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?

[brianbbs67]

[Replying to post 356 by brianbbs67]

Nothing wrong with the verse we all know. Just wrong reference.

Oops!

The correct reference is Luke 16:16.

Please accept my apology, all.

No worries, friend. Just wanted to make sure there wasn't a bible out there missing 10 verses.

[JehovahsWitness]

Seek first The kingdom of God and His righteousness and it will be given to you.

A key scripture indeed. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus has a government that will rid the earth of all suffering so that the meek will live on this our beautiful planet earth free from sickness and in nice houses.

Only God's kingdom can achieve this for this earth, so we not only preach this "good news" but make keep seeking it, making the kingdom central in our lives.





RELATED POSTS

What is the purpose in life?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 433#896433]

[Checkpoint]

The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Seek first The kingdom of God and His righteousness and it will be given to you.

Whoever seeks finds, whoever asks receives, whoever knocks enters.

Whoever is born of water and spirit enters the kingdom of God.

Whoever is born from above sees the kingdom of God.

Does this all happen in this life, or only in the one to come, after Jesus returns?

What do you say?

If you have not seen it you cannot enter.

Seek the righteousness of God and keep His word so you may be born of water and spirit.

Those who have "seen it" see what exactly, do you think?

[Checkpoint]

Seek first The kingdom of God and His righteousness and it will be given to you.

A key scripture indeed. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus has a government that will rid the earth of all suffering so that the meek will live on this our beautiful planet earth free from sickness and in nice houses.

Only God's kingdom can achieve this for this earth, so we not only preach this "good news" but make keep seeking it, making the kingdom central in our lives.

Good for you, but that is not the full story of what the kingdom is and does.

The kingdom has had Jesus as its king for 2000 years, working toward its manifestation when and after Jesus returns to put all his enemies under his feet.

[onewithhim]

[Replying to post 327 by paarsurrey1]

The Kingdom of God is mentioned in the OT. One example:

For the kingdom is [the LORD'S], And He is the ruler over the nations. Psalm 22:28

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

Sorry, Psalm 22:28 is:

28.All the ends of the earth shall remember and return to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall prostrate themselves before You.

http://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo ... ter-22.htm

Regards

_______
"Historical-Critical Analysis"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psalm_22

How does this negate what JehovahsWitness is saying?

[onewithhim]

[Replying to post 337 by Checkpoint]

Well I was talking about the government. Hope that clears that up.

Good day to you,

JW

The kingdom has a government, yes, which presently rules in the midst of its enemies.

That is the "now" I mentioned.

The "not yet" aspect will come when Kitg Jesus returns .

You are correct. Jesus rules now, but not over the whole earth. He is preparing his people for the new beginning---Paradise on Earth---and guiding them to tell others about this good news.

[onewithhim]

The "not yet" aspect will come when Kitg Jesus returns .

Yes, I agree Christ hasn't yet returned. When he does he will destroy the wicked, that is called in the bible Harmageddon. Then his government will be the ONLY one that exists! What a joy that will be! just imagine, no more wars, no more worldly "politics" ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT and an end to all suffering on this our planet earth.

All thanks to that government!

JW

All of the above.

Come, Lord Jesus!

But in the meantime, the kingdom continues to function and govern, in the world but not of the world, as it as done since Jesus sat down at the right hand of the Father.

Yes, and the Kingdom is not reliant on any of men's governments that now rule. Even the gov't of the United States does not rule for Jesus. All man-made governments are actually in opposition to Jesus.

Psalm 2:1,2
Revelation 19:17-21

[onewithhim]

"Thy kingdom, thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven"

That right there should tell you his Kingdom is not here yet. Is God's will done here? Yes, he works around our will. But, "our collective will" is still causing war and suffering..so no Kingdom established as ruling yet.

Yes, the kingdom is God's will being done here now in and through the lives of His people in an alien world, and later in its full manifestation when Jesus finally deals with and ends that alien world.

I believe that Jesus was referring to the time after Armageddon when God's will will be done as it is in heaven---that is, completely, with no aberrations. That is when the Kingdom can truly be said to have come.

"Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." (Matt.6:9,10, KJV)

[tam]

[Replying to post 327 by paarsurrey1]

The Kingdom of God is mentioned in the OT. One example:

For the kingdom is [the LORD'S], And He is the ruler over the nations. Psalm 22:28

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

Sorry, Psalm 22:28 is:

28.All the ends of the earth shall remember and return to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall prostrate themselves before You.

http://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo ... ter-22.htm

Regards

_______
"Historical-Critical Analysis"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psalm_22

Peace to you Paarsurrey!

In the link that you provided, it would be Psalm 22, verse 29, instead of verse 28.

[onewithhim]

"Thy kingdom, thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven"

That right there should tell you his Kingdom is not here yet. Is God's will done here? Yes, he works around our will. But, "our collective will" is still causing war and suffering..so no Kingdom established as ruling yet.

Yes, the kingdom is God's will being done here now in and through the lives of His people in an alien world, and later in its full manifestation when Jesus finally deals with and ends that alien world.

God's will always will be done. He hasn't come and re-established His Kingdom yet, was my point. If so, no strife. I don't know why JW are hung up on the first ww? Doesn't God say , he comes as a thief? No one knows the hour? Anyone who says he does lies?

Jesus also said that those that are following him can know the season. We may not know the day or hour, but we can decipher the season, and start to lift up our heads knowing our deliverance is getting near.


"Now learn a parable of the fig tree: When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors." (Matthew 24:32,33, KJV)

"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemptiion draweth nigh." (Luke 21:28)

"He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather; for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather today;for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites! ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?" (Matthew 16:2,3)


Therefore, is it not obvious that, though we don't know the day or hour, we can observe the signs of the times and know we are living in the last days/harvest time?