2000-7-29 06:02:00
Chapter Twenty Five - The Kingdom of God
Jesus made two statements about the kingdom of God that conveyed great spiritual truth, but at the same time has greatly misled a great number of people. When the Pharisees wanted to know when the kingdom was to appear he told them: "The kingdom of God is within you." Luke 17:21 He also told Pilate: "My kingdom is not of this world..." John 18:36
These two statements have led many believers to think that a physical externalization of the kingdom of God (Zion) will never occur. Many only look forward to the kingdom of God in some vague afterlife or as a state of mind enjoyed by an elect few. They forget an important principle that is even acknowledged by the world today: Before an idea is manifested without it must be first contemplated within. If the kingdom of God is truly within and those having the kingdom within are gathered together - then what do we have? The result is a physical manifestation without - the physical kingdom of God. Those who say that there can be no physical kingdom are saying, in effect, that God has nothing to do with the physical realm. On the other hand, if God does move in the physical realm to the extent that the will of God is "done on earth as it is in heaven" [see Matthew 6:10] would that not make a kingdom of God on earth just as it is in heaven?
Another important rule is: Anything that exists within has its physical counterpart. If the kingdom truly does exist within then where is the physical manifestation, or the proof of that existence within? Presently it is not here, yet there are many scattered abroad that do have the kingdom within, and these, if gathered together, have power to manifest it outwardly.
What did Jesus really mean when he said "My kingdom is not of this world"? [John 18:36] The word "world" comes from the Greek KOSMOS which signifies "an arrangement." The "world," as it was used then was "the present arrangement or organization of things as they are." The KOSMOS is in a constant state of change and flux. Thus, Jesus was saying that the desired arrangement and order of his kingdom was not in harmony with, or the same as, the arrangement of the powers that be among the sons of men.
The word "kingdom" comes from the Greek BASILEIA which means the foundation of power, or dominion" and the Hebrew MALKUW which means "a rule or dominion". Taking this into consideration Jesus literally would have said: "The foundation of the power of Christ is not in this present arrangement of things." This is certainly a true statement of the system at that time, which crucified him.
The most consistent one word synonym for "kingdom" would be "dominion". The kingdom of God could be called "a dominion by those who recognize the presence of God within them".
The scriptures definitely affirm that the Christ recognized that an actual physical kingdom would appear and he taught such doctrine repeatedly: "And Jesus went about at Galilee teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom..." Matthew 4:23; 9:35
"And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore I am sent." Luke 4:43 The Harbinger, John the Baptist also preached the kingdom of God in Matthew 3:2.
However, the people failed to respond to the message as Jesus acknowledged: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together (established the physical kingdom of God), even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house (kingdom) is left unto you desolate." Matthew 23:37-38
Because the disciples of Christ had been thoroughly indoctrinated with the message of the kingdom by Jesus, they were extremely curious as to whether he would use his great power to establish it after he was raised from the dead. They asked the resurrected Christ: "Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?' And he said unto them, it is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power." Acts 1:6-7
Jesus did not want to discourage the disciples by telling them "No, you shall not see the kingdom established". Instead he told them that this knowledge was not for them to know. Thus, he did not dampen their optimism. He told them that the kingdom would be established by the power of the Father rather than the love aspect of the Son. The people at that time were not ready for a physical dominion, for they did not comprehend the love aspect of the Son let alone the Will, Power and purpose of the Father which is necessary to bring forth the Kingdom.
Disciples in the days of Jesus were anxiously looking forward to the literal creation of the kingdom of God on the earth and to correct misconceptions he gave them a parable: "And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem (where the kingdom was expected to begin), and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. He said therefore, A certain nobleman (the Christ) went into a far country (the current residence of Christ and his group of Masters not physically externalized: These are called The Spiritual Hierarchy of the Earth) to receive for himself a kingdom (dominion), and return." Luke 19:11-12
Christ recognized that he could not obtain a dominion through free will over the unprepared masses of men, so after his crucifixion he planned to go to "a far country" and take with him a select few who could understand his teachings and there establish his kingdom, or dominion. This was a preparation for his dominion which would eventually be externalized on the earth.
