The Kingdom of God: Part 1

Below is but a small measure of revelation that my father had received from the Lord. I hope this will be a blessing to you. All that is written below are the words of my father.

The Kingdom of God: Part 1 

In loving memory of my father
Robert Louis (Bob) Padgett
July 28, 1931-May 22, 2023

We shared before briefly about the kingdom of God. 

The Gospel Perceived

What do most Christian believers think about when they hear the word gospel? Only the Lord knows, but we suspect the great majority of Christians equate the word gospel with the fact that God loves us and gave His only begotten Son for us. Most Christians, when asked to define the gospel, would probably quote: 

John 3:16 

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

As such, the gospel includes the conversion of people, repentance, accepting Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, being saved, or being born again, based upon the death, burial, resurrection, and witness of Jesus Christ. It certainly is good news that Jesus came to the earth almost 2000 years ago as a man, born of the virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Ghost, endured every temptation known to man, suffered as a man, was crucified on a cross, shed His blood for us, died, was buried, arose from the dead by the power of the Holy Ghost on the third day, and now sits in glory at the right hand of the Father in heaven. 

Jesus died for our sins that, if we accept Him as our Savior, then we will have eternal life and be blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ (no spiritual blessings outside of Christ). 

Further, if we die physically before Jesus returns then we will go to heaven to be with the Lord. Now all of the above is true and marvelous, but still incomplete. Much more is involved in the gospel that Jesus preached. 

Have you ever considered that both John the Baptist and Jesus came preaching the kingdom of God, before Calvary?

Unfortunately far too many modern day preachers turn the above into a me-centered kind of gospel, emphasizing all of the goodies that we get by becoming a Christian. In other words, too many churches today glorify man, not God. Further, Jesus is not returning to earth for millions of baby Christians. He desires to return for a Church which is without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing. He will have that which He desires!

The Kingdom of God

The word kingdom (basileia, in the Greek) denotes sovereignty and means the domain of the king. Every kingdom must have a king. A king must have subjects. 

Some countries were once kingdoms but are now republics, because they have no king, but are governed by the public, which is sovereign. 

That has also been true spiritually for the Jewish nation from the crucifixion of Jesus until the present time. Just before Jesus was rejected by His own people (the Jews), the chief priests said, We have no king but Caesar. 

(John 19:15)

To what degree is the Church today likened unto the Jewish nation? It seems that far too many Christian churches or fellowships are characterized by,

Judges 21:25

In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

Philippians 2:21 

For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.

Common practice of equating the kingdom of God with being saved (individually) and the Church (corporately) gets us into a swamp of misunderstanding very quickly.

All of the parables that Jesus spoke were parables concerning the kingdom, not the Church. The kingdom of Heaven is likened unto ... the wheat and the tares, the ten virgins, the grain of mustard seed, the hidden treasure, the pearl of great price, the parable of the talents, the sheep and the goats, the two sons, the householder hiring laborers for his vineyard, the king making a marriage feast for his son, the sower who went forth to sow, and on and on, are all parables of the kingdom of God.

We must begin to look at all of the teachings of Jesus (and Paul) as kingdom teachings, for so they are. What is this kingdom of God that John the Baptist, Jesus, the disciples, and Paul came announcing or preaching? It was/is the most wonderful news ever heard on this earth for all those who will accept the gospel and become its citizens, accept its' King and its laws and responsibilities, it would set them free from every fetter: from the rule of the Mosaic law, from the bondage of sin, and take them as fellow-citizens into the kingdom of God, whose King is Jesus, whose law is love, whose flag is the cross, whose provider is God.

Now let us look at another apparent definition of the kingdom of God. We say apparent because it is not possible to define Him Who is not definable. He exceeds our capacity even to think of Him.

Romans 14:17

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Thus the kingdom of God is in the realm of the Spirit.

In reality, we define the kingdom of God to be Christ, for the will of God is done only in and through Christ. The kingdom of God is the domain of God.

