The kingdom of God.

[Checkpoint]

Some seem to think it is entirely future, while others give the impression they are always thinking of it as present, and to not be looking at the future in kingdom terms at all.

Jesus had much to say about the kingdom, including this:

Luke 16:

6 The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone is being zealously urged into it.

So, where do you stand as to whether it is present, future, or has both a present and a future aspect?

On what basis?

According to which scriptures?

[JehovahsWitness]

That has to fit into what some folk insist are certain truths as to how it governs, where it governs from, who does the governing, and when that governing started.

I am not surprised you shy away from expaining who is in the kingdom and what it does. This is regretable since the kingdom was the main theme of Jesus preaching work. Don't worry, Jehovah's Witnesses will continue to preach the kingdom while you can concentrate on speaking about your own salvation, or Christian rock music or whatever other subject "churchless christians" like to wax lyrical about.

THE KINGDOM OF GOD

What is God's kingdom? God's Kingdom is a heavenly government.

Who is in it? Jesus is its head, he shares rulership with 144,000 born again believers.

Where is it? It's in heaven

What does it govern? It will govern the entire planet earth.

When did it start governing? 1914

Is it "god ruling our hearts"? No.

Isn't the kingdom when God takes action in our hearts? No.

Is it "within us"? No its a government.

Is it "whenever God takes action"? No it's a government!

Will it find its expression through human governments? No it will destroy all human governments.

Will it's rule extend into the future? Yes, it will continue for 1000 years

What will it do for the earth? It will rid the earth of all wickedness and suffering, this is why its refered to as "The GOOD NEWS of the kingdom"

Why do so-called "christians" avoid speaking about the Kingdom? Because they don't know what it is.

What is the responsibility of True Christians ? Preach the good news of this Kingdom to anyone that will listen.

How can I learn more about the Kingdom? Talk to any Jehovah's Witness on the earth they will be happy to explain more. All of our children over 5 can also probably explain the above as well.

Further reading: What Is God’s Kingdom?
https://www.jw.org/en/publications/book ... s-kingdom/

[Checkpoint]

[Replying to post 141 by Checkpoint]

Uh-huh. True. It's just like if Prince Charles of Great Britain is set to take over ruling the kingdom (his mother having died or abdicated or whatever), and before he is officially installed as king he goes riding through London in one of his limousines, with the people calling out, "Save, we pray, our king!" Does this mean he was already installed as the king? No, because he wasn't. So what does it mean? That they recognize that Prince Charles has been designated as their future king, though he hasn't formally taken the throne as yet.

Bada bing. Bada boom.

We are not talking about how man operates but how God does.

Jesus made that very clear.

[Monta]

[Replying to post 142 by tam]


"That being said, He has not yet established His Kingdom upon the earth; this is yet to come, when Christ (the King) returns. And He has not yet done so; there will be no question of it when He returns, as every eye will see Him (Rev 1:7). "

He has already come the second time to those who were looking for him:

Hebrews 9:281599 Geneva Bible (GNV)
28 So Christ was once offered to take away the sins of [a]many, and unto them that look for him, shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Lord Christ does not need physical body to be seen/recognized. He has revealed Himself as the Word - Truth, and we see Him whenever we hear His words. His Kingdom is and will be coming continously for as long as there is earth.

[tam]

What is God's kingdom? God's Kingdom is a heavenly government.

But a Kingdom does not consist only of a government. A Kingdom consists of a King (government) and subjects (citizens).

Christ is the King, of course. He makes His Bride (all who are anointed with holy spirit - and all Christians are anointed with holy spirit) king-priests as well, and they will reign with Him for a thousand years.

But this Kingdom also has subjects - people from the nations who are invited into the Kingdom as well (on the basis of how they have treated even a least one of His brothers, showing that the law - of love - is upon their hearts; see the sheep, from the sheep and the goats parable).



Peace to you,
your servant and a slave of Christ,
tammy

[JehovahsWitness]

[Replying to post 154 by tam]

What is God's kingdom? God's Kingdom is a heavenly government.

What is "a government"? A government is the excerise of an authority over ---> a group of citizens [ a]: Rulers (authority) + Citizens (subjects) = Government.

Notations [a] [ b] MINE


What is a kingdom? A kingdom is a community of citizens with (+ ie having) a king or a Queen to rule over them. Citizens + Ruler (King) = kingdom

Ruler (King) + Citizens = KINGDOM
Ruler(s) + Citizens = GOVERMENT

ie KINGDOM = GOVERNMENT

Can God's kingdom be rightly and accurately described as ONLY government? Yes because "government" by definition is NOT just the authority, it is the authority over subjects or citizens. The word encompasses both the power and the exercise of that power over subjects. The only difference between a government and a kingdom is that the latter is headed by a king or a queen.

God's kingdom then can be described as a government, what TYPE of governement? A monarchical government.






https://www.jw.org/en/publications/book ... om-of-god/

[tam]

[Replying to post 155 by JehovahsWitness]


Please note from your own definition that a Kingdom is a community or major territorial unit "... HAVING a monarchical form of government."

Not BEING a monarchical form of government.

A kingdom is a community and/or territory that HAS a monarchical form of government (a king or queen).



Peace again to you,
your servant and a slave of Christ,
tammy

[JehovahsWitness]

[Replying to post 156 by tam]

Both elements are present in both government and kingdom, the only difference is that the ruler in the latter is a king (or a queen) they are equivalent terms.

JW

The following video is very clear and has a simple explanation which I don't think will be too difficult (3 mins).


[youtube][/youtube]

[Checkpoint]

[Replying to post 151 by JehovahsWitness]

Checkpoint wrote:

That has to fit into what some folk insist are certain truths as to how it governs, where it governs from, who does the governing, and when that governing started.

You commented

I am not surprised you shy away from expaining who is in the kingdom and what it does. This is regretable since the kingdom was the main theme of Jesus preaching work.

Just what I said, you are so predictable and can always be relied on to tell us "certain truths" that do not reflect what scripture conveys.

You added

Don't worry, Jehovah's Witnesses will continue to preach the kingdom while you can concentrate on speaking about your own salvation, or Christian rock music or whatever other subject "churchless christians" like to wax lyrical about.

Yes, you will do what you do best, "wax lyrical about" whatever toes your party line with its mixture of truth, half truth, and falsehood.

[JehovahsWitness]

I am not surprised you shy away from expaining who is in the kingdom and what it does. This is regretable since the kingdom was the main theme of Jesus preaching work.

Just what I said, you are so predictable and can always be relied on to tell us "certain truths" that do not reflect what scripture conveys.

And are you attempting to imply that the KINGDOM was not the main theme of Jesus' preaching work?

[Checkpoint]

I am not surprised you shy away from expaining who is in the kingdom and what it does. This is regretable since the kingdom was the main theme of Jesus preaching work.

Just what I said, you are so predictable and can always be relied on to tell us "certain truths" that do not reflect what scripture conveys.

And are you attempting to imply that the KINGDOM was not the main theme of Jesus' preaching work?

No, not at all, don't worry.

Mark 1:

14 After the arrest of John, Jesus went into Galilee and proclaimed the gospel of God 15 “The time is fulfilled, he said, “and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"

Matthew 10:

7 And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.

Luke 10:

1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go.
2 And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.

8 Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you.
9 Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’
10 But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say,
11 ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’

17The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!�
18 And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.

20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.�

21 In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.
22 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.