"And he called his ten servants (stewards over the kingdom message), and delivered them ten pounds (literally a pound is a sum of money, but it was a symbol of the doctrines of the kingdom), and said unto them, Occupy (keep yourself busy teaching the message of the kingdom) till I come. But his citizens hated him (those who were the Christians and Jews who did not like the kingdom or gathering message), and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us (we will set up our own churches with no kingdom message and teach doctrines that please us)." Luke 19:13-14
"And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received (obtained) the kingdom (now externalized), then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given money (revelation and instructions), that he might know how much every man had gained by trading (how much they have expanded their own Christ consciousness and received from the God within - how much enlightenment they have dissipated, and how much progress they have made in externalizing the kingdom of God). Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds (I have taken what you have given me and contemplated and acted upon it and now I have ten times more - I am ten times more valuable in your service than I was when you gave me the pound). And he said unto him, Well done thou good servant: because thou has been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities (such a faithful servant may eventually govern ten cities of the Kingdom)." Luke 19:15-17
"And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities." Luke 19:18-19
"And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have laid up in a napkin (The servant did not add light and knowledge to what he was given, neither did he boldly present it, but tried to preserve it as it was given): For I feared thee (He didn't want to offend the Master by making a mistake), because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layest not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow (The servant completely misunderstood the Master. He thought he was austere and harsh, but he is not. He thought the Master could create a kingdom with no works on his part, just by showing up and making a grand second appearance and magically producing it. The servant thought that any works that he might do would show a lack of faith in the Master's future grand performance)." Luke 19:20-21
"And he said unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant (I will judge you according to your own thoughts). Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? (he should have lent his support to others who were bringing forth increase such as the previous two profitable servants. This would have brought forth a much greater benefit to the Master)." Luke 19:22-23
"And he said unto them that stood by (followers of the man's doctrine who could see greater enlightenment), Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds (stop supporting this one who is leading you nowhere and follow him who has magnified his calling.). And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds. (And the Master said:) For I say unto you, that unto every one which hath shall be given (He who had expanded his consciousness shall be given more than he sought); and from him that hath not (has not magnified his calling and consciousness), even that he hath shall be taken away from him (he shall not even understand the truths he was given such as the Bible or other scriptures)." Luke 19:24-26
"But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them (those who do not support the kingdom of God and the gathering of Israel), bring them hither, and slay them before me(destroy their useless creeds and dogmas)." Luke 19:27
Jesus spoke this parable near the end of his life when he realized that the kingdom could not materialize in his lifetime.
The servants who were to occupy in that early age were his twelve apostles of whom he said: "And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel." Luke 22:29-30
"Judging" here comes from the Greek KRINO which means "to distinguish or decide". Thus would the twelve apostles at some future date play a part in discerning the true Israelites and allotting their inheritances in the various cities of Zion.
The kingdom was so important to the Christ that he included mention of it in the famous prayer he left for mankind: "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. THY KINGDOM COME, Thy will be done IN EARTH, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN." Matthew 6:9-10
"Come" here is from the Greek ELTHETO which could also be rendered "let it appear" or "let it be manifest". If the kingdom is physically manifest, then the Father's Will will be done on earth as it is in heaven, or visa versa.
At the last supper just before the crucifixion as they were drinking the wine the Christ said to his twelve apostles: "But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom." Matthew 26:29
Luke mentions this in his account: "I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God ... I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come." Luke 22:16-18
The message the Christ was giving them here was that he would not walk among them again in the flesh in what is now termed his "second coming" until the kingdom of God is first materialized on the earth.
To find the house of the Last Supper Jesus directed his disciples: "Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall be a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house wherewith he entereth in." Luke 22:10
This man was the symbol of the age of Aquarius, the age in which the Christ would drink of the vine in the physical kingdom of God on the earth.
The Christ here seemed to verify the words of David: "When the Lord shall build up Zion (the kingdom of God), he shall appear in his glory." Psalms 102:16
Jesus told the Pharisees, "There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. And they shall come (gather) from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God (Zion).' And behold, there are last, (those not enthused about orthodox religion) which shall be first (the first to build Zion), and there are first (very religious people) which shall be last (the last to recognize the kingdom)." Luke 13:28-30
Jesus here was referring to an event which will transpire right on the earth, not in heaven, for he talks of those who will come from all directions and sit down in the kingdom. Some of the ancient prophets will externalize with the Christ and some before him, and help to build the Kingdom of God where there will be peace on earth, good will to mankind. And thus the proclamation of the angels at the birth of Christ will finally manifest as reality as the birth of the individual Christ is transmuted to the birth of a kingdom of Christs.
Copyright 2000 by J.J. Dewey, All Rights Reserved