In the kingdom of God, the will of God is supreme and His will is always done. Is the will of God always done by each born again Christian? No. For proof of that, just consider the Church at Corinth. They had every gift of the Spirit in operation, but Paul called them carnal because they were led by the flesh in a multitude of ways rather than by the Spirit. That is why Paul had to write 1 Corinthians as a letter of correction to them (and to us). Therefore being a born again Christian and a faithful church-goer does not mean that he/she is walking or abiding in the kingdom of God.

A difference between being in the Church, which is His body, and abiding in the kingdom of God - Jesus said,

Matthew 7:21

Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.

It is doing the will of God; it is practicing the will of God. Now let us consider two similar sets of verses.

Luke 13:24

Strive to enter in at the strait gate; for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

Matthew 7:13-14 

13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

There are two ways of looking at and applying these verses. Traditional application refers to salvation, where the narrow way leads to heaven and the broad way leads to hell. However, if we examine these verses from the perspective of the kingdom of God, we get an entirely different sense, and a sense which is much more in line with all of Scripture.

The word strive, which occurs only 7 times in the New Testament, means to struggle or to agonize. We must strive to enter into the kingdom; that requires that we deny our self, take up our cross, and follow Him. But there is no striving associated with being saved, it is a free gift, received by faith through the grace of God. Any one can be saved by simply acknowledging that Jesus is the Son of God and accepting the forgiveness that He has offered to us.

The word strait in Luke 13:24 and Matthew 7:13-14, means hard and difficult because it runs counter to natural inclinations, we always want to follow the path of least resistance. Many will go in at the broad way; few will press through to the fullness. A look at the tabernacle of Moses will take us deeper into the meaning of strait gate to the outer court, known as the wide gate, was twice the width of the door into the Holy Place. The total area of the outer court was significantly greater than the area of the Holy Place.

The further we go into God, the more pressure, the more demanding, and the greater discipline is required. Few there be who find it. But once we pass thru that strait gate we burst forth into an unlimited, infinite place called the kingdom of God.

Isaiah 33:21

But there the glorious LORD will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams; wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby.

Where is there? From Isaiah 33:20, Zion.
What does Zion represent spiritually? the kingdom of God.

Psalm 76:1-2

1 In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel.

2 In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.

In the visible church on earth, men (and perhaps good men) steer the ship or galley (the church). In the kingdom of God there are no oars, no oarsmen, no ship motors, no sails; we must depend upon the Holy Spirit to guide the galley.

What does the gallant ship signify? The leaders of the visible church; those who have made a name for themselves through any of a variety of means (such as speakers at big conferences, television evangelists, pastors of mega-churches, authors of Christian books who have made millions of dollars selling their wares, and on and on). None of those will appear in the kingdom of God unless they repent.

Other verses which clearly differentiates between being saved and entering into the kingdom of God are:

Luke 16:16

The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

Matthew 11:12

And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

Another translation: kingdom of heaven forces itself on man's attention and the forceful ones lay hold of it. No pressing or violence required to be born again.

We can therefore conclude that there are many true Christians who, at the present time, are saved or born again (and even baptized in the Holy Ghost) but who are not abiding in the kingdom of God. That is confirmed by two sets of verses in the Book of Revelation. Let us compare the two 

Revelation 7:9-10

9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

After this! After what?

After the 144,000 servants of the Lord were sealed in their foreheads (from Revelation 7:1-8). Note that a great multitude (of Christians) were crying and that all they knew was salvation.

Revelation 14:1-4

1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

Note that the 144,000 were singing a new song (not crying).

We must not interpret the virgins which were not defiled with women (in Verse 4) in the literal, natural sense. If that were true, then Peter & Paul, along with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, and a host of others would not qualify, for they all had wives. A virgin, scripturally, is someone who has not compromised their faith with the ways of the world. Have you ever considered the accusations that were brought against Jesus by the chief priests and elders before Pontius Pilate?

Jesus was not accused of being the Savior of the world; that presented no big threat to the devil. He was accused of being a King; and a King must have a kingdom!

Paul spoke often of the kingdom.

1 Corinthians 4:20 

For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.

Acts 28:30-31

30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,

31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

The only possible Scripture we are aware of for equating being saved with the kingdom of God is:

Colossians 1:13

Who [God the Father] hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son.

The kingdom of His dear Son represents all those whom the Father has given to the Son; i.e., the Church. The Son, through the power of the Holy Ghost, has the responsibility to bring many sons to glory such that when His task is completed:

1 Corinthians 15:24-28

24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.

28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

Do you find it strange, with all of the scriptural emphasis on the kingdom of God in the New Testament, that we hear so little about it today?

We have limited God and His kingdom by our own limited thinking.

On March 26, 2006, the Holy Spirit quickened that there are many pastors who are genuine believers, love the Lord, and desire more of the Lord in their life and the life of believers in their church; but they are trying to fit more of the Lord into their own programs, doctrines, and organizational structure. Such, of course, will never happen.

We give our allegiance to small and passing things and so miss the wonder of His great kingdom. Our allegiance is to family, business, denomination, entertainment, state, or country, each one confining us to a small divisive role.

Jesus came with a citizenship breathtakingly large and wonderful but we have not dared drop our little loyalties in order to grasp it. We are like little children clutching candy in our sticky fingers, reluctant to relinquish it, as we must, before we can receive the bicycle that our parents hold out to us. Few people have caught the full significance of what Jesus offered to the world when He proclaimed, the kingdom of heaven is at hand!

The kingdom of God is not reserved for some distant time and place when we all get to heaven! Jesus said, 

Luke 17:20-21

20 The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:

21 Neither shall they say, Lo here: or, lo there: for behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

Some think of the kingdom of God as the beautiful One and they hope to inherit after death. But to Jesus, the kingdom of God is not a place that men must physically or naturally die to attain. He died that they might attain citizenship in that kingdom, here on earth ... here and now!

The kingdom begins on earth but continues throughout eternity in heaven.

Matthew 22:14 

For many are called, but few are chosen. 

The spiritual sense of that verse is, many are called, but few choose! We have free will both before and after we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. It is by our choices that we determine our destination.

But now for the really, really good news!

Luke 12:32-34 

32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

But note the condition!

The Gospel Applied

What does the kingdom mean for us personally?

What must its citizens believe and do?

What does the kingdom promise that the average Christian has not yet inherited?

What would the kingdom do for the world that the Church has not done?

Citizens of the kingdom of God must obey God rather than men. They must put allegiance to Jesus and His people above loyalty to denomination, state, or nation. Christ, alone, is King. When He speaks, His subjects must obey, no matter what their lesser loyalties might demand. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that His citizens hear His voice.

The major function of any minister is to help other believers to hear the voice of the Lord for himself. Citizens of the kingdom renders unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, but renders unto God the things that are God's (Matthew 22).

He is in the world but not of the world. His citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). Jesus said,

John 8:31-32

31 If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed;

32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Note the If in Verse 31.

We have heard many ministers misquote Verse 32 as, and ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free. But we were set free by accepting the atoning work of Christ when he died at Calvary on the cross. We are made free by continuing in His word ... by allowing the cross to work in our life.

1 Corinthians 1:18

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Note that the preaching of the cross working in the lives of those who are already saved or born again is the power of God, which enables us to enter the kingdom of God. From our experience, the kingdom of God seldom has been taught. As long as we reject (knowingly or unknowingly) the kingdom with its absolute and final allegiance to our King, Jesus Christ, we will remain slaves to our lesser loyalties and small conceptions of what it means to be a Christian.

When Christians begin to take the kingdom of God seriously, the world will begin to take Christians seriously, and we, like Paul and the early Church, will begin to turn the world upside down (Acts 17:6).