The unceasing activity of the Creator, whereby in overflowing bounty and goodwill, He upholds His creatures in ordered existence, guides and governs all events, circumstances, and free acts of angels and men, and directs everything to its appointed goal, for His own glory.
J.I. Packer
“May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:11-14 (ESV)
A kingdom usually consists of a least three elements; a king, a realm and subjects. The subjects are the people who are submitted to and ruled by the king. The subjects of the kingdom of God are those people who have submitted to Jesus Christ and have come under the mastery of his lordship (Romans 10:9; 13:14; Ephesians 5:24; Colossians 1:18). These subjects have other identities such as “the church” or “the body of Christ” or “saints.” (1 Corinthians 1:2; 12:27; Ephesians 4:12; Colossians 1:24) The church is not the kingdom but rather the community of the kingdom. Continue reading
“The moment the Spirit has quickened us to life in regeneration our whole being senses its kinship to God and leaps up in joyous recognition. That is the heavenly birth without which we cannot see the Kingdom of God. It is, however, not an end but an inception, for now begins the glorious pursuit, the heart’s happy exploration of the infinite riches of the Godhead. That is where we begin, I say, but where we stop no man has yet discovered, for there is in the awful and mysterious depths of the Triune God neither limit nor end.”
A. W. Tozer
“And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them.” Matthew 4:23-24 (ESV)
It seems that everywhere Jesus preached the good news he performed miracles; signs and wonders (Luke 7:21). The combination of the message and ministry of Jesus were the manifestation of the kingdom of God on earth. Jesus said, “But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” (Matthew 12:28 ESV) The signs and wonders Jesus performed was part of the proclamation of the kingdom of God (Matthew 9:35). Not only did Jesus proclaim and demonstrate the kingdom, he commissioned his disciples to heal the sick and proclaim “the kingdom of God has come near you” (Luke 9:1; 10:9). Jesus wanted people to understand that God’s kingdom consists of more than just words but power also (1 Corinthians 4:20). Continue reading
“We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us. We are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.”
C. S. Lewis
“The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.” Psalms 103:19 (ESV)
Every kingdom has a realm. The realm of the kingdom is the territory over which a king exercises authority. The scriptures clearly tell us that God has complete rule in the universe. David wrote, “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all.” (1 Chronicles 29:11 ESV) “For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations.” (Psalms 22:28 ESV) Continue reading
“Faith for my deliverance is not faith in God. Faith means, whether I am visibly delivered or not, I will stick to my belief that God is love.”
Oswald Chambers
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” John 18:36 (ESV)
The Jews were looking for a Messiah who would establish a political kingdom (John 6:15). Their hopes were that this Messiah would institute a kingdom free of Roman rule. Even after preaching and demonstrating the kingdom for years with his disciples looking on, they still asked him just before his ascension, Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” To which Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. (Acts 1:6-7) Jesus knew that his kingdom did not originate on earth (John 18:36). Continue reading
