God’s heavenly kingdom on earth. But then SIN happened and the WISDOM of God is revealed. God had prepared for a second Adam to take the original Adam’s place. The second Adam is Jesus.
The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord (Jesus) from heaven.1 Corinthians 15:45,47
Jesus is the headship of a second line of men. He is the headship of a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
In preparing for the ushering of His NEW earthly kingdom, God decided to do it in two stages:
1. Internally first
2. Then externally
Internal Kingdom
God knows that He can’t implement His new kingdom on earth through fallen men. Fallen man is on his own course towards death— the branch has been cut from the tree.
God wants to place His kingdom in the hearts and minds of men (Hebrews 8:10). He does this through Christ.
In that Jesus came to die for the sins of men and give them new life, the spirit of man can be born again (John 3:3). Jesus tells us that upon rebirth the Kingdom of God resides WITHIN YOU.
Now when he was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS WITHIN YOU.”Luke 17:20-21
The Kingdom in you is what we have been talking about in the Discipleship Series. Through the fruit of the Spirit, I have been showing you HOW the Kingdom of God manifests itself in: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance (Galatians 5:22-23).
As we walk out God’s kingdom in us, God prepares to reveal His external kingdom.
External Kingdom
As the second headship of mankind, Jesus must come again. He will take dominion and subdue the earth— He will establish an earthly kingdom (Genesis 1:26-28). As His followers, we rule with Him for 1,000 years.
I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And THEY LIVED AND REIGNED WITH CHRIST FOR A THOUSAND YEARS.Revelation 20:4
Millennial Reign of Christ
What is the millennial reign of Christ and why does Christ need to rule on earth for a 1000 years?
Since the fall of Adam, God has used time to establish GRACE and the internal reign of Christ in our lives. The Old Testament serves as an external dramatization of what would happen internally for those in Christ. As Moses and the Israelites were released from the bondage of Egypt and entered the promised land, so through Christ we are released from the bondage of sin and enter into God’s heavenly kingdom.
Now, after Christ ‘s return, the FOCUS of God’s kingdom changes. Man’s redemption is now complete. For the next 1,000 years, Christ and the saints will restore the earth— God will restore His CREATION.
The creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.Romans 8:20-22
All of the sciences will be restored: Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Ecology, Geography, Geology, Linguistics, Physics, Psychology, Sociology and Zoology.
Men will be released from the lies of the enemy— from the lies of the Mystery of Babylon (Revelation 17:5). The earth you THINK you live on and the way it really operates will be explained to you (see my article, The Flat Earth Movement: Is It For Real?)
The animals will no longer suffer— the wolf will dwell with the lamb (Isaiah 11:6).
The at the end of the 1,000 years, the Great White Throne judgement will occur (Revelation 20:11-12). The unredeemed on earth and those who have been waiting in Tartarus (hell or realm of the dead; 2 Peter 2:4) will be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15).
The redeemed will live with God in the new heaven and earth— forever (Revelation 21:1-5)
Fulfilling Your Destiny
As the Bride of Christ our role is to put on clean garments (Revelation 19:7-8). What does that mean? It means we are to put on the internal fruit of the Spirit as discussed in this series (Galatians 5:22-23). We are to draw others to Christ through the characteristics of a changed life. Our ministries for Him will only be effective to the extent that we fill ourselves with His righteousness.
If we are indeed living in the last times, God has prepared special operations for each of us. What are those operations? What is your destiny? I encourage you to read my series, God’s End Time Army. The first article in that series is, God’s End Time Army: Where Do You Fit In? You can find all the articles in the archives to the right.
MEDITATE: Meditate on the following scripture. Let it encourage you to develop the fruit of the Spirit within you. Put it on card stock and refer to it throughout the week.
“The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”Luke 17:20-21
Also make and carry the Fruit of the Spirit Cards (link). Refer to them throughout the week.
READ BIBLE: At the end of each day, read for 15 minutes in the Chronological Bible. The reading schedule is provided here (link). You can start any where, any time.
I also want to make you aware of a powerful video series on YouTube called, The Bible Project. These videos outline each book of the Bible. Some videos also develop THEMES of the Bible to help you understand it better. Here are examples from Genesis:
Outline of Genesis
Outline of Genesis
Theme of Genesis
Conclusion
There are many kingdoms ruling in the world today. In fact, we hear of a New World Order that wants to enslave us. But we’re not afraid, we know that God makes all enemies His footstool (Matthew 22:44). Until then, God is reconciling the world to Himself (Colossians 1:20). As Christians our role is to allow God’s internal kingdom to reign in us.
For thine is the KINGDOM, and the POWER, and the GLORY for ever. Amen